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Strategic plan finished Ashland's goals reflect values By DANI DODGE ASHLAND -- The city's strategic plan contains wide-ranging goals that delve into both the philosophy of the city's leaders and specifics of what they want in Ashland. Some of the plan's goals include expanding the city's conservation program, developing a funding plan to meet the city's social service needs, and evaluating the purchase of additional utilities as they become available. "In general, it should be looked at as a broad road map," said Mayor Cathy Shaw. "Not goals in the sense that we will accomplish them this year or next year, but a broad range that reflects the values of the City Council and thereby the values of the community." The city finished the draft of the strategic plan only a few days ago. It will be adopted at a City Council meeting on Jan. 4. Within the strategic plan, elements, goals and priorities are grouped into a number of categories such as citizen participation, environmental resources and economic strategy. "Last year was the first time we did a strategic plan," said Councilman Steve Hauck. "It was to really comprehensively lay out our vision of the city and look at it in a longer-term sense. "More than goal setting, it's a chance to define philosophy ... and the traditional things we should be doing." City staff members say the strategic plan gives them direction and focus. "From my perspective it's helpful as we tie together all the different responsibilities the city has into one plan," said City Administrator Mike Freeman. "The council is saying these are priorities to move toward our broader goals and this is where we want to move in the next year to get us going in that direction." Freeman said he doesn't consider any one priority more important than another, because the range is so broad: On the plan is everything from encouraging the placement of historic photos in community buildings to updating the municipal code. Freeman said the city has gotten a tremendous amount of public input into the plan, but still hopes people will take a look at it on the web, or pick up a copy at the city and make comments on it before or during the city's Jan. 4 meeting. Some of the items in the strategic plan already are in motion. The city has formed an ad hoc committee of social service providers who are evaluating existing services and determining where there may be gaps that the city should address. Hauck, who is chairing the committee, said the group will then look at ways of funding the services not yet provided. One of the goals of the strategic plan is to complete a riparian ordinance, which is required by the state. The city, in conjunction with the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, will begin work after the first of the year, said Community Development Director John McLaughlin. "We're looking at other restrictions on protecting vegetation along streamside corridors and ensuring good wildlife habitat," said McLaughlin. Anyone wishing a copy of Ashland's draft strategic plan can stop by City Hall, call 488-6002 or visit the Web site ashland.or.us Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA