Council work session focuses CIP on municipal complex options, pool repairs and a roundabout near 223rd

Council members spent the work-session portion of the meeting reviewing the draft capital improvement plan (CIP) and giving staff direction on priorities. Rhonda (speaker 4) described the materials and asked council to highlight items to add, remove, or reprioritize; the yellow highlights in the packet mark projects new to the 2027–2031 CIP.

Council debated immediate repairs (pool liner, equipment purchases) versus long-term capital projects. On the pool, staff noted a $325,000 liner replacement slated for 2028 and a $1,000,000 placeholder for an expansion in 2031; Rhonda said the recreation sales tax fund holds roughly $2,000,000 that could support an expansion or be used to service bonded debt. On facilities, several council members urged parallel study of repurposing existing buildings and pursuing a new municipal complex, citing construction cost inflation and operational benefits of colocating police, courts and city administration.

Transportation and street projects drew attention: Allison Abel (speaker 11) outlined grant opportunities and suggested the council consider accelerating a roundabout at Webster and 223rd using Miami County funds (roughly $750,000 available every five years). Council members asked staff to return with concept plans and cost estimates so the CIP can move from placeholders to funded projects.