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To: City of Centerville <br /> From: Wayne LeBlanc, Theresa Brenner <br /> ate: Dec 8, 1999 <br /> Subject: Long -term Planning Committee Proposal <br /> We would like to organize a new committee for the city that focuses on long -term planning issues. We realize the <br /> Council and committees are doing a lot of work and accomplishing great things. But we believe there is a further <br /> need to look at "big picture" issues that incorporate connections from all the existing committees. Although we <br /> don't have a detailed proposal now, we ask that you consider the concept. There are still many talented people in <br /> the community who could be involved. We would be guided by the Comprehensive Plan and the Design Team's <br /> recommendations. The Design Team's visit generated great ideas, drawing over 80 citizens to volunteer for <br /> action. It caused great excitement in the community. Part of our motivation is to keep the momentum going <br /> too. After one year, some results are beginning to show. The potential benefit of Design Team ideas and other <br /> long term planning opportunities are enormous. But there are two problems that prevent good progress: <br /> 1. Existing City organization is busy with current work. <br /> 2. There is no budget for Design Team and long -term planning activity. <br /> We met yesterday to discuss Design Team and long -term planning issues and recommend the following: <br /> 1. The City consider the formation of a Long -term Planning Committee. Existing committees are so busy with <br /> current work, they have not been able to consider Design Team and longer term ideas. For instance, the Park and <br /> Recreation Committee has not considered any trails for their budget from 2000 to 2003. They have been focused <br /> n making the existing parks more usable, which is an important function. The Economic Development <br /> ,ommittee, by itself, has not tried to tackle Community Center, County Road 14. the entrance, or downtown <br /> streetscapes issues. This new committee would look at the long term possibilities, investigate resources, and help <br /> bring together the activities of the various committees. There could be a representative from the Long -term <br /> Planning Committee attending Park & Rec, EDC, and P &Z. This new committee would be able to cover issues <br /> that don't fall in any other committee. <br /> 2. The City allocate 1.7% of their budget for Long Term Planning activity. From a $1.5 million budget. this <br /> amounts to $25.000. The focus for this money is on planning- related activities. Since. at this time, there is no line <br /> item budget, we ask the total be reserved and each expenditure would require prior Council approval. The money <br /> could be used for: <br /> Consulting services ofa city piatmer as needed <br /> Grant applications (a huge payoff here as you get "double" your money back) <br /> New drawings to show current thinking (existing drawings aren't quite right) <br /> Sketches to show possibilities for trails and other ideas <br /> Downtown beautification - flower baskets, holiday lights, and other decorations <br /> We believe these actions will allow the City to provide a needed long -term view and Netter use Design Team <br /> ideas for the City. We ask that this proposal be placed on the next council agenda. Thank you for your <br /> consideration. <br /> Jayne LeBlanc <br /> Theresa Brenner <br /> 1 <br />