CITY OF NORTH BEND

COUNCIL GOALS

JANUARY 2009

Mayor Rick Wetherell

Council President Janet Rubin

Councilor Howard Graham

Councilor Larry Garboden

Councilor Bill Richardson

Councilor Barry Hayes

Councilor Mike Erbele

The North Bend City Council met on January 26, 2009 in the North Bend City Council Chambers to review and establish goals for the city.  The council completed the goal session on February 24, 2009.  Present with the council members were Jan Willis, City Administrator, Joann Thompson, City Recorder, Matt Zook, Finance Director, Bryan Owen, Parks Superintendent, David Voss, Community Development Coordinator, David Berry, Engineering Services Coordinator, Steve Scibelli, Police Chief, Scott Graham, Fire Chief, Chris Richmond, Aquatic Director, Barb Dunham, Information Services Manager, Bob Dillard, Public Works Superintendent, and Gary Sharp, Library Director.

The session involved:

• Review of council goals developed in 2007
• Acknowledgement of goals completed during the prior two years
• Department head reports – accomplishments and goals
• Establishment of new goals

The session allowed the city’s department heads the opportunity to describe in detail our city’s accomplishments, current level of operations and goals for the future.  The council set priorities and established a set of goals which include philosophical statements of policy as well as city projects. The city’s accomplishments and new goals are described on the following pages.  Included are the individual department goals which are on file with the City of North Bend.  The city council will schedule a council goal setting meeting in January of 2011 to again review the city’s accomplishments and to establish goals.

REVIEW OF GOALS

ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

• Continue to provide encouragement, support and regulatory oversight in efforts to upgrade the North Bend Hotel.   Umpqua Community Development Corporation purchased the North Bend Hotel and plans are underway to restore the building.  The City of North Bend will continue to provide support for the project.

• Grants to city -   The city has successfully obtained financial assistance to make improvements to parks and grounds, swimming pool, wastewater operations, public safety operations, the library building and the North Bend waterfront.

 Following is a list of grants received by the city in the past two years: 

• Encourage staff to continue to seek grant funding for city projects and equipment.

• Support funding efforts for swimming pool improvements during FY 2009-2010. 

• Support Coos County Airport District efforts to maintain commercial air service in North Bend, support the Coos Bay North Bend Water Board and the South Coast Development Council. 

• Support development of properties within the city limits of North Bend.

• Continue to implement the Urban Renewal Plan and the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan which includes the following:

a) Continue efforts to construct a pier/boardwalk between California Street and Washington Street.

b) Support the Coquille Indian Tribe’s efforts to improve a 55-acre parcel located directly south of the city’s waterfront improvements.

c) Continue to plan for expanding the pier/boardwalk to include moorage facilities at the “Old City Dock” site. 

d) Continue efforts to make improvements to downtown corridor in cooperation with property owners and ODOT.  Continue plans to design and construct a streetscape for the area along Highway 101 from Connecticut to Washington in cooperation with ODOT in 2011.

• Implement suggestions made in the Oregon Downtown Development Resource Team plan which was completed in September 2006 which includes the following:

• Creation of business development team
• Seek STA in downtown corridor limiting the speed limit to 25 MPH
• Improve signage directing travelers to parking lots
• Streetscape improvements making better connection from Highway 101 to waterfront area
• Work with ODOT to create pedestrian friendly downtown
• Continue to support a downtown historic district
• Incentive program for landscape improvements in business district
• Business recognition program

• Determine procedures and impacts of instituting citywide business licenses.   Review city fee structure including the occupancy permit.

CITY INFRASTRUCTURE

• Support the protection of the city’s interests in its right-of-ways.  Oppose legislation that pre-empts city’s ability to charge fees for use of right of ways.

• Continue to enforce parking violations in downtown.

• Inventory existing parking in downtown.  Consider developing more parking either by acquiring property or developing existing parking lots for downtown businesses.

• Continue to address ADA issues in the city’s capital projects.

• Seek funding for the following programs/projects for the city: 

Ferry Road Park irrigation system

Airport Heights continued maintenance

College Park improvements - Parking

Park playground equipment upgrades

Development of the Hamilton Trail and observation area at Florida and Hamilton

Improvements to Highway 101 Corridor

• Develop a new funding source for city street upgrades

• Consider expanding the city’s urban growth boundary

• Explore energy conservation programs for municipal operations

INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION/COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

• Continue open communications with the Governor’s staff in encouraging economic development of our area. 

• Build partnerships through cooperation and coordination with governmental units, including but not limited to the North Bend School District, Coos County Airport District, Tribal governments, Coos County, the City of Coos Bay, and other cities within our region. 

• Continue partnering with local organizations providing services to North Bend citizens.

• Maintain partnerships for tourism through the Coos Bay-North Bend Visitor and Conventions Bureau.

• Support economic development efforts in our region.

• Continue to work with and support the North Bend Downtown Association. 

• Support citywide cleanup efforts.  Continue to recognize those individuals who assist the city.  Continue with the beautification award program.  Continue to support citywide cleanup efforts (metal and tire drive included) by partnering with the sanitation company.

• Consider a location for the excursion train depot as a long-term goal recognizing that a community non-profit, the Oregon Coast Historical Railway Association, is working to develop an excursion train with a depot in the City of North Bend. 

FACILITIES

• Continue to properly maintain city facilities.

• Continue to maintain an operations/maintenance program for the swimming pool, which identifies costs, funding sources and priorities.  Support the Save our Pool project. 

OPERATIONAL AND INTERDEPARTMENTAL

• Support city staff.

• Continue to maintain codification of city code. 

• Continue to monitor city services fees to determine if the fees are appropriate for services rendered. 

• Support Library Board goals. 

• Continue to upgrade the computer system in the finance department to improve financial reporting.

• Continue to maintain telecommunications within city departments including computer and software upgrades, integration and backup. 

• Continue to support wastewater system upgrades.

• Support department goals.

PUBLIC SAFETY

• Encourage partnership with the North Bend School District to fund at least one part-time officer in the schools.

• Develop a boathouse at the California Street boat ramp to enhance public safety. 

• Continue to replace vehicles in police and fire departments.

• Continue staff training on the City’s evacuation and emergency plan

PROMOTION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH

• Encourage public involvement in all city programs and activities.

• Maintain the city’s web page to provide information about city services and promote the community. 

• Continue to support government access television to inform and educate the public on city issues, and involve the community. 

• Support affordable housing in our community.

• Support city recognition of outstanding citizens and individuals who serve as ambassadors for our community.

• Celebrate our community each July during July Jubilee events.

• Continue our city’s presence and partnership in greater Bay Area events.

CITY PROJECT PRIORITIES

• Establish a stable funding source for city street improvements by working with neighboring communities and the county to propose a local fuel tax to the voters.

• Support swimming pool renovations through Save our Pool project.

• Waterfront development.

• Highway 101 improvements with emphasis on parking, pedestrian access and safety.

• Explore expansion of the Visitor Information Center.