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A document that lays out broad concepts, such as creating a vibrant community, and pairs them with specific actions like demolishing rundown buildings, was approved by the Fort Dodge City Council Monday.
The document is called the strategic plan. City Manager David Fierke said it “guides long-term decisions."
Although the council approved the strategic plan, it did not approve any of the projects included in it. Those decisions will be made in the months and years to come.
"I think it's important that we spell out a vision -- a somewhat complex strategic vision -- for the city," Mayor Dave Flattery said after the council meeting.
"If we didn't have it, we would just be flailing," he said.
He credited Fierke and the city staff for a "very good presentation" during a workshop that preceded Monday's council meeting.
The plan calls for the city to focus on four major elements and includes a few actions to address each of those elements.
Here is a summary of those major elements and their associated action steps.
1. Building a vibrant community
• Building demolitions, starting with 25 residential properties and a building in the 1500 block of First Avenue South that has dropped some bricks.
• Housing rehabilitation.
• Riverfront improvements.
• Supporting agencies that address homelessness and mental health issues.
• Installing more public safety cameras.
2. Downtown
• Build a new law enforcement center.
• Assess downtown buildings.
• Coordinate infrastructure improvement projects.
• Bring more people downtown.
3. Resilient city government
• Address revenue limits created by property tax reforms.
• Explore solar panels on city property.
• Evaluate sports tourism funding.
4. United community
• Join the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance in a community branding initiative.
• Create a citizens academy to show how city government agencies do their jobs.
Councilman Kim Alstott was absent from the otherwise unanimous vote to approve the plan.