[Council Communication]  [Strategic Plan Goals - Draft]  [Goals Summary]

Council Communication

Title:	Adoption of the 2003-2004 Strategic Plan Goals.
Dept:	Administration
Date:	April 15, 2003
Submitted By:	Gino Grimaldi
Approved By: ...........................	Gino Grimaldi, City Administrator

Synopsis:	This is a revised draft of the 2003-2004 Strategic Plan Goals.
Recommendation:	Staff recommends the Council approve the attached 2003-2004 Strategic Plan Goals, as amended.
Fiscal Impact:	The budget committee and council will consider the fiscal impacts of the various priorities during the budget process.
Background:	On February 8, 2003, the mayor, council and staff met in an all-day session to develop strategic plan goals for the next fiscal year (2003-2004). At the conclusion of the session the staff was directed to prepare a draft of the priorities for consideration by the council. The draft was considered by the council at the February 18, council meeting. At that meeting council agreed to put any modifications to the priorities in writing and forward them to the City Recorder's office. At the March 18 council meeting changes were again discussed, and substantive modifications were to be noted in a revised draft, but editorial changes were to be incorporated by the staff. The attached Draft dated April 15th incorporates the final modifications suggested by the council. Also attached is a Summary of Council Goals listing the department responsible for the goal, a schedule for accomplishing the goal, and an update. These priorities, as appropriate, have been included in the planning for next fiscal year's budget.

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2003-2004
Strategic Plan Goals of the City of Ashland
D R A F T - April 15, 2003

The citizens of Ashland value a City government that helps create an environment within which they are able to live happy and productive lives. This includes a healthy and sustainable environment; an opportunity to acquire the basic necessities of life; a sound infrastructure that meets our common needs for transportation, energy, information and communications, health care, water and waste management; and a variety of social, recreational, business and cultural opportunities.

The citizens want their government to respect our diverse people, natural environment, and rich heritage and culture; and to promote citizen involvement, initiative, innovation and a strong sense of community.

Elements and Goals

The City recognizes the value of citizen involvement and the wealth of information and resources that the citizens of Ashland possess. The City is committed to a high level of communication with the public.

2003 - 2004 Goals

a) Continue to help commissions and committees become more effective through resources and training opportunities.

b) Adopt a process to meet LCDC Goal 1 Participation goal requirement.

c) Evaluate appropriateness of Ordinance for Hearing Officer to handle Land Use Appeals.

d) Consider update of City Charter.

Ashland seeks to retain its natural beauty as it continues to grow and further develop. The City seeks to strike a balance between urbanization and the natural environment by providing protection for soils, small creeks & wetlands, urban forest, clean air and peace & quiet.

2003 - 2004 Goals

a) Develop Riparian Ordinance.

b) Develop Urban Forestry Plan.

The City has a responsibility to ensure that proper amounts of land are set aside to accommodate the various housing needs in the City, and that its land development ordinances are broad enough to allow for variation in housing type, cost and density.

The City encourages a variety of economic activities in the City, while continuing to reaffirm the economic goals of Ashland citizens and existing businesses. Economic development in Ashland should serve the purpose of maintaining and improving the local quality of life.

2003 - 2004 Goals

a) Continue update of economic development Comprehensive Plan element.

· Develop written outline of Economic Development policies.

· Review Economic Development strategies with the community.

· Focus on appropriateness of industrial development goals.

b) Continue master planning of large undeveloped mixed-use properties.

c) Work on potential development of Railroad area and Old Croman Mill site (Master Planning; identify potential future public purposes such as: transit station, electrical substation, etc.

The City will provide a full range of public services that meet the needs of existing and future citizens.

2003-2004 Goals

a) Update and improve Council Chambers in respect to seating, sound and web access.

b) Evaluate space needs (for Municipal Court, Police, City Council, and others at the Civic Center) in Civic Center.

c) Continue with efforts to improve the viability of AFN.

d) Complete pre-design plan for future extension of TAP water line, including priority for conservation.

To retain Ashland's small-town character while it grows, the City must proactively plan for a transportation system that is integrated into the community and enhances the livability, character and natural environment.

2003 - 2004 Goals

a) Improve safety of existing at grade RR crossings and develop a plan to improve the Hersey St./N. Laurel St. crossing.

b) Improve pedestrian and traffic safety based on the 3-Es - Education, Enforcement and Engineering at Wimer Street and North Main.

c) Measurably improve traffic safety in neighborhoods (Pedestrians, auto, bicycle, sidewalks, school zones, speed limits, crosswalk safety).

d) Continue and expand RVTD free busing program.

e) Evaluate TTPC Plan and develop action plan for items adopted.

Ashland seeks to be a regional leader in the areas of energy, air and water conservation. The City seeks to continue this leadership role in further development of goals, policies and programs that encourage citizens to conserve natural resources. The City also desires to continue to provide electrical service to consumers at as low a cost as possible.

Ashland's character is intimately linked to its aesthetic resources, including its vistas, trees, parks, open space lands, and public art. The City seeks to develop programs that preserve important open space and parkland, while accommodating continuing urbanization.

2003 - 2004 Goals

a) Improve public trail system by developing a comprehensive trails master plan, which addresses minimizing public/private conflicts. Plan should include the Bear Creek Greenway (Dog Park to Mountain Ave. Park). (Plan should discuss range of tools to obtain access and ways to estimate construction costs and costs to obtain easements.)

The City seeks to ensure an orderly transition of land from rural to urban uses.

2003 - 2004 Goals

a) Continue to provide information to the community and foster discussion on growth and planning issues, with an emphasis on historic preservation, annexation requirements, State land use law, infill policy and impacts related to density, rate of growth, development standards, and processes.

Ashland seeks to preserve its rich history through the preservation of its historical buildings and places.

2003 - 2004 Goals

a) Give attention to preserving historic properties that were originally built to provide city service.

Ashland seeks to develop unique partnerships with governments, non-profits and the private sector to ensure that regional issues of importance to the City and the region are addressed in a collaborative and effective way.

The City will be an accountable and effective steward of the public trust and public resources. The City will provide equitable and efficient services to the public through the efficient use of assets and resources.

2003 - 2004 Goals

a) Develop performance measures program for all city departments.

To ensure that all people in Ashland live in a safe, strong, and caring community, the City seeks to enhance the quality of life and promote self-reliance, growth and development of people. To these ends, the City will strive to provide resources and services to meet basic human needs.

2003 - 2004 Goals

a) Review and consider strategies in the health and human services plan.

The Goals Summary is available in PDf format.  Please click on the link below to view the document on your computer:

Goals_Summary.pdf (114.1KB)

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