The Siloam Springs City Board of Directors met for a workshop to discuss future goals for the city at the First Bank Community Room on Tuesday, June 23.
The board was accompanied by Mayor John Turner, and the workshop was run by Phillip Patterson, city administrator. Originally the board and the mayor submitted more than 90 different comments and ideas for the city's future goals.
Patterson and city staff condensed the list to closer to 60 ideas. At the workshop he introduced the condensed list and had the mayor and board whittle it down further to 22 ideas. After this process was complete the board and mayor then individually made nominations on what the 10 best goals are of the remaining 22.
This was not an official meeting of the board, meaning no official votes were taken and no official decisions were made. The goals that do not make the final cut will eventually be addressed, as some are as easy as changing a park name. The workshop's purpose was to help prioritize the board's plans and ideas concerning the city's future.
Patterson said the goals that make it to the top 10 will still have to be analyzed by city staff to determine things such as a schedule, needed equipment and cost. He also explained to the board and mayor that the mentioned ideas were long-term goals that may take a while to complete.
"After the workshop, staff will draft formal goal statements, an analysis of each goal statement, a measurement for completion of each goal, a time line, and who the goal will be assigned to," according to a memorandum from Patterson for the workshop. "We'll also create a second list of high-ranking goals that did not rise to the top 10. These goals will be placed on a 'parking lot' list for staff to work on as time permits."
The city's top 10 list has not been finalized. The Herald-Leader will publish the final list when it is formed. Written below are some of the ideas that multiple board members and the mayor nominated for the final list.
Economic Development
• Develop and implement a strategy for economic development that includes increasing sales tax revenues, property taxes, and jobs; and a plan to retain existing businesses and industries.
• Support appropriate public-private financial partnerships that will help enhance the city's economic base.
Downtown Redevelopment
• Support the downtown master plan to further develop the downtown and research/create a permanent funding source.
• Investigate the creation of an urban renewal agency to assist with the redevelopment of downtown.
• Research opportunities for private/public grants for improvement to downtown.
Infrastructure
• Develop a plan for implementation of an infrastructure management system that would identify conditions of infrastructure components and assist in prioritizing repairs and replacements.
• Develop capital improvements plan for all utilities and city infrastructure and facilities.
Sidewalks / Bike Lanes / Trails
• Complete sidewalk and trail connectivity master plan and develop strategy for implementation.
Planning, Zoning, Building Permits and Inspection
• Create a one-stop shop for permits and planning information so the city is more user-friendly to businesses and residents.
Finance
• Renew 3/8-cent utility capital improvements sales tax which expires in June 2016. Also find other uses for tax.
• Develop a sustainable fiscal plan for enterprise funds and general funds; establish a fiscal policy and reserve levels, and review fiscal revenues.
Parks and Recreation
• Develop a plan for maintaining and servicing existing recreational needs and responding to future recreational needs.
• Develop plan for maintaining and policing the Kayak Park.
• Complete master plan and implementation for City Lake and investigate joint venture public/private efforts for improvements.
General News on 06/28/2015