2011-13 City Council Goals
Goals set in February/March 2011. Status Report as of March 2012. Goals in red added in 4/9/12 retreat.
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Improve the city's infrastructure to meet current standards and provide for managed future growth
Build the city's tax base by supporting and expanding the business community
Manage growth pressure through careful planning
Build on the city's superb quality of life
Other goals/projects
Improve the city's infrastructure to meet current standards and provide for managed future growth
This Year
- Provide SandyNet fiber service in new subdivisions and conduct a pilot FTTH project in an existing neighborhood. Status: Development code amended for new development. Cascadia/Bornstedt Villages chosen as pilot neighborhood; cost estimates are being refined to ascertain the project will be financially feasible.
- Centralize Information Technology services to improve the automation of city services. Status: IT Department created and included in 2011-13 budget. First "virtual computers" installed in City Hall in testing phase.
- Explore westbound traffic access to the Community Center through easements from adjacent properties.
Next Two Years
- Seek grant funding for sidewalk connections to Vista Loop.
Long Range
- Work with residents to complete missing sidewalk segments in existing neighborhoods. Status: Community Development Block Grant used to install sidewalks in the neighborhood north of downtown. Exploring creation of small-scale Local Improvement Districts.
- Consider establishment of a central fleet management program for city vehicles. Study completed by PSU graduate student. Implementation on hold due to budget constraints.
Build the city's tax base by supporting and expanding the business community
This Year
- Hire or designate an economic development director and encourage business expansion and development in all commercial/industrial zones. Status: Business outreach meetings were held during summer 2011. Forum on ED strategies held in October 2011. Economic development manager position created as of January 2012.
- Amend the zoning code to give businesses more flexibility in the use of their commercial and industrial buildings. Code language drafted and scheduled for Council review in April 2012.
- Transition the Main Street program (with a full-time coordinator) to a non-profit organization, supported by a downtown Economic Improvement District. Status: Temporary part-time coordinator hired. Main Street Committee working on the process of forming EID.
- Identify a contingency plan for continuing the Main Street program as an EID is being formed.
Next Two Years
- Encourage the development of urgent care and other medical facilities. Status: Adventist Medical offering urgent care hours. New Dialysis Center to be located near the Mt Hood Athletic Club .
- Amend the zoning code as necessary to encourage development of apartments and condominiums on the top floors of downtown commercial buildings. Status: Preliminary analysis shows that market demand and state building code requirements, not zoning code, appear to be the main barrier to downtown housing.
- Incorporate Pleasant Street into Main Street activities and urban renewal improvements.
Long Range
- Design and begin implementing a strategy to better manage downtown parking. Status: A detailed parking survey and analysis has been completed; City Council has appointed a downtown parking committee to guide implementation.
- Encourage development of a destination hotel/restaurant/conference center. Status: Preliminary discussions with a potential hotel developer are underway.
- Continue to seek 24-7 medical facilities.
Manage growth pressure through careful planning
This Year
- Encourage development of the old city shops property to increase the availability of high quality and affordable rental housing. Status: A Request for Proposals was issued and resulted in two good proposals. Council has approved a development agreement with Northwest Housing Alternatives. Construction projected for 2012-13.
- Bring the Sandy River Park into the city limits. Development Code and Comprehensive Plan amended; annexation on May 2012 ballot.
- Continue to implement the tree planting program. Status: Ongoing.
Next Two Years
- Consider expansion of the Urban Growth Boundary to increase the potential supply of larger residential lots. Status: the steps to do this have been identified. Possible cooperative project with Metro and Clackamas County.
Build on the city's superb quality of life
This Year
- Designate a dog park in Sandy. Status: Future dog park sites have been identified in Sandy Bluff Park and Meinig Park.
Next Two Years
- Complete the master plan for the Sandy River Park and begin improvements, including trail development. Status: done.
- Seek funding for the connection between the Sandy bike/pedestrian trail system and the Springwater Trail. Status: Ongoing. City staff helped organize bicycle tourism workshop in Sandy.
- Explore the creation of community gardens in more neighborhoods.
Long Range
- Explore development of a youth center. Status: The Ant Farm is meeting some of this need with their new downtown facility.
Other goals/projects
This Year
- Improve two-way communications between the city and residents and businesses through forums and increased use of social media. Status: Two neighborhood ice cream socials were held in September. Community Leadership Forum held in October 2011 on economic development. A PSU graduate student has developed a plan for a Citizens Academy.
- Build relations between the City Council and other organizations, including the Oregon Trail School Board, Sandy Mountain Festival Committee, Chamber of Commerce, and others. Status: Joint meetings held with MF Committee, School Board.
- Provide funding for recognition of outstanding achievements. Status: Volunteer Recognition Picnic and Employee Recognition Banquet have been included in the budget.
- Continue to explore ways to encourage the city's growing Spanish-speaking population to participate in city government and community activities. Status: En marcha.
