Cityscape

At the beginning of each fiscal year, which runs from July 1 – June 30, the Healdsburg City Council sets goals for the city of Healdsburg. These goals create a roadmap for the city and are regularly reviewed throughout the year to ensure we are on target.
The list of 2015-16 goals that were adopted last year included the following (in alphabetical order): City Facilities / Infrastructure, Community Housing, Community Parking, Enhanced Services for Residents and Businesses, Fiscal Responsibility, Infrastructure / Capital Improvements, Public Safety, Transparency / Communication. For descriptions of each goal, please visit: www.cityofhealdsburg.org/477/City-Council-Goals or you may stop by City Hall for a printed copy.
These goals align with our Strategic Initiatives, which we set forth in our five-year Strategic Plan and are guided by the Vision and Mission of the City of Healdsburg. For a complete copy of our Strategic Plan, please visit: www.city
ofhealdsburg.org/404/Strategic-Plan or you may pick up a copy at City Hall. As we approach the conclusion of this fiscal year, there will be complete recap at a future city council meeting assessing our progress, but I wanted to give you a snapshot of just a few of our successes:
Conducted “Community Conversation” neighborhood meetings throughout the city to provide information about city projects and connect residents with city staff.
Created and posted informational brochures to educate our community about the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), Housing our Community, and Budget Process 101.
Installed the Plaza Park sign to share information about city projects and city meetings.
Opened Memorial Bridge on schedule on October 28.
Implementing new financial software to provide more efficient permit processing.
Worked with the Chamber of Commerce to create the Bicycle Friendly Business Program with businesses being awarded on May 16 at the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting.
Awarded the bid for the sidewalk project at the Rivers communities, connecting those communities safely to the Matheson sidewalk.
Formed partnerships with Housing Land Trust of Sonoma County, Committee on the Shelterless, Fair Housing Sonoma County and others. Services provided include: Fair housing services for tenants and landlords, first-time homebuyer assistance for low-income families, and emergency and transitional housing services.
Executed a contract with North Sonoma County Services to provide rent stabilization assistance to families at risk of displacement.
Established the Community Housing Committee (CHC) to address the community’s affordable and workforce housing needs.
Hosted several meetings with the CHC to discuss options for the Growth Management Ordinance amendment and presentation of the recommendation to the city council.
Established an ordinance creating a two-tier parking in-lieu fee and expanded the parking in-lieu area of the downtown.
Implemented a transparent budget process through OpenGov.com that encourages community input and participation.
Deployed body cameras to all field personnel, including code and parking enforcement to enhance public safety.
Rehabilitated approximately six miles of roadway, which represents 13.3 percent of the city’s roads.
Awarded the bid for the roundabout with construction to begin this summer.
We are proud of our accomplishments this year, but there is much work to do. I encourage you to stay informed by visiting our website at cityofhealdsburg.org or joining us at a Community Conversation Neighborhood Meeting on May 25 at 6 p.m. at Summer’s Market, July 14 at 6 p.m. at Plaza Park or September 15 at 6 p.m. at Byron Gibbs Park.
David Mickaelian is the Healdsburg City Manager. To submit ideas or questions for this column, email ci*******@ci.us.