2007-2012 City Council Goals

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Our Community has a High Quality of Life –People Enjoy Living Here

Actions:

Complete a study for providing parks, trails, and open space in new growth areas in partnership with area cities and park districts.
Assist the Unit 4 School District to complete a strategic plan to achieve quality education for all students and high quality school facilities.
Implement programs and strategies to reduce crimes against persons and violent crimes.
Work with Unit 4 Schools, the Park District, and nonprofit agencies to evaluate youth programming and implement actions to address unmet needs.
Adopt a policy to encourage City support for arts and culture.
Complete a Telecommunication Master Plan.
Negotiate a cable franchise agreement jointly with the City of Urbana and prepare for the AT & T video service rollout.
Plan and develop a park and ride facility in cooperation with the CU-MTD.
Apply for Safe School Routes grants to improve pedestrian safety in areas surrounding Champaign schools.
Support the Economic Development Corporation and the Convention and Visitors Bureau to improve their effectiveness in implementing economic development and tourism programs.

Our Community Has Quality City Government

Actions:

Evaluate development review, permitting and compliance processes and implement actions to respond to customer needs and assure high quality development.
Complete master plans for all infrastructure systems.
Complete a cost of services study and adopt policies to appropriately charge fees to recover service costs.
Adopt and implement a long-term funding plan to construct and maintain quality infrastructure systems throughout the City.
Update the Public Communications Plan and implement actions to improve communication with citizens.
Complete a management succession plan to prepare current employees and recruit highly qualified applicants for upcoming staff vacancies.
Approve and implement a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program.
Complete the Public Works facility and financing plans.
Monitor pension funding levels and adopt financial policies to address unfunded obligations.
Revise the City’s Financial Policies to define a target property tax range for future financial planning and identify how funds levied can be used to achieve City goals.
Develop a program to audit retailers’ compliance with the City’s Food & Beverage and Hotel-Motel taxes.
Complete and implement strategic plans for Fire, Public Works, and administrative services departments.
Complete and implement the fire station location study.
Evaluate the fire services agreement with the University of Illinois and update as needed.
Develop a long term funding plan for METCAD in cooperation with the METCAD partner agencies.
Adopt emergency management policies and plans that are coordinated with the University of Illinois and other municipalities in the region.
Complete City Council redistricting based on the 2006 Special Census.
Prepare a plan to address the long-term space needs of departments currently located in the City Building.

Our Community has Healthy Neighborhoods

Actions:

Adopt a vacant structures ordinance and implement strategies to promote building safety and encourage reuse and redevelopment.
Complete a comprehensive housing strategy and long-term funding plan.
Support the Housing Authority of Champaign County in preparing a redevelopment plan for Dorsey Homes.
Develop a redevelopment plan for Bristol Place neighborhood.
Continue operation of the Garden Hills Neighborhood Action Team and implement actions to address neighborhoods needs.
Evaluate neighborhood infrastructure conditions and adopt a funding strategy to address unmet needs.
Complete implementation of the Beardsley Park Plan.
Develop a funding and staffing plan for ongoing implementation of the multi-family common area inspection program.

Our Community Is The Home of the UI — A World Class University

Actions:

Develop a strategic plan for airport governance and services in cooperation with the University of Illinois and other area jurisdictions.
Complete an annexation agreement for Phase 4 of the South Research Park.
Implement the recommendations of the Campus Area Transportation Plan.
Develop a joint City-University public education campaign to market the University’s assets to City residents and promote the community to students, parents, and faculty.
Implement crime control strategies for the campus area.
Identify new opportunities for cooperation and improve communications between the City and University of Illinois.

Our Community has Balanced and Sustainable Growth

Actions:

Adopt a funding plan for arterial street improvements, addressing the current backlog and the needs of future growth.
Complete a fiscal impact analysis of new development and adopt a development cost recovery policy.
Develop strategies to ensure high quality, reliable, and reasonably priced water and electric utility services.
Implement a plan to ensure quality development of property adjacent to the I-57/Curtis Road Interchange.
Prepare and implement a redevelopment plan for the Country Fair area.
Work with IDOT to resolve policy and funding issues limiting the installation of pedestrian and bicycle facilities on new interstate bridges.
Complete landfill closure and reuse plans.
Develop land use and development policies to positively impact the environment and promote long-term sustainability.
Conduct an environmental assessment of City facilities and services and implement actions to promote energy conservation and minimize environmental impacts.
Implement programs and strategies to increase commercial and residential infill development.
Complete and implement the Transportation Master Plan.
Complete the Staley/Rising Road Corridor Study.
Complete the Comprehensive Plan update.
Prepare and implement a Neil Street Corridor Development and Streetscape Plan.

Our Community Has a Vibrant Center City – Downtown To Campustown

Actions:

Adopt and implement the Downtown Parking Plan.
Develop a plan and funding strategy for streetscape maintenance.
Support the Park District to develop a long range plan and funding strategy for the Virginia Theatre.
Provide support to Christie Clinic for their expansion or the redevelopment of the downtown clinic location.
Update and implement the University District Action Plan.
Complete the Public Works Facility & Financing Plans.
Complete viaduct improvement plans, including both short and long term actions.
Develop and implement a pedestrian-oriented Downtown Intersection Design Plan.
Complete a University Avenue corridor study in cooperation with the City of Urbana and University Avenue businesses.
Conduct an inventory of Center City Housing and develop policies to encourage residential development.
Complete a redevelopment plan for First Street from University Avenue to Green Street.