Q&A Tuesday: Linda Ritter says city's top goals are urbing drug use, enhancing business

Each year, Carson City adopts a list of goals to give city government a focus. As city manager, Linda Ritter plays an integral part in trying to achieve those goals.

What are the city's goals for 2005?

This year, the board (of supervisors) took a wide view and identified critical issues facing Carson City. They were as follows:

• Illegal drug use - methamphetamine

• Adequate water, sewer and storm drainage infrastructure.

• Improved city facilities.

• Downtown improvements

• Business retention recruitment

• Extension of the V&T Railroad to Carson City

• Traffic circulation

• Diverse and affordable housing

From this list of issues, a list of 22 specific goals for fiscal year 2005/2006 has been adopted. All of them, in some way, address the issues, and can serve as part of multiple year strategies. They are:

• Build a community coalition to begin defining the methamphetamine issue, building public awareness and defining possible solutions.

• Identify capital needs for the future and prepare a funding plan for each utility.

• Begin construction of the new sheriff's administration facility.

• Examine opportunities for partnering with other agencies to provide public facilities.

• Create a vision for a future downtown. Include in this vision the Carson Street corridor.

• Examine code amendments that will accommodate new business and other improvements in the downtown.

• Write a five-year investment plan for downtown.

• Begin planning to accommodate additional parking downtown.

• Facilitate the start-up of a Downtown Business Association.

• Develop an incentive to retain and expand our auto sales sector.

• Examine sign standards in the South Carson redevelopment area and amend to accommodate the auto sales sector.

• Prepare retail recruitment packages for areas throughout the area that are deemed suitable for retail development.

• Support legislation that provides for financing tools that encourage economic development.

• Examine the Highway 50 East corridor for redevelopment opportunities.

• Protect scenic corridors along the V&T right-of-way through the comprehensive master plan and implementation of the policies adopted as part of the plan.

• Map any land use conflicts along the V&T right-of-way in cooperation with Lyon and Storey counties.

• Meet schedules for widening of Fairview Drive in 2006.

• Meet schedule for the extension of Stewart Street to Roop Street in 2006.

• Partner with a non-profit housing agency to initiate a central contact regarding affordable housing for the public.

• Consider housing needs in the Envision Carson City master plan update.

• Remain a part of the HOME Consortium and look for opportunities to advance HUD programs such as housing rehabilitation.

• Evaluate opportunities for transitional housing for the homeless.

How much do Carson City staffers have to change day-to-day activities to address these goals?

For each goal adopted, a city department has been assigned to coordinate activities necessary to achieve the goals. I ask that each department develop a work plan that lays out the activities and clearly notes assistance needed from other departments. This will allow city staff to plan our time and resources to meet the deadlines set out on the work plan and see the successful accomplishment of each goal.

What is the main goal the city has set for itself this year?

Although the Board of Supervisors did not specifically place the goals in priority order, it has been acknowledged that the illegal drug use issues, and specifically the effect of methamphetamine on our community, is of primary importance. However, all of the issues are important to the future of our community and city staff clearly understands that all of the goals adopted deserve our full attention.

How much say do Carson City residents have in the creation of the city's goals?

This year's critical-issues workshop was open to the public, and the public is encouraged to provide comments throughout the process. Our supervisors make themselves available to the public. They have publicly posted telephone numbers and e-mail addresses. We encourage the public to contact members of the board or city staff to share their concerns regarding our city. Additionally, many of the issues discussed originate from comments received from the public throughout the year.

Thus, Carson City residents are involved in setting our goals for the future.