All three of the SLO Chamber’s top priorities were adopted as San Luis Obispo City goals for the 2013-15 budget cycle when they were identified on Jan. 26.
The Major City Goals, determined after months of community discussion, deliberation and a community forum, include the implementation of the Economic Development Strategic Plan, revitalization of Mission Plaza and a focus on fiscal health.
“This is a tremendous outcome for the Chamber membership,” said Kris Yetter, 2013 Board Chair. “Over a three-month process, more than 250 Chamber members participated in identifying the key priorities for the Chamber to ask the City to focus its resources towards over the coming two years. Broad engagement of our members and strong advocacy in important community discussions yielded a great outcome.”
“These goals represent long-term investments in the quality of life for San Luis Obispo’s residents and businesses,” added Ermina Karim, SLO Chamber president and CEO.
The Council’s Major City Goals, which represent the most important, highest priorities for the City to accomplish over the next two years, include:
• Implement comprehensive strategies to address homelessness in our City
• Continue and enhance neighborhood wellness initiatives
• Sustain essential services, infrastructure and fiscal health
• Expand bicycle and pedestrian paths
• Implement the adopted Economic Development Strategic Plan
• Assess and renew the Downtown (revitalize Mission Plaza, enhance lighting and safety components)
• Complete construction of a skate park
In addition, the Council adopted the following three “other important objectives”, which are important for the City to accomplish:
• Commit funding to open space
• Enhance maintenance of City infrastructure
• Improve transportation infrastructure
All seven Major City Goals and the work programs that support them will be defined in the coming months by city staff. The Chamber will again have an opportunity to weigh in on how the work programs that support the goals when they are made publicly available this spring.