The City Council on Tuesday night voted to authorize bond financing for $5.8 million in electric projects and nearly $7 million for various general governmental projects.
The electric system projects include $4 million for substation rebuilds and $1.8 million for power line rebuilds.
The government projects include $2 million for school building upgrades, $1.35 million for parks and park facility improvements, nearly $1 million for street improvements, $635,000 for airport runway and taxiway improvements and $553,145 for a fire truck replacement.
These projects were included in the capital improvements budget adopted earlier this year by City Council.
Also, bond financing would refinance two previously issued bonds to capture debt service savings.
In other matters, City Council voted to:
- Accept a donation of facility improvements at the Danville Science Center/train station.
- Amend the budget to provide for a $30,000 grant from the Toyota USA Grant Program. The grant will be used for the community-based leadership and immersion program for new police officers.
- Amend the budget to provide for a state grant for enforcement of DUI and license checkpoints and to purchase equipment and supplies.
- Amend the budget to provide for a state grant for enforcement of safety belt and child safety seat violations.
- Amend the budget to provide for a state grant for enforcement of speeding ordinances.
- Amend the budget to provide for Comprehensive Services Act funding.
- Amend the budget to provide for state funds for airport maintenance.
- Amend the budget to provide for a grant for senior citizen transportation services.
These matters took place during the Council’s business session. Following the business session, the Council met in a work session. In work sessions, Council reviews non-routine matters that will be voted upon in future business meetings.
In last night’s work session, the City Council reviewed a proposal for a new Police Department headquarters. The proposal involves a lease/option to purchase the former Dan River Mills executive office building at 2291 Memorial Drive.
The proposal, which provides the most cost-effective option to meet the needs of the department best, calls for a combination of the historic restoration of the existing building and new construction. The total cost is expected to be $17 million, which will be financed.
