Community visioning enthusiasm is catching fire in Princeton with hundreds of residents sharing suggestions for riverfront pocket parks, spray pads and lots more.
Grissom Elementary kids jumped in with even more ideas that are fueling excitement among council members eager to see what comes next.
The activity comes during a pandemic year with online interaction that, surprisingly, drew more engagement than council members have experienced with in-person meetings.
“I feel like Princeton is stepping into the future with pride,” council member Jami Stutting said at the Jan. 14 council meeting.
The visioning work was inspired by the city’s trails committee, which became its own nonprofit last year, and recruited help from the National Park Service. That project drew the attention of Iowa State University researchers, who also reached out to the city for sidewalk, connectivity and other planning assistance.
Online surveys and conference sessions drew out dozens of ideas that participants ranked.
ISU student researchers will present some of these ideas at Princeton’s 6 p.m., Feb. 11 meeting, which will be conducted online as well as city hall.
Council members intend to build long-term plans the city can budget for, and seek grant funding.
Council member Christina McDonough, one of the founders of Princeton Recreational Trails non profit, expects a series of online collaborative sessions to develop ideas.
She said the use of online conferencing and surveys actually drew more participants during the pandemic year than she might have expected for in-person meetings. This is the ISU team’s first experience conducting community visioning sessions online.
“They are very impressed by the response rate. They had never expected such a good response for something virtual. This is their first time doing things virtually,” McDonough said.
Council member Gina Wolfe reported 10 residents logging on to a visioning session. “We don’t have the patience to wait. We want to get going,” she said at the council meeting.
Mayor’s statement on Capitol events
Mayor Kernan opened the meeting expressing sorrow over the violence at the Capitol.
“The City of Princeton condemn actions of people in the capitol,” he said at the meeting.
Afterward, Kernan said he felt compelled to speak. He said he supports peaceful protests. But those resorting to violence created an unacceptable spectacle.
“I think it’s important to say it as a community leader. I feel pretty strongly,” he said.
Water rate increases
Council members approved the second of three readings on water rate increases.
The action sets a five-year schedule of rate increases intended to help pay for water treatment improvements, maintenance and a new well.
The council supported an ordinance Dec. 10 that will add $1.25 each year to the $10.75 per month minimum charge for the first 2,000 gallons. Effective July 1 of each year, the rates will be $12 in 2021; $13.25 in 2022; $14.50 in 2023; $15.75 in 2024; and $17 in 2025.
Council members also are using $21,329 per year in sales tax to pay off a $638,000 low-interest, federal loan for the new well.