The CIP (Capital Improvement Program) budget discussion planned for March 15 has been postponed as city leaders wait to see what happens to redevelopment at the state level. The CIP projects are projects that are funded by redevelopment money and are planned out in 5 year increments. They range from public projects, like parks, fire station, Art Center etc. to assisting private and non-profit developers with subsidies, like the Marketplace parking, or affordable housing. The projects listed on the survey that you received, and that we asked for community input on, will most likely not have any funding if redevelopment ends. Deliberating on them is premature and irrelevant if redevelopment is ended. We are waiting to see how the state legislature acts on Jerry Brown's proposals, and should know more in the next 2 weeks.
I was glad to hear from staff that over 200 people returned surveys to solicit public input. Thank you to all of you who did. I recognize that some felt there was not enough information to make good choices, and I agree that we have a long way to go on gathering public opinion, but having notification that this discussion was happening and hearing from those who were interested in having their voices heard was one step on the way to greater participation.
The Council had voted to sell bonds to further our CIP goals (on Feb 15), but we stopped the sale (on March 1) until the state settles the course they intend for redevelopment. All is on hold right now, but we are getting regular updates on the state's decision making progress.
If you have specific questions on this, please feel free to email me directly.
So, feel free to come to the March 15 city council meeting (don't have the agenda yet), as you are always welcome to hear what the city council is discussing, but know that the CIP budget will not be discussed at a study session on that day.
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