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Posted: Nov 14, 2008 - 09:19:10 PST
David Hawker says Lincoln City making progress toward goals
By Kate Rowland of the News-Times
During Monday's city council session, Lincoln City Manager David Hawker reported that progress is being made on the city's nine goals, adopted in March of 2008.
The mission of Lincoln City is “to provide a safe and healthy environment for its citizens by providing services, facilities and opportunities in a fiscally responsible manner.”
Goal No. 1, to “develop an effective, stable funding source for efficient services that keeps pace with inflation and growth,” is helped by property taxes, which are up a little, and keeping pace with water and sewer fees, Hawker said.
Transient room taxes went up a little, which will give the city some additional options. Roads End is headed for annexation, and the county is moving ahead slowly on consolidated 9-1-1 dispatching.
Goal No. 2 is to “develop a clearly stated city identity.” The Culinary Arts Center and city efforts to increase all kinds of special events are working toward that end, Hawker said.
“We've done a fair amount to support the Lincoln City Cultural and Community centers,” he said.
Goal No. 3, “review and revise the land-use system in the city, including the comprehensive plan, urban growth boundary and zoning ordinance,” has not been accomplished yet, Hawker said, while Goal No. 4, “to develop a long-term integrated capital improvement plan for water, wastewater, transportation, drainage and city facilities” has made some progress.
The new Roads End Reservoir, the Drift Creek project, which will provide Lincoln City with drinking water for 15-20 years, and Phase 1A of the wastewater treatment plant have been completed.
“We need to continue to look forward,” Hawker said.
Goal No. 5, to “strengthen our economy,” consists of more long-term goals, rather than short-term, Hawker said.
“We need to put more emphasis on our nature trails, perhaps a trail map,” he said. “We're also really trying to connect through e-mail with our second-home owners. Developing a program to attract retirees is part and parcel of our second homeowner strategy.
“We're looking more closely at what seniors want. Hospital services, library, community center, all play a part.”
Part of Goal No. 5 is to increase opportunities for better child and infant care, which has not happened yet, Hawker said.
Alternatives for an event center are being looked at, and the business incubator has had about 10 applicants so far for six slots in Lincoln Square.
Goal No. 6, to increase disaster preparedness, for the most part, is making great strides, Hawker said, although it is an ongoing process.
North Lincoln Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is distributing individual neighborhood evacuation plans, and an emergency powers resolution has been completed, which outlines a chain of command and special city powers in the event of an emergency.
Lincoln Square will soon be outfitted with a generator, in probably about a month, which will keep it open for extended hours during a power outage or other emergency.
A tsunami awareness program for lodging properties is probably about two-thirds compliant, Hawker said.
Goal No. 7, to “identify opportunities for the city to conserve energy and natural resources” has also moved ahead, Hawker said.
“Identifying our carbon footprint is an analytical tool to help us make quantitative decisions and is ongoing,” he said. “We've been replacing lights, and we've made heating and ventilation changes. We're looking at replacing single-pane windows.
“We expect a water conservation element in the utility rate exchange fairly soon. The council will be given rate structures to approve. All public buildings are required to meet a green standard, and we encourage private construction to do the same.”
The new tree ordinance has been passed, and revisions will be looked at by the council shortly. Also, an application for the city to be a Tree City USA is about to be submitted.
The final goal, No. 9, to “encourage workforce and affordable housing within the city and urban growth boundary,” is getting close, primarily through the work of the Lincoln County Land Trust, Hawker said.
“They've completed a huge amount of work,” he said. “And rather than sell certain surplus city lots, I will ask the council to turn some of them over to the LCLT.”
In addition, Hawker said the vacation rental dwelling ordinance will get another work over, hopefully to address density and other issues.
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