Cityscape

There is a lot going on at City Hall. In addition to all the work that has revolved around increasing housing stock affordable to working families, the city is also in the midst of our annual budget process and the much anticipated Healdsburg Avenue Improvement project slated to begin this summer.
Budget Process
The City of Healdsburg kicked-off the budget process on Monday at City Hall with our Community Input Budget Session. Each fiscal year, the city council and city staff work to create a city budget that aligns with our goals, priorities and strategic initiatives by balancing revenues and expenditures. A component of the budget process began in January with the Measure V Survey and will end in June when the budget and City Council goals are adopted. The April 4 budget session focused on Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs). CIPs are short-range (five-year) plans which identify capital projects and equipment purchases, provide a planning schedule and identify options for financing the plan. They are typically long-term investments in city facilities and infrastructure such as streets. Projects reviewed included Street, Water and Wastewater, Parks and Community Development/City Hall Projects.  Coming up, on May 9, residents are invited to attend a budget session that will focus on the operating budgets presented by each city department, as well as the final budget study session which will be held on May 19. Both meetings will be at 5 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Finally, on June 6 the City Budget is proposed for adoption. To learn more about the city’s budget process, a Budget Process document may be picked up at City Hall or downloaded at www.ci.healdsburg.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/6253.
 All Healdsburg residents are encouraged to review information online and get involved in the city’s budget process.  For additional information visit cityofhealdsburg.org or call 431-3317.
Healdsburg Avenue Improvements
The City of Healdsburg is hosting two open houses this month to discuss the extensive improvements to be undertaken in the area of Mill Street, Vine Street and Healdsburg Avenue. Construction will begin in early May. The open houses will showcase the proposed improvements, provide updates on the sequence of construction and explain proposed methods being undertaken by the city to minimize disruption to businesses. City staff and project engineers will be in attendance at both meetings to answer your questions. Major components of this project include: reconstruction of the Foss Creek culvert under Mill Street; placing all overhead utilities (electric, cable and phone) underground in the project area; major upgrades to sanitary sewer, water and storm drainage in the area; construction of the new roundabout to replace the five-way intersection and new pedestrian improvements including enhanced sidewalks, seating areas, landscape and mini-plazas. The first meeting will be held next Wednesday, April 13 at City Hall from noon to 1 p.m. City Hall is located at 401 Grove Street. Business owners are encouraged to attend this meeting to learn about how construction may impact your business. The second meeting is a public open house and will be held the following afternoon on Thursday, April 14 at City Hall at 5 p.m. Residents are encouraged to attend this open house to learn about street closures, detours, and timelines. For additional information, and to stay current on street closures and traffic routing throughout the construction period, visit www.healdsburgaveimprovements.com or call 431-3317.
David Mickaelian is the Healdsburg City Manager. To submit ideas or questions for this column, email ci*******@ci.us.