Powell is working with a committee of residents to help determine what capital improvements the city needs and how to fund them.

In July, city council decided against asking voters for an income tax increase on the November ballot.

Council had discussed a ballot issue to increase the income tax from its current 0.75 percent to 2 percent, but the downturn in the economy turned all council members except Dan Wiencek against the idea. Wiencek has said money for capital improvements is sorely needed.

Such an increase, even with the tax credits offered, would have brought in about $3-million a year for the city to use toward capital improvements, council's finance committee has said.

In lieu of the tax request, council formed a capital improvements committee of residents from various parts of the city to discuss the issue.

The committee met for the second time last week. Discussion focused on a previously compiled list of about 48 projects the city would like to address over the next 10 to 15 years. The list, called the capital improvement plan, prioritizes projects identified by city council during the past several years.

The capital improvements plan includes such high-priority projects as rebuilding aging streets, street construction, renovations to various city parks, alley reconstruction and bike path renovations. Projects receiving medium priority include extending Murphy Parkway, upgrading the "four corners" intersection at Powell Road and Liberty Street, adding more downtown streetscape and parking. Low priority projects include constructing bike path connections throughout the city, improving Seldom Seen Park and putting entrance features at six entry points into the city.

City manager Steve Lutz told committee members they may add to the list any projects they think should be listed. A project's merits and the priority it should receive could be discussed at a later date, he said.

Committee members recommended various additions to the list including: constructing pedestrian bridges over Home Road by Liberty High School and over Liberty Street by the Delaware County District Library, installing street lights, burying transmission lines and expanding parking at Library Park.

In December, the group will discuss how capital improvements are funded. In January, the group will discuss how to communicate that information to residents, Lutz said.

The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at city hall, 47 Hall St., Powell.