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By: Diana Johnsen djohnsen@kcautv.com On Saturday, at Wal-Mart and the Southern Hills Mall in Sioux City, the Sioux City Police Department helped parents create "children identification kits". TheMore>> On Saturday, at Wal-Mart and the Southern Hills Mall in Sioux City, the Sioux City Police Department helped parents create "children identification kits". More>> By: Diana Johnsen djohnsen@kcautv.com On your mark…get set...paddle! About 130 kayakers took to the Missouri River in the "3rd Annual South Dakota Kayak Challenge" on Saturday. "It's an opportunityMore>> About 130 kayakers took to the Missouri River in the "3rd Annual South Dakota Kayak Challenge" on Saturday.More>> By: Hollie Hojek hhojek@kcautv.com Rain, rain go away, come back and other weekend but this one. The rain in the forecast isn't ruining everyone's plan, but it is keeping some campers away. The sunMore>> Siouxland Campgrounds Still Packing in the People Despite Poor Weekend WeatherMore>> By: Tim Seaman tseaman@kcautv.com On Thursday, a pretty cool relay put on by law enforcement officers from across the state ran through central Iowa for the Special Olympics Torch Run. The event helpsMore>> When the torch arrived Sioux City West sophomore JJ Reeg–Beckner had the honor of igniting the Special Olympic cauldron. Reeg-Beckner was selected from more than 2,500 athletes to finish the run.More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News (AP) About 110,300 South Dakotans are expected to travel over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, a slight decline from last year. AAA says that mirrors an expected dropMore>> About 110,300 South Dakotans are expected to travel over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, a slight decline from last year.More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News (AP) Nebraska students showed improvement in this year's statewide writing proficiency test. Nebraska Education Commissioner Roger Breed announced Friday that 66 percentMore>> Nebraska students showed improvement in this year's statewide writing proficiency test.
Nebraska Education Commissioner Roger Breed announced Friday that 66 percent of 8th graders met or exceeded state standards, a 2 percent increase over the previous year.More>> By Channel 9 Eyewitness News news@kcautv.com Iowa investigators say the discovery of blood of a missing 15-year-old girl has diminished hope of finding her alive. Bill Kietzman of the Iowa DivisionMore>> 15-year old Kathlynn Shepard went missing on Monday.More>> By: Scott Larson slarson@kcautv.com How comfortable do you feel strolling the streets in Sioux City? That's a question that the Blue Zones Project is asking. And today they brought in an expert toMore>> Walkable and Livable Communities Institute's Dan Burden assists Sioux City & Blue Zones Project with working out more pedestrian friendly roads.More>> Law Enforcement Monitors Holiday Travel
By: Sam Doerr sdoerr@kcautv.com With Memorial Day looming, highways will see a increase in traffic. It's something local authorities are well aware of so they're taking steps to ensure a safe weekendMore>> With Memorial Day looming, highways will see a increase in traffic. It's something local authorities are well aware of so they're taking steps to ensure a safe weekend for everyone.More>> 15 Siouxland Teachers Get Jobs Back
By: Sam Doerr sdoerr@kcautv.com Fifteen Sioux City teachers are headed back to the classroom. This comes a day after the Iowa state legislator passed an education reform bill giving the school districtMore>> Fifteen Sioux City teachers are headed back to the classroom. This comes a day after the Iowa state legislator passed an education reform bill giving the school district more money than it planned on.More>>
By: Tim Seaman
Tseaman@kcautv.com
About a month ago the Sioux City, City Council laid out a laundry list of projects it wants to target between 2012 and 2015.
Monday city staff presented those topics as part of Sioux City's strategic plan.
Familiar projects like a downtown casino, and the Southbridge Industrial Park are included in the 15 page plan. As are new initiatives like an indoor–outdoor water park.
"The swimming pools are old and they are becoming costly so if you have a plan for another Riverside type of aquatics center, start planning it," said Sioux City City Manager Paul Eckert. He added, "You cant just stop because we have apprehension about finances or taxes and that kind of thing. You've got to keep moving forward."
The plan is broken down into 4 focus areas. Expanding development opportunities and growing Sioux City, exploring destination Sioux City, enhancing public private partnerships and growing Sioux City pride.
Council member John Fitch says he was looking for one thing in every part of the plan.
"First off ones that you can succeed at. Ones that have a pay back to the taxpayers the citizens. "I think they're all reasonable projects." Fitch added "A couple might be on the expensive side."
According to Fitch a possible expansion of the Tyson Events Center ranks as one of the expensive items. Adding housing on the Northside as well as downtown is a major part of the plan. But Fitch admits that's an area the city needs help with.
"If the housing numbers made sense a private developer would be building a lot of that housing. So a lot of what we do depends on the federal assistance we get and I see that as being less and less every year," said Fitch.
All five council members said they support the plan. Mayor Bob Scott acknowledged that the council and city staff wont be successful on their own.
"We need to continue to figure out how we can have more citizen involved because if this is council or staff directed its not going to be as successful as if we have as much citizen involvement as we can," said Scott.
