Web posted
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Improving city tops goals list
By JAMES JORDAN
Traveler Editor
news@arkcity.net
Improving infrastructure and the appearance of the city are at the top of goals listed for the coming year by the City Commission.
Those goals are likely to remain on the short list, though the order of specific goals is still subject to change.
City commissioners may discuss their goals and plans at their regular meeting at 7 tonight.
They plan to set some public hearings later as they start to develop their goals.
City Manager Doug Russell plans to have a more detailed list set up for the second meeting in March, and those public meetings may be held in April.
The goals are a starting point for the budget process, but are also designed to give commissioners a map to follow as they work to improve the city.
Repairing of infrastructure is currently at the top of the list. This would include street repairs as well as water and sewer improvements.
Strengthening the city's financial position is also near the top of the list, which involves lowering the amount of debt the city has while trying to avoid raising taxes.
Also near the top of the list is the recruitment of business and industry.
Quality of life issues are also near the top of the list, which impacts business and industry.
Tonight the city may discuss those issues, but there are only a few action items scheduled.
When the Streetscape was being put up the two-hour parking signs were taken down on Summit. They have not yet been put back up, and many remain on the avenues that cross Summit.
Monday night commissioners decided to not put the signs back up except for public buildings such as city hall and the police station.
The two-hour signs were originally installed to discourage business owners from parking on Summit in front of their stores. Commissioner Patrick McDonald said he doesn't believe that does any good and may actually prevent shoppers from shopping as much as they would like.
He suggested leaving the parking signs down.
He said the city does need to create more parking spaces in the downtown area. He would like to see the signs also removed from the avenues.
Commissioners are also expected to adopt Uniform Public Offense Code for the City of Arkansas City, and modifying and deleting existing Public Offense Code. This adjusts city codes to be consistent with state ordinances and is done every year.
|
