HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/20/2005 Blue Sheet Retreat Issues Update
TOWN COUNCIL
MEETING
INFORMATION
TOWN OF MARANA
MEETING DATE: December 20,2005
AGENDA ITEM: K. 1
TO: MAYOR AND COUNCIL
FROM: Gilbert Davidson, Assistant Town Manager
AGENDA TITLE: Discussion: Retreat issues update
DISCUSSION
Upon conclusion of the Council/Commission/staff retreat held October 7, 8 and 9, 2005, the
Council directed staff to organize an action plan encompassing the four strategic areas of water,
economic development, affordable housing/living and imagelbranding. Since that time, staff has
been reviewing individual components of the retreat agenda.
For each focus session of the retreat, participants proposed recommendations and gave
comments which were collected and then ranked. The ranked comments were organized into
specific functional groupings and tasks. Individual staff members responsible for the focus area
tasks will be presenting findings and asking for approval and further direction.
Water:
There are a number of measures already being taken to address Marana's long-term water
requirements. The retreat highlighted elements of a comprehensive plan that need to be
developed and adopted by the Council. The primary recommendations/comments were:
Conservation efforts
CAP
Collection and detention of natural water run-off
Effluent reuse
Economic Development:
The sustainability and quality of life throughout Marana rests with the development and creation
of businesses that generate tax dollars and provide for livable wages. The Town has an
opportunity to encourage business development and identify areas where business and industry
can succeed. The discussion at the retreat identified the importance of a strong economic
development plan and one that ties together the Town's goals, vision and culture. The primary
recommendations/comments were:
Asset inventory (land, buildings)
TREO
Economic development tools/incentives
Zoning/other types of business-friendly regulations
Affordable Housin2lLivin2:
The Town must carefully strive to balance the needs of all socio-economic backgrounds by
implementing or employing tools/resources to achieve particular goals as set by the Council.
The retreat issue links directly to economic development and directly to imagelbranding. As
Marana grows and attracts more residents and higher-income producing businesses, the market
may not address the needs of those earning a lower income. Marana has an opportunity to design
and implement codes, ordinances and incentives to achieve Council's goals. The primary
recommendations/comments were:
Market incentives
Government-sponsored incentives
Densi ty
Ima2e/Brandin2:
It is extremely important to understand the linkages between Marana's image based upon current
realities. There are a number of critical issues that need to be addressed prior to launching a full
advertising/branding campaign. If people perceive the marketing campaign merely as "show,"
the branding investment will not achieve its fully-intended effect.
An imagelbranding process would be most effective using a short-term plan and a long-term
plan. The short-term plan would be activated over the next two years, prior to advertising
Marana as a resort/national event destination, and could include Council-approved beautification
efforts, assistance to businesses, education and code enforcement. The long-term plan (current
and beyond) embraces the full marketing/advertising campaign focusing on residential, business
recruitment/retention, employment, and resort and recreation opportunities.
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The primary recommendations/comments were:
Quality living
Diverse, collaborative business opportunities
Marana as progressive, visionary and balanced
Retain strong element of heritage (environment, agriculture, ranching)
RECOMMENDATION
N one required.
SUGGESTED MOTION
None required.
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