STATE OF THE CITY AND GOALS FOR 2009

As we begin the final year of the first decade of this new century, I believe Ripon has made great strides during the past decade, with challenges, those we can plan for and those we have yet to dream up, around the corner. I would strongly encourage this Council and this staff to approach this coming year with a philosophy that when this economy rebounds, and history tells us it will, this city is at the forefront of the rebound, and in a position to lead rather than follow in the regional economy.

AS such I am proposing the following agenda for the 2009 year, with the idea that if we reach for perfection, we can grasp excellence, in trying to accomplish all of them

* Brownfield Redevelopment – Several cites around the city have been identified as Brownfield locations, and our record has been mediocre, at best, in cleaning up and re-developing these areas. I would propose the Council make the redevelopment of these locations, in a series of private and public partnerships, a priority in 2009, so that we do not pass on these problems to future leaders and residents.
* City Beautification Efforts – I am optimistic that the first of the Welcome to Ripon signs will be installed in 2009, and I am also taking a personal interest in the beautification of our West End. Our city’s Community Appearance Team has made a number of realistic and affordable suggestions, and it is the role of the Council to make these happen in 2009 and beyond.
* Extension of the West End – Geographical and development barriers have been created that have limited the opportunities on our west end of the city. I am proposing the Council direct City Staff to develop and analyze a plan for the extension of city utilities and services to the areas west and north of the current Silver Creek boundary for this area, and the development of existing properties in the West End which remain underutilized.
* Debt review and restructuring – With interest rates at historic lows, we should be working to re-structure our current debt to avoid large increase in debt payments in the next 2-3 years, and re-issuing this debt with lower interest rates, allowing us to save future payments, in addition to investing a portion of the savings in the future to our infrastructure.
* Improvement of the city’s presence on the Web – We have spent considerable time discussing this issue, but I would challenge us in 2009 to move past the discussion and into the actual planning and implementation stages. Our goal should be to create a website, which is the central portal for the City of Ripon, with audio and video capabilities, which is consumer-friendly and attractive to those outside Ripon considering our city as a future home or location of their business. I envision a site where a person could turn to for all of their answers, from when the Little League games are scheduled to where do I go for my accounting needs to how to I purchase a building permit.
* Full implementation of the city’s Housing Incentive Program – I would ask that the Council direct the staff to notify all eligible business of the availability of this program in the first six months of 2009, as we continue to move forward with the development of our existing and future subdivisions
* Silver Creek Green Corridor – I believe that one of our most underutilized assets is the Silver Creek corridor. I would ask that we begin a serious and involved discussion into the future of the corridor from a development and “green” aspect, from the purchase of existing properties along the corridor to the creation of a walking/biking component along the Creek to the cleaning up of the Creek throughout the city
* Bike trail connections – I would encourage the Council to direct the staff to work with neighboring municipalities, as well as Fond du Lac and Green Lake Counties to move our bike and walking trail network forward, with the ultimate goal of connecting our trails from Berlin to Ripon to Markesan to Fond du Lac and Waupun.
* City Park, Recreation and Events Director – This council eliminated the position in 2008. I would ask that we re-visit this position, in conjunction with the Chamber and other local entities and organization involved in recreation and athletics, but expand upon the responsibilities of this position. I envision the person who would take this position would be also be responsible for our city’s park and recreation system, but also work to develop and grow our existing festivals and special events, with the goal of bringing back a new and vibrant summer event to replace the now-departed RiponFest.
* Meeting with local entities – I would set as a goal for this Council to hold a joint meeting with the Ripon Area School District Board of Education to discuss issues of common concern, including, but not limited to, the future development of a new school north of Murray Park Elementary, encourage the Fond du Lac County Board to hold one of their meetings in Ripon, as the size of the board has been reduced.

I admit this is a daunting list of goals and incentives for 2009, and we may fall short of reaching them this year, but I believe we have momentum and involvement on our side. I am excited by the prospects ahead for the City of Ripon, and I ask you to share the optimism with me in the months ahead.