Budget will be written with goals in mind

Economic development, a new city website and park improvements are all on the list of city council goals for 2008-09.

The City Council discussed the goals in a workshop Jan. 23, 2008, and approved the final list on Feb. 13.

The goals are set before the budgeting process, so money in the next year's budget is targeted to projects supported by the council.

The goals, shown in the chart right, are listed by department.

Mayor Ken Toombs said reducing crime, revitalization of downtown and improving the water system are top priorities.

The crime reduction goal will be measured by whether the Lebanon police reduce the local Part I crime rate to below the state average. Part I crimes are serious crimes such as murder, burglary and arson.

The city wrote the grant application that led to the recent assessment of the downtown and thence to the new downtown association, Partners for Progress Inc. The city is providing assistance to the association.

Planning continues on a new water system that doesn't rely on the canal and the water treatment plant at Second and "A" streets.

A few of the goals are connected to the planned medical school near Lebanon Community Hospital. That includes establishing a new urban renewal district to fund infrastructure improvements and helping to bring a hotel or motel and a restaurant to that area.

The parks goals focus on public access to Cheadle Lake and adding new trails to the planned citywide trail system.

The council began with a review of the goals from this year; those that are sufficiently on the way to completion, such as the new library and justice center, were dropped from the list. Then councilors suggested new goals and by discussion narrowed the list to a few in each category.

Toombs said the city's goals are "realistic and attainable."

"We're doing a good job of moving the city forward," he added. "This was reflected in the goals. I think we have some well thought out goals. A goal is no good unless it's attainable and measurable."

In the past few months, as proponents of a skatepark appeared before the council asking for city support, they were invited to come back during the goal-setting session to present their case.

None of the skatepark supporters showed up, Toombs said, and none of the councilors proposed that the skateboard park be a priority for the city.

The only advocates for a specific program who spoke at the goal-setting session were members of Build Lebanon Trails, who urged the council to continue to give trails a high priority.

City Council Goals 2008/09

No. Goal Definition Status Estimated date completion

Administration

1 Facilities assessment Review long term viability of current facilities. New Fall 2008

2 City website Contract out for design, creation and maintenance training of new city website New Summer/fall 2008

3 Electronic citizen Build online formrequest/suggestion form Pending Summer/fall 2008

4 City entrance signs Replace existing signs at entrances to city and add additional locations Fall 2008

Received $10,000 donation/Citizen committee formed

Administration-Economic development

1 New urban renewal district Establish new URD to facilitate development in north area of town New Summer 2008

2 New hotel/motel and restaurant Assist hospital in attracting new hotel/motel and restaurant Longstanding 2010/2011

goal redefined

Community development

1 Permit tracking software Obtain GIS compatible software to improve tracking of development activities New Summer 2000

2 Code handbook Develop handbook to assist public, developers and staff New Summer 2008

3 Downtown development Promote downtown revitalization through URD, zoning, research and Staff working with new Spring 2008

parking rules merchants' organization

Information services

1 Council meeting room Update public address system and evaluate lighting and mechanicals New Nov. 2008

Library

1 Library district Support countywide library district Linn Library League

trying to get on ballot

Depends on voter approval

Police

1 Patrol scheduling Schedule officers to have more time for investigations New Winter 2010

2 Part 1 crime rate Reduce to below state average with increased police presence on streets Part of LPD 5-year July 2009

strategic plan

Public works-Engineering

1 Railroad reload operation Relocate to a new site Negotiating for property Jan. 2009

Public works-Parks and recreation

1 Cheadle Lake access Acquire property New Pending

2 Trail connectivity Complete trail plans and open a new trail segment Applying for grants Jan. 2010

3 Parks and recreation district Investigate formation of a Parks & Rec District Local group currently Unknown

pursuing the goal

Public works-Sewer

1 Sewer lateral replacement policy Increase city assistance to property owners New June 2009

2 Wastewater Master Plan Provide City Council with updated plan New June 2009

Public works-Storm drain

1 Storm drainage strategy Identify 5 highest priority locations, identify a solution and pursue funding New June 2009

Public works-Streets and Sidewalks

1 Streets funding strategy Develop a funding plan to increase street maintenance and identify high priority streets New June 2009

Public works-Water

1 Water treatment plant Identify a site, project scope and funding plan for a new plant New June 2009

Senior Center

1 Parking lot Double capacity of current lot New Fall 2009