City of Montpelier, Vermont: City Council

City Council: 2008-2009 Goals and Priorities

On April 30th of 2008, the City Council adopted of a series of priorities for the year. This statement strongly influenced decisions, staff work, policy recommendations and budget proposals throughout the past year. Most of these items were completed, considered or moved forward in some way during the year. This year's council also listed some key action items pulled from the overall goals statement. For the first time, the goals and priorities were organized into similar categories used by the enVision Montpelier community planning process.

The 2008-2009 priorities are:

Human and Social Well-being: Maintain and enhance the quality of life in Montpelier for the present and future generations by improving Montpelier's downtown, neighborhoods, and public services for businesses, residents, and visitors.

Work with the Senior Center and recreation programs to resolve questions about their facilities and program management.
Support the Kellogg-Hubbard Library by providing guidance and oversight for their financial planning.
Maintain cost-effective and high quality public services by answering fire and police calls, maintaining roads and sidewalks, providing housing and other community facilities, and supporting local businesses.
Support the creative initiatives in the community that provide cultural and artistic opportunities for residents and visitors.
Expand the availability of locally grown food and food products for area residents by supporting the downtown Farmer's Market and other local food producers.

Efficient infrastructure, services and built environment: Maintain and enhance the City's Infrastructure and Services.

Prepare a mobility plan that includes an intercity shuttle, transit, pedestrian, and bicycle improvements.
Build our telecommunications infrastructure through the Montpelier Telecom initiative.
Overhaul the web site and use the improved technology to inform and benefit the citizens.
Maintain a capital plan funding level at $1,000,000 if possible.
Continue efforts to improve pedestrian access, create bike paths, and maintain bridges.
Continue to support the city workforce and provide excellent services

Good Governance: Engage citizens in decision-making to insure that the city continues to provide quality infrastructure and services that are cost-effective, fiscally prudent, and sustainable.

Investigate Shared Services, Planning and Regionalization with Barre and Berlin.
Educate, study, and engage the community on feasibility of alternative revenue sources.
Support and participate in the enVision Montpelier process to establish long-term goals, targets, and strategies to make
Montpelier an economically successful and sustainable state capital.
Create a long-term budget model that uses sustainable and equitable revenue sources and controls costs.
Develop meaningful performance measures and financial incentives to support and accomplish policy goals.

Economic security and wealth creation: Support and encourage responsible and safe economic growth and development for the city.

Prepare an economic development plan that inventories the city's assets and identifies areas where council action is needed to create wealth and provide economic security for our residents.
Work with the Planning Commission to designate a Growth Center in Montpelier so the city can take advantage of regulatory incentives and tax increment financing to pursue economic development and housing projects.
Pursue and support a District Energy initiative to provide stable and renewable heat to institutions, businesses, and residents and to take advantage of emerging technologies for power production.
Recognize, support, and maintain the city's historic character.

Healthy Natural Environment: Conserve and enhance the city's natural resources.

Take action to prevent ice jam flood risks and continue with flood mitigation efforts.
Work with the Trust for Public Land to develop Sabin's Pasture to enhance the natural and recreational amenities for residents while encouraging family housing.
Pursue all opportunities for energy conservation, reduced consumption of fossil fuels, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and waste reduction.
Continue with water conservation efforts and improvements in the water system to account for lost water.
Complete the open space and natural resources inventory.

Key Questions to resolve during 2008-2009:

Are we going to build a parking garage?
Do we want to designate part of the city as a Growth Center?
Should we move forward with the Multi-Modal Transit Center?
Do we want to implement a Public Building inspection program?
Do we want to revise the housing code?
Is the Justice Center going to be part of the city budget as a department?
What percentage of our city resources are available for new initiatives?
Who is responsible for oversight of the Recreation Department and Senior Center?

Priority Action Items for 2008-2009:

Work with the Senior Center and Recreation programs to resolve questions about their facilities and program management.
Prepare a mobility plan that includes an intercity shuttle, transit, pedestrian, and bicycle improvements.
Build our telecommunications infrastructure through the Montpelier Telecom initiative.
Overhaul the web site and use the improved technology to inform and benefit the citizens.
Investigate Shared Services, Planning and Regionalization with Barre and Berlin.
Educate, study, and engage the community on feasibility of alternative revenue sources.
Support and participate in the enVision Montpelier process to establish long-term goals, targets, and strategies to make Montpelier an economically successful and sustainable state capital.
Prepare an economic development plan that inventories the city's assets and identifies areas where council action is needed to create wealth and provide economic security for our residents.
Work with the Planning Commission to designate a Growth Center in Montpelier so the city can take advantage of regulatory incentives and tax increment financing to pursue economic development and housing projects.
Pursue and support a District Energy initiative to provide stable and renewable heat to institutions, businesses, and residents and to take advantage of emerging technologies for power production.
Take action to prevent ice jam flood risks and continue with flood mitigation efforts.
Work with the Trust for Public Lands to develop Sabin's Pasture to enhance the natural and recreational amenities for residents while encouraging family housing.