Apr 21, 2025
Attendees: Adam Rowan (Mayor), Joseph Quin, Brian Millis, John Ry, Chief Lenny (Police Department), Jackie (City Administrator), Dale Amo, Michelle Johnson, Laurel Rowan, Paul Shrier, Lori Cundy, Connie Amman, Tony Neic, Carla (Park & Recreation Committee), Maxine Per, Anna Tomac, Marchie Quenan, Callie Carlson, Aaron Kelson, Jar, Tom Cundy, and numerous other citizens.
Mayor Adam Rowan, in office for seven weeks, emphasized the meeting's purpose: direct community engagement and addressing citizen concerns. The format was an open discussion to facilitate interaction between residents and council members. The council acknowledged the challenges of balancing community desires with legal and financial constraints. Past meetings focused on existing and new council initiatives.
A. School Property Redevelopment:
A significant discussion revolved around a $10 million project for school property infrastructure (including $2 million in IB grants, with $5.5 million from the school district for demolition). Concerns were raised about the cost-effectiveness of the project relative to the number of lots (28) and the potential for prolonged vacancy before development. Council members clarified the flexibility of the plan, highlighting the possibility of adjusting the number of housing units and incorporating community input. The current focus is on preparing the infrastructure, aiming to attract developers.
B. Economic Development & Business Attraction:
Multiple residents highlighted the closure of local businesses and the difficulty in attracting new ones. Suggestions included supporting existing small businesses and improving infrastructure to make the city more appealing to potential businesses. Specific concerns were raised regarding the potential negative impact of a Dollar General (versus a Dollar General Market) on existing local businesses, particularly John's Drug and the town's only convenience store. A preliminary agreement with Dollar General exists, with a May 1st deadline for determining the store's type and design; preference is heavily expressed for the Market version over a standard store. The council is actively pursuing other grocery store options (Super One, Zup's, F&D) with phone calls made but no response yet. Discussions also included a new convenience store/gas station development project near Highway 37, involving Superior Fuel, and a potential Industrial Park development on newly accessible land.
C. Recreation, Parks, & Facilities:
Residents expressed interest in maintaining and improving existing recreation facilities like baseball fields and tennis courts. Suggestions for new amenities included a better-located dog park, splash park, additional playground equipment, and a sledding hill. The council acknowledged the need for improved recreational opportunities, noting that the recreation budget is projected to increase in 2026. Discussions are underway for new parks and a potential recreation director. The use of the former school buildings for recreational activities and a community garden were also suggested. Access to existing facilities and their upkeep (tennis courts, baseball fields) remains a concern.
D. Transparency, Accessibility, & Community Participation:
Significant concerns were expressed regarding the city's lack of transparency and accessible online resources. The current website is not mobile-friendly, and information about council meetings, grants, and city finances is not readily available. The council acknowledged these issues, stating that work is underway to update the website and improve information accessibility. They are exploring avenues for improved online communication. Meetings are being recorded and uploaded to YouTube, but the link isn’t yet on the website. There's a push to improve methods for receiving community input, including online forms and social media. Council members are actively encouraging residents to participate in committees and boards, outlining the benefits of community involvement.
III. Other Significant Topics:
Traffic Safety: Issues with stop signs and traffic flow were raised, specifically concerning areas near schools (now closed) and businesses. The council indicated a review of stop sign placement is warranted. The county's role in managing roads and stop signs outside city limits was highlighted. Rental Properties: Discussions centered on potential licensing fees for rental properties, aimed at improving tenant safety and property upkeep. The council emphasized this isn't meant to burden responsible landlords. Grants: The lack of successful city grant applications was discussed. The council committed to enhancing its grant-seeking efforts, including exploring grant writing resources. Welcoming New Residents: Residents expressed a need to foster a more welcoming community, with several sharing anecdotes of past negative experiences.
IV. Next Steps & Conclusion:
The council plans to hold more regular town hall meetings, with the frequency to be determined based on community input. Discussions are underway about more structured methods for gathering community input outside of the town hall meetings (e.g. online surveys). The council emphasized their commitment to transparency and using this feedback to develop policies and future plans. A collaborative effort with the Rock Ridge School District was also suggested to share resources and achieve common community goals.
V. Action Items:
Update the city website to be mobile-friendly and include a link to YouTube meeting recordings. Determine the frequency and format of future town hall meetings based on community feedback. Develop a plan to improve community engagement and gather input through various methods. Review and potentially adjust stop sign placement in the city. Explore grant writing resources to improve success rates. Review the effectiveness of existing and potential new recreational opportunities. Address the potential impact of a new Dollar General on existing businesses. Continue efforts to attract new businesses, including a grocery store.