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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-01 State of the City AddressThe Honorable Tammy de Weerd Mayor, City of Meridian 2012 State of the City Much Done ... More To Do February 1, 2012 Thank you. I am honored to stand before you today, as your newly reelected Mayor to serve this community for the next four years. I love this city - Meridian is where I work, this is where we have raised our kids; and, now, our kids are raising theirs. The state of our city is strong. Much has been done, but there is more to do. What I learned from our citizens this last fall while campaigning was invaluable. I found there is broad support, citywide, for the direction this city is headed. Much has been done. People appreciate that, they recognize what has been accomplished. Let me share 'the good' of what I learned while on the campaign trail. Our citizens appreciate living in a safe community. We are one of the safest cities in Idaho. Our crime has been reduced by 36% over the last eight years. They like our Firefighters, our Pipes & Drums that you just heard. Maybe I like our Pipes & Drums. They like are paramedics on every fire truck. Our Public Works Director, Tom Barry, appreciated this fact when his baby decided to arrive while they were still at home. Our citizens want a responsive government; they like the efforts we have made in being more responsive to our citizens. I met a couple on the campaign trail that drove this home. John and Shannon Uriona told me of the personal visit they got from our Building & Development Services staff. They came to their home, they sat in their living room, and they solved their problem. That had not been their experience when they first came to the city ten years ago. They felt they hit a stone wall then, but now they appreciate our culture of service. Let me share two more examples of this culture of service. There was a letter to the editor in the Idaho Statesman this weekend that captured this perfectly. Let me read a few lines. "During the standoff in Meridian on Jan. 13, my staff and I had the behind -the -scenes chance to observe our law enforcement. Everyone was professional and courteous in spite of their necessary focus on the issue at hand .... Two officers stopped in to check with us the following Monday to say thank you and ensure everything was in order on their property. They were impressed with the way they conducted themselves and it was 2012 State of the City — Meridian Idaho Mayor Tammy de Weerd February 1, 2012 Page 2 of 11 during that incident the courtesy to check in later was a gesture of pure respect." This is from GARLAND RISNER. This attitude, while different, was reflected when customer, Paul Stolle, was concerned about his water bill and he came to our Water Department. Our Backflow Inspector Cullen Raley overheard the conversation. He told the inspector he would come by and check the leak for him - right then. He followed him home. He found the leak and we had a happy customer. We will be bringing our customer service to the next level, rolling out 'The Meridian Way'. We went to our customer care experts, just like the ones I just mentioned, to help frame the service you can expect. Our pledge is to provide CARE to our community in a timely, friendly, professional, and solution -oriented manner. 'The Meridian Way' plaques will hang in each department, but more importantly they will be present in our approach and actions. I found, while knocking on YOUR door, that you love our vibrant, family -friendly parks, our community center, and the family friendly events that take place in them. There is great excitement and interest in the opening of the Julius M. Kleiner Park. Citizens have had a sneak peek, whether it was at the Veterans Rock of Honor dedication, or field trips to the Meridian Senior Center, this is an amazing gift, a $25 million donation from Eugene Kleiner to our community and it's scheduled to open on June 9th. We want to thank Mr. Kleiner and the Kleiner Trust for this generosity. Settlers Park continues to be `Your' favorite. This park is not only loved for the ball fields, the award winning playground, the horseshoe pits, the fishing pond, and the tennis courts; but also for the events that are held there. Fourteen year old Hailey Nelson went door-to-door campaigning because she loves, loves, loves CableOne Movie Night. Our citizens like the opportunity to be involved and to have a voice. Just ask Ralph Chapelle or Karen & Tom Sauer, they can speak directly to decision makers and policy makers at events like Coffee with the Mayor or Town Hall meetings - and they do! Citizens can have their voices heard on policy committees or task force groups and they can serve on commissions - like Creg Steele, who has experienced the maturing of our Parks Department during his 12 plus years. Citizens can step forward like Connie Peterson, who volunteered at our animal shelter, or the annual involvement by the Ten Mile Christian Church during our Old Town clean up. There are many opportunities for volunteers and organizations throughout the year. Last year alone our Parks Department clocked over 4,400 hours donated by community members. 2012 State of the City — Meridian Idaho Mayor Tammy de Weerd February 1, 2012 Page 3 of 11 Our citizens like the business growth and the job creation. We have netted over 12,500 jobs in my first two terms and over 1,000 businesses. We have added 500 jobs just last year. Meridian is unique and many of our businesses reflect that. Did you know that we have the largest manufacturer of inflatable water crafts in the country? (Aire Inc.); that NorthWest Machining produced a 'part' that was used in the InterContinental Ballistic Missile called the Peace Keeper, and currently makes a gear system for Rolls Royce. That we have the largest wickless candle company in the nation, and the world and they are one of the fastest growing consumer product companies in America - Scentsy. I would venture to say they will soon be one of the largest chocolate fondue companies as well. And we have engaged small businesses, like Brandon Wright with Ultra Clean and Redline Recreational Toys; they add to our unique business community and lend their business space, time, and talent to provide tools for other small businesses to network and succeed. We also have the largest insurer in the State, which happens to be our title sponsor. We thought it was more important to hear from Dennis. Well, Dennis, next time we will ask you to do the voice over as well. We do appreciate United Heritage. They are a great community partner! Our citizens like our retail businesses and restaurants. Much has been done offering choices in shopping and eating. Places like Epi's where the owner, Chris, will come and sit at your table because she cares about her customers. Our citizens are discovering the talent and premiere services we have in health care; in particular, the CORE. Amazing things are going on - from serving the underprivileged in Idaho State University's health and dental clinics, to the several medical -related businesses and their clinical research trials and the ongoing research. Who knows -- we will be the first to discover a cure for cystic fibrosis that's going on through St. Luke's ongoing research! Meridian citizens like their schools and the choices they have for higher education. We have seen rapid growth and selection in this area. Look at what has been added over the last ten years! While campaigning I received mixed messages about our school funding issue, but firm resolve that our children and their education are a priority. Now, I don't like paying taxes any more than the next person, but I will always support providing our children with the best education! 2012 State of the City — Meridian Idaho Mayor Tammy de Weerd February 1, 2012 Page 4 of 11 Our School District recently announced that they will be putting a supplemental levy on the ballot on March 13th. I don't know the details, but I pledge to be a part of this process. I encourage you all to educate yourself on this topic. We must be involved and present as our community, our school district, and our school board trustees tackle these issues. Our kids are important and one of the noteworthy days that I had last fall was during a school in-service day; a day off for kids. Two 5th grade boys dropped by to tell us what a great job they thought 'the mayor' was doing. They took tours coming up to the office, because they had their dog with them. I noticed the second boy had cleats on and I asked if he played soccer. He told me he would love to, but the government takes all his Dad's money. Long story short, Luke in my office gave him information about the PAL soccer program and our Parks & Rec 'Care to Share' program - his feet never touched the ground when he left. We watched out the window as he joined his friend, hands a-wavin', sharing information with his friend, as they walked off he jumped up and clicked his heels. That's what it's all about. Our citizens recognize our community's families in need and they support non -profits like the Boys & Girls Club and the Meridian Food Bank. I am honored to announce on behalf of the Meridian Food Bank, through an anonymous donation, that they will be purchasing the Meridian Senior Center on Broadway, just blocks from where they currently are. Before I move on, let me talk briefly about an issue that was also a topic of discussion during the campaign - the City Hall lawsuit. The City, in my years of involvement, has never initiated a lawsuit. We solve our issues at the table. That's what we do, and we tried to do that in this case. Our decision to go to court was based on principle and protecting the best interest of this community. This will be resolved; and we will move on. Yes, much has been accomplished, many things have happened and there is more to do. When the dust finally settled after Election Day and all the signs were gone, it was important for me to capture the lessons learned. I met with and listened to the other candidates to learn what they thought, and heard during the campaign. I have formed four work groups from that feedback and the meetings and what I heard last fall that are focused on jobs, business climate, communication, and service. I assembled a collection of stakeholders with a diversity of opinion that have been tasked with looking at the 'much done' and identifying and defining strengths and 2012 State of the City — Meridian Idaho Mayor Tammy de Weerd February 1, 2012 Page 5 of 11 challenges. They will set objectives and bring recommendations for actions for the 'more to do' over this next term. I am sure that the focus on jobs doesn't surprise anyone. While we have made progress in this area, even during the downturn; we want family -wage jobs. This group, led by Rick Ritter, will not only look at job creation, but also our role in the Governor's Project 60. Early discussions have them focusing on attracting suppliers for our current manufacturers; helping their business' bottom-line, while at the same time attracting business and jobs. They will also look at the industry clusters that we have plans for over the next couple of years, evaluating their feasibly and if they align with this region's core constancies and values. While the 2010 Boise Valley Economic Partnership's survey showed that Meridian City's processes ranked an 8.5 out of 10 - 10 being the best, we should always be our own toughest critic. So, our business climate group, led by Jason Monks and Ron Van Auker, Jr., will be evaluating how we are doing and identifying what we can do to move the needle to the 'ten'. They will focus in two specific areas; business processes for commercial development and strategies and tools to boost our entrepreneurial climate. Our communications group will put strategy behind how we can improve the various communication tools we are using and help us get information to 'you'. Finding more ways we can use "This Week in Meridian" or how we can increase viewership of our monthly TVCTV "Celebrate Meridian' program. They are also working to centralize information so it's easier for you to find. Our city services group, they are discussing and defining typical services offered by a city and who the providers are. They plan to review the quality of services and compare them to citizen expectations and identify any gaps. The group will then focus on solutions and funding ideas for the `wants' of the community. These groups each recognize that much has been done. I look forward to all their reports. Now, while these groups are working on our future and the 'much to do', who is better positioned to work on our future than our kids who are our future. I am lucky to serve with the young leaders that comprise, MYAC, the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council. Here is a video that their advisor Luke Cavener put together to capture what MYAC is all about. I would like to invite MYAC's current Chair, Janelle, to share with you their much done and more to do. We did a dry run yesterday and after she presented I said you can do my State of the City. 2012 State of the City — Meridian Idaho Mayor Tammy de Weerd February 1, 2012 Page 6 of 11 I certainly hope to have that kind of enthusiasm, optimism, and energy and, then, I know, guaranteed, MYAC has MUCH they WILL do! Now, I can say there is much been done. I am anxious to roll up my sleeves and get to work. Meridian has evolved. We are unique. We are different. What makes us different? We are a city that's still growing, even during the hard times. We have satisfied citizens that love where they live, as seen through last year's citizen survey where 9 out of 10 residents report that the quality of life in Meridian exceeds expectations. Exceeds Expectations! We are a city that operates in the black and pays cash for our capital needs. We are a city that has been listed in the top of the nation for a number of reasons. We have achieved this by working together as a community. We are unique. And we, as a city, play our role in achieving this recognition. We stay focused on the vision of the city to be a vibrant and diverse city, a premiere place to live, work, and raise a family. We do so by putting Meridian first. We are able to do that because we have employees that stand ready to serve. They work hard to provide the services that you deserve. We have elected City Councilmen that are dedicated to growing per our plan. They budget and invest wisely and set policies that reflect community standards desired by our citizens. I am challenged and inspired by the Senior leadership team that I serve with - our Directors. These leaders are innovative and focused on efficiencies and savings. Our leadership team delivers a balanced annual budget recommendation to our City Council. This process begins months before the Council's budget workshops that are held in July, going through strategic and performance reviews. The budget is balanced and, then, through a collective process they look at the `needs' vs. the 'wants'. We budget with purpose and planning - and performance - led by Finance's Todd Lavoie; who leaves no stone unturned as we scrub department budgets line by line. We involve City Council liaisons, an inclusive employee process that encourages ownership of spending priorities at all levels. These Directors - our Team and the city's employees - think beyond their own departments strategically, to the whole picture, not to just their piece of it. Much has been done! This thinking has brought improvements citywide, such as our data management system called Accela. Accela is the city's enterprise software program that has connected several departments for the purposes of permitting, licensing, code enforcement and other things. Soon citizens and customers will be able to realize greater efficiencies by being able to access information 24/7. 2012 State of the City — Meridian Idaho Mayor Tammy de Weerd February 1, 2012 Page 7 of 11 This 'whole city' approach has brought Police and Fire collaborating in emergency response scenarios and leadership training; the police and Public Works Environmental Division have partnered on the prescription drug drop off program to prevent drugs from being flushed into our sewer treatment system - 3,500 pounds to date. Folks, that is nearly two tons of pharmaceuticals that are kept out of the environment! These are just a few examples of the collaboration among our departments. Much has been done. They keep their teams focused on strategic plans and keep their plans relevant to the community. The Fire Department has completed their five year strategic plan using a process that included stakeholders and the public. Principal Planner Caleb Hood, led the updating and reformatting of the city's Comprehensive Plan. It is now user friendly and easier to read. We added Economic Development and Sustainability chapters with identified goals, objectives, and actions. We have done much over this last year... over the last eight years. Major accomplishments over that eight year period have seen over three billion dollars of commercial and residential investment. A streamlined permitting process reducing permitting processing by half; an improved fire rating system that is saving our businesses and citizens' money for insurance. We've seen 117 new acres of developed parks. Now, for every tax dollar spent, three dollars came from partners or growth. We were the first municipality to receive a Class A Reclaimed Water permit that offers a source of lower cost non -potable water in west Meridian and we have seen the completion of the Locust Grove overpass, 13 major intersection improvements eliminating four way stop signs and the opening of the Ten Mile interchange! I think I'm still dancing about that one. Our transition from a residential community to a full-service city is noteworthy. We have a tangible energy and you can feel it. We, as a City, are working to complement what is happening in our private sector and by others. We put Meridian first, what's best for the "community" as a whole. We believe that local government - should be and is - a reflection of our citizens. We put Meridian first and foremost in our minds. It is that thinking — putting Meridian first — that brings us to our Legacy award. The Legacy Award is given each year to recognize someone that gives unselfishly of their time, talent, or finances to the benefit of our community. Recently there has been a great deal of activity at the Pine Street School. Paul Davis Restoration stepped forward in helping to fix or restore a number of needs at this historical one -room school. 2012 State of the City — Meridian Idaho Mayor Tammy de Weerd February 1, 2012 Page 8 of 11 This school is the `love child' of a teacher who taught for 38 years, but nurtured Meridian's children in this school for 10 of those years. Today she is a one-person attendant to this school - caring for it, as she cared for her students in that same building over fifty years ago. Please join me in recognizing, Betty Kusler. So, working together, just like Betty has done, we have done much, but we have more to do to meet our vision of being a premier city - the best city in Idaho. We will keep our focus on "putting Meridian first"! We have heard you - through our citizen survey, our public meetings, and our various community events; we have heard you at the grocery store, at church, in our schools. I listen when I knock on your door and I heard you on Election Day. Here is what you told us: You want a safe community. You want a responsive government. You want places to go and spend with family and friends. Everyone wants to see a better economy. You want us to help attract and grow family wage jobs. And, you want more time at home, not on the roads. Okay. So, here are my five strategic priorities for the next term. I will begin with a Safe Community: We will continue our focus as one of the safest cities in Idaho. This will happen through: Prevention programs such as the Mayor's Anti Drug Coalition. MADC is in the fourth year of a Drug-free Community Grant, $500,000 grant, and it's eligible for a five year extension. We will be aggressive in our efforts to achieve that renewal. Working with partners like PAL, the School District, and our business community we will continue to 'fight for our families' and working with our coalition members; We will continue our strategic 'rooting of crime' through our Impact Team, our bicycle patrols, and working with citizens. We will use DDACT, our crime analysis tool, to identify crime areas to address the 'cause' not just the symptoms. My next priority is Responsive Government. earlier announced 'The Meridian Way', building on our culture of service. I will challenge our community - our businesses, non -profits, and organizations - to adopt "The Meridian Way'. We can brand our community as a place that welcomes and cares for those that live and work here and those who visit here. A place where people want to be. 2012 State of the City — Meridian Idaho Mayor Tammy de Weerd February 1, 2012 Page 9 of 11 We will build upon our communication tools to keep you informed, involved, and give you a voice - putting Meridian first. My Places to go with family and friends priority -- in this priority, we will focus on our downtown, parks, and pathways. In our downtown, we have told you in the past, it must be a place to go to, not drive through. The City is working with the MDC and the downtown businesses to foster an environment that encourages investment and we have made advancements in spite of the economy. We are currently working with developers and potential investors, who on two different opportunities, if successful, will be catalyst programs for our downtown. We will brand our downtown districts with signage. We are focused on defining parking areas and creating outdoor activities for dining, entertainment, and art of all forms. Our focus in parks and pathways is to create positive experiences and lifelong memories. In our Parks, as funding allows, we will finish the last phase of Meridian Settlers Park, adding parking and tennis. We will begin the first phase of Borup Park; here, I pledge to our dog lovers that a Dog Park will be in this first phase. We plan to address, in part, the need for indoor field house space. In South Meridian, we will begin phased planning for our 70 acres of parkland that is located at Locust Grove and Lake Hazel. As to pathways, we will continue to make connections where possible that will offer safe routes to school and places to go for all ages; and we will be diligent for a 'rail with trail' either in the rail road's right-of-way or alongside it, for an east -west connected pathway. My fourth priority of five -- so we are almost done -- is to 'Attract and grow family wage jobs'. We will stay focused on enhancing our business community climate that will be nurtured through the merging of our Planning and Building and Development Services into one unified focus - Community Development Department. 2012 State of the City — Meridian Idaho Mayor Tammy de Weerd February 1, 2012 Page 10 of 11 Our focus on value added jobs will be delivered through strategic Business Enterprise Corridors. We want to replicate the success that you have seen in The CORE, by bringing together complimentary type of businesses into other areas of our city. We will roll out plans for The Fields District and Public Safety District; and promote the Ten Mile region and Downtown to targeted businesses. Lastly, and importantly, Transportation - more time at home, not on the roads. I saved this for my last, because I want to be specific on two projects. We will stay focused, though, on positive relationships with ACHD and ITD as they are our road and maintenance providers. The first phase -- or the first project I will talk about is the Split Corridor Phase II - this project will begin late this summer. As part of this road widening project, the City has a water main line that we will be constructing at the same time. This project will close Meridian Road for a year. ACHD and our Public Works have been working on a communication plan. Please sign up for that plan. It will keep you up to date. They have also been working closely with the businesses. We need you to support our downtown businesses during this construction program. This will have a huge impact to them. Their inconvenience and success is for your long-term convenience. So, please support them. The Meridian Interchange. You have heard me talk about this before. The bridge condition gets worst every year, every year we risk losing a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or a child's life. We are not realizing the full benefit of the 1-84 improvements because of the bottleneck that is created. Economic growth is impacted by the inability to accommodate more traffic in that area. This is not only a Meridian problem - it's regional. It connects to an interstate system. Locally we have done our part. Now, the State needs to do theirs. The investment in the 1-84 corridor has been huge -- is huge and it's desperate needed; and it just boggles the mind that they excluded the middle portion of this improvement. Can we turn up the house lights, please? Those that believe the Meridian Interchange needs to be rebuilt, would you, please, stand up. Thank you. You can sit down. I will guarantee you that we have taped this. And we are sending it to ITD. We need you. We need you to be a involved. we need you to be a supportive voice and help Senator Winder and Representative Hagedorn advocate for getting us the Meridian Interchange rebuilt. We need you 2012 State of the City — Meridian Idaho Mayor Tammy de Weerd February 1, 2012 Page 11 of 11 to call ITD. We need you to call newly appointed Chairman Jerry Whitehead. We need you to call the Governor's Office. This needs to be a priority. We cannot afford it not to be! Our list is ambitious, but we know that by working together we can make significant headway in all five strategic priorities. These are not just my priorities, they are yours — safe communities, responsive government, places to go, jobs, and transportation — these reflect those areas you told us are most important. We have a simple mantra at the City of Meridian: Put Meridian First. This means having a clear vision for the future of the city that is reflective of the values of Meridian citizens. It means being accountable, responsive, and truly connected to our citizens. I have shared with you examples of that today. If you believe in putting Meridian first, there are many ways to get involved. Join us; embrace `The Meridian Way'. Stay informed, visit our website frequently. Get involved. There will be many ways to do so. Be an informed voter - be educated on the issues and support candidates who will stand up and fight for Meridian, who have your same standards and values, who advocate for community needs, such as the Meridian Road Interchange, and MYAC's texting while driving ban. Put Meridian First. Much has been done! We want you to be involved with us during these exciting times, because together we can achieve so much more. Meridian is unique. There is much to do — let's get going! Thank you.