HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 State of the City AddressCITY OF CHUBBUCK
STATE OF THE CITYADDRESS
MA yOR STEVEN M. ENGLAND
JANUARY 11' 2011
As I reflect on 20 10 and look forward to 2011, 1 would again like to
express my appreciation for the privilege, honor, and humbling
responsibility that it is to serve as your Mayor. The friendship,
encouragement, and support that I regularly receive from those I have
association with is gratifying. I continue to be grateful for the sense of
community that I feel here. Challenges and learning opportunities
continue to present themselves regularly.
I would like to express my appreciation to those who work for the
city or serve the city in any Way. Your dedication is very much
appreciated from I the Department Heads to each employee and from the
City Council Members to each volunteer. I again want to especially
acknowledge any of these who are responsible for developing the
budgets that ultimately become the city budget. We are still dealing with
shortfalls and reduced revenue sources and they continue to sensitively
work with the administration to find solutions. I know it has not been
easy. I took forward to their continued effort and want to let them know
that their hard work is noted and appreciated.
We said goodbye to 4 of our long time employees in 2010. Marvin
Shappart from our parks department retired in the spring and then Ron
Conlin who served as The Chubbuck City Clerk for 27 years and Larry
Khontopp who worked for the city in a variety of capacities, but retired
as the city planner, both retired in the summer. Then tragically this fall
Kathy Christensen, our billing clerk, passed away suddenly due to a
blood clot following surgery. They have been and will continue to be
missed but especially Kathy as her death was so sudden and unexpected.
We have been fortunate to have some new employees join us this year
who we anticipate will benefit the city into the future. We have qualified
and capable people working for the city, and I very much enjoy serving
with them.
As you know, we had a change in the County Commission last fall.
Commissioner Larry Ghan has been good to work with over the years
and was always considerate of Chubbuck and willing to partner in ways
that benefited our entire community. His strength, encouragement, and
experience have had an impact on our area. We thank him for his
service. We welcome Howard Manwaring to the commission and are
anxious to continue our mutually beneficial relationship with Bannock
County. We look forward with optimism to working with the new
County Commission.
We continued to experience a slowdown in residential growth
throughout 2010. There was only one subdivision annexed into the city
and a still depressed number of building permits issued. We welcomed
Dr. Earl Stoddard and the Idaho Skin Institute into the city with their
new building that was completed on West Chubbuck Road. Then late in
the year Anytime Fitness started building on East Chubbuck Road.
Without question though, the biggest addition that was announced for
our city and community was the Allstate Customer Service Center that
will be built next to Home Depot on Hawthorne Road. Allstate making
the decision to locate here was exemplary of the cooperation between the
cities of Pocatello and Chubbuck and Bannock County. We were aided
in this effort by Bannock Development Corporation, Idaho State
University, The Chamber of Commerce, and many other business and
civic leaders locally as well as Governor Otter and multiple state
agencies. It was definitely a team effort. The economic impact that the
addition of these 500-600 jobs will have on our community is
tremendous and should have a ripple effect for years to come. In
addition, the economy of our community will be boosted by ON
Semiconductor announcing two expansion projects, HOKU's plans to be
at full production by summer and Peterson Corporation being near
completion of their new facility at the Pocatello Airport.
As I mentioned, all of this progress has been the result of an
exceptional cooperative effort by many entities. I think it is important
however to emphasize the unique opportunity it is to have ISU located
here. They are not only an invaluable resource in our economic
development, but under the able leadership of President Vailas, vision
for the future of the university and the educational opportunities are
exceptional. Idaho State University is truly the crown jewel of our
community.
In a few months, the new Portneuf Medical Center will open its
doors. I am confident that this too will be a tremendous boost to the
prestige, image, and economic potential of our area. Along with its
promise of exceptional and extended medical care, it is a very visible
example of the progressive nature of our community.
We continue to be pleased with the relationship that the city has with
the Chubbuck/Pocatello Hockey Association. We thank them for the
unique opportunity they provide for our community. With the addition
of the ice rink, they can not only facilitate inline hockey competition
during the summer but provide for a full range of ice hockey
opportunities in the winter. They continue to partner with us in funding
the facility and hope to find refrigeration equipment in coming years to
make the ice sheet conditions more predictable for a longer season. The
facility is open to the public when not being used by the league.
Initially, public skating will be available most weekends to include
Friday. it is our desire to work together with them to create and
accomplish a vision for this program and will strive to do our part to
grow and promote this activity for our area.
Progress was made on several infrastructure projects in 2010. The
Hiline Road project has been substantially completed with a few minor
items to finalize in the spring. The widening of Yellowstone from
Walmart in Chubbuck to the Foothill Plaza in Pocatello will finish in the
summer with the expansion of the structure over the railroad tracks on I-
86. We expect a late summer completion of the sewer expansion
projects at which time we will begin providing connections. We will
schedule some informational meetings in the next couple of months to
detail what has been provided and as well as the projected revenue
needs. As the sewer line is installed south of Siphon we intend to
upgrade the water line between Siphon and Chubbuck Roads before the
asphalt is reinstalled. The road improvement project on Chubbuck Road
between Joy and Cole that we anticipated being done last summer was
postponed due to issues related to problems between the separate
projects. It is scheduled to begin construction after school is out in the
spring.
I continue to be involved in discussions and efforts to coordinate
and support a unified and cooperative direction for the communities all
along the 1-15 corridor in Southeast Idaho in particular, as well as work
with the Association of Idaho Cities in efforts that benefit the entire
state. As we look to the future it is important that we support each other
in maintaining and promoting the "quality of life" that we enjoy and
work together to encourage that type of growth and development.
Once again I believe that I can report that the "State Of The City" is
good. Even though we have made significant progress in many areas in
this down economy, we continue to set goals to help facilitate steady
progress in others. Indications are that we will still confront economic
difficulties for a while. Many of our citizens are dealing as families and
individuals with struggles and challenges. Even small changes and
efforts when accomplished as a community can make a difference as we
look to continue our progress.
There is much volunteerism and neighbor to neighbor service that is
done regularly in our city without a lot of recognition or fanfare. I
believe as we strive to maintain and perpetuate this attitude and activity
it will assist us in finding solutions to our economic struggles. Our
collective character will be defined as much by who we are and are
striving to become as it is by what we do. As city leaders we appreciate
the support and positive input that we receive. I believe the future of
Chubbuck is bright and pledge my best efforts to continue to move us
forward in 2011.
Thank You.