AG 2002 10 21 (Regular) - Laserfiche WebLink

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The most important factor impacting recreation and open space will be the Livable Community Blueprint and the commitment of the participating local governments to use it as a practical planning tool. This long-range plan not only identifies the need for parks and open space in the future; it should also help define the roles of the various local governments in Cabarrus County in implementation of the Blueprint. Rapid growth in population should not negatively impact the quality of life and this plan will provide the guideline for expansion of recreation and leisure facilities to make sure this essential element of the community is addressed. The challenge will be funding. PUBLIC SAFETY Public Safety continues to be an emphasis in the budget. A new pumper is recommended for Station 5, with the old vehicle used as a back up for all stations. This new pumper was included in the FY 2001-2002 budget but these funds were diverted to buy a new hazardous materials truck when this equipment became a priority after September 11B. This truck should be delivered later in 2002. Five new positions are al, so recommended for the Police Department. Two of these positions will be used for school resource officers in the two new middle schools. The rest of these additional line positions will be used as the department changes its organization to put even greater emphasis on community policing. Finally, the amhitect for the Police Headquarters will be hired so that design can begin during FY 2002 - 2003. The Police Headquarters project is greatly needed as the current building is woefully too small for a department the size of that in Concord and is not at all customer friendly. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS Citizen communications will continue to be varied. Direct mailings such as the "City Circular" newsletter, newspaper placements, the electronic newsletter, the City's web site, news releases, television, radio and other outl.ets will be used because citizens get their news from different media and most do not have the time to hunt for it. We will continue to emphasize information about the drought and water conservation. The City 'continues its partnership with the school system by offering various opportunities to learn about City services. The-City's Civic Education program involving students in the 3ra grades of interested elementary schools continues to expand. One of the best ways to teach the parents about local government is through their children. Also, the highly successful Youth Council will continue this year. Two new programs are included ,in the Mayor/Council Goals and, thus, in the budget recommendation. These are a citizen's academy and a police academy. Both of these will give residents an opportunity to learn more about their municipal government and to provide feedback on important local needs and issues. PERFORMANCE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS Concord continues its involvement in the North Carolina Local Government Performance Measurement Project. This project is helping staff to develop a model that Concord, like the other North Carolina cities involved in the effort, can duplicate and use for measuring performance and benchmarking. The project includes meetings where Concord staff members discuss practices with their peers in other major cities and learn from each other on more effective