The current city council is in the last few months of its term, which expires in November. So how has the council done in maintaining the plan that it set up back at the start of the term?
The Annual Report for the City of Grand Forks sums up the city’s work for the year and how it is doing with overall plans.
In developing and maintaining the city’s infrastructure, the work on the electrical system, distribution upgrades were completed in Sept. 2009. A new hybrid/diesel line truck was purchased on Sept. 30, 2009.
Succession planning for retiring employees and the hiring of apprentices will be put off until Dec. 2011.
No work was done on the Westside reservoir in 2010 and will commence as soon as possible. The project won’t be completed until at least the end of the year.
Main construction of the City Park lift station for sewage was complete and landscaping will begin in the fall and the project should be complete around that time as well.
Upgrading the 22nd Street and Kettle River Drive intersection will need to be approved through referendum and will be put off until at least 2012.
The city is attempting to recruit three doctors by the end of Nov. 2011 and is currently in talks. They are also looking to recruit five Public Safety Committee support staff.
In tourism, the city will be having an annual festival with a mix of private and public venues to showcase performing arts, in hopes of attracting visitors to Grand Forks.
The Kettle River Festival of the Arts has also been planned for the summer.
More regional services with Area C and D are being discussed and to be complete by Dec. 2011.
The city also hopes to make itself more accessible to industry and small business and so created the Community Transition Plan in July 2009.
The Community First Agreement was developed and signed by the city and the province in May 2010. Work continues on the agreement with the province.