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<br />Council Member Bain stated that the discussion involves priorities, visions for the <br />future and long term goals as opposed to two-term, two-year budget items and the <br />two are not necessarily compatible with each other. He stated his belief that the <br />outcome will be short term where staff should focus energy and it should be <br />positioned in that way to the public. He advocated for the addition of half time <br />($52,000.) of an assistant traffic engineer position to complete a full time position. <br />He stated the importance for a number of reasons such as taking a closer look at <br />several issues which includes enhancing bicycle/pedestrian friendliness that will <br />help reduce traffic congestion, is complimentary to a proposed shuttle program <br />and will make the city safer. Traffic study around schools and speeders in the <br />neighborhood are areas that residents express concern around. <br /> <br />Mayor Pierce stated that one area where enough energy has not been placed is <br />economic development although there is not a dollar amount listed. Another area <br />to focus on is after school programs and prevention so that there are fewer <br />opportunities to spend money on suppression activities and kids might succeed in <br />school and the future. <br /> <br />Council Member Ira stated that the importance of code enforcement has been <br />heard during community gang meetings, related to attracting and retaining <br />employers, and a critical piece that impacts more than one area. Regarding the <br />$100,000. related to the traffic position, he agreed that it should be funded and in <br />conjunction with the CIP. <br /> <br />Vice Mayor Foust stated that other Council Members have mentioned her <br />priorities, but the City Manager's point about Community Building ($52,000.) is an <br />important one. She stated her strong belief that the Community Builders, PACT <br />programs and other staff and Council programs have reached out to the <br />community and the outreach should not stop. <br /> <br />Council Members proceeded to place colored dots next to the subtopics they <br />identify with as their priorities. Facilitator Wilson summarized that Community <br />Building/Civic Engagement; and Police and Parking officers received five dots; <br />four dots were associated with Code Enforcement; Full-time position for traffic and <br />neighborhoods; Economic Development; Restoring Engine #9; and Shuttle <br />Service; three dots for Playing Fields Improvements. <br /> <br />Items checked and considered to be values: Planned responsible smart growth; <br />Creative, diverse, and affordable housing; Pedestrian/bike friendly downtown <br />redevelopment; Disaster preparedness; Neighborhood security watch programs; <br />Traffic mitigation; Woodside Road Interchange; Rail and ferry; Zoning; Merge <br />services with other cities for efficiency and savings; Competent workforce through <br />education, training and family services; Job growth; Environmental concerns <br />(maintaining and planting trees, landscaping). <br /> <br />JOINT CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY <br />MEETING MINUTES <br /> <br />MARCH 13, 2006 <br />PAGE 9 <br />