[Memo]  [ Planning Process]  [Employee Input]  [Public Input]  [Strategic Plan Priorities ] 

Memo

To:	Mayor and city Council
From:	Greg Scoles, City Administrator
Date:	December 13, 2001
RE:	Annual Review of Goals and Goal Setting for Fiscal Year 2001-2002

This time of the year is when we begin the process of reviewing the City's priorities find preparing for the upcoming goal setting session. Attached is a copy of the City's Strategic Plan for the year 2001-2002.

The current Strategic Plan identifies thirteen broad categories with a focus on a number of priorities - or action items - for each category. The priorities are essentially the "to do" list for staff. In January or February we should hold our annual goal setting workshop and determine the 2002-2003 priorities.

In anticipation, I have prepared a timeline and attached it for your review. Opportunities for community input proposed for this year include:

· Advertisements in the local papers

· Posted on the city's website

· City Staff questionnaire

· Article in the City Source

· Public Hearing set for January 15, 2002

This year, being an "offf year, we will not be conducting a community attitude survey. The community attitude survey is one that is conducted every two years, and last year we were able to include it in the goals for that year.

I am suggesting that we hold an all-day council/staff workshop on goal setting on either January 18th or January 25th, or February 1 (all Fridays) which will include the annual review of the Strategic Plan and 2002-2003 priorities, a discussion of all the community input and data collected, and identification of goals for the upcoming fiscal year.

Please check your calendars and let me know if these dates will work for you. I am checking with Sylvia Rose on her availability to facilitate the workshop.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the proposed timeline or goal setting procedures for the upcoming year.

Thank you.

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2002-2003 Goal Setting and Planning Process

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Employee Input

The City Council is looking for suggestions from you on priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Council will review your suggestions,along with suggestions received from the public, and then determine the priorities at a workshop in February when they review the goals for next year. Some of you may have already seen the city's existing Strategic Plan. If you have not seen it yet, visit the city's web site at www.ashland.or.us, and click on Documents -- 2000 - 2001 Strategic Plan, or a copy will be available in Administration for your review. It identifies 13 broad categories of focus with a number of priorities - or action items - for each category. Please take a few moments to look over the current Strategic Plan, and let us know what your priorities and goals are within these 13 categories for the upcoming fiscal year. My suggestions are: Please use the back of this form or another sheet of paper if you need more room. Return this form to Fran Berteau in the Administration Department by January 15, 2002. Thanks for your participation!

The 13 Focus Categories Citizen Participation Environmental Resources Housing Economic Strategy Public Services Transportation & Transit Energy, Air & Water Resources Parks, Open Space & Aesthetics Urbanization Historical Sites & Structures Regional Strategies Financial Management Social & Human Services

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Public Input

YOUR CITY NEEDS YOUR INPUT! The Ashland City Council would like to receive suggestions from you on priorities for city goals, city spending, and other community concerns. Please use the space provided below to write your top 3 goals, ideas or other community concerns for the City of Ashland to address during the upcoming year. Please mail it to City Hall, 20 E. Main Street,drop it by any City facility, or e-mail your suggestions to berteauf@ashland.or.us, prior to January 15, 2002. This is your opportunity to make a difference and be a part of the City's goal setting process! Other: Name & Address (Optional) The City of Ashland thanks you in advance for your valuable input.

Camera ready(?)Please publish: Tidings: Monday, December 17 and Saturday, December 22 Revels: Thursday, December 20 Refer to P.O.51255 Questions? Please call Fran at 488-6002

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2001-2001 Strategic Plan Priorites of the City of Ashland

** ADOPTED 4-17-01 **

COMMUNITY VALUES STATEMENT

The citizens of Ashland value a Gty 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 communicafious, 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 Priorities

1. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT

The City recognizes the value of ckizen 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.

2001 - 2002 Priorities

a) Continue to identify and evaluate ways to encourage greater ckizen involvement. Develop methods to encourage participation by seniors, youth and other identifiable groups.

b) Continue to help commissions and committees become more effective. Provide commission/committees with adequate resources and additional training oppommities for developing communicadon skills, how to effectively nm meetings and their general authority/mission.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES

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

2001 - 2002 Priorities

a) Retain commitment to developing an updated riparian area protection ordinance.

b) Develop standards/incentives, which will encourage the paving of unpaved parking lots and driveways (both public and private). Also, continue efforts to ensure that unpaved streets are paved through methods such as local improvement districts (LIDs) as identified in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

c)Adopt Stormwater Master Plan, which will address water q,~l;ty improvements (retention/detention) and riparian area concerns by minimizing the development of impervious surface. Plan should encourage the use of best rnanagement practices and should include funding options.

d) Develop a tree preservation ordinance and appropriate erfforcement mechanisms.

e) Develop a wastewater pre-treatment ordinance, which would establish standards for the discharge of chemicals, greases, etc. from commercial establishments.

f) Develop an interface management plan and urban forestry plan.

3. HOUSING

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

2001 - 2002 Priorities

a) Develop and implement a long-range fundable/affordable-housing program.

b) Revise the density bonus program to provide improved incentives for developing affordable housing units.

4. ECONOMIC STRATEGY

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 Ashlandshould serve the purpose of maintaining and improving the local quality of life.

2001 - 2002 Priorities

a) Complete the update to the Gty's economic development Comprehensive Plan element. Develop written materials that outline the City's policies and philosophies on economic developement issues. Work with the community to advance these economic development strategies.

b) Review the City's land use ordinances to ensure they a_re meeting or will meet the community's needs and values for future business development as they pertain to parking requirements, environmental constraints (i.e. trees), structure size, mixed use, landscaping, resource efficiency and promoting alternative transportation.

c) Continue to work on the master planning of large undeveloped mixed-use properties such as the Railroad Area and the industrial area east of Hamilton Creek.

5. PUBLIC SERVICES

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

2001 - 2002 Prioriries

a) Develop criteria for implementation of a neighborhood livability grant program for neighborhood-initiated projects. Coordinate the grant program with existing City programs like LID's and sidewalk construction.

b) Complete the design phase for the development of the Siskiyou Blvd. bikelanes, sidewalks, bus shelters, restrooms, etc.

c) Maintain the city's commitment to implementing the (ZIP. Specific attention should be paid to completing:

• Fire Station No. 1
• New office space for the Community Development and Public Works Administration Departments (Hillah).
• Library
• Siskiyou Blvd. Improvements

d) Develop a plan for more efficient use of City Hall office space, prior to the Community Development Department moving to new office space.

e) Develop a plan, which would comider the schedule for the future extension of the T.A.P. Water Project to Ashland.

6. TRANSPORTATION & TRANSIT

To retain Ashland's small-town character while k grows, the City must proacdvely plan for a transportation system that is integrated into the comm~mity and enhances the livability, character and natural environment.

2001 - 2002 Priorities

a) Accelerate the development of bikelanes, bikepaths, and sidewalk construction.

b) Work with the State and County to develop preliminary feasibility studies for the improvement of State Highways 99 and 66 and the county roadways. Findings should be presented to the council and should focus on the financial implication of the improvements and potential exchange to city jurisdiction.

c) Evaluate and utilize as appropriate measures identified in the Transportation, Transit and Parking Committee report.

d) Develop a prioritized strategy for improved mfffic safety based on the 3-Es - Education, Enforcement and Engineering. Focus areas should include: North Main Street, Ashland Street, Wirner Street and impacted residential neighborhoods.

e) Explore options for providing enhanced public transit service (e.g., weekends, evenings, increased frequency and new routes).

f) Explore the possibility of acquiring land near the Railroad District for the future development of a transit station.

7. ENERGY, AIR AND WATER RESOURCES

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.

2001 - 2002 Priorities

a) Provide leadership to the communityin addressing the potential crisis associated with the current energy shortage. Strategies include:

• Develop plans for alternative power generation sources to reduce dependency on purchased power.
• Evaluate the city's electric rate structure to equitably adjust costs and reduce demand.
• Evaluate the purchase of the electric sub-station located on Nevada St.
• Consider a city-facilitated program, which encourages homeowners to invest in alternative means of power generation

b) Enhance existing conservation efforts and energy distribution efficiency programs such as:

• Develop an electric demand management program to reduce peak loads when purchasing power.
• Evaluate impacts of recent wholesale power costs on the Green Power Purchase Program.
• Consider modifying the Super Good Cents and density bonus programs to expand and improve incentives for efficient use of all resources.

8. PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND AESTHETICS

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

2001 - 2002 Priority

a) The City Council and Parks Commission should analyze how to better coordinate work and to analyze possible areas to reduce operational redundancy and increase financial efficiency.

b) Finalize the update of the Open Space Plan.

9. URBANIZATION

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

2001 - 2002 Priorities

a) Continue to provide information to the community and foster discussion on growth and planning issues. In pardc,hr, information is needed regarding State land use hw, inf'lll policy, rate of growth, development standards, development processes and the consequences of increasing urban densities (infill).

b) Complete the master overlay plan for the undeveloped railroad property. Work to resolve the brownfield clean up.

c) Complete the update to the Downtown Plan.

10. HISTORICAL SITES AND STRUCTURES

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

2001 - 2002 Priorities

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

b) Encourage the I-fistoric Commission to expand their role by providing input on historic priorities and providing historic education programs for the community.

11. REGIONAL STRATEGIES

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

2001 - 2002 Priority

a) Coordinate with other agencies in the region to improve the delivery of service. Types of coordination efforts should include:

• Regional training for public safety personnel.
• Meeting training needs for staff and elected/appointed officials by coordinating with the Rogue Valley Public Service Academy CRVPSA).
• Evaluate the potential for the consolidation of services such as 911/dispatch.
• Collaborate with other cities regarding methods for encouraging the provision of affordable housing.
• Collaboration for improved regional public transit services.

12. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

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.

2001 - 2002 Priorities

a)  The City will continue to implement a financial management plan that addresses existing and potential revenue sources to ensure that City revenues are balanced from property taxes, user fees, grants, and other revenues. The plan will also continue to provide long-term operating projections for all funds.

b)  Provide comprehensive information to the community on City budget and financial issues to promote a more thorough understanding of how the City receives its funding and how it is spent and what sereices are provided.

c)  Complete and implement the performance measures program.

13. SOCIAL & HUMAN SERVICES

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.

2001 - 2002 Priorities

a) Implement and fund the health and human services plan.

b) Develop a community crisis intervention tear~

c) Expand the existing Energy Assistance Progranz

d) Consider enhancing and augmenting the CE.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team)

program.

.

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