City budget proposes two-year rental‑housing coordinator and concept design for Garfield Street footbridge landings

Derek Taney, director of Community & Economic Development, presented his department's FY27 budget and priorities on May 12, emphasizing personnel, operating costs, and a few targeted capital and planning projects.

Taney described a $35,000 request for concept design work for pedestrian landings on both sides of the Garfield Street footbridge intended to improve connectivity and support downtown and reconnecting-communities objectives. He also highlighted the Gold Ridge Drive sidewalks project as an investment to enable future economic development on the south portion of the property.

To address persistent rental-housing compliance and service gaps, Taney proposed a two‑year limited rental‑housing coordinator position to do outreach, registration work and inspections coordination. "We don't have full compliance," Taney said, noting the city lacks the staff capacity to reach all rental owners and register all units; he argued the two‑year pilot gives flexibility to assess ongoing need. The director said the rental-coordinator role would help build landlord relationships, pursue grants and improve registration and life-safety inspections.

Council discussion stressed the pilot nature of the two‑year positions, cross-department coordination for inspections, and the desire to avoid permanent, ongoing budget expansions without demonstrated need.