City of Dixon parcel called downtown key

Dixon parcel called downtown key

By Melissa Murphy/Staff Writer

Article Launched: 01/25/2007 06:20:46 AM PST

An undeveloped piece of property at the center of downtown Dixon concerns business owners looking to revitalize the center of town.

During Tuesday's City Council meeting, the council was given the history and a status report on the Pardi property at the intersection of First Street and A Street.

As it sits now, the corner is unpaved and mostly used as a parking overflow lot. Some would like to see it remain as a parking lot, but others claim developing the lot is vital to the growth of business downtown.

"I'm mystified why there are some who still want to leave it as a parking lot," said Robert Salaber, Dixon resident and business owner. Salaber has invested some of his own time and money for the last five years to see that the corner gets developed. "That corner is critical to downtown Dixon."

There have been, however, setbacks. Measure L was passed by voters in November, halting wastewater treatment improvements that would have brought Dixon in compliance with state mandates.

Salaber would like to postpone his project until the wastewater problem can be solved.

'We want to wait to sign the development agreement until we are reassured it's economically feasible and beneficial to move forward," Salaber said. City Council, sitting as the Redevelopment Agency, will discuss the situation further as it moves toward solving the sewer treatment problem.

In other action, the council moved forward with Planning Commission appointments by Mayor Mary Ann Courville to fill two seats. The first commission meeting for Kay Fulfs Caylor and Michael Floyd, recently elected, will be Feb. 21.

Council also decided to hold off on recruiting a Human Resource Director for the city until the mid-year budget is finished and there is a better understanding of what is required of the position.

In comparison with Vallejo, Fairfield and Vacaville, City Manager Warren Salmons recommended the Human Resource Director would have the potential of earning $8,642 a month.

However, council members agreed that the pay seemed a little high if Dixon is compared to cities of similar size.

The City Council will meet again at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Council Chamber, 600 East A St.

Melissa Murphy can be reached at dixon@thereporter.com.