Heidi's Goals for 2008
1. Sponsor a nuisance abatement ordinance with teeth in it.
2. Ditto for a rental licensing ordinance.
3. Create a targeted housing program similar to the Neighborhood Housing Services of Provo. (We have to start small, but we have to start!)
4. Put the poor downtown trees out of their misery. Replace them with healthy trees in such a manner as not to interfere with the merchants' signage. While we're at it, amend the City sign ordinance to allow blade signs and sandwich boards in the downtown area (aka the central commercial district).
[Goals one through four are about cleaning up the downtown neighborhoods. I campaigned strongly on these points, and it's time to get busy.]
5. Redesign the City Website. Even now, the City is in contract negotiations with a design firm. I'll be pushing for a great product -- something user-friendly that projects a positive image.
6. Create a user-friendly interface for the annual budget document. Two years ago, Mayor Thompson created a user-friendly format for Council meeting agendas. It's time to do the same for the budget document.
7. Establish a systematic program for connecting volunteers with volunteer projects and for honoring those who give extraordinary service.
[Goals five, six and seven are communications goals, an important thing for American Fork.]
8. Finish paving the gol-darn parks! Not having paving has made Art Dye, Hunter, Miller, Hindley, and Val Vista parks nuisances, not assets, to their neighborhoods. We encountered red tape with the funding which was earmarked for these projects, but the issue is nearly resolved, and I have good reason to hope parking lots will be finished in 2008.
9. Honor the Council's promise to give part-time employees a long-overdue wage increase.
10. Create landscape standards to be added to the City's development code for subdivisions and large-scale developments. This is about trees. When the City Council adopted the tree ordinance last November, we were advised to create standards to preserve trees in the path of development and to ensure that trees planted are right for their conditions. That's this year's project.
[Goals eight through ten are about follow-through, another good thing for American Fork.]
====================
Many of my gentle readers are asking themselves, "Why did Heidi wait until February to set goals, giving herself a two-month handicap?" Others are asking, "Where is the promised goal having to do with library funding?"
The answer to both questions is the same. I have been pondering the impact that a significant budget increase will have on the taxpayer. The City raised taxes significantly two years ago. Some residents will see their water bills go up this year when the pressurized irrigation system comes to their neighborhoods. Some say signs point to a troubled economy.
My conclusion is that now is the wrong time to impose a significant tax increase on residents. Accordingly, not wanting to set goals I can't accomplish, I have devised a list that does not depend on a significant budget increase. (Where goals do depend on budget, funds already exist.)
This doesn't mean I'm giving up on the library. A modest property tax increase of fifteen to thirty dollars per year on the average house would provide amply for library books, and this is what I want to try for. My gut tells me residents are willing to pay this much for library books. If I'm wrong, however, the public will be sure to clamor -- and I'll be sure to listen.
2. Ditto for a rental licensing ordinance.
3. Create a targeted housing program similar to the Neighborhood Housing Services of Provo. (We have to start small, but we have to start!)
4. Put the poor downtown trees out of their misery. Replace them with healthy trees in such a manner as not to interfere with the merchants' signage. While we're at it, amend the City sign ordinance to allow blade signs and sandwich boards in the downtown area (aka the central commercial district).
[Goals one through four are about cleaning up the downtown neighborhoods. I campaigned strongly on these points, and it's time to get busy.]
5. Redesign the City Website. Even now, the City is in contract negotiations with a design firm. I'll be pushing for a great product -- something user-friendly that projects a positive image.
6. Create a user-friendly interface for the annual budget document. Two years ago, Mayor Thompson created a user-friendly format for Council meeting agendas. It's time to do the same for the budget document.
7. Establish a systematic program for connecting volunteers with volunteer projects and for honoring those who give extraordinary service.
[Goals five, six and seven are communications goals, an important thing for American Fork.]
8. Finish paving the gol-darn parks! Not having paving has made Art Dye, Hunter, Miller, Hindley, and Val Vista parks nuisances, not assets, to their neighborhoods. We encountered red tape with the funding which was earmarked for these projects, but the issue is nearly resolved, and I have good reason to hope parking lots will be finished in 2008.
9. Honor the Council's promise to give part-time employees a long-overdue wage increase.
10. Create landscape standards to be added to the City's development code for subdivisions and large-scale developments. This is about trees. When the City Council adopted the tree ordinance last November, we were advised to create standards to preserve trees in the path of development and to ensure that trees planted are right for their conditions. That's this year's project.
[Goals eight through ten are about follow-through, another good thing for American Fork.]
====================
Many of my gentle readers are asking themselves, "Why did Heidi wait until February to set goals, giving herself a two-month handicap?" Others are asking, "Where is the promised goal having to do with library funding?"
The answer to both questions is the same. I have been pondering the impact that a significant budget increase will have on the taxpayer. The City raised taxes significantly two years ago. Some residents will see their water bills go up this year when the pressurized irrigation system comes to their neighborhoods. Some say signs point to a troubled economy.
My conclusion is that now is the wrong time to impose a significant tax increase on residents. Accordingly, not wanting to set goals I can't accomplish, I have devised a list that does not depend on a significant budget increase. (Where goals do depend on budget, funds already exist.)
This doesn't mean I'm giving up on the library. A modest property tax increase of fifteen to thirty dollars per year on the average house would provide amply for library books, and this is what I want to try for. My gut tells me residents are willing to pay this much for library books. If I'm wrong, however, the public will be sure to clamor -- and I'll be sure to listen.
posted by Heidi Rodeback at 7:45 PM
4 Comments:
Just wondering why there isn't a goal to redesign American Fork's Emergency Response Plan. Not only is it archaic it is theoretical at best. In an emergency our city would make New Orleans look like a perfect example of doing it right. That's right it IS that bad. - Natilie Thompson
Emergency response is priority one for this Council. Significant budget money has been committed to the redesign of the department and Council members and Mayor are concentrating time on the department, trying to get things right.
In 2006, we "did the right thing" for the police department, committing significant budget dollars and improving morale. This year, we'll prioritize emergency response the same way, even if this comes at the expense of other goals.
There is no goal that can take precedence over public safety.
I am not speaking about the Fire/EMS department, though I appreciate your efforts in this area. I am talking about the Emergency Response Plan. This plan should outline the citywide response to a disaster such as earthquake, pandemic, school shooting, other natural disasters, etc. The plan I have had the opportunity to read and study is outdated and inefficient. I was wondering if the council is aware of this issue and what strides were being taken to resolve it.
I am bringing this issue to your attention because I have seen your desire to serve and your passion for things you feel strongly about. I appreciate your efforts in all areas regarding your position and am grateful for them.
Natilie Thompson
Hmm. I know only that the EMS department at one time paid some attention to CERT, but I felt it was a pretty weak emphasis. Meanwhile, our public information officer has been giving us warnings similar to yours. Thanks for bringing this up. I'll raise the concern with the rest of the Council.
Post a Comment
<< Home