What should Mayor Williams do first?

[jay]

This old topic is worth reviewing.  Some great suggestions were given at the time of the original post. 

What advice would you give the mayor now that he is at the beginning of his third year in office?

[AllanY2525]

I would like to see the city speed up the demolition of vacant and delapidated
housing units, more re-paving of torn up streets and replacement of sidewalks,
curbs and driveway aprons on the North Side of town.

With the construction of new homes on the former Westlake Terrace Projects
plats and various other locations on the North Side, this would do a lot to
remove blight and make the neighborhoods a more desirable place to live.

Also, the playground equipment that was torn out from Wick Park needs to
be replaced - right now the corner of the park located at Elm Street and
Park Avenue has a big hole in the ground.

[jay]

We may get some answers to this question on the WFMJ news tonight, Tuesday, November 22.   The station will air an extensive interview with mayor-elect Jay Williams.

[MOLOCH]

NO MATTER WHAT HE DECIDES TO DO FIRST -

SOME WILL AGREE WITH HIS CHOICE AND SOME WILL NOT.

I WILL BE INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT HE DOES AND IN WHAT ORDER HE DOES IT-  AND WHO IT BENEFITS

[Janko]

I am suggesting for Mayor Williams to create two positions, each position having the potential to pay for themselves.  

Director of Sustainable Development - This person would be responsible for researching alternative choices to be made when procuring future equipment for the city in terms of energy consumption.  Additionally, performing an energy audit on various city services may allow areas to be found in which other cost-saving (and secondly pollution-saving) technologies can be incorporated into the operation of the city.  This position can also work with private companies in the city to find cost-effective ways to reduce their energy costs. Perhaps in a year, the city can possibly save more money with this position than the cost of the salary of the position.

Director of Community and Neighborhood Grants - This person would be responsible for various grant writing for the city and grant assisting for the city's neighborhood groups.  Lots of money from charitable foundations can be researched and sought after by the person with this position.  Perhaps in a year, the city can possibly generate more grant money than the cost of the salary of the position.

These positions should report directly to the mayor, and if they are not found to be financially wise in terms of cost and benefits, then they should be eliminated after a two year trial basis.

janko  

[Janko]

One of the things I would suggest the mayor to accomplish within his first year is a redesign of the website for the city of Youngstown.

An internet website is an good example of how Youngstown can portray itself to the world and to its own citizens.

The current website is extremely poor in both function and design when compared to websites of other cities, both small and large.  Something needs to be done to change this.

Ohio's Office of Development stresses some "one-stop shop" functionality, and the city's website should be the same.  The website should offer information about city services, a city directory, economic development, tourism, and links to neighborhood organizations - all in one place.

The website does not need to be designed so that it needs daily updates, but it does need to look modern and have pertinent information.  Perhaps contracting the web site operation out to a private individual or perhaps a partnership with the univeristy or a marketing firm should be in order.

janko 

[Janko]

I would also suggest to alter the zoning in the area near central square that will allow businesses to serve food and drinks to outdoor tables on the concrete area ouside of the adjacent buildings.  There are a number of vacant storefronts (including the recently utilized Hagan headquarters) that restaurants can either expand into or build into which will allow easy access to the area.

If a number of establishments do this, then the central square can be filled with outdoor seating, all offering a unique perspective to this part of the city, possibly adding to the streetlife after 5pm downtown.  This concept will possibly create a cluster of cafes/eateries that can become a unique destination spot AND will fill in some life into the space between the rapidly growing businesses on West Federal and the convocation center.

janko 

[Janko]

I think it would be interesting to create a separate fund for community projects that originates from the desires of the individual neighborhoods that are outlined in the Youngstown 2010 plan.  The catch would be that the only neighborhoods that are eligible to recieve money from this fund are the neighborhoods that have completed strategic plans for their own section of the city.  Allocating a small portion of the the budget for capital improvements using this method may have the following benefits:

1 - Incentives for individual neighborhoods to organize themselves and create a plan for their neighborhood.  Better organized neighborhoods with concrete steps to improve their area would have easier access to the funding.
2 - Allows residents and neighborhood leaders to create their own list of projects that they believe they need.  More of a bottom-up then a top-down approach.
3 - A small amount of competition between neighborhoods might encourage other areas of the city that have been less politically active to be more politically active, resulting in stronger neighborhoods.

Again, I'm not advocating all funds for capital projects be completed using this method, only a small percentage of the budget at first.  Perhaps we can create incentives to build stronger neighborhoods through this process.  Mayor Williams could try this for a four year period.  If it stinks, then get rid of it!  But it might be worth trying as an experiment.

janko

[jay]

Now would be a good time to offer advice to the new mayor.  List some projects, programs, or policies Mayor Williams should undertake early in his administration.