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State of the City Address

CITY MANAGER VIRGINIA BARNEY

WELCOME
Good evening, everyone. Our State of the City event is an outstanding way to kick off the New Year. It gives us the opportunity as a community to celebrate our accomplishments, and prepare to embark on the coming year of activities with a shared understanding of what is in store for our City Council, City Staff, and our community partners.

This event also allows me, as your City Manager, to present the 2007 achievements of your elected leaders, our dedicated employees, and your community. It is a great honor to represent the hundreds of people involved every day with maintaining the high quality of life we are so fortunate to have in Upper Arlington.

We’ve chosen a theme for 2008 that will ensure the activities we undertake are directed toward continuing the successful delivery of programs and services we currently provide while building on our community’s desire for continuous improvement. This year’s theme is “Foundation to Future: Building Forward with Pride, Collaboration, and Innovation.”

This evening, I will share with you how that theme fits into our plans for this remarkable City we call “home.”

FOUNDATION TO FUTURE
A community as strong as ours does not need to reinvent itself. The foundation of Upper Arlington that was laid in 1918 remains intact. Our fellow citizens are very clear about their appreciation for our values, as well as their desire to ensure it remains as stable and livable as it is today. And while we can safely assume that our future will continue to be just as rosy, we also realize it takes planning and effort to make it so. With our responsive government, solid financial footing, and active citizenry, the pieces are in place. Let the work continue.

PRIDE
As I look out this evening at those who represent City leadership, I am overwhelmed by the quality of the people who serve this community. Our elected officials are some of the brightest, most dedicated people I know. They are engaged in their work, and care deeply about their fellow residents. Participating on City Council for four or eight years is a tremendous commitment that, in many respects, puts other parts of the council member’s life on hold.

Let me take this opportunity to express gratitude to our elected officials here tonight, starting with outgoing council member Tim Rankin. Thank you, Tim, for your eight years of service. Please join me in showing Mr. Rankin how much we appreciate his dedication.

I also want to thank Ed Seidel and Linda Mauger for their honorable leadership over the past two years as President and Vice President of Council.

To Erik Yasssenoff, welcome! We are looking forward to your involvement and will, I’m sure, benefit greatly from your fresh perspective.

And to Don Leach and Mary Ann Krauss: we welcome your leadership as our new President and Vice President of Council. And we appreciate the continuing efforts of Council members Frank Ciotola and Wade Steen.

During the opening session of the 2008 City Council, President Leach presented his vision for the year and shared his plan to focus on three Cs: Celebration, Communication, and Collaboration.

And I quote:

“Upper Arlington has always expected the best of itself. We have much to be proud of in our history, and much to celebrate as the City enters its 90th year.

“Our recently completed community survey tells us that residents are highly satisfied with the services and opportunities provided by the City.

“Because we have so much to celebrate, we can face upcoming challenges as a strong and proud community.”

COMMUNICATION
Don continued on to address his hopes for more effective communication among Council members, as well as between Council and its Boards and Commissions, Staff and the community in the coming months.

He rightly believes that keeping the communication channels open on all levels is what leads to understanding and agreement on the best way forward, and garner respect for differing opinions. So watch for enhanced efforts in the communication arena in the coming months, both internally and across the community.

Well said, Don. We look forward to your positive attitude and forward-thinking leadership. Thank you for setting the stage for 2008.

Over the decades, visionary leaders have helped mold Upper Arlington into the great community it is today. With Council members who believe in moving forward, we are able to grow and improve. But the success behind UA involves much more than what goes on in this room on Monday nights. While many decisions take shape here, the action often takes place beyond these walls.

Let me give you just a sample of the activities from 2007 that should make all of us proud:

The Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival, with hundreds of volunteers and thousands of visitors, is the City’s signature event. In 2007, we enjoyed glorious weather and record-breaking crowds. The artists who participated had glowing compliments for our volunteers, staff, and community.

Our performing arts program had a full schedule of free outdoor concerts throughout the warmer months, with a one hundred and two percent increase in attendance from the previous year. What a nice way to spend an evening together as a community.

For the second straight year, our Recreation Division saw an increase in revenue and program participation, demonstrating that we continue to offer programs our citizens are willing to support. In 2007, our Recreation Division experienced a thirteen percent increase in participation fees while expenditures were held to a four percent increase. The scrupulous planning and cost-conscious mindset of our Staff is a great source of pride for me.

Our public safety forces play a major role in making Upper Arlington such a livable community. Protecting residents and helping them in their time of need is the most basic, yet significant service we offer. When our safety personnel improve their own skills and abilities, we all benefit. This year, our firefighters committed to healthier lifestyles by taking part in a wellness program by Mount Carmel Occupational Health. They succeeded in their endeavor, increasing their strength and flexibility, department-wide, at a level higher than any other fire department taking part in the same program.

Our Police Division, as it celebrated its 80th anniversary, made headlines by managing a record-low crime rate, then identifying a major drug supply ring and seeking federal involvement in the arrest and prosecution of those criminals.

Especially exciting this year for our older adults was the grand opening of Studio 55 at the Arlington Fitness Studio, marking the beginning of another successful venture for the Senior Center. The conversion of offices allowed the fitness space to double in size, with the addition of new state-of-the-art equipment. More than 300 guests attended the grand opening, and participation has grown significantly since that time. This project was supported greatly by the Senior Advisory Council, who purchased the new equipment.

We have a number of essential departments and employees who don’t make headlines but contribute greatly to our quality of life. The professionals in our Electrical Division, for example, maintain fifty-two traffic signals, almost fourteen-hundred streetlights, fourteen School flashers, and two hazardous intersection flashers. In 2007, the division took it upon itself to save energy and taxpayer dollars by replacing eleven-hundred incandescent lamps with LED lighting. The fact that every level of our Staff is cost-conscious demonstrates the deep commitment of those who serve our residents every day of the week.

We also can take pride in how wonderful our City looks. Thanks to a generous donation from Wal-Mart, our Parks & Forestry Division completed a new City gateway feature at Reed & Henderson roads. The division also renovated the gateway at the north end of Kenny Road, expanded the gateway at the intersection of Fishinger Road and Riverside Drive, and created bright spots with an annual garden near Tremont and Canterbury roads and a botanical Rangoli garden at Northam Park.

Drive through any of our lovely neighborhoods and you will agree that residents care just as deeply about maintenance when it comes to keeping our housing stock in prime condition.

In 2007, the Development Department approved building permits for twenty-three new homes, one-hundred-fifty-five additions, and one-hundred-seventeen renovations.

Local businesses participated, too, with nine permits for new construction and fifty-three for additions and renovations.

The total value of this reinvestment combined was more than sixty-one-million dollars, an incredible figure when you think about the size of the community AND the fact that these levels have been consistently high for several years now.

While I may sound like a proud boss — which I am — I am not the only one who recognizes the success of our efforts. The number of accolades our City received in 2007 shows that the work we do is worthy of applause from our professional peers as well.

Some highlights include:

• Our Police Division was reaccredited by CALEA for the fifth consecutive time.
• We received a 3CMA Silver Circle Award for our Parks & Recreation Strategic Plan and process.
• The Ohio Parks and Recreation Association gave us a Meritorious Award for the Studio 55 Grand Opening, and an Honorable Mention for “Earthwork: Emerging Rangoli” landscape design at the Tremont Library.
• Awards from the Government Finance Officers Association for the Finance Division’s comprehensive and abridged annual reports to the community, and for its budget document.
• By the way, we are among only 48 governmental agencies — of more than 88,000 across the nation — to have received all of GFOA’s major awards in a single year, which speaks to the City’s commitment to fiscal prudence and accountability.
• We also received the Auditor of State Awards for both the 2005 and 2006 audits.
• AND... our UA Parks & Recreation services earned a silver award for being a “Healthy Ohioan” community.

Please join me in showing appreciation to all staff members involved in these noteworthy achievements.

As a City, in partnership with the Historical Society, we also recognized a leader from within our community through the Wall of Honor program. The 2007 inductee was John Galbreath, a successful real estate developer and noted philanthropist. A plaque honoring Mr. Galbreath was installed on the Wall of Honor that leads to the front doors of our Municipal Services Center.

For those of us on Staff, 2007 was the first full year of implementation for our new set of organizational values that inspire us, encourage us, and remind us of the things we hold dear.

The values we outlined as a team have helped us recruit, hire, evaluate, and retain our staff based on their level of commitment to teamwork, integrity, service, leadership, communication, growth, and fun, which allows us to stay energized and able to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come our way.

While hard work and strong sense of pride among residents, staff, and elected City leaders will take us far we also place a high value on involvement with organizations outside our purview. In 2008, we vow to continue collaborating with others who have a stake in the welfare of our great City by finding news ways to share ideas and resources.

COLLABORATION
Because our City shares roughly the same boundaries as the Schools and the Library system, we are able to develop cohesive planning efforts. Very few communities have an opportunity to work this closely with other stakeholders. At last year’s State of the City event, the theme of “Partnership” helped us focus on new collaborative efforts that reaped significant rewards.

For example, the award-winning Strategic Plan for Parks & Recreation involved input from many citizens and several outside organizations. It was adopted by Council in 2007, after a year of research and community outreach, and now serves as the guiding document for taking our community parks, facilities and programming to a new level.

The new Burbank Park — a partnership between the Schools and the City — celebrated its grand opening in the fall. This new park offers a shelter, restrooms, parking, and sports fields. In 2008, plans for a revitalized Northam Park will be addressed by a coalition from St. Agatha, Upper Arlington Schools, the City, and the Library.

In September, the first Volunteer UA Expo was held with great success, beginning a collaborative effort to raise awareness of the many volunteer opportunities available in the community and TriVillage area. This effort was made possible by a partnership between the Commission on Aging, the Library, Northwest Counseling, TriVillage Mentor League, and the City, and the lead group is already working diligently on expanding the program in 2008.

Upper Arlington Schools and Wellington School are participating in our City’s paper and cardboard recycling program, saving precious resources and educating our young people along the way.

Our Police and Fire divisions shared resources when they participated in a countywide emergency training exercise. Both the City and the Schools staged complex emergency training situations that helped our professionals practice their respective response plans.

Neither of our safety divisions works in a vacuum, as these professionals are active on many regional committees and task forces, helping them to ensure the best protection of our residents, to stay abreast of new technology, and to plan ways to share costs across community boundaries for expensive emergency equipment and services.

Our Arts in Community Education program continues to place artists in our Schools to provide creative programming for students to encourage an appreciation for the arts. In 2007, funding from our program, along with two thousand dollars from the Upper Arlington School Board, supported a variety of visual and performing arts programs in the Schools. This included mural painting at the High School, drumming performances at Jones Middle School, dancers at St. Agatha, and more.

Each year the Parks & Forestry Division plants street trees with the help of sixth grade students. Last spring, students from Jones Middle School planted 21 trees on Waltham Road. In the fall, students from Hastings added 29 new trees to McCoy Road. Sixth graders have been planting trees every year since 1990, resulting in acres of shade being added to the community.

A significant contribution to our collaboration efforts comes from the more than 100 residents who freely give their time throughout the year to serve on our Boards and Commissions. With their energy, expertise, innovative ideas, and hard work, our City is stronger for their involvement, and we, as Staff, are thus in tune with and guided by the community’s wishes.

The primary partners we identified in the 2007 State of the City address — the School District, Library system, and Chamber of Commerce — all had banner years.

In November, the Upper Arlington Schools celebrated the passage of a six-point-two-mill levy that will supplement operating expenses, as well as provide dedicated funds for maintaining and upgrading our School buildings, which, by the way, average 54 years in age.

Now the Schools can move forward with confidence, reinvesting in its physical inventory and fulfilling its pledge of providing an excellent education, academic and cultural experience for its students.

Our Schools also earned the Ohio Department of Education’s highest ranking on the State Report Card for the seventh consecutive year. I would like the District leaders who are with us tonight to please stand. Please join me in showing our appreciation for their work.

The Library is another important partner for the City. In 2007, it celebrated its 40th anniversary as an independent system, successfully renovated and expanded its Miller Park branch, with record-breaking circulation statistics, following its reopening.

The Library’s two-mill replacement levy was passed by 72 percent of the voters. These funds will allow the Library to conduct a space usage study on the main branch, increase materials, and maintain the hours of operation, which are longer than any other Central Ohio library system.

Let’s show our appreciation for this wonderful service by recognizing the leaders who are here tonight. Will you please stand?

Working on behalf of our businesses is the Upper Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Over the past several years, they have become a valuable resource for our City leaders when we need input on various issues relating to attracting and retaining businesses.

In 2007, the Chamber celebrated 30 years of service to the business community, creating its first three-year Strategic Plan to help its Staff and Board Members focus on its mission for serving and advancing businesses in UA.

Looking ahead, the Chamber is excitedly anticipating its fifteenth-annual Taste of UA, which over the years has grown to become one of our community’s favorite community events. And while the Board is sorry to see its current President, Brenda Schwandt leave the organization, we believe a new leader has been identified, who will take over the reins this spring.

Join me in showing our appreciation for the leaders of the Upper Arlington Chamber of Commerce who are with us this evening. Will you please stand?

By working alongside these great partners and collaborating with them on programs and services that benefit residents and corporate citizens, we are a stronger community. Together, we have been more efficient, resourceful, and innovative — and this fine community deserves nothing less.

INNOVATION
Today, more than ever, we must encourage visionary leadership and understand that innovation is both necessary and desired by our residents. So many Central Ohio communities have reached their stride, and the Columbus metropolitan area is richer for it. But we can't rest on our laurels.

Certainly, we must remain true to the values that represent Upper Arlington’s foundation, but we also must keep our City fresh and vibrant to keep it attractive for singles, young families, empty nesters, and senior citizens alike.

To that end, we’re proud that so many exciting programs, initiatives and services are in the works or already bearing fruit. Let me tell you a little about the projects that will be front-and-center in 2008.

First, the Upper Arlington Foundation is poised to build on its success as the community’s primary philanthropic organization. The Foundation will be working to raise awareness so it can take fundraising to a new level. And, of course, increasing funds equals an increase in grant making to the benefit of many worthy community causes. Watch for news of the Foundation’s efforts in the coming months.

The Development Department continues to assist First Community Village on its extended redevelopment, moving the facility from a traditional care-based community to a lifestyle-focused neighborhood. Building inspections are taking place daily on the twenty-nine-acre campus. This fifty-five-million-dollar project is one of the largest construction projects in Upper Arlington history.

Our Parks & Recreation Department continues to show its ingenuity with a number of new programs and service extensions. Staff has breathed new life into events at the three pools by adding teen nights, aqua aerobics, and extended seasons, while operating aquatics as a self-sustaining entity.

The department also made multiple improvements to the well-loved Old Timers' Field at Reed Road Park, adding new bleachers, dugouts and benches.

More park upgrades are planned for 2008, including shelter renovation and construction of a new basketball court at Thompson Park. In addition, work will begin on the much-awaited Sunny 95 Park improvements, which marks the first time in many years the City has been able to plan facilities and program for newly acquired parkland.

All City offices will begin working closely on the Central Ohio Green Pact and Cool UA to assess our efficiencies and plan ways to save energy — and tax dollars. At the same time, we will be educating our citizens on ways they can make a difference and assisting them when we can.

Still in its early planning stages, I’m excited to announce that Upper Arlington will be the first Central Ohio community to take stock of its carbon footprint, and hopefully to take steps to reduce it over time, in a partnership effort with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission.

While change of any kind can be challenging, we thank our City leaders for always exploring its options for effectively providing City services. An example is Council’s recent approach to rethinking our Solid Waste system. When privatization takes effect in April, we will see a system that combines resident options with cost-saving measures and incentives to recycle.

My thanks to the representatives of Inland Service Corporation for joining us tonight. A team of Staff has been working diligently on preparing for the transition. During this process, the professionalism and responsiveness of Inland has been impressive, speaking to fulfilling our high expectation for continued excellent service come April.

We hope to have a new way forward to finding the solution for historic preservation in our Historic District. City Council is in the beginning stages of forming a Historic Preservation Task Force to tackle the issue over a period of approximately three months. It is hoped the group’s research of best practices by other communities, its outreach to and communication with residents on both sides of the issue, combined with help from an expert in this issue, will garner a way forward that makes sense for Upper Arlington. Watch for details on this effort as it moves forward.

Economic development continues to have a high profile in our community, and our innovative approaches to attracting business are paying off. Since its inception in 1999, our economic development program has helped guarantee approximately sixteen-point-five-million-dollars in net proceeds to the City, allowing us to continue providing services and improve infrastructure.

In 2007 alone, one-point-four million dollars of our income tax revenue was guaranteed through economic development agreements. As a matter of fact, the City’s return from direct investments in economic development is five-point-six-to-one. Clearly, these programs are putting our money to work today to benefit the entire community over the long run.

As the year progresses, we are looking forward to continue working closely with Regency Centers to find an innovative and workable solution for Kingsdale.

But while Kingsdale continues to make headlines, there are many other positive changes taking place within our borders.

For example, several local developers believe in our community enough to invest in the section of Tremont Road overlooking Kingsdale, constructing new types of housing options, retail and businesses that give our residents exciting choices and help shore up revenues for both the City and the Schools.

In a similar vein, the construction of condominiums at Cambridge and Riverside is in its beginning stages, promising to provide a nice transition into our community’s historic district.

New stores, restaurants and office users have settled into Arlington Pointe Plaza at the corner of Reed and Henderson, giving us another fine gateway project. On the west end of Henderson, the office condominiums at Arlington Falls continue to prove their appeal for smaller businesses looking for location and image, with the fourth building under construction, and the first three buildings fully occupied.

And there is more: The Central Ohio Medical Group facility adjacent to Arlington Falls is nearing completion. We also welcome Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust, the new owners of the Shops at Lane Avenue, and look forward to working with them on exciting improvements to assure this vibrant center remains successful for many decades.

We are planning to make progress on a number of other development projects throughout the year, such as a new look for the City gateway at Lane Avenue and North Star. Ground will be broken on a new, larger fire station on Reed Road that will better accommodate the division’s equipment, consolidate some services and of course give the site a significant facelift.

CLOSE
As I look forward to 2008, it is easy to be optimistic. So many opportunities are before us for strengthening our City — which by no means has reached its peak. Upper Arlington is fortunate to have a City Council that listens to residents, cares for its employees, strives to work together, and values the task of planning for the future, not just solving today’s issues.

And we are equally fortunate to have citizens who care enough to volunteer their time, voice their opinions, and stay involved in so many ways.

In 2007, our residents showed they are committed to a strong UA by giving their overwhelming support at the polls to our Schools, Library, and safety services. We must reaffirm their trust by continuing to be good stewards of our community’s resources. In 2008, let's all commit to City Council that we will join them to Celebrate, Communicate, and Collaborate.

Thank you.