Sewer, economic plan, communication make council’s top priorities for 2010

Edgewood City Council outlined its top priorities for the coming years March 2 at the annual council retreat.

Some of the goals, such as keeping the sewer project on track for completion by the end of the year, were obvious moves for the city to continue moving forward.

A few of the short and long-term goals were a little more creative, and would call for continued involvement and communication between council and the community.

Seven short-term goals, to be completed within a year, were agreed upon by the council.

Continuing the sewer project, which began ground work in January, establishing a location and move date for the Nyholm Windmill, and completing plans for the long-going Jovita Boulevard realignment and Interurban Trail are all items that have been on the city’s to-do list for quite some time.

Other items, such as increasing communication to citizens from the city, and re-implementing a defunct economic advisory board, are fresh ideas the city would like to embark on.

“We want to do a better job of being able to reach out and communicate with citizens about what’s going on,” City Manager Mark Bauer said.

Improving the city’s website, making possible television spots, and erecting a reader board on Meridian Avenue displaying announcements and upcoming city events are all ideas to increase regular communication between government and the public.

And the completion of the Meridian sewer project on the horizon means the city needs to begin assessing its commercial capabilities.

Starting an Economic Advisory Board to the council will help make sure the city is allowing businesses to easily move into Edgewood.

“The council wants to make sure we have as business-friendly of an environment as we can to try and entice business…on that corridor.”

The advisory board would meet regularly to discuss possible commercial and development road blocks and advise council on an economic development plan that could include code amendments and incentives to make doing business in Edgewood attractive.

Long-term plans for the city over the next two to four years include looking at ways to finance the development of 36th and Meridian Park property, development of a walking trail or sidewalk along 122nd Street, moving forward with stormwater collection system at Mortenson Farm site and continuing ongoing discussions on interlocal agreements with nearby utility jurisdictions.

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