A View From Harbor Street
By David Buckingham
Summer is starting in Morro Bay! From the 2015 4th of July Celebration, to the general plan update and the 2015/16 City budget, here’s some notes on a few important community items:
4th of July! Start planning now for the 2015 4th of July Family Fun Day in • Morro Bay. As publicized already, the committee that has run “Morro Bay 4th” for many years has “retired.” The City is planning the 2015 event — a resident-focused, family-friendly, daytime event at Tidelands Park.
The old favorites are all on tap: Morro Bay Mile Skateboard Race (10 a.m.); Red, White and Blue Bike Parade (noon); and 5 hours of bands, games, children’s activities and fun from noon to 5 p.m. at Tidelands Park.
There are no fireworks this year. We are focusing our effort and money to make the picnic in the park a great event for local families and friends. Get more info at: www.morrobay.org/4thofjuly, or email: .
• Morro Bay downtown survey. What do you think about pedestrian and bike improvements, outdoor dining, and parklets in our Downtown and Embarcadero business districts? Should we have better walking and biking access? More outdoor dining? Do you like the parklet? Or not? If you have not already, log on and take our quick, 9-question survey at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/NYM6JRK, or visit City Hall in June and vote in person.
Look for upcoming surveys on “Vision, Values and Mission,” and other key topics, as we plan for the future.
• General plan update. The City’s general plan is 24-years out of date. We are, all of us, starting a very important update now. The general plan covers everything from land use and vehicle/pedestrian circulation, to economics and the environment. Over the next 2-3 years, we will go through a process, involving significant public outreach and input, to rewrite the general plan.
From a group of 15 wonderful candidates, the City Council just selected our General Plan Advisory Committee — the team of citizens who will work with the City staff, and the public, to guide the update process. They will be starting soon to define our City vision, values and mission statements. Get involved in the process, as we lay the foundation for Morro Bay’s second 50 years.
• The 2015/16 Budget. The City is nearing the end of the process of deciding on our budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. In January and February, the Council discussed and adopted 73 goal-driven budget objectives for 2015/16. In March, we conducted a 10-year budget forecast, looking into the future to ensure we have a good picture of revenues and expenses in the years ahead.
In April, based on both the Council objectives and the budget forecast, your City staff developed a draft 2015/16 budget. Last week, the Council held a more than 5-hour study session to consider and modify the draft budget.
The Council’s approved final-draft budget is online for public review and comment and the Council plans to adopt the budget in regular session at the June 9 Council meeting. The 2015/16 budget presentation is an easy way to review the final draft — it is located on the city webpage at: www.morro-bay.ca.us under the “Hot Topic #3” button. Let us know ASAP if you have any additional input or concerns.
• Management Partners report. In January, the City Council asked Management Partners to conduct a study of the City’s organization, finances and processes. Management Partners conducted a similar study for Morro Bay in 2008. The report includes 65 specific recommendations to improve the City’s services and operations — from Recreation to Public Works to Information Technology.
Over the year ahead, City staff will further research and consider each recommendation, bringing them to the City Council for adoption or rejection.
As always, we want to hear from you. If you have questions or comments send an email to City staff, or give us a ring. If you want to reach me, I’d love to hear from you at: .
David Buckingham is the city manager in Morro Bay. A View from Harbor Street is a regular feature of The Bay News.