| On April 25, 2005, Troy City Council and
elected officials met in a planning, or visioning session, regarding the
future direction of the City. The following is the report provided by the
facilitator of that session. City of Troy Planning Session April 25, 2005 The City of Troy elected officials, Director of Public Service and Safety, and senior staff met at the Brukner Nature Center Auditorium on Monday April 25, 2005 for a planning session to discuss a future vision for the City of Troy, and Action Steps to work toward that vision. The session began with a review of individual submissions by the Troy elected officials of vision concepts, external environment and internal factor analysis. A summary of the individual submissions is attached to this report. Based on the individual submissions, the facilitator prepared a list of common elements, and based upon those common elements, developed a working draft of a vision statement that was modified by group discussion as follows: Troy, a family oriented community with a history of financial stability, known for its vibrant downtown, sustains a growing economic base attracted by its strong educational environment through community partnerships and the quality of life available in Troy. Our strong public and private leadership focuses on the future with a balanced, planned growth orientation assuring Troy’s continued prominence as a regional hub. Using the working vision statement as the basis for developing Action Steps, the group’s discussion developed the following: Growing Economic Base – Increased Effort Who: Troy Development Council (TDC)/City of Troy partnership What: Expanded City role: * Financing mechanisms such as assessments when necessary * Transportation and Infrastructure review by the City to support the work of the TDC Requested of TDC: * Provide background information on inactive/vacant industrial zoned sites, especially those that have not had activity How/Resources: * Communication – more frequent updates to Council from TDC * TDC continue its CEO to CEO Retention and Expansion Program Create More Recreation/Cultural Activities for all Ages Who: City of Troy/Hayner Cultural Center/Recreation Board/Park Board partnership What: Top priority items of the elected officials * Recreational Trail/River Program – complete next phase * Refurbish existing parks How/Resources: * In addition to City funds, seek grants to complete these priorities Vibrant Downtown Area – Bring Activities to Downtown, Upgrade Infrastructure, Make Downtown a Destination, Stabilize Commercial and Residential Property Values Who: City of Troy/Troy Main Street/Downtown Business Association partnership What: City of Troy will have to play a different role in downtown redevelopment than in its partnership role with the TDC in economic growth citywide – a more active role, even taking on the role of developer in some cases * To address the increasing percentage of rental properties, the City will need to explore development of an incentive program to create homeownership opportunities in targeted areas of the Troy’s downtown * Continue property maintenance code enforcement program * Continue sidewalk/alley/streetscape upgrade program * Consider zoning change to designate the residential areas around the downtown retail area as single family only * Shanesy Building – as an example of the new role the City will have to play in assuring a vibrant downtown, staff is to bring forward to Council for decision a staff report recommending a demolition/redevelopment strategy for the Shanesy property, looking at possible public-private partnership possibilities How/Resources: There will be the need for new resources committed for the City to successfully adopt this more proactive role in downtown redevelopment of the residential area around the retail core of the City Strong Educational Environment through Community Partnerships Assuring a Trained Workforce for the Future Economy Who: City of Troy, Edison Community College, Troy City Schools, JVS, Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, Miami County partnership What: City of Troy will have to adopt a focused role to assure that this issue, so vital to the City’s future economic strength, is addressed * Support a government/private sector/education system effort to change the system toward preparing students and displaced workers toward the new economy’s required job skills * Make sure that the business community’s feedback/survey results on this issue are addressed by this new partnership How/Resources: Initially, the City of Troy’s commitment to this effort will be organizing/facilitating the discussion; possible need for additional resources in the future Zoning Application/Infrastructure Review Based on Current Comprehensive Plan Who: City staff What: City staff will bring forward reports/analysis/recommendations using the Comprehensive Plan as a source, specifically quoting the relevant sections How/Resources: Existing resources Citizen Involvement Who: City of Troy What: More structure citizen involvement using: * Periodic citizen input sessions * Creative use of the City’s web site * Periodic citizen surveys * Quarterly Newsletter feedback mechanism * Revisit issue of televising Council meetings on cable television * Continue leadership development programs * Encourage/increase staff involvement in the community How/Resources: Some additional resources – specifically the cost of periodic citizen Surveys, periodic web site technology updates |