LAKEPORT ?Representatives of nine different city departments each presented to the Lakeport City Council a list of goals their staff developed for the upcoming 2011/12 fiscal year during a three-hour workshop that book-ended Tuesday”s council meeting.
Council members were then asked to prioritize the presented goals, denoting their top three priorities within each department and their top three for the city overall.
Goals within seven departments received votes of top-three citywide priority from the four present council members. The goals would be in addition to the department staff”s normal day-to-day tasks, according to city clerk Janel Chapman.
Public Works received the most votes for council priority: three members agreed that pursing the upcoming round of Proposition 84 funding for parks projects should be a 2011/12 priority. One member also indicated that several proposed improvements to Public Works staff organization should be a main concern.
Two members said that adopting a sustainable 2011/12 budget should be main priority and all four supported it being a priority for the Finance Department.
Utilities also received votes for two of its goals: one for treatment pond repair and one for solar array work.
Goals from separate departments made up the final four council-voted priorities: implementation of the General Plan (Community Development), working with existing motel owners to enhance their properties (Redevelopment), updating the emergency plan and training council and staff (Police) and pursuing grant funding (Engineering).
Chapman said she is working to compile a report based on the council”s feedback and that the final report will be considered by the council at a future regular meeting.
The goals outlined by each department were printed on broadsheets and posted in the City Council Chambers during the meeting, with the departments having between eight and 50 goals for next fiscal year.
Here is a flavor of the department goals presented Tuesday:
Administration:
Update personnel policies, conduct salary survey, create standardized forms, update city”s website and social media sites and adopt facilities use plan.
City Attorney:
Vista Point litigation, improve responsiveness, prepare a list of open projects and complete loose ends
Community Development:
Housing department: update housing policies and procedures manuals.
Economic Development: develop a “Starting a Business” packet, implement a social media campaign, continue business loans programs and contact 10 outside businesses and try to bring them to Lakeport.
Planning and Building: update fees, clean up transfer station, Mendocino College, floodplain management, downtown area zoning update and abate several blighted structures.
Engineering:
Update Encroachment Permit Ordinance, five-year capital improvement plan and improve records management.
Finance:
Create a Budget Committee, identify and quantify unfunded liabilities and introduce a new credit card system.
Police:
Secure police department facilities, meet community needs for civic activities, continue town hall meetings and work with other local agencies on combined narcotic enforcement.
Public Works:
Parallel Drive Milling Project, discuss a Martin Street Repair Project with the county, equipment replacement program, pursue grants for capital improvements at the Westshore Pool and rehabilitate local docks.
Redevelopment:
Create yearend reports, finish the engineering plan for the Phase 2 Downtown Improvement Project and continue the Fa?ade Improvement Program.
Utilities:
Improve security at water facilities, install electronic water meters, improve the department”s website, upsize the sewer main on North Main Street and reduce liability with regulatory compliance.
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him at 263-5636, ext. 37.
