HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 State of the City AddressCITY OF CHUBS UCK
STATE OF THE CITYADDRESS
MAYOR STEVENM. ENGLAND
JANUARY 9TH 2007
As I complete my first year serving as Mayor, I can truthfully say that
is has been an honor and privilege and definitely a learning experience. I
appreciate the trust that being in this office entails and will try to never
take it for granted
We have passed some milestones in 2006. Let me just mention a few
of the highlights.
In the spring the exterior of the City Offices was remodeled to provide
more general parking area and to improve the security of the storage
yard and buildings. The design and completion of the project was done
almost entirely by city staff and personnel. It was able to be finished
before the heavy demands of the summer work schedule and provided
much needed improvements as well as adding to the aesthetics of our
facility. It is a major improvement accomplished by our own city
employees that we can all be proud of.
We continued and strengthened our partnership with the
Chubbuck/Pocatello Hockey Association. They kept us abreast of their
fundraising and planning and design for the facility and we continued to
promote the positive and progressive aspects of providing this new
venue to the entire Chubbuck/Pocatello Area. The City Council
approved using Tax Increment Financing money along with city
personnel and equipment to install a lighted outdoor arena as a first
phase of the project. It was completed late summer and was used by the
Hockey Association as long into the fall as the weather would permit.
They have been able to use this first phase to generate new interest in
roller hockey in our area as well as an additional springboard for the
fundraising efforts to continue moving forward. toward completion of the
entire facility. All indications are that they are being very successful.
We expect that the completed covered facility will be a reality in the
near future.
We also had a very positive resolution of the issue with the "Taco
Bus". When I came into office, the city staff was in the process of
working with the owner of the bus in an effort to bring him into
compliance with city ordinances. What began as a temporary business
had progressed into a permanent restaurant. It also became apparent that
he had a loyal clientele that wanted him to stay in business in Chubbuck.
With the help of city staff and a several local professionals, a permanent
place was built behind his home next to where the bus was doing
business. He opened for business in his new building just after
Christmas and seems to be doing well. As a result of solving the
conflicting issues, we are preparing an ordinance that will help us
provide better for temporary businesses. Thanks to all who made this
effort turn out so successfully.
At the beginning of the summer, from information provided by city
staff and consulting engineers, it was determined that an adjustment was
needed in both water and sewer rate structures in the city. It was also
determined upon the completion of both sewer and water feasibility
studies that we implement connection fees for new construction in the
city to provide for infrastructure upgrade and improvement associated
with the growth. To raise the rates and implement the fees was not an
easy decision but will provide the ability to help meet these
infrastructure needs into the future.
We have made some giant leaps forward in providing for future sewer
service in our impact areas both to the west and north of the city. This
effort was begun several years ago with the encouragement and vision of
Mayor Cotant and other leaders in both Pocatello and the county at the
time. We are planning on the continued cooperation of both the
leadership in the county and Pocatello to help us move this project along
as rapidly as possible. It will be one of the major efforts of the city in
2007.
Growth in the city has been steady. Most is in the form of residential
subdivisions with some new retail. Our City limits moved west of
Philbin Road for the first time with the annexation of 2 new subdivisions
in December. Of course the most prominent new structure in the city is
the new Idaho Central Credit Union Administrative Office Building. It
is a real honor to have Idaho Central decide to make this investment in
our community. We have also felt the influence of the new Pocatello
Towne Square Development by our southern border with Pocatello.
Additional retail businesses have been added in our city boundary in that
same area. The Pine Ridge Mall has lost a few stores but the
management is very optimistic about not only replacing those businesses
but the overall future of the mall and surrounding area. The future is
bright for having additional business locate here.
Yesterday HOKU Manufacturing, a provider of materials for solar
panels, announced that it was going to locate a new facility at the
Pocatello Airport Industrial Complex. When completed, it will provide
200 new jobs to the local economy. They plan to start construction of a
220 Million dollar complex in the spring, with all the related
construction jobs, and be in operation by the end of 2008. All
indications are that this will be just the first of many new employers that
may locate here. We are engaged with these efforts to encourage this
potential growth to our area. In the past year we have established or
enhanced. relationships not only with Pocatello and Bannock County, but
with ISU, the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District and INL as well as the
Chamber of Commerce, the local Auditorium District, and Bannock
Development Corporation. I feel it is important not only to continue to
foster these relationships but to also reach out in a cooperative effort to
other south eastern Idaho communities from Rexburg to Soda Springs
and from American Falls to Malad. Much can be accomplished by
positive communication and encouragement of progress on shared goals.
Each of the departments in the city has adjusted and stepped up to help
meet the demands of the growth in the city. Anew employee was added
in both the police and fire departments as well as a full time computer
specialist for the city. Two additional people were hired by public
works and additional part time help was added to the parks department
to assist with summer seasonal work. We still have to stretch to
accomplish all that needs to be done. It has been a great privilege for me
to work with our dedicated city employees in providing the day to day
services that many times are taken for granted.
I believe that I can report that the "State Of The City" is good. As you
can see, we are progressing in most areas and are striving to improve in
others. The well being of the city is very dependant on the makeup and
character of its citizens. For the most part I feel are very fortunate in
those who have chosen to make Chubbuck their home. As city leaders
we appreciate the support and input of the good people of the city. I
know that many good and charitable acts are performed every day just
neighbor to neighbor. I believe the future of Chubbuck is bright and
pledge my best efforts to continue to move us forward.
Thank You.