city of lasalle 2008 annual report
DESCRIPTION
City of LaSalle Annual Report - 2008TRANSCRIPT
City of LaSalle 2008 Progress Report
• Business Growth• Residential Growth• Construction Projects• Maintenance Improvements and
Upgrades• Community Enhancements -
Tourism
Business Growth
• Over 85 million in commercial and industrial investments over the last few years
• 44 new homes in this same time period
INVESTING IN LASALLE
Leading to. . .
Business Growth
INVESTING IN LASALLE
Business Growth
New Businesses
Con-way Freight opened in LaSalle in late October 2008. The new facility includes a 250-door, cross-dock truck terminal
Con-way Freight Truck Terminal
Groundbreaking was held on
Nov. 5, 2007
Business Growth
Machinery Maintenance continues to invest in LaSalle and began construction of a main office last year
New Businesses
Business Growth
• Kentucky Fried Chicken rebuilt
“We looked at moving out of LaSalle but saw revitalization and investment in the city and decided this was the best location for us”
New Businesses
Business Growth
Lock 16 Visitor Center Opened
New Businesses
Business Growth
Demolition makes way for new opportunities
•Shea’s Building
•Apartments @ 8th & Joliet
Business Growth
Renovations:
Kaskaskia Hotel
Work continues on the renovation of this historic hotel which was added to the Register of Historic Places on Jan. 22, 2007. More information can be found on their Web site at http://kaskaskiahotel.com
Residential Growth
• Country Aire and Vermilionvue Subdivisions continue to develop with new homes filling up each subdivision
New Home Construction
Residential Growth
Prepared for the Future
• ~3000 acres of available land
• 7 TIF districts offering development incentives
Construction
Road Construction
• Last year finished the road project funded through sales tax proceeds
• Completed ~160 blocks total
ConstructionDowntown Streetscape
Improvements
• The city has continued with the Downtown Beautification Project with the addition of the
following amenities on several blocks of First Street:
• Decorative and stamped concrete
• Trees• Additional handicap ramps
Construction
Improved Water Treatment
Improved and more efficient water plant treatment system went online in 2008
Construction
Increased Water Supply
Well 12 went online
Construction
Sanitary Sewer Extension – Road Repair
Extended sanitary sewer to original Golfview Subdivision & repaired road failures
Construction
Sanitary Sewer Extension to Oak Ridge Subdivision
With the cooperation of Senica’s Golf Course, the city finished the sanitary sewer extension to Oak Ridge Subdivision
Construction
• City crews upgraded water main along Gooding Street
• To save $$ city crews repaired portions of the road
• Contractor used to upgrade curb and sidewalks
Innovative Construction Methods
Construction
Work continued in the parks with upgrades to walkways, increased landscaping, and accessible improvements
Park Improvements Continue
Construction
Meter Read System
• City’s innovative water read system is 95% complete• Large meters primarily remain to be replaced
Maintenance Improvements and Upgrades
GIS IMPLEMENTED IN SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS
• A geographic information system (GIS) was installed on computers throughout several departments
• This software allows staff to monitor and research property information saving time and costs
• Maps are easily generated for staff or residents• The GIS is also used by departments to inventory
and map assets like signs and roadways
Maintenance Improvements and Upgrades
GIS IMPLEMENTED IN SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS
Maintenance Improvements and Upgrades
Street Sign Installations
The city began replacements of street signs in order to meet new federal requirements
Maintenance Improvements and Upgrades
Last year the city experienced the worst flooding ever in the area causing the loss of much of the city’s wastewater treatment plant facility
Staff responded quickly and professionally prior to and after the flooding emergency
Emergency Disasters - Flooding
Maintenance Improvements and Upgrades
Emergency Disasters - Flooding
While the plant was still flooded, staff immediately began preparing a recovery plan
Staff posted much of the information online to be accessed internally and by other agencies seeking information
Staff spent many hours processing insurance and FEMA paperwork to secure reimbursement
Maintenance Improvements and Upgrades
Emergency Disasters - SnowThe city has handled salt shortages over the last two winters due to innovative decisions
Staff researched alternate suppliers and vendors to secure adequate supplies
Because of this planning and use of different supplies, the city paid significantly less than other cities in Illinois
Community Enhancements
Emergency Notification System
The city implemented a code red system to notify residents of emergencies
Community Enhancements
Canal Boat Arrives
The canal boat arrived at
Lock 14 in June 2008
Community Enhancements
• Working with volunteers, the city helped begin a downtown open-air market
Downtown Market
Community Enhancements
Tourism Efforts Increase
•Tourism group began meeting in 2008
•Tourism group is developing a historic walking tour focusing on the downtown
Community Enhancements
Movie in the Park
• The city of LaSalle continues to sponsor movies in the park night
In 2008, the city used an online microblogging tool to keep residents up-to-date on construction activities for the Golfview project. This was at no additional cost to the city
Community Enhancements
City of LaSalle Online
• The city of LaSalle continues to use new online tools to engage citizens
Community Enhancements
City of LaSalle Online
• The city is beginning to create blogs to increase government transparency and offer citizens information about city operations
Community Enhancements
Library Enhancements
The city received additional clocks from James Whitaker
The city also received 35,000 children’s books from Open Court Publishing
Looking to the Future
Stimulus Projects
The city submitted 20 projects for funding by the President’s proposed stimulus funding package including road, water, and wastewater projects
Looking to the Future
Green Energy
The city has started to investigate the use of green energy production not only for its proposed wastewater plant for to help serve existing and future industry
Looking to the Future
Transportation Alternatives
With the demand for rail increasing, the city of LaSalle has started researching possible rail routes to serve newly annexed areas
Looking to the Future
Recreational Opportunities
With the help of LaSalle Rotary and Illinois Cement, the city is looking forward to the development of a large park, almost 150 acres, lying between the Little Vermilion River and Interstate 39
Proud of our past – Excited about our future
Looking to the Future
Mayor Art Washkowiak