Progress Report

 

“Chanute is an exceptional community, creating opportunities by                              investing in the future while building on our successes.”

 

Summary of Goals / Actions identified August 30, 2005

Adopted by the City Commission September 12, 2005

 

Build pride among citizens/neighbors, and eliminate at-risk neighborhoods.

 

Actions Not Yet Taken

• Conduct comprehensive review of nuisance standards and environmental codes
• Implement Neighborhood Revitalization Act
• Add code enforcement officer

 

Actions Taken

• Increase emphasis on animal control. – Three police officers have been cross trained so that in the animal control officer’s absence they can cover for him.  Part-time assistance at the shelter has been increased to free up the animal control officers duties so he can focus on addressing the complaints and calls.
• Develop and use auxiliary police volunteer program. - Received a grant for the CERT program and have assigned two command personnel to head it up.  Equipment authorized via the grant has been purchased.. In addition to the equipment we are acquiring a trailer that will house the equipment for prompt mobility.

• Expand neighborhood watch program. – The City is planning to target a neighborhood in the North part of the City this fall.
• Use housing grants for rehabilitation/demolition – A community development specialist has been requested in the 2007 budget to help with writing these types of grants, and CDBG funds have all been used to deal with this issue.  A budget request for funding to match a HOME grant application has also been made.
• Downtown revitalization – New streetlights are being installed.  A new movie theater is being built that will resemble the look of the other buildings downtown.  The Park Advisory board has met with the Main Street organization to discuss beautification opportunities.  A KDOT grant for improvements along Lincoln Avenue was requested, but it was turned down at this time.
• Develop and adopt housing regulations/standards – The city conducted a vehicle round up in conjunction with the school Ecology day.  Notice was given to inoperable vehicles and vehicles parked in city right of way that those vehicles would need to be moved or they would be towed.

 

Build pride and self esteem in youth via a multigenerational, cooperative program of volunteer service and mentoring.

 

Actions Not Yet Taken

• Coordinate volunteers for a program to assist citizens in complying with code enforcement.

 

Action Taken

• Develop formal recognition program for volunteers/citizen involvement. – The City Manager’s staff  is currently reviewing potential ways to bring a recognition program back.

• Motivate/engage civic organizations – The Park Advisory Board was appointed by the governing body, and the city is supporting an adopt a park program, which will help engage organizations.
• Full time School Resource Officer – The Police Department has requested a second school resource officer to be located at the High School complex full time.

 

Develop technologies to enhance and grow business/economic development, and attract youth to return/stay.

 

Actions Taken

• Keep traditional utilities updated with current technologies. - Wireless technology has been deployed at the airport, gas border stations, waste water plant, water intake structure, landfill and to the 911 center in Erie.  The technology allows us to have video monitoring at these locations, connectivity to the city network, voip to the water intake structure, system control and data access (SCADA) and  geographic information system, GIS. 
• Annexation… expand boundaries to enhance Chanute’s ability to grow and thrive.  – Over the last year the City Commission has approved various annexations around the community.

• Develop strategies for economic development with implementations steps – The City is working with the Chamber of Commerce to explore the feasibility of an economic development plan.  RFP’s have been sent, and we are aligning finance resources.
• Implement extra-territorial zoning. – The city commission adopted this in fall 2005.
• Build and expand fiber optic project.  – Currently, the City is working with Uptown Services on developing a plan for fiber to each home and business.

  

To help develop and meet the educational and job placement goals of every 16-25 year-old in our community.

 

Actions Not Yet Taken

• Understand what 16-25 year olds want.
• Assist community in realizing new education facilities at 36^th and Plummer.

 

Actions Taken

• Develop technology rich industry base; identify industry that is technology drive - Chanute continues to be contacted by various businesses and industries interested in gaining access to the City’s fiber network.  Continued investigation and economic development efforts will further expand use of the City’s communications network. 
• Economic Development policy for youth jobs. – Part of the scope in the RFP for the comprehensive economic development plan.
• Expand fiber cable to Safari Industrial Park – The City has completed the installation of the primary fiber network trunk lines through the Safari Industrial Park.  Potential new and existing industries now have ready access to the ultra high-speed communications network available through the City of Chanute.

• Create/Conduct job fairs (for youth and adults) - A career fair was held at the high school gymnasium for the students in fall 2005

 

Increase/expand youth enrichment services and programs: after school, evening, and week-end.

 

Actions Not Yet Taken

• Work with churches to establish weekend activities (after games)
• Expand hike bike trails

 

Actions Taken

• Open remodeled or new swimming pool - A pool committee has been formed and they have selected a consultant to help explore options for the pool’s future.

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City of Chanute, KS

High Priority Goals

April 10, 2006

 

In September 2005 the City Commission adopted goals and actions that are to receive priority focus and effort.  These were developed by the City Commission and staff and should be initiated, supported, or completed by the City of Chanute.  The City of Chanute’s goals are consistent with, and supportive of, goals set by citizens of Chanute in their initiative to Build Community.

 Three goals are being treated as High Priority.

 

1. Develop and adopt “housing standards” (Neighborhoods at-risk)

 

11-7-05 Work Session – The City Commission began the process of thinking through the myriad of issues affiliated with articulating its vision.  City Staff is preparing a regulation to prohibit parking on other than an approved surface.  This would require Commission action to implement.

1-9-06 City Commissioners emphasized that the community must work diligently to get caught-up on our problems with blight. We must be proactive.  We must let everyone know the date we begin our new approach.  The old methods we’ve used to enforce city codes do not work, or are not achieving satisfactory results.

1-12-06 Multiple plans and events are being developed for this spring…  In conjunction with CHS observance of Ecology Day; annual spring clean-up and “free landfill week”; police enforcement of laws for inoperable vehicles on street right-of-way; utilizing multiple municipal departments to enforce nuisance codes already within local law; Park Advisory Board plans for public spaces; use of communications medias to engage citizens.

4-10-06 Friday, April 7^th owners of about 240 inoperable vehicles within the public right-of-way received 48 hour notice to remove the vehicle.  On Ecology Day, April 12^th those that have not been removed will be towed away.

  

2. Annex territory that makes sense for the community and its growth

 

11-7-05 Work Session – The City Commission indicated that the City of Chanute should first annex two properties that are “islands” …land not in the City, yet surrounded by the City of Chanute on all sides.  City Staff started the process by making contact by letter with the owner of the property on East 21^st Street requesting a meeting with City Staff.

 1-13-06 Property owners of “Islands” along South Santa Fe and East 21^st have been contacted and are considering whether they will ask to be annexed or whether they want the community to proceed without their petition. Commission agenda items could appear as early as February 2006.

 4-10-06 Annexation of “island” property on east 21^st Street was completed in March 2006.

 

3. Remodel current, or build new swimming pool facility

 

11-14-05 City Commission appointed Pool Steering Committee and outlined the job description for the Committee.  After Thanksgiving 2005 the Committee will organize.  Meanwhile the City of Chanute is soliciting proposals from engineering firms interested in helping Chanute work through the process of designing and building the facility.  After a firm is selected in early 2006, the process will begin.

1-13-06 The Pool Steering Committee selected members to interview firms with other City representatives.  Interviews will begin shortly as the deadline for statement of qualifications to be received is 1-13-06.

3-28-06 Jeff Schoenberger was selected Pool Steering Committee Chair.  Muffy Fehr selected Vice-Chair.  Steering Committee voted to make recommendation on 4-10-06 to City Commission to hire Water’s Edge of Lenexa as the consultant to help guide Chanute’s process.