Priorities

Your Priorities Are My Priorities

1.     New and Improved Public Input Processes 

It’s time to replace ineffective and perfunctory public input processes with opportunities for meaningful civic engagement in the decision making process. Here’s how we can make it happen:

• • Create neighborhood advisory groups. Town council should authorize formation of neighborhood advisory groups to ensure that the perspective of all Timnath neighborhoods is understood and considered by town staff and councilmembers.

  • Update Timnath’s town charter. Unlike other municipalities, Timnath’s town charter has no requirementsfor public input, and that’s why we’re getting the bare minimum now. As a councilmember, I will push for charter amendments to require more opportunities for meaningful civic engagement.

  •  Improve use of technology to involve more people in civic affairs. One option is to conduct public surveys on the town’s website and to establish protocols for responsible use of the data collected. For example Polco provides tools and deep expertise to help orgainzations develop strong data driven decision making tools.

  •  Revise the neighborhood meeting process for new developments.  Town code requires developers to host “neighborhood meetings” as part of the development process. Currently, developers notify only property owners within 500 feet of the development and then provide a summary report to the town. Five hundred feet is clearly inadequate for developments that affect the entire community, and a summary report from the developer lacks objectivity. I will fight for broader, more effective outreach and participation and require objective feedback be collected by the town. 

2.    Thoughtful, Proactive Economic Development

Timnath is a desirable place to live and locate businesses, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t proactively attract the businesses we want and need. Here are my ideas:

• • Bridge the Divide. As a community volunteer, I have helped bridge the communication gap between the developers of Ladera, community activists, and town officials. As a councilmember I will continue this approach with Ladera and other developers because politicized rhetoric is unproductive.

  • Hire Timnath’s first full-time economic development director. Unlike other cities and towns, Timnath does not have an economic development director to plan, encourage, and support thoughtful economic development. As a councilmember, I will propose creating this position to attract and support the types of businesses (e.g., grocery stores, restaurants, entertainment venues, etc.) and cultural organizations and amenities that will meet the needs and desires of residents and distinguish Timnath from other communities.

  • Proactively support the economic and cultural revitalization of Timnath’s Old Town business district. Vibrant downtowns are essential for communities to thrive. Without more attention to Timnath’s historic town center, Timnath will be a collection of isolated neighborhoods with no unifying core. I will call for the creation of a citizen committee to help guide revitalization of Timnath’s unique downtown. 

  • Leverage Timnath’s new relationship with the Colorado Main Street program. As a result of efforts by Together for Timnath, a community organization focused on revitalizing Old Town, Timnath recently became an affiliate of the Colorado Main Street program. As a councilmember, I will make sure Timnath takes full advantage of the funding, technical assistance, and other opportunities offered through this state funded program.

  • Attract businesses that meet Objective 6.1.2 of the Comprehensive Plan. According to Timnath’s comprehensive plan, “Businesses should enrich the tax base, provide high-quality jobs, provide needed and unique services to residents and larger community, and create few off-site impacts.” I will encourage town staff to develop objective criteria by which prospective new businesses would be evaluated. Any incentives offered by the town to a new business should be based on objective criteria.

3.    Trust, Integrity, and Teamwork

It’s time to update the town’s business practices as one step toward rebuilding trust between Timnath residents and their government. I will push for the following changes: 

• • Require and enforce fair and competitive bidding on all contracts. I will take steps to clean up the town’s business practices by (1) requiring competitive bidding for products and services above $5000 with limited exceptions; (2) eliminating multi-year, no-bid, self-renewing contracts except for qualifying capital improvement projects and; (3) prohibiting contracts that grant privately owned businesses exclusive rights to provide services to the town. 

  • Encourage independent thought and discussions among and between council members and staff. The frequency of 5-0 votes coupled with a lack of initiatives sponsored by individual councilmembers or the town manager are evidence of an unhealthy government. I promise to think critically and lead with conviction, and I will encourage my fellow councilmembers and the town manager to do the same.

4.    Public Safety and Transportation

Public safety and traffic congestion are high priorities for Timnath residents, the town should be more proactive in addressing these issues. Here’s what I’ll do as your councilmember:

• • Support 24/7 Timnath police coverage. Timnath currently relies on Larimer County Sheriff’s Department for policing during overnight hours. I support the current plan to hire more police officers and staff so the Timnath Police Department can operate 24/7.

  • Commission more frequent and objective traffic analyses. Northern Colorado’s population is exploding, and we need better information to make sound transportation decisions. I will call for an updated analysis by an objective transportation engineering firm on key areas of concern (e.g., Harmony Road, County Road 5, Three Bell Parkway, River Pass Road, Main Street, and Timnath Parkway).

  •  Ensure Timnath Parkway, Main Street, and 4th Street improvements support the goals and objectives for downtown/Old Town as outlined in the comprehensive plan. I will call upon the town to commission an independent review of current plans in search of more favorable options.

  • Implement uniform traffic-calming solutions. To improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, I will urge the town to explore and implement traffic-calming solutions as recommended by traffic engineers.
    
    

5.    Recreation and Nature

Timnath residents are active people and love their parks and trails. I will continue to support recreation opportunities that are plentiful and well maintained.

• Explore feasibility of building and operating a town-owned recreation center. Our citizens and especially our young people need a local recreation center and associated programming to support healthy lifestyles. I will support exploration of financing mechanisms to build and operate a community recreations center.

• Continue to enhance Timnath’s trail and parks systems. I will explore options to develop additional trails, including those with access to the Cache La Poudre River, while respecting its important riparian habitat.

• Partner with local and regional organizations and landowners. I will explore partnerships with the Cache La Poudre National Heritage Area, Poudre River Trail Corridor, Inc., the Poudre Heritage Alliance Board, and local landowners to enhance access to and an understanding of the rich heritage and natural resources associated with the Poudre River within Timnath.

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