WHAT HAPPENED: The City Council approved...

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council approved a permanent park “in lieu” fee for new

homes and commercial projects in the city, cementing an emergency

ordinance passed a month ago.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The council permanently implemented a fee developers will now pay,

if they choose not to add parkland to their project.

The council established a fee of 23 cents per square foot for

commercial and industrial development and a fee of 86 cents per

square foot for residential development.

On Nov. 18, the council had adopted an ordinance putting the fees

in place for a 30-day period. On June 17, the council changed the

method by which these fees are calculated, after an independent

review of the city’s future recreational demands.

In that study, a consultant with Pulse Marketing concluded that

the city has a shortage of parks and playgrounds.

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council appointed three new members to the Planning

Commission and reappointed an existing member.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Council members handed out their political appointments for the

commission, which can often be a stepping stone to the City Council

itself.

Each of the four new council members appointed a representative to

the panel.

Council candidates Keith Bohr and Steve Ray, who both lost in the

council race on Nov. 5, secured posts on the commission, along with

community activist Bob Dingwall and current member Don Stanton.

Councilman Gil Coerper appointed Bohr, and Councilwoman Jill Hardy

appointed Ray. Returning Councilman Dave Sullivan picked Dingwall.

Councilwoman Cathy Green chose Stanton, who was appointed last summer

by her husband, former Councilman and Mayor Peter Green.

On. Dec. 2, Councilwoman Debbie Cook appointed perennial city

attorney candidate Ron Davis to the board to replace Hardy, whom she

had appointed two years ago.