The concern isn’t growing capacity but maintaining what we currently have and fixing aging areas.”This maintenance focus includes a citywide water and sewer infrastructure study to identify problem areas and secure additional grants. “In the last few years, we’ve acquired probably somewhere around $10 to $15 million just for infrastructure initiatives, with more on the way.” The city’s sustainability efforts are organized under the Climate Smart Task Force, which Mayor Tylec created several years ago. “We are bronze certified and recognized by the state, which puts us at the top tier in the region. We’re working on different grants that will help with energy improvements and walkability aspects. We have green infrastructure projects going on right now that address our aging infrastructure while also taking a green approach with water runoff management.” Energy efficiency has also been a priority.“We did a citywide conversion of all our streetlights to LEDs. That was a huge initiative resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars of savings each year,” the 156 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 04
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