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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 State of the City AddressCITY OF CHUBBUCK STATE OF THE CITYADDRESS MAYOR STEVEN M. ENGLAND JANUARY 10' 2012 As we b * egin another new year, I again express sincere 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 are gratifying. I continue to'* be grateful for the sense of community that I feel here. Challenges and learning opportunities still present themselves on a regular basis. it is important to recognize and express appreciation for our dedicated city employees and those who serve the city in any way, from 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 continuing to deal with shortfalls and reduced revenue sources and they diligently work with the city administration to find solutions. I know it has not been easy. I look forward to their continued effort and want to let them know that their hard work is noted and appreciated. We will begin the New Year with a change in our city council. We have appreciated the service of Councilman Kent Kearns and wish him well as he steps down from service on the city council. Councilman Kearns has been a very effective and dedicated member first of our Land Use and Development Commission and then as a City Councilman. His initial involvement on the City Council came during a difficult time for the city. Councilman Dean Wood was killed in a tragic auto accident and Kent was appointed to finish his term. He has been a valuable asset to the city during his ensuing time in office. Thanks to Kent and his wife Marie for their service to the city. We now look forward to working with Brent Marshall as he begins his tenure in office. Even though we continued to experience a slowdown in residential growth throughout 2011, there are encouraging signs of improvement. Crossroads RV purchased the land just north of the city offices and expanded their existing business from their location next to Smiths. Development on East Chubbuck Road moved ahead with completion of Anytime Fitness, the remodeling and anticipated opening of Unforgettable Events and the continued progress of Cruse for Less. The Mystique Theater restructured and reopened and Hoopsters Academy, a facility sponsored by a non-profit group of local individuals, opened for the purpose of enhancing the opportunity for our local youth to be introduced to and improve their basketball skills. - Yellowstone near 1- 15 also experienced change this last year with the closing and removal'of the Parrish Store, a long time Chubbuck business, and the initial construction of Knudsen Boulevard as well as the announcement and beginning of the new location of a Sherwin Will iams Paint Store as the first business to locate in the development. Knudsen Boulevard will be a 5 lane road that will eventually extend from Yellowstone to Hawthorne Road to, facilitate commercial development in that area. It will also provide for improved traffic patterns throughout the city. Although these have been much anticipation and curiosity about what businesses may eventually locate there, at this time they are only in the discussion stage. We also continue to be optimistic about the future of the Pine Ridge Mall. It is anticipated that 2012 will see progress there as well. Without question though, the greatest impact on our local economy in 2011 was the completion and opening of the Allstate Customer Service Center. 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 have already started to have on our community is tremendous and should have a ripple effect for years to come as they become fully staffed. In addition, the local economy will be boosted by ON Semiconductor's expansion, HOKU's eventual opening, and Peterson Corporation leading the effort to locate businesses 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 in our community. They are not only an invaluable resource in our economic development, but under the able leadership of President Arthur Vailas, vision for the future of the university and the educational opportunities are exceptional. Idaho State University is truly the crown jewel of our region. 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. Now that they are in their second season with an 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 as this year's lack of consistent winter weather has shown, hope to find refrigeration equipment in coming years to make the ice sheet conditions more predictable as well as provide 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, again weather permitting. 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. Several multi -season infrastructure projects were completed in 2011 to include Hiline Road upgrades, the widening of 1-86 from Yellowstone to Pocatello Creek Road, West Chubbuck Road widening and sidewalk improvement and the sewer upgrade and expansion. This next year we will continue the work on Knudsen Blvd. and proceed with improvements on the Chubbuck and Philbin Road intersection. An enhanced 4 -way stop has been designed to include some widening and right -tum lanes as well as LED outlined lighted stop signs. We are hopeful that the necessary funding can be made available to Fort Hall Irrigation to rehabilitate the siphon on Siphon Road this year as well. Other projects will also be moved forward as time and funding are available. We are anticipating being able to do some chip sealing at the end of the summer as equipment scheduling permits. Enjoy your general reprieve from the "construction barrels" as the state is planning to begin the construction on the Yellowstone/1-86 Interchange in 2013. 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 community without a lot of recognition or fanfare. I express my heartfelt gratitude for those in our city who joined with Pocatello residents in helping to make Brooklyn's Playground a reality. I believe as we strive to maintain and perpetuate this attitude and activity it will not only provide the intended outcome but 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 2012. Thank You.