Moscow City Council Perspective

[bill london <london@moscow.com>]

> Moscow City Council member Peg Hamlett asked me to forward this message to
> the V2020 list.  Even though she is a V2020 subscriber, she is having some
> computer problems that are restricting her direct posting.  BL

> -------------
> From: Peg Hamlett
> This is only my perspective not the views of the Moscow City Council.
>
> I want to start off by publicly wishing Linda Pall the best.  As I have
> told her, she will be missed on the City Council by many of us, but I
> know I will see her be as active as ever in her support of our
> community.
>
> I also want to make sure we all welcome John Guyer to the council.  I
> have to say that I had my worries on how this council would work
> together.  To my surprise and pleasure everyone has been willing to
> listen, learn and compromise, and that no one has brought with them an
> agenda from any one particular segment of the community.
>
> As many of you have read the council has just completed two days of
> strategic planning.  While long and tedious at times, I think it was
> well worth the money and time spent.  I also believe that in the future
> this planning will be less costly and more efficient with the plans we
> have set in motion.
>
> Previously the council would meet and set for each year specific
> projects we wanted to complete, this was strictly a council decision.
> This year we included the department heads as well to see what their
> needs are and what projects we can afford and complete.  I think the
> result will be a more honest approach on what we can accomplish for the
> community.  An additional change is rather than plan for only one year,
> this council will be working as a whole for two years and we have set
> our planning and priorities to take in the full two years rather than
> repeat this process again next year.
>
> The planning that was done last Thursday and Friday does not end the
> process.  What we set were broad objectives we hope to complete.  Within
>
> these broad objectives are specific sub-objectives, such as water
> conservation, capital planning, sidewalk repair project, etc.  At this
> point with each objective, a council member was assigned to work with
> the department involved with the objective and set-up sub-objectives and
>
> action plans to achieve these goals.
>
> I think that many citizens may read our objectives and say they are too
> broad.  I hope that they will wait before passing judgment and see what
> the sub-objectives are and the action plans.  I think this will allow
> the city to work and accomplish more with a clear vision and plan rather
>
> than working reactionary to projects that come up.
>
> For those anxiously awaiting two proposals that are due to come up this
> spring, Gritman Expansion and the Palouse Mall Tree Plan, I will keep
> you informed, at this time I do not have any specific information
> regarding either.
>
> As always I am open to your comments.
> Peg