Relocating Issaquah’s skate park, deciding what to do with Klahanie and partnering to help Lake Sammamish State Park topped the list of projects city councilmembers hope to tackle next year.
Following a retreat earlier this month, the council ratified its 15 goals June 21.
What didn’t make the goal sheet stood out as much as what did. Last year, the group put heavy emphasis on getting the Together Center to open a human services campus in Issaquah. The campus would provide one cheap location for several nonprofits to locate.
The center still has $1 million city dollars at its disposal next year, if it can make the project work by June. However, it didn’t make the list of projects councilmembers wanted to focus on.
One goal that garnered unanimous support was partnering with State Parks to help its Lake Sammamish park. It was also a goal last year. The same day the group simultaneously approved a memorandum of understanding.
The MOU sets the groundwork for partnering with State Parks to raise money, community support and to consider transferring the land to the city, although that’s not necessarily the goal.
The city has long struggled with the location of its skate park, which attracts teen drug use. Council hopes to tear it down and build one in a more visible location.
Issaquah City Council goals for 2013
Top five budgetary goals:
Perform Klahanie annexation study by allocating funds in 2012, determining direction and taking council action by 2013.
Relocate Issaquah’s skate park
Hire a lobbyist in Olympia
Innovative partnership zone for business
Televise council budget meetings from council chambers
Second tier budgetary goals:
Develop plan to improve traffic intersections at Front and Gilman and Front and Sunset
Find funding for bus routes 200 and 928, modify or expand routes
Develop citywide bike and pedestrian plan
Become a Five-Star city
Fireworks in July 2013
Top five goals that don’t have a budget line:
Improve use of Lake Sammamish State Park
Regional center designation in 2013
Public lands inventory
Define a plan to enhance Rainier Trail
Put financial information in agenda bills
