04:33The Council’s first major decision was the approval of a $24,000 expenditure from BPD funds to hire ROA for the beautification of main corridors, including Broadway and Shirley Avenue. The initiative involves a dedicated crew working one day a week to maintain clean environments, tree pits, and streetscapes. This effort will also include curb cleaning and maintenance of parking meters. The contract specifies that five young people and one supervisor will be on site, with the crew’s work detailed through a billing system already used by other city departments. The council emphasized that this project is a step toward improving the city’s appeal to both residents and visitors, particularly as warmer months approach.

10:18In addition to beautification efforts, the council addressed parking management by approving a pilot program to install pole sensors on a segment of Broadway. This experiment, costing $4,673.56, will install sensors at several meters to offer 15 minutes of courtesy parking time. The pilot aims to assess changes in parking behavior and potential revenue impacts, with the possibility of expanding the program citywide. The council is also exploring alternative funding to implement similar measures on Shirley Avenue.