- Need for Neighborhood Planning: Need for additional neighborhood planning staff to maintain Neighborhood Health Indicators, assist in creation and updates of neighborhood assessments and plans, to assist in creation of new neighborhood associations and development of a toolkit for preparation of such planning tools. Solid neighborhood scale planning should be used in updating of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Plan used by Planning & Development, exploration of right sizing of neighborhood footprints and other planning efforts.Status: Neighborhood planner budgeted for current fiscal year.
- Nuisance Properties: To include but not limited to vacant houses, dangerous buildings, trash, junk, front yard parking, inoperable vehicles, lack of basic property maintenance and investment. (#1 Priority in 2015)
Status: Two additional inspectors allocated for current fiscal year; BDS to work on additional code changes - Rental Property Chronic Issues (nuisances and crime): This topic includes issues related to 1) absentee landlords, such as inaccessibility to them or their manager(s) to address problems, 2) resident landlords, and 3) both, such as overcrowding, inadequate parking, and health and safety of tenants. (#2 Priority in 2015)
Status: Rental property inspection pilot in West Central neighborhood to be proposed to City Council in October. - Pedestrian infrastructure: Continuing need to add new sidewalks, repair them, eliminate barriers for wheelchairs, and keep clear of overgrown vegetation. (#4 Priority in 2015)
Status: ¼ and 1/8 Sales Tax renewed; Neighborhood Works project initiated; Stepped up volunteer efforts modeled after Woodland Heights/Habitat cleanup should be encouraged. - Need Study for Consolidated Trash Services to reduce noise, congestion, wear and tear on streets, and to facilitate exploration of expanded services such as large item curbside pickup and curbside recycling.
Status: City Environmental Services has contracted with a consultant to investigate options for consolidated, multi-hauler collection. - Police Presence/Reporting: Need for stronger police presence in some areas, need for more reporting to police via Block Watch and other means, and attention to areas prone to speeding, drugs and related neighborhood crime (#3 Priority in 2015)
Status: Block Watch promotion continuing; additional officers coming into service this year; PAR positions now filled - Neighborhood Parks: Varying needs depending on the park ranging from maintenance to needs for pavilions, sports equipment, restrooms, lighting, etc.
Status: NAC developing recommendation to City, County and Parks to convene to address lost budget for parks infrastructure. Neighborhood Works program may help in the near term.
- Homelessness and Related Poverty Issues: Crime, loitering, begging, squatting (#5 Priority in 2015)
Status: NAC encourages City and service organizations to maintain emphasis for this need.
