City Council affirms goals and identifies new projects for 2020
City Council’s annual Work Plan session on January 11 provided an opportunity for civic leaders to evaluate progress on Council goals over the past year and identify ways to advance its high-level priorities in 2020.
A review and status report of recent and current City projects launched Council into a strategic planning session, the outcome of which is goal-specific project priorities that informs the 2020 Council Work Plan.
Newly appointed councilor Gladys Rivera attended her first Work Plan session, joining Mayor Kate McBride and councilors Mark Zanmiller, Megan Saunders, Erick Haynie, Jessica Metta and Tim Counihan for the annual strategic work session exercise.
In preparation for the goal-focused work session, City Manager Rachael Fuller described the breadth of City assets and services, and the magnitude of daily work in various departments to provide services to the community. However, an annual Council Work Plan helps staff keep focused on goals and strategies prioritized by the Council, identifying specific projects with which to accomplish stated goals.
“Prioritizing policy projects helps increase staff efficiency in support of Council goals over the long-term,” Fuller said. “The goal of this effort is continual improvement to deliver on the Council’s vision for the community.” Department managers also attended the session to offer supporting information, answer questions, and listen.
The City’s 2020 Work Plan incorporates input and direction from Council throughout the past year. This year, in addition to input from department staff, standing Council committees provided prioritized lists of projects to meet Council’s stated goals. The City also sought public input for project ideas for each goal on an online form at cityofhoodriver.gov and paper form available at City offices. Over 60 community members offered input, a record of which is also available online.
“We had a record number of comments from the community this year and are grateful for all the input. It was very helpful to receive input and ideas on what issues are important to the public, what they’d like the City to work on, and what ideas people had to move some of our goals forward,” Mayor McBride expressed. “We received a wide range of opinions, and many comments confirmed Council efforts are aligned with issues they value. This helps guide future decision-making and prioritizes actions we want to take.”
The 2020 Council Work Plan can be found on the City Council pages of the City’s website, cityofhoodriver.gov. Council Goals that inform the 2020 prioritized action plan (in no particular order) are:
- Create opportunities for an inclusive, equitable and diverse housing inventory.
- Inform and engage all segments of our community through transparency and proactive, inclusive and comprehensive outreach.
- Promote an efficient and safe multi-modal transportation system that alleviates traffic and parking congestion and encourages biking, pedestrian access and public transportation.
- Create a more environmentally sustainable community.
- Maintain existing infrastructure and prepare for growth.
- Address community needs for parks and open space.
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