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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 2005-05-26 - Special Meeting 117 City Council, Special Meeting Council Chambers 777 Cypress A venue Redding, California May 26,2005,7:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Mathena with the following Council Members present: Dickerson, Murray, Pohlmeyer and Stegall. I Also present were City Manager Warren, Assistant City Manager Perry, Assistant City Manager Starman, City Attorney Duvernay, City Clerk Strohmayer and Assistant City Clerk Sherman. CITY VISION SETTING WORKSHOP (A-050-060) Facilitator Nick Webb, Nicholas Webb Consulting, Inc., thanked the City Council for the opportunity to participate in the vision-setting process and prepare the Vision Scoping Report for Redding (Report). He related that during the process, he received in excess of fifty (50) e-mails from interested individuals who were enthusiastic and articulate in their ideas, hopes and desires for Redding twenty years into the future. Mr. Webb provided a power-point presentation of the Report which covered seven basic areas; 1) Scope, 2) Methodology, 3) Key Visionary Drivers, 4) Vision Statement, 5) S.M.A.R.T Growth, 6) Future Redding and, 7) Moving Forward Issues. I Scooe and Methodology: Mr. Webb recalled that within the Scope and Methodology of the project, he participated in meetings with City Manager Warren and solicited visionary priorities from each City Council Member through one-on-one interviews. He added that during a Community Vision-Setting Public Meeting and subsequent e-mails mentioned earlier, he learned firsthand what issues and ideas were important to the citizens of Redding and the surrounding community. In order to identify standard measurement tools and review statistical city-rating standards, Mr. Webb referenced a book entitled, Cities Rated and Ranked. While he found the book interesting, Mr. Webb commented that Redding had been rated below other less-vital cities and he found the mechanical analysis unreliable. He added that "people" are what make good cities. Kev Visionary Drivers: Mr. Webb reported that individuals define "quality oflife" in various ways; for some, he said it is a restaurant on every comer. For others, it is much more and includes art, culture, excellent public facilities such as libraries and a low crime rate. People were also very passionate in wanting to preserve the small-community atmosphere of Redding. Mr. Webb defined cities as either "proactive" or "reactive," pointing out that those which are proactive take the necessary steps and precautions to ensure the financial integrity and vitality of the City; they move forward on a crisp, clear vision. Those cities that are reactive, fail to plan or act too late, then do not understand how or why problems have arisen. I Mr. Webb stressed that the City must develop opportunities for economic diversity and good- paying jobs to keep young, talented individuals from relocating outside the community. He said that California has become one of the world's great powers, primarily due to the fact that technology-based businesses are located here. He pointed out, however, that while approximately 80% of these types of businesses exist in California, none exist in Shasta County. A broad economic development plan should include medical and computer-type technology incubation industries which generally produce higher-payingjobs which, in turn, could help ease the City's affordable housing shortage. Mr. Webb observed that, statistically, Shasta County has some of the lowest-cost housing in California but average retail wages cannot keep pace with inflation and the average citizen cannot afford to purchase a home. OS/26/05 118 Vision Statement: Mr. Webb explained that the way in which Redding is visualized by its citizens now and in the future could be memorialized in a Vision Statement which should incorporate certain goals that Redding will: 1) remain a community which provides a good quality of life, 2) remain a clean and safe City focusing on the environment and planning for S.M.A.R.T. growth, 3) provide economic opportunities through a broad economic development plan, 4) promote the flavor of a rural and open environment, 5) place a value on the unique character and important history of the Downtown, 6) work toward a variety of educational opportunities for people of all ages, and 7) support the arts and cultural activities. SMART Growth: Mr. Webb said that his interpretation of what citizens were saying in terms of how to grow Redding in a responsible manner is through good planning and S.M.A.R.T. growth: I Space not sprawl Managed infrastructure Arts, culture and tourism Responsible to the environment and Transportation He related that infrastructure must be developed ahead of its need so that beneficial projects can be accommodated and completed in a timely manner. Mr. Webb said that he received a great deal offeedback from the community regarding the environment with overwhelming concurrence that vigilance is the key to managing Redding's natural surroundings and preserving the beauty of the community and beyond. He said there were some comments regarding transportation needs and suggestions of "bullet" and "BART -type" trains as well as adding more bicycle trails. Mr. Webb indicated that traffic demands must be monitored on an ongoing basis as the City grows. Future Redding: Mr. Webb reported that also vitally important to the City Council and citizenry is a vibrant downtown and Park Marina area development that will enhance and preserve the natural and historic treasures of the community. I He suggested that a "Community Brand" be selected or developed that quickly and universally defines and identifies Redding - such as the "Jewel of Northern California." Moving Forward Issues: Mr. Webb suggested the following transition from visions to strategies: · Embrace the idea that Redding deserves its share ofthe top, wealth-producing, small footprint industries through technologies incubation. · Attract and develop higher paying jobs which have a minimal ecological imprint, drive educational opportunities, and are not dependent on a four-year college. · Prevent sprawl through protected green belts, in-filling and S.M.A.R.T. growth. · Take a command center approach to the Downtown and Park Marina Drive areas, and · Continue to solicit input and ideas from the community. Mr. Webb said that Redding has a history of good leadership and exceeds many other communities. He commended the City Council for its hard work and diligence and urged that it continue the current course which appears to be working well. In the context of a command-center approach to the Downtown, Council Member Murray commented that his vision for the future of Downtown Redding is to clear approximately six blocks in the heart of Downtown, and build a park at the location. He said he would like to see high-rise buildings and high-rise parking structure surrounding the park which could serve as a nice retail center, with open-air cafes and meeting places for people. I Council Member Stegall thanked Mr. Webb for his hard work on the Vision Setting project but expressed some disappointment that the physical health of the community and children were not included. OS/26/05 119 Council Member Pohlmeyer also thanked Mr. Webb, and commented that the information presented will be meaningful to the Council as it goes into the priority setting process. Council Member Murray observed that priority-setting is a strategy not a vision and that the information provided by Mr. Webb will influence how the Council reviews the City's priorities. As an example, Mr. Murray observed that he had not previously realized that within Redding's beautiful trail system, none had a "destination" other than to connect to another trail. He suggested that if trails had a destination, i.e., a shopping center, a park or the mall, perhaps more people would walk or bike to that destination. I Council Member Stegall believed that the Report should be used as a beginning for more Council dialogue. She applauded the idea of a Vision Statement for the City and believed that it could be used as a tool to measure the City's progress with its priorities and how they are ranked. Ms. Stegall observed, however, that the Council has very few opportunities to simply dialogue without taking action. Council Member Murray concurred with Ms. Stegall expressing frustration that the City Council did not have more opportunities to "brain storm" and develop ideas without necessarily having to come to a decision. Mayor Mathena also welcomed the idea of a City Vision Statement and a City "Brand" and suggested that Council take time to review the information provided more thoroughly and possibly develop a Vision Statement that can be incorporated on the City's letterhead and web page, etc. In response to Mayor Mathena, Mr. Webb indicated he would provide him with a book on brands next week. I Council Member Stegall acknowledged the effort that went into this process and believed that the ideas received from the public, staff and City Council should be incorporated into , a productive plan. Mr. Bennet, Redding resident, urged the City Council to develop a Vision Statement as a companion to the City's Mission Statement currently appearing on the City's website. He also urged that the community be given an opportunity to provide ideas and input into the Vision Statement and the selection or development of a City "Brand." Richard Paz, Redding resident, suggested that the City publish Mr. Webb's presentation on the City's website to make it available to everyone. He believed that Redding should be a major retail destination and he urged Council to create a vision so that Redding could realize that goal. Mr. Paz also urged that the Sundial Bridge receive more publicity and emphasized that the City should advertise overseas and provide information about Redding in alternative language formats as a tourist destination. Mayor Mathena related that recently, the City Council Members met with the Mosaiculture Committee from Canada, and when committee members were asked what stood out most about Redding, they responded that it was the friendly people. I Gail Rich, Redding resident, thanked Mr. Webb for his Report and commented that it was refreshing to learn that many individuals share her ideas and beliefs. She urged Council to consider the ideas from the public and applauded the idea of trails with a destination She also believed that a four-year university would benefit the City. City Manger Warren also applauded Mr. Webb's Report and was confident that a portion of the Report could be transformed into a Vision Statement' within a very short time, and in response to Council Members Murray and Stegall, he indicated that staff would compile a list of the ideas and suggestions from the community, including e-mails, for City Council review and ranking purposes. OS/26/05 120 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at the hour of 8:02 p.m., Mayor Mathena declared the meeting adjourned. APPROVED Wttlii/--- Mayf I ATTEST: ~~/~ ~ dI~ City Clerk ( I I OS/26/05