2013 state of the city 2/19/2013 council meeting
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2013 State of the City
2/19/2013 Council Meeting
CITY OF WARSAW
Strategic Goal #1 GROWTH
MANAGEMENTDEVELOP A LONG-TERM PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE
COMMUNITY GROWTH
UTILIZE ANNEXATION AS A TOOL FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
RECONCILE CURRENT ZONING AND DESIRED LAND-USE DISCREPANCIES WHERE THEY MAY EXIST
2012Completion of BIKE/WALK MASTER PLANPassage of business friendly SIGN ORDINANCEInitiate downtown PARKING STUDYInitiate COMPLETE STREETS ORDINANCEANNEXATION OF 110 ACRES of developable
ground west of IVY TechExpanded into Northern Tax Increment Financing
District and approved by Indiana Economic Development as a CERTIFIED TECHNOLOGY PARK
2013 Initiate new COMPREHENSIVE PLANBall State University School of Architecture and
Planning CHARETTE focusing on the Gatke Property/Market Street/Little Crow Building “corridor”
Warsaw Housing Authority is initiating neighborhood organization and action plan for above area
Utilize “complete” transportation plan Focused Economic development initiatives
Planning requirements for STELLAR COMMUNITY Status that we plan to apply for in early in 2014
#2 BUSINESS EXPANSION AND
RETENTIONESTABLISH LOCAL PROGRAMS AND INCENTIVES
TO SUPPORT EXISTING BUSINESS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO EXPAND AND GROW
ACTIVELY SEEK TO UNDERSTAND CONDITIONS AND NEEDS OF EXISTING BUSINESS
DEVELOP A COORDINATED ENTREPRENEURIAL NETWORK WITHIN THE COMMUNITY
Through ORTHOWORX collaboration:Exploring ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALTY CLINIC Exploring BUSINESS INCUBATOR/ACCELERATORStrengthen workforce initiatives that meet the
needs of the industry… eg. IVY Tech collaboration creating the Advanced Orthopedic Manufacturing Program
2012-2013Developed relationships/ on site visits with
Orthopedic and other corporate CEOSSupport federal legislation to repeal Medical Device
Tax and support state efforts to mitigate MDT through state incentives and tax relief
Listened to needs of merchants with multiple public hearings regarding the Sign Ordinance and Parking study
2012-2013Through KEDCO/CPEG:
Develop regional supplier network to improve access and collaboration regionally
Through WCDC:Strengthen Building Façade grants and Revolving
Loan for improvementsProvide a voice for downtown merchants
Strategic Goal #3 Business Attraction
Identify and prioritize properties available and desired for development
Create and promote shovel ready sites for development
Use local finance tools strategically and creatively to support business attraction efforts.
Grow tax base with assessed value from preferred business types
Diversify industry and business mix
2012Identified landowner partners within the newly
CERTIFIED TECHNOLOGY PARK.Finalized CTP agreement with IEDCInterviewed industrial developers, construction
companies, engineering firms to solicit proposals for a consolidated marketable industrial park that will be designed to grow and expand
Selected Browning development to create preliminary site plan develop a collaborative agreement amongst partners negotiate a shell building proposal create marketing strategy for the new industrial park
2013Preliminary engineering is currently underway in
the new industrial parkPartnerships will be formed to
maximize land use and cooperation in developing the site plan
Collaborate on infrastructure expenses Develop incentives and marketing strategies
CTP increment revenue should be realized later this year and will be earmarked for accelerator development
The expansion of Winona PVD will occur this year We will name the CTP /industrial park. . . any ideas?
Establish a coordinated marketing and outreach program highlighting economic development opportunities within the community
Create and promote economic development marketing efforts through a consistent strategic targeted message2013
In collaboration with the Chamber and KEDCO Our marketing and messaging will be further
redefined as the CTP planning progresses As “product becomes available”, our goal is to
strengthen the common message with all economic development entities and consolidate with a unified approach
Continue to market to existing industry through active outreach
Strategic Goal #4DOWNTOWN WARSAW
Further define and encourage development/redevelopment efforts within the central business district
Identify needed critical downtown streetscape elements and improvements
Establish a strategy to expand downtown Warsaw as a unique community and business activity destination
2012The remodeling and occupancy of the historic
First National Bank Building occurred this past year.
Offices of the Mayor, Human Resources, Clerk-Treasurer, Building and Plan, City Engineer, City Attorney, and Waste-Water Payment were consolidated in the new CITY HALL.
In addition, an enlarged parking lot /city plaza was developed
The WCDC merged with the Chamber to consolidate management staff and enhance efficiencies for both entities.
The BIKE/WALK MASTER PLAN was completed with specific facility projects downtown to connect public areas with parks and neighborhoods
2012(contd)
Initiation of the DOWNTOWN PARKING STUDY Completion of the NEW SIGN ORDINANCEFIRST FRIDAY events continued under the direction
of the city’s new event coordinator and with the guidance of the WCDC
The establishment of Saturday FARMERS MARKET in the Plaza and on Center Street
2013Completion of the parking study FARMERS MARKET expansionCompletion of CITY PLAZAParks department will begin to program the City
PlazaCity Special Events Coordinator will Collaborate with
WCDC to further develop and program downtown events
2013 (contd.)
Acquisition of the Indiana American Water Pumping Plant at Center Lake
BUFFALO STREET BOULEVARD design will be explored further to develop a timeline as a downtown to Center Lake Park connection
The planning CHARETTE will look at redevelopment opportunities in downtown Warsaw that could involve larger parcels of land.
City entry signs will be replace and wayfinding signage will be erected
The re-establishment of law enforcement presence downtown with high visibility office in new city hall and a base for foot and bike patrols
Strategic Goal #5Communication &
ProcessWork to streamline development/permit
approval processes
Improve communication between City of Warsaw officials and the citizens of Warsaw
Improve communication and coordination between the City of Warsaw, neighboring communities and Kosciusko County
Develop a coordinated communication effort between the City of Warsaw and key stakeholders
2012Establishment of a monthly newspaper column,
“…from the Mayor” in the Times Union that seeks to inform our citizens of municipal issues
Increased use of city website to conveyInvolvement in monthly Community Action Council
(CAC) meetings, membership in Orthoworx (advisory Council seat), Membership in KEDCO, WCDC board, CCAC board, and close collaboration with Chamber.
Attendance at County Commissioners meetings, close relationship with county elected officials,
Collaboration with County Sherriff and Prosecutors office emergency services.
Partnership with 911 and countywide emergency management
2012 (contd.)
Collaboration of Warsaw/Wayne Township Fire Territory. Expansion to third fire station.
Collaborate with County on Road and Bridge projects through county membership in the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG)
Continued improvement of City WebsiteRegular meetings with WCS superintendent have
established collaborative partnership
2013Collaborate with Winona Lake to finish up
connection of Bike /Walk project connection the heritage trail to Smith Street
Collaborate with county to engineer bridge on 300 North to accommodate pedestrian traffic from Sheldon Drive to Madison School and into Warsaw CTP.
Explore further collaboration with county and Winona Lake to enhance community assets.
Continue to improve communication process at public meeting through multimedia presentation and better council audio system.
Continue to use technology to expand communication process
Strategic Goal #6Neighborhood Revitalization
Develop programs to support a balanced mix of safe, stable, and desirable neighborhoods within the community
2012Acquisition and demolition of two blighted
residential properties at edge of downtown. Appropriated extra funds to leverage into CDBGWHA/HOW is developing collaboration with Habitat
for Humanity to leverage assets to develop more sustainable NRI resources.
Resurfaced selected streets in all five districts
2013
Planning CHARETTE to evaluate residential housing needs in study corridor
Evaluate options to resurface more neighborhood streets in spite of reduced road revenues
Continue to develop NRI initiatives with expanded partnerships
Housing plan is major component of STELLAR COMMUNITIES initiative
Additional Operational Initiatives
School SafetyRealign DARE/ SRO resources and responsibilities
with WCSInitiate regular school patrols and presence for all
WCS schools within city limitsCollaborate with WCS on school security issuesRespond to WCS requests for safe schools and
provide available resources
Roads and Transportation
HUSKY TRAIL RECONSTRUCTION engineeringResurfacing project list with optional asphalt
recycling processThrough the BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE and
with community partnerships, we will work to prioritize, fund, and implement Bike/Ped projects from master-plan.
Continue support of regional AMTRAK resumption of service
Implement 2013 Aviation Capital Improvement Plan-lowering of power lines
Stormwater/WastewaterBy mandate from IDEM/EPA implement storm water
(MS4 guidelines). Will hire an MS4 coordinator, develop a project list of drainage issues, develop a budget, and storm water fee.
Complete the shutdown of WWTP #1 and diversion to plant #2
WWTFTDevelop preliminary site plan for station #3Initiate optional EMT training for current firefighters
Budget and Finance
Continue to find ways to cut expenses and control capital spending as a result of decreased revenue as the result of property tax cap credits.
Assessed valuation took a big hit this year as the result of reassessment and real estate downturn. It appears that real estate values are starting to comeback but I’m sure it will be a slow recovery.
Methamphetamine and PSEWe will continue to combat the scourge of crystal
meth as the human toll continues to mount. Our officers are ever vigilant and will continue to fight this horrible problem
I will look towards tamper-resistant products to provide an effective option for law abiding citizens who use the medicine properly, as we work with our legislators to limit and/or remove dangerous precursors from the shelves of our stores.
Thank You !
Mayor Joe Thallemer
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