A proposed broadband utility and plans for the downtown area near the Des Moines River will be considered by the Fort Dodge City Council this evening.

The council will have a workshop beginning at 5 p.m.

During that session, the elected officials will receive the latest data on the planned municipal broadband utility, which is to provide a fiber optic connection to the internet for every home and business that wants it.

City voters gave the local government the authority to pursue such a system during a November 2019 referendum, with 71.6 percent of them voting yes. Since that referendum, the city staff has worked with private companies to plan the system.

Also during the workshop, the council will discuss plans for the Central River District, which is the area along Central Avenue between the City Square and the Des Moines River. The planned creation of a new park with a nature center along the river at the west end of Central Avenue has placed new emphasis on the area.

At 6 p.m. today, the council will have a business meeting.

During that session, it will consider the second reading of a measure to provide tax increment financing assistance for the construction of a new building for the Childcare Discovery Center on North 32nd Street.

It will also consider the second reading of a measure outlining the rules for vendors that will set up in Fort Dodge for RAGBRAI on July 26.

The meeting will be a virtual format.

To view it or participate go to zoom.us and enter webinar ID 816 045 072 and passcode 948411.

People can also call (312) 626-6799 and enter the same webinar ID and passcode.