Center Town Clerk Mark Garcia and Dept. of Local Affairs director Deb Downs help the Town of Center set economic and government-related goals for the town during a work session earlier this month.

CENTER — In a goals-setting session conducted by Dept. of Local Affairs (DOLA) director Deborah Downs earlier this month, the Center town board met to map out long-range plans that will help the town grow and prosper.

The overall picture envisioned by the board will provide a stronger foundation for municipal operations that will allow the town to realize its goals and better manage local resources.

Trustees, Mayor Adeline Sanchez and Town Clerk Mark Garcia worked with Downs to list the town’s assets and liabilities, identify opportunities, promote economic development, strengthen infrastructure and streamline town government.

Assets

Town assets listed included the benefits of living in a small town, such as clean air, sunny weather, a healthy environment and the benefits of knowing each others neighbors. Agricultural contributions, businesses such as local eateries and potential for alternative energy, also the benefit of owning their own utility plant were listed as economic pluses.

Center Schools, Headstart and the library were listed among educational and technological assets. Medical assets such as Cesar Chavez Clinic and the dental clinic also were factored in and other assets mentioned were the park and walking track.

Grants to update electric, gas and water meters, currently being written or in various stages of development, were considered as assets.

Liabilities

Some of the liabilities mentioned during the meeting included the need for a long-range plan for beautification. “This should have been done 20 years ago,” Downs commented.

Others complained that there is really nothing for families to do in Center, leading to suggestions that long-range planning, a utility master plan and enforcement of nuisance ordinances could help the town set the pace for improvement by making the most of their utility system and cleaning up local properties.

Annexation was mentioned as important to beautification efforts, promotion of alternative energy potential to offset high winter fuel bills was favored and rehabilitation of abandoned and foreclosed homes and businesses were discussed. A lack of funds was recognized as the primary obstacle to beautification.

Downs noted that grants would help solve the financial problems, adding that, “The town hasn’t applied for grants in years.”

Opportunities included demolition of the old White House and utilization of the area as a gateway/welcoming area and town square that would attract visitors and new residents alike to the town. The planned development of the Consaul Property was pointed out as an opportunity to provide much needed housing.

Value-added agricultural businesses were seen as a good source of additional employment and revenue for the town. Development of the high-pressure gas line down County Road B was seen as desirable in order to provide power for the new ag-related businesses.

Development of solar resources such as SolarReserve could allow the town to purchase enough green energy to drive its winter fuel costs down, Mark Garcia noted.

Infrastructure would need to include a 5-10 year capital improvement plan to upgrade utilities, a five-year street improvement plan and a 5-10 year infrastructure plan to promote projects such as downtown revitalization, Consaul property development, housing, light industry, businesses solar and other projects.

The governance plan was very comprehensive, addressing problems that have plagued Center for many years. Proposed solutions included budgets that can be read and used, monthly financial reports, better community outreach, continued website development, organizational charts, more adequate staffing and planning and protocols and policies written to better address safety issues.

The group will meet again in August.





For the complete article see the 07-29-2010 issue.

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