Post Falls city plan open for comment
<p>Post Falls City Council member Betty Henderson, foreground, Tom Lien, Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency excutive director, and Alvia Metts, Idaho Department of Labor, participate in a forum for the city's strategic plan</p>
POST FALLS - It's the public's turn to weigh in on the city of Post Falls strategic plan.
The five-year plan was recently completed after a year's worth of stakeholder meetings and analyzing surveys to develop the document, which will guide the city's future budget decisions and priorities.
Public comment is being sought through Jan. 15. The City Council will also hold a public hearing on the plan - available online, at City Hall and the Post Falls Library - on Jan. 15 at 6 p.m.
A steering committee of city employees, business owners, community leaders and education interests helped craft the plan. The plan also took into account three community surveys conducted during 2012.
The city had a strategic plan that expired in 2006.
Hilary Anderson, the city's planning and economic development manager, said the new plan will be more of a "living document" that will be easily updated and continually used by city staff to track projects and budgets.
"(The plan) will reflect and adapt to the needs of our community," said Anderson, adding that such plans are especially critical during tough economic times. "Finding out what citizens value about their community will help us set priorities for the future."
Priorities for 2013 identified in the "We Value" plan include, but are not limited to:
* developing an economic development plan;
* developing a Post Falls marketing and branding program;
* host a forum with the chamber of commerce on how to fill vacant buildings;
* adopt a pedestrian and bicycle connectivity plan;
* improve the accessibility and quality of bus stops;
* look for opportunities to acquire more land application sites; and
* expand teen recreation programs.
The city will evaluate the plan semi-annually and annually. The plan will document the city's accomplishments each year.
The plan's focus areas are: quality of life, city infrastructure, planning/land use/environment, economic development, fiscal responsibility and level of service.
To comment
The draft of the Post Falls city strategic plan is finished and available for public comment through Jan. 15. The plan is at http://www.postfallsidaho.org/StrategicPlan/strategicintro.html. Hard copies are available at City Hall and the Post Falls Library. The City Council will hold a public hearing on the plan on Jan. 15 at City Hall at 6 p.m. Comments can also be sent to the city of Post Falls Planning Division, 408 Spokane St. Post Falls, ID 83854 and via email to handerson@postfallsidaho.org. Information: 773-8708