GOAL 1: Achieve a Stable, Long-Term Financial Base for the City Of Cornelius OBJECTIVES:

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1 FY 2015 COUNCIL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 1: Achieve a Stable, Long-Term Financial Base for the City Of Cornelius 1. Continue to improve the financial capabilities, practices, policies and fund balances of the City so that the next General Obligation bond issue receives an improved bond rating. 2. Explore options for alternative long range funding sources including increased general service fees, capital bonds, local option levies, increased franchise fees and other sources to fund capital and operating needs. Attempt to match funding needs to projections for long-term growth. 3. Develop a five-year rolling Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and agency financial projections with effective policies, project descriptions and revenue projections. 4. Explore increased and more stable City Library operational funding. a) Re-examine public opinion and select options for public education and information campaigns to assist City Council in decision-making efforts. b) Develop a set of performance measurements of employee performance and financial health, including growth in assessed value, fiscal position and staff performance. c) Maintain the GFOA award for excellence in budget reporting and the awards for the Comprehensive Annual Finance Report (CAFR) and the Popular Annual Finance Report (PAFR). d) Use the utility rate model to guide rate making decisions for City utility expenses and the CIP. e) Pre-pay debt when fiscally prudent. f) Pursue grants, foundation funding and donations to achieve capital and operational goals. g) Prior to December 31, 2014, investigate possible water sources and explore lessexpensive options to reduce customer bills and operational costs. h) Share Fuel Tax revenue expenditures with the public in the fall of calendar 2014 to illustrate how the monies are being expended to improve Cornelius. i) Due to adjoining farmland being brought into the Urban Growth Boundary during FY , initiate annexation discussions with property owners. If annexed, evaluate whether the land is going to be developed during FY and if it is prudent to reform the City s Building Dept. in lieu of contracting with the City of Forest Grove.

2 GOAL 2: Increase the Ratio of Commercial/Industrial Assessed Valuation Relative to Residential Valuation, Increase Local Employment and Create a Healthier Business Climate OBJECTIVE: 1. Reform City s Economic Development Commission. Evaluate and develop Economic Development Plan. The Plan should focus on attracting new business, help existing businesses grow, and ensure that the business community thrives in Cornelius. 2. Re-brand Cornelius for people wanting to live, shop, work, recreate, going to school and traveling through the community by the end of fiscal year Complete the industrial site certification process for the north Holladay Street area. 4. Collaborate with neighboring cities, Washington County, Westside Economic Alliance, Greater Portland, Inc., Washington County Visitor s Association, Col-Pac, the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department to promote and market economic development in Cornelius. a) Review and update the design and use regulations of the Town Center in conjunction with property owners, Planning Commission and Metro. b) Reduce the incidence of graffiti that detracts from the image of Cornelius. c) Update the business license ordinance by end of FY d) Solicit opinions and improve working relationships with the business and development community. Continue to improve and streamline the development process in Cornelius so that we are viewed as facilitators and not regulators. GOAL 3: Increase the Involvement of People in Local Government and Community Activities 1. Conduct public opinion research on community attitudes, beliefs and program/funding objectives on a regular basis. Complete research in advance of any fee increases, bond issues or operating levies. Consider alternative means of gauging public opinion. 2. Use the customer service survey to collect feedback on city services and use the procedures for handling and responding to customer complaints. Provide a reporting system through the City Manager to the Mayor and City Council on a regular basis. 3. Continue support for National Night Out, Day of the Child (día de los niños), Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, Annual Take Care of Cornelius Day clean-up, Flicks in the Park, Town Hall Meetings (English and Spanish-speaking), Citizens Academy, Crab and Steak Feed, and other new events. Seek sponsors and partners for community events.

3 Recognize the important role of volunteers, faith community and the non-profit sector. Evaluate additional opportunities for cost-effective events for Cornelius residents. 4. Evaluate and update the current Neighborhood Watch program to combat graffiti, gang influences and promote quality of life in our neighborhoods. Report back to the Mayor and City Council. 5. Promote regular feedback and communication from boards and commission members through scheduling regular appearances at City Council meetings and community gatherings. Consider assigning City Councilors to specific Boards and Commissions to serve as liaisons. a) Use the City s web page to add features such as blast s, customer feedback, and e-commerce. Explore concept of a complete Community Calendar for the City s website. b) Add How Did We Do Cards at each public counter in city facilities and provide cards to field personnel to provide immediate service feedback with our public. Provide periodic updates to City Council. c) Develop a consistent public relations program to educate and inform Cornelius residents, visitors, business owners and others. Use multiple means of communication to ensure that as many citizens are reached as possible. Continue to offer all messages in English and Spanish. d) Seek and recognize the role of volunteers in city departments, serving on committees and in friends organizations. Reach out and encourage community organizations, churches and schools to participate in city activities. e) Seek opportunities for programs oriented to children. Partner with Hillsboro and Forest Grove school districts for after school and summer recreation activities. GOAL 4: Continue To Improve the Quality of the City s Public Services and Infrastructure 1. Provide funding for operating budgets for positions and services to meet community demands and restore positions where fiscally prudent. 2. Provide the appropriate level of training and equipment to reduce exposure for liability purposes, enhance services and operate in a safe manner. 3. Keep the emergency operations and departmental plans, manual, ordinance and practices updated to meet Federal standards, best practices and regional policies. Emphasize continuity of services and disaster recovery through adoption of the Agility Program through CIS. 4. Develop realistic staffing plans for all operations that demonstrate means of meeting future service needs and demands. Special emphasis should be placed on succession planning, customer service training, cross-training within departments and professional

4 development. The report should describe service level options and barriers to achieving efficient and effective levels of service. 5. Develop a fair and effective inter-departmental code compliance program for nuisance abatement. Report on the effectiveness of the varied strategies. 6. Develop strategies for a sustainable community in our buildings, fleet purchases, and operational and development practices. Encourage residents and businesses to help preserve the area s environment, streams, rivers and other natural resources. 7. Evaluate, fund and construct critical short and long-term infrastructure projects. a) Complete construction of the 10th Street project and intersections, which is scheduled for completion in the FY time period. Complete construction of the Baseline Street project in early FY b) Begin the public process and design of the Council Creek regional trail in FY with Metro, ODOT, and the cities of Hillsboro and Forest Grove. c) Engage fundraising consultant in FY to raise matching funds of $2.4 million for development and construction of the new City Library project. d) Implement Aquifer Storage Recovery (ASR) well or design second city water reservoir in FY e) Explore feasibility, costs and potential funding sources for Sidewalk Improvement Program to make Cornelius easier to navigate for pedestrians, parents with children, and disabled citizens. f) Update and use technological improvements (hardware and software) to improve services for internal and external customers (i.e. wireless networks, self-checkout library kiosks and on-line financial transactions). g) Recognize and reward employees for innovative, effective and efficient services GOAL 5: Collaborate With Neighboring Units of Government, Citizens, Not-For-Profits, Faith Community, and the Business Sector to Promote the Interests of Cornelius. 1. Implement concept planning for lands brought within the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) during the 2014 legislature. Communicate with interested parties and stakeholders. 2. Assist with long range planning of and advocate funding for transportation improvements for freight mobility, light rail transit, bike trails and commuters in western Washington County. Improve trails and sidewalks. Consider the implications of transit-oriented development and sustainability opportunities on land use codes. Secure TGM grant to master plan downtown Cornelius. 3. Improve relationships with the farming community, environmental organizations, neighboring cities, major non-profits, faith community and the school districts of Forest Grove and Hillsboro. 4. Continue to work with our wholesale utility providers, the City of Hillsboro and Clean Water Services, to ensure reliable capacity for future needs at a reasonable cost.

5 5. Participate in evaluating bills introduced during the 2015 Oregon legislature and communicate our opinions and recommendations regarding proposed legislation. Participate in evaluating bills introduced during the 2013 Oregon legislature and communicate our opinions and recommendations regarding the proposed legislation.