Retreat reviews town’s new goals
Columbus Town Council held a retreat Saturday, March 3 and prioritized the town’s greatest needs, with the highest priority placed on getting needed computers in police vehicles.
Council decided that its first priority is to get new mobile data terminals (MDTs) or laptop computers for patrol vehicles and portable radios for the police department.
Other priorities include staff development and training, considering a salary increase in next year’s budget, remodeling the police department for security improvements, downtown economic development, hydrant replacement, clerk and police training, drainage ditch improvements and Ward Street parking.
Council also discussed many other needs for the town during the retreat, which was facilitated by Isothermal Planning and Development (IPDC) Director Jim Edwards.
Some issues discussed are either already being taken care of, such as the rehabilitation of the town’s wastewater treatment plant, or will be discussed further during next year’s budget discussions, such as a requested one-cent tax increase for the fire department and the need to replace the dump truck for the town’s public works department.
The Columbus Fire Department plans to request a one-cent tax increase in order to staff three part-time employees.
Other discussions included asking the state to install a sidewalk from the Holly Hill subdivision on Peniel Road to Walker Street during the upcoming N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) Walker Street widening project and the town’s plan to renovate its police department to allow for a secure area for interviews.
Columbus Town Manager Jonathan Kanipe and police chief Chris Beddingfield said the police station, which was created adjacent to town hall by renovating a house the town formerly rented, needs to be made secure. Town officials told council that town crews are currently planning how to add walls in the front room to provide a secure location for interviews.
The police department is in need of seven MDTs for patrol cars estimated at $20,131. Staff said the purchase could be made with funding in this year’s budget and they will determine whether portable radios can also be purchased this year, or at least some of both. Eight portable radios are estimated to cost $5,600.
One of the issues the town has discussed for years is the need for more parking for downtown. Council discussed the possibility of adding parking on both sides of Ward Street.
No cost estimates have been done regarding adding parking to Ward Street, but Kanipe said it would alleviate congestion in the area during town festivals and events and would provide parking for the House of Flags Museum, which is expected to draw more tourists to the area. After analyzing the area, the town said it thinks it could add 24 spaces on the north side of Ward Street (the veteran’s park side) and 11 on the south side between the fire department and Peak Street.
Columbus also plans to work on drainage issues by placing riprap in trouble areas, particularly along Walker Street and Beechwood and Overlook drives. Council also discussed the need to replace fire hydrants in a few areas, including Morgan Chapel and Beechwood.
Columbus will discuss many of these issues further during upcoming budget work sessions. The new budget year will begin July 1.