Members of the economic development advisory committee must be residents, said Krause and Vice Mayor Gabino Aguirre said the vision is for Santa Paulans.Mayor John Procter said the issue perhaps could be addressed per candidate and Krause said she would likely vote against non-residents.“Probably about 40 percent of Main Street doesn’t live in Santa Paula,” said Cook. “The biggest tax base in town does not live in Santa Paula. . .our town is unique.”Arroyo said Fillmore staff and volunteers had overseen the city visioning process although it was “very time-consuming, a joint process with the school district,” that included regular public updating.Ventura spent about $250,000 on the process, she noted.“In my opinion Ventura’s was more directed to land use and Fillmore’s was more cultural,” but either way a community has proven value, she added.“We need to stress that this a community project,” said Krause.Procter noted that Ventura had a “very impressive process, very expensive,” although he is unsure how effective the process was in addressing “real needs” and defining priorities.
On a clear day you can see SP: Council updated on visioning process
May 07, 2003
Santa Paula News
Fifteen community members will be tapped on the volunteer shoulder for the Community Visioning Project/Citizen Steering Committee, the council decided at the April 21st meeting.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesFifteen community members will be tapped on the volunteer shoulder for the Community Visioning Project/Citizen Steering Committee, the council decided at the April 21st meeting.Assistant Planner Anna Arroyo said staff is moving forward with implementation of what is a council goal and is now ready to solicit steering committee members.Eight members-at-large would serve with seven others representing specific interests, environmental, education, senior citizens, housing advocates, a Latino organization, agricultural industry and a local business owner.A project consultant will oversee the visioning process, Arroyo noted, in an effort similar to Fillmore and Ventura.“There are two groups not represented,” health care and the arts, said Councilwoman Mary Ann Krause. “I believe they are equally important,” for representation.Councilman Rick Cook said representatives could have various interests that could serve double-duty on the committee and cautioned that creating a too-large committee could “dilute it. . .”Krause said the application specifies representatives must be Santa Paula residents or the owner of an area business: “I think it should be a resident [who own a local business] since this is a vision specific to the city.”“I think a business owner should have a say in what his vision is,” said Cook who cited examples of highly active business owners who live outside the city.
