6 Feb 2011

2010 Goals & Accomplishments

Increase community safety

• Designated $150,000 of traffic calming money throughout the City of Spokane, working with Northeast (District 1) neighborhoods in particular, to build neighborhood-driven projects in 2011.
• Helped restore 91% of the funding for the non-profit COPS in the 2011 Budget, continuing that organization’s work to prevent crime in the City of Spokane through education and neighborhood vigilance;
• Worked with the Administration to avoid police and fire layoffs for 2011; and,
• Passed an ordinance to strengthen the authority of the Spokane Police Ombudsman to investigate and report on citizen complaints.

Advance sustainable economic development and job opportunities

• Helped form the Northeast Development Board which will work to create an economic development plan for East Hillyard in 2011;
• Supported the City’s Neighborhood Business Centers Advisory Board in developing strategies to collaborate for success– focusing on Business Districts in Northeast Spokane; (Click here to watch my November Council Connection “Neighborhood Business”).
• Outreached to businesses, property owners, and other stakeholders along the Hamilton Business Corridor to discuss the benefits of organizing a business association. The Hamilton Business Coalition is now meeting regularly to discuss future direction and priorities;

Encourage community involvement in decision-making

• Engaged the community around proposed changes to STA routes in 2010 and 2011, as well planning for a Central City Transit Line (Streetcar Study);
• Initiated discussion and helped to implement changes to City Cable 5 to allow live broadcasts of STA Board and Spokane City Plan Commission meetings; and
• Authored blog & Facebook posts and monthly e-newsletters to help keep citizens informed about community issues, events and important upcoming decisions (you can sign up by entering your email to the right!).

Support implementation of neighborhood planning efforts, especially in District 1

• Attended the Neighborhood Advisory Committee meetings in 2010 and continue to engage with City Planning Department and neighborhoods to improve the neighborhood planning process as it transitions to new neighborhoods in 2011;

2010 Legislative Accomplishments (with the help of the majority of my Councilmembers!)

• Updated our Shoreline Master Plan to protect our important Spokane River and Latah Creek riparian areas (one of the first major cities to accomplish this in WA State).
• Established a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) in the city that creates the opportunity for funding increased street maintenance.
• Passed a progressive water rate structure that encourages water efficiency.
• Increased the oversight and reporting duties of our Police Ombudsman.