Written by Tonight’s Finance Committee was quite interesting. In addition to the usual review and approval of city spending vouchers, we discussed a few other issues.
We agreed to some terms that will allow us to receive state grants for assistance in purchase of additional alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles. We currently have some hybrid passenger cars in our motor pool, and we have a hybrid boom truck; the state grants would provide us approximately $140,000 in funds to upgrade some other vehicle purchases to hybrids, potentially including other work trucks, an Aid Car, and other passenger vehicles. The State is also making money available for installation of Electric Vehicle charging stations, but we will have to compete with several other jurisdictions in King County to win a share of the charging station money.
In separate business, we recommended that the full council approve the hiring of a consultant for preparation of an updated six-year parks and open space plan. We last developed one of these plans in 2003, and it “expired” in 2009. A current plan must be on file with the state for us to qualify for certain grants which are essential for Renton to fund the development of trails and other open space improvements. The creation of the new parks and open space plan will be a highly public process– a consultant will gather and document community input regarding future priorities for new park development. So start thinking about new park amenities you would like to see in the next six years. (I mentioned tonight that a trail on May Creek, where we have been procuring land for 20 years, is high on my list.. but I’m sure readers all have their favorite ideas). In addition to making us eligible for grants, this plan will ensure that the park projects are well coordinated with other city growth management plans.
The last thing we discussed was the plan for determining the sites for two new (modern and larger) public library branches. A consultant will assist us in selecting and acquiring a new site in downtown (probably somewhere near the Piazza and parking garage) for a new Downtown Branch, and a new site in the Highlands (likely on NE Sunset) for a replacement Highlands Library. The Council has expressed interest in building these new library branches as early as next year using bonds that would be paid off with money that was previously dedicated to library operations. As a reminder, starting in 2011 library operations will be funded by KCLS from proceeds of a new levy on Renton property, as a result of the library annexation that was narrowly approved by Renton voters earlier this year. The council and mayor wish to get the new branches built soon to get maximum benefit from the new King County Library Service. Renton and KCLS officials have been working collaboratively on the siting of the new library branches, and a consultant will be assisting them make final siting and acquisition decisions.
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