ST. CLOUD -- St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis talked about air service during his "State of the City" address today (Tuesday).  He says direct service to Chicago by the end of this year is a top priority.

Kleis says the St. Cloud Regional Airport also needs to become a truly regional airport.  He says he want the airport to either become a part of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Airport Commission, or he wants the area cities to create a Regional Airport Authority.

On the Aquatic Center:
It's been seven years now since St. Cloud voters approved a new aquatic center for the area.  Kleis says the project is long overdue for getting off the ground.  He says he's reinstating the aquatic center committee, and he says it has to be a regional project.  He mentioned possible joint ventures with the YMCA, the Whitney Senior Center, the University, or the National Guard.

Kleis says the committee should be formed by the end of this month.

On social media upgrades:
It's taken a while, but the St. Cloud city hall will soon be entering the world of social media.  Kleis says soon the city will be tweeting on Twitter, and posting on Facebook, as well as making upgrades to the city website.  He says by later this year you'll be able to pay most of your city bills online.

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