The City Council sets the vision for our City and adopts goals to reflect that vision and guide decision-making at all levels of City government. The goal setting process builds Council consensus on policies and projects that impact City residents, businesses and the community as a whole. The Administration uses the City Council vision and goals to set priorities, direct work activities, and allocate staff and financial resources.
City Council Goals 2011-2013
Goal 1: Our City Fosters Quality of Life for All Citizens
Strategic Initiatives
- Encourage development of affordable housing
- Strengthen community service partnerships
- Promote an inclusive, open-minded and progressive community
- Expand the arts and amateur sports
- Increase parks, trails, and open space amenities
- Support the University of Illinois to maintain its flagship campus at Champaign-Urbana
- Enhance family-friendly events, facilities, and services
- Support community partners to strengthen educational opportunities
Key Projects
- Partner with Unit 4 to identify a core city location for the new Central High School.
- Coordinate the Community Coalition to implement initiatives for at-risk youth.
- Complete the North Fourth Street extension project.
- Complete a Comprehensive Affordable Housing Strategy and long-term funding plan.
Goal 2: Our City Provides First-Rate Services
Strategic Initiatives
- Assure a safe community and protect the rights of citizens
- Strengthen police-community relations
- Aggressively address aging infrastructure
- Continue to build complete streets
- Support and respond to neighborhood needs
- Maintain fire department responsiveness
Key Projects
- Finish the John Street storm water project.
- Finish Phase 2 of the Washington Street West storm water project.
- Initiate phase 3 of Boneyard storm water improvements.
Goal 3: Our City is Fiscally Responsible
Strategic Initiatives
- Maintain a healthy and balanced City budget
- Ensure fair City tax rates and fees
- Maintain a financial model that balances short and long term needs
- Be a leader in intergovernmental and interagency cooperation
- Apply strategies to reduce the cost of providing City services
- Allocate the cost of services to citizens who benefit
- Promote a compact growth pattern to deliver City services efficiently
Key Projects
- Adopt a dedicated funding source for storm water improvements.
- Adopt a dedicated funding source for road maintenance and improvements.
Goal 4: Our City Promotes Economic Opportunity
Strategic Initiatives
- Market the City as a tourism destination
- rand the City as a micro-urban community
- Expand programs for job creation and employment growth
- Attract and retain workforce talent in the community
- Promote opportunities for upward mobility for all citizens
- Advance strategies to benefit low-income neighborhoods
- Adopt forward-thinking growth and development policies
- Create a vibrant downtown
- Maintain the City’s positive business environment
- Increase minority and women-owned business opportunities
Key Projects
- Provide economic incentives to attract and retain businesses.
- Develop workforce development partnerships.
- Implement the Urbana-Champaign Big Broadband (UC2B) project.
- Implement the Infill Development Strategic Plan.
- Expand public-private partnerships to continue the Summer Youth Employment Program.
- Develop a program to increase minority and female participation in City contracts.
Goal 5: Our City is a Model for Environmental Sustainability
Strategic Initiatives
- Promote Champaign as a green community
- Encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation
- Recruit and retain innovative green business and industry
- Adopt incentives and regulations to encourage environmental responsibility
- Reduce energy consumed by our City government
- Preserve the Mahomet aquifer as a long-term healthy water supply
Key Projects
- Reduce electric power costs by pursuing electric aggregation
- Expand recycling opportunities
Goal 6: Our City is Committed to Honest, Transparent Government
Strategic Initiatives
- Engage the community in City government
- Provide timely and accurate information about City services
- Openly share information about City actions and decisions
- Improve public access to City information
Key Projects
- Continue to Implement the Public Communication Plan.
- Improve citizen access to information on the City’s website and through social media.
