HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 State of the City AddressCITY OF CHUBB UCK
STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
MAYOR STEVEN M. ENGLAND
JANUARY13 th 2009
As we begin a new year and I reflect on 2008, I again express my
appreciation for the honor and privilege it is to serve as your Mayor.
Each year I am more impressed with the trust that is granted with this
office and opportunity to serve and represent our city and pledge to
continue to strive not to take it for granted.
I would also 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 the Department Heads to each employee and from the
City Council Members to each volunteer. I am a better person for being
able to work and associate with you. You each make a positive
difference to the quality of life and future direction of the City of
Chubbuck. Thank you for all you do.
As a city, we experienced a slowdown in growth especially in the last
half of 2008. We were impacted by everything from fuel costs to the
downturn of the national economy. I believe our area is, for the most
part, still moving forward and has much to be optimistic about. I would
like to mention some of the progress that was made in the city this past
year and what is proposed for this coming year and beyond.
Wilkes Funeral Home opened in the Afton Meadows Subdivision on
Chubbuck Road this summer and two additional businesses started
construction in that commercial complex. Cardona Apartments, a
retirement community complex, that has been under construction on
Hawthorne near Chubbuck Road is nearing completion and is planning
to begin showing their facility in February. The Party Palace is still
operating from the Pine Ridge Mall but continues to have plans for
construction at the East Chubbuck Road location.
The Chubbuck Square, a storefront business complex on West
Burnside, along with two of their tenants, Avery Financial and American
Family Insurance are having a ribbon cutting for their businesses this
week. We anticipate the beginning of construction on a new Harley
Davidson Motorcycle building and service center on Burnside as soon as
weather allows and hope to see some movement on additional
development on Yellowstone.
The storefront businesses on Bullock Road have added an additional
building with Radio Shack being their first tenant there. The Pine Ridge
Mall has had some store closures recently and the parent company has
struggled, but generally it continues to move forward and find ways to
creatively attract new tenants. In my visits with mall management, I find
them to be optimistic about both the near and long term future of the
mall. We continue to have a good working relationship with them.
Premier Technologies, who moved their home office location to
Blackfoot a few years ago, has restarted part of their production in the
Siphon Road site that they now share with Park -a -Way RV sales. They
plan some upgrades to their Chubbuck facility and anticipate expansion
of their operations in the Chubbuck/Pocatello Area. Doug Sayer and
Premier have been a tremendous asset to our area in the past and we
anticipate a renewed progressive relationship with them moving into the
future.
Although we hated to see Cobblestone Nursery close its doors, Battery
Systems Inc., a business that specializes in wholesale as well as retail
battery sales is moving into that location and will open for business
soon. The Alpine Veterinary Clinic is proceeding with the construction
of their new facility on the corner of Burley and East Linden. The Cruise
for Less auto dealership, a business being established by long time
Chubbuck residents, is continuing to develop along with two additional
projects proposed for East Chubbuck Road that we should see progress
on early this year.
We completed the new vehicle maintenance facility and upgrades to
the yard at our city complex and are presently in the process of
restructuring other existing buildings to better and more efficiently meet
our current and future needs. We believe our first year of providing
garbage service has been a success and are exploring the possibility of a
recycling program that may include curbside recycling. The response to
our community input survey has been informative and positive.
With the cooperation of the residents the project to upgrade Lucky and
Adams streets was mostly completed in 2008. It will be finished as soon
as weather allows in the spring with the connection of Adams to Park
Lawn and the closing of Adams directly to Yellowstone. The plan going
forward is to work with ITD to signalize the intersection of Park Lawn
and Yellowstone as soon as the traffic volume warrants it and the
funding is available.
The contract is in place and work will begin soon on the project to
improve and widen Hiline Road from Chubbuck Road south to the
interstate. The project will include widening the road to 5 lanes, piping
the canal, installation of a round about at the Mountain Park/Mallard
intersection, and replacing the interstate bridges. The road improvements
are scheduled to be completed by this fall with the bridge replacement
completed in 2010. In addition to this project we anticipate the
installation of signal lights at the Chubbuck/Hawthorne intersection and
the completion of the design, engineering and property acquisition for a
round about at the Philbin and Chubbuck Road intersection all to be
completed in 2009.
We continue to see progress on the effort to provide additional sewer
capacity on the north side of the city and in our north and west adjacent
impact areas. We anticipate beginning construction on the first phase of
the project in 2009 as well. As you may recall, this project has been
facilitated by a Joint Powers Board that was formed by Chubbuck,
Pocatello, and Bannock County. We have also seen some substantial
progress on the rehabilitation or repair of the underground irrigation
water siphon along Siphon Road that has been deteriorating over the past
several years. With the extensive engineering study that was done this
last fall, we hope the federal government will move forward and take the
suggested corrective action in a very timely fashion now.
We enjoy a good working relationship with both governmental and
non - governmental groups and organizations in the area. Mayor Chase
and his staff as well as the County Commission and each element of
county government have shown a willingness to assist, compromise, and
cooperate to benefit the overall well being of the community. We have
10
participated in the hospital resolution discussion, comprehensive plans,
traffic planning, mutual aid agreements and more. We have worked with
President Valais and ISU in their effort to establish a medical school
here as well as other community /university plans and projects. Matt
Hunter with the Chamber of Commerce, Gyni Gilliam with Bannock
Development, and Mori Byington of Bannock Transportation Planning
and their respective staffs have all been a tremendous benefit to the
progress or our valley. We have seen cooperative efforts with the Tribe,
the School District, INL, the local Auditorium District as well as many,
many other organizations, businesses, and individuals stepping up and
helping to move the community along.
I have also been privileged to be involved in discussions and efforts to
coordinate and support a unified and cooperative direction for the
communities 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 the progress in many areas has slowed we are
moving forward and have set goals to continue that steady progress.
Indications are that we will continue to confront major economic
difficulties for some time. Many of our citizens are dealing as families
and individuals with new struggles and challenges. Even small changes
and efforts when accomplished as a community can make a difference as
we look for better times ahead. I know that many good and charitable
acts are performed every day just neighbor to neighbor. The well being
of the city is very dependant on the makeup and character of its citizens.
Once again I feel we are very fortunate in those who have chosen to
make Chubbuck their home. 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.
Thank You.