Lawrence city commissioners decided Friday they don't need new goals but do need to continue working on those they've already set.
At a study session Friday afternoon, commissioners agreed to leave unchanged the eight goals they adopted in May 2003. The list puts a heavy emphasis on planning, quality of life, the environment and downtown.
"I would have to work hard to think of something to add," Mayor Mike Rundle said.
Commissioners spent much of the study session focusing on how they have worked toward accomplishing the goals during the last two years. Rundle said commissioners had worked hard to make progress in each of the eight areas.
"People sometimes comment that government boards aren't doing enough or aren't doing anything," Rundle said. "Today should serve as a reality check for those people. I think we really have accomplished a lot."
Here's a look at the eight goals and some of the accomplishments commissioners listed:
- Economic development to promote and provide varied work opportunities. Commissioners said they thought the economic development partnerships among the city, county and Lawrence Chamber of Commerce had been strengthened. Resolution of the living wage debate also was listed as a positive.
- Planned growth that protects the city's environmental, neighborhood and cultural features. Expanding the urban growth area and initiating a study that will determine the true costs of growth to the city both were listed as accomplishments.
"But we still need to educate the community about this one," City Commissioner Sue Hack said. "We need to be clear that this goal doesn't say to stop growth. It says to plan growth."
- Community-building to create social capital and celebrate the city's heritage. Commissioners unanimously pointed to the city's sesquicentennial celebration.
- Environmental consciousness that integrates the environment into city decision-making and allows the city to work toward becoming sustainable. Commissioners noted they tightened the city's floodplain regulations and took steps to ensure the Orchards Golf Course would provide permanent green space in the community.
- Planning to improve the livability of all neighborhoods. Commissioners listed the better use of area plans and more formal guidelines on the use of traffic calming devices, like roundabouts, as efforts that have improved neighborhoods.
- Downtown policy that protects the area's integrity. Commissioners noted approval of the Hobbs Taylor Lofts, a mixed-use condominium and office project, and creation of a downtown historic district.
- Transportation that improves access for all citizens. A greater emphasis on bicycle paths and other policies that promote multimodal transportation were deemed accomplishments in this category.
- Development of city services that are deemed excellent. Commissioners noted the city weathered the recession without major cuts to services and added e-government features to make City Hall more accessible.
The goal-setting study session continues at 8:30 a.m. today at the Eldridge Hotel.
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