I asked the Council last night to end the Pedestrian Bridge project but lost the vote 4-1. When this project started I had promised I would only do it if we received all the federal trail funding and that no City Taxpayer money would be used to build this project. All the Federal funding did not come and there would not be enough park fund money to cover the $370,000 plus city portion which means taxpayer money would need to be used.
I also believe we live in a different time. The rules around park funds is that it can only be used for new park land or equipment but the interest we make off this money can be used. The interest income form this money is over $126,000 and can be used to make up for the lack of state funding Isanti is owed which would allow us to balance our budget without having to raise taxes.
The second part of this is that there is a $22,000, cost to the City, under ground power line going through Blue Bird park that the Park fund could pay for if it were not bankrupted by the Pedestrian Bridge. Now the $22,000 has to come from taxpayers.
3rd part revolves around $60,000 plus loan from the City General Fund, taxpayer money again, that would have to be issued to the park fund to pay for the bridge.
4th issue is if we do the pedestrian bridge the city will not be able to do any park and recreation activities for at least 5 years according to my best calculations....
Lastly if we cancel the Bridge project the City can sell the House and property we bought for right of way adding another $100,000 plus to the City....
$308,000 worth of reasons to cancel this bridge.... At a time we are looking at cutting services this project makes no sense
About Me
- George
- I have served the City of Isanti as Mayor since 2007. We have accomplished great things together and I look forward to building on our success. United, we move forward to a better future. You may contact me at 763-442-8749 or e-mail me at george@georgewimmer.com.
12 comments:
?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
4 to 1 !!!
WHAT ARE THE OTHER 4 THINKING?!
WE DO NOT NEED A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE!
The city had no right to buy the house you mentioned to start with. Where did that money come from to purchase it any way? There is a large undeveloped lot in the same area that should have been used. All I have heard from the city is that the owner of the lot will not cooperate. Since when has this stopped the city? You don't ask the owner,you tell them! This whole project is for the public good,not for profit.
I do not believe in taking private property from a private owner unless it is a highly needed public safety issue which this is not.... The city has only taken property like this since I was on the Council once and I voted against that taking process...
The City has every right to buy property for projects as was done with this house and the bank was a willing seller at a discounted price...
I totally agree! We do not need a pedestrian bridge. Total waste of money! Like it would be used by enough to make it worthwhile? A council member said it would connect the two sides of town to each other. REALLY?! I don't think that will happen either.
If you do not do this bridge we will end up like Grand Forks/East Grand Forks. The city should have thought this over before developing the east side. Was there really no other place to expand? The Rum river and Hwy 65 have traditionaly been the boundries for the city. Why fix something that isn't broke?
Not sure what you mean... the decision to expand east of 65 was done before I was Mayor.... Cambridge is divided by 65 and 95....
There are 3 limits on Isanti growth... Athens to the south Cambridge to the north and the River to the west... east was the only direction the City could do larger development
Not sure what you mean... the decision to expand east of 65 was done before I was Mayor.... Cambridge is divided by 65 and 95....
There are 3 limits on Isanti growth... Athens to the south Cambridge to the north and the River to the west... east was the only direction the City could do larger development
I am really tired of hearing from city officials-That's the way it was before I got here.That is not an answer. What are you going to do about it, what is your fix? We already know what the problem is!!!
How much money does the city have invested into this ped bridge already? If not done now, will there be another chance down the road or will the land be harder to come by? And also, is it still possible for an overpass in the future? Because if there is, you could incorp a ped crossing on that at the same time.
Marv I have no idea what you are talking about.... The fix is cancelling the project but I did not win that vote ... I spoke against the project... wrote against it and voted against it...
Right with marv
You sit here and blame everyone else for everything.
As soon as a small issue comes up like the community center you want to pass it off in the voters instead of making a hard decision and maybe loss the last votes you have.
All the money from the bridge to no-where project is taxpayers money. You sit and talk like it is free money when there us no such thing. When greedy politicians like you keep taking from the state to do projects that don't need to be done are the reason we are in the economic downturn that we are in.
The federal and state money in these trail programs will be spent regardless. If there is money that can be used by Isanti to offset City Taxpayer cost in any category then it is important we try to get our share.
By State law any non-revenue generating bonding project must go before the voters.
The 2nd part of your complaint does not make any sense to me... The Council is conducting 2 communities meetings to get public input on all aspects of City operations and service... The Community Center will be part of that discussion as well.
The Community Center is not a small issue. This is a $35,000 to $50,000 a year cost to the City. We need to find out how many residents actually use this facility. Many township residents use it but are not taxed to maintain it. The Townships have consistently donated money to an Isanti Library fund for a building that does not exist... perhaps they can help pay for a facility their residents actually use...
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