Yakima leaders set a list of priorities to better the city
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- A status check on Yakima recently revealed few people think the city is moving in the right direction.Today, Yakima leaders met to review your responses to a survey -- and focus on solutions to perceived problems.
Action wasn't taken yet, but the city council study session was the first step. City leaders went over the survey results to redefine the city's priorities.Five to-the-point goals with specifics.
First, the council says the city needs to focus on its 'built environment.' That includes improving roads and sidewalks.
A second priority is economic development. Specifically, utilizing places like the mill site and the airport.
Public safety is also a priority. The city wants to focus on controlling gangs and property crime like auto theft. It also wants to improve the sense of security downtown.
The city says building public trust is key also. It wants to give you more value for your tax dollars. And lastly, the one of the city's priorities is building partnerships.The survey discovered there's a strong willingness to volunteer.
"We found out that they want to volunteer and help," said Mayor Micah Cawley. "So, infrastructure we can set up in those areas is going to be helpful. They want streets improved. We're going to have to build some credibility to do that within the existing budget."
The council also discussed 'reality versus perception' when it comes to the city's flaws. City Manager Tony O'Rourke says perception is reality.
The survey went a step further and compared Yakima to other cities who've taken the same survey. In the majority of categories, Yakima ranked 'much below' those other cities. For example, in 'overall image or reputation of Yakima,' we ranked in the bottom two of nearly 300 cities.
"Any town is going to have good areas and bad area," said neighbor Christina Bautista-Marquez. "It's just coming together as a community to make the best of it."
This list of priorities is what the city hopes to accomplish. Yakima's city manager will come back in a few weeks with a plan to do it.
Action wasn't taken yet, but the city council study session was the first step. City leaders went over the survey results to redefine the city's priorities.Five to-the-point goals with specifics.
First, the council says the city needs to focus on its 'built environment.' That includes improving roads and sidewalks.
A second priority is economic development. Specifically, utilizing places like the mill site and the airport.
Public safety is also a priority. The city wants to focus on controlling gangs and property crime like auto theft. It also wants to improve the sense of security downtown.
The city says building public trust is key also. It wants to give you more value for your tax dollars. And lastly, the one of the city's priorities is building partnerships.The survey discovered there's a strong willingness to volunteer.
"We found out that they want to volunteer and help," said Mayor Micah Cawley. "So, infrastructure we can set up in those areas is going to be helpful. They want streets improved. We're going to have to build some credibility to do that within the existing budget."
The council also discussed 'reality versus perception' when it comes to the city's flaws. City Manager Tony O'Rourke says perception is reality.
The survey went a step further and compared Yakima to other cities who've taken the same survey. In the majority of categories, Yakima ranked 'much below' those other cities. For example, in 'overall image or reputation of Yakima,' we ranked in the bottom two of nearly 300 cities.
"Any town is going to have good areas and bad area," said neighbor Christina Bautista-Marquez. "It's just coming together as a community to make the best of it."
This list of priorities is what the city hopes to accomplish. Yakima's city manager will come back in a few weeks with a plan to do it.
Sounds okay but not in that order.......Prioritize people.Â