In the News: Council Priority... Raise Taxes...

10:00 PM PST on Wednesday, February 28, 2007

By JULIE FARREN
The Press-Enterprise

An expanded Web site, a new senior center and senior housing, and a proposed paramedic program/public safety tax are the Grand Terrace City Council's top three priorities for fiscal year 2007.

The council selected the items from a list of 33 that were discussed at a meeting Tuesday, where the panel also reviewed the goals achieved during the 2006 fiscal year.

Options for the upcoming fiscal year ranged from establishing a graffiti task force to working with faith-based groups. The bottom three on the list were being an electric-car-friendly town (3.8), preparing for the city's 30th anniversary in 2008 (3.75) and establishing a dog park (3.25).

Assistant City Manager Steve Berry said the council was asked to rate the 2007 items on the list from 1 to 10. Development and expansion of the city Web site got the highest rating of 8.8. Berry said the city's goal of offering 24-hour service to residents is still a priority. "You're moving toward people who want service on demand," Berry said.

The expanded Web site would provide more news updates on the city as well as allow for service requests to be electronically sent to staff.

The new senior housing would not be available until at least the end of summer 2008 because the city has to provide an environmental impact report on the site, City Manager Tom Schwab said.

A citizens group filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming an environmental impact report had not been done.

A San Bernardino Superior Court judge ruled that the city must conduct the report, which Schwab said would push back the project from five to seven months.

The senior housing project, which scored 8.75 on the list, is projected to cost $19 million, of which the city will have to pay only $9 million, Schwab said. The rest of the money would come from the developer, Corporation for Better Housing.

Options for funding the paramedic tax, which rated an 8.25, will be presented to the City Council by late spring or early summer, said Thom Wellman, Valley Division chief for the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

A new library was one of the most discussed topics. Schwab said the proposed town center's original design would have included a Lowe's store, which was expected to generate annual sales-tax revenue of $600,000 for the city.

But the developer could not secure Lowe's, so a new library is unlikely for now because of the loss of the potential revenue, Schwab said.

Council member Bea Cortes said she would like to see the library near the new high school, which is planned near the northwest corner of Taylor and Main streets in Grand Terrace. The school is set to open in September 2009.

The newest council member, Dan Buchanan, agreed. He said he would like to see the library in close proximity to a high school and the proposed Outdoor Adventure Center, a combination of retail and commercial space planned near Interstate 215 near the Barton Road exit.

Mayor Maryetta Ferre said the library needs to be closer to the center of town. The current library is inside City Hall on Barton, south of Mount Vernon Avenue.

Reach Julie Farren at 909-806-3066 or jfarren@PE.com