Agendas

The Honorable Mayor Justin M. Taylor

Second Term Administrative Agenda (2008-2011)

As Mayor Justin Taylor begins his second term at the helm of the City of Carbondale, he is unveiling the strategy that will propel this administration through the next four years. This comprehensive strategy is designed to enhance the local and regional economy and focus resources into targeted initiatives to Continue the Progress and improve the quality of life in the Pioneer City.
The Mayor's strategy is designed to change behaviors and mindsets of both residents and businesses – both in the City of Carbondale and on a regional basis. Changing the way we live and altering our habits and our attitude, will allow us to better compete on a regional, statewide, and national basis. More specifically, by investing resources to create a highly-trained workforce, a strong self-sustaining economy, and an impeccable quality of life, Carbondale will set itself aside from other communities of similar size and character. Over the next few weeks, Mayor Taylor will unveil new policies adopted by his administration in the following areas:

  • Community and Economic Development

  • Environment / Waste Management

  • Education / Workforce Development

  • Infrastructure Upgrades and Re-Investment Associated with this new Second Term plan, residents and business owners can expect to see a number of targeted and measurable goals, along with sweeping policy changes and specific programmatic initiatives - all of which were developed to address the many needs that face our community both today, and in the future.

    As we all know, policy changes must be all encompassing. They also require time, dedication, and the faith of the citizenry. In the end, Carbondale will become a dominant force in Northeastern PA because of these changes and our investments.
    The components of this new, long-term Administrative agenda underwent a detailed planning process over the course of the past six (6) months. Some will take weeks to begin, while others won't fully be realized for years. However, all are designed to ensure the City of Carbondale continues making progress and continues to grow and prosper - both economically, and in its ability to provide a sound quality of life for this generation, and those to come.
    Community and Economic Development: Community Development:
    Directing resources into targeted community and economic development strategies is a key tool and investment that will generate a return in a City looking to enhance quality of life and promote a self-sustaining economy. Over the past 4 years, the City of Carbondale has changed the way they do business. And now, we're changing our goals and objectives again because of countless, recent successes and those set to begin this year - like Pioneer Plaza and the Greater Carbondale YMCA.
    Over the next four years the City will work to solidify the sanctity of our neighborhoods and enhance our overall "curb appeal." We will be relentless when it comes to blight removal and efficient code enforcement. Parks and open space will become the foremost priority in the battle to increase property values - even more than the astounding 13% jump that we saw in 2007! And finally, to protect these investments, we will boost public safety operations including police and fire protection to make sure that our residents and visitors feel safe and are sound when going about their normal business. Some specific initiatives that my Administration will be undertaking in this area include:

  • Exploring the feasibility of connecting the existing D&H Rail Trail in Forest City and the new Heritage Trail in Carbondale Township near Exit 6 of the Casey Highway.

  • Reducing blighted properties by 15% in 4 years.

  • Reducing the number of multi-family dwelling by 5% in 4 years.

  • Begin enforcing new and existing ordinances or codes relative to multi-family housing and absentee landlords. (Already underway.)

  • Encourage the creation of new neighborhood associations that contribute to the pride of our historic sections of town. (Washington St. & Belmont St.)

  • Ensure the preservation of structures in the City of Carbondal's Nationally Registered Historic District.

  • Invest in the parks and recreation systems, and explore the creation of two (2) NEW City parks by 2011.

  • Enhance public safety through accountability and performance assessments in the Police Department – specifically, based upon the police accreditation process and suggestions.

  • Ensure adequate public safety through the Fire Department - specifically, upgrading equipment, expanding fire prevention efforts, and increasing volunteer retention & recruitment.

  • Explore the sharing of municipal services with surrounding communities.

  • Ensuring that the Carbondale Redevelopment Authority, Carbondale Authority, and Shade Tree Commission are provided with necessary tools and financing to reduce blight, promote smart growth, and preserve the quality of life.

    Economic Development: Enhancing the economy and expanding our tax base into one that is self-sustaining, is an obstacle even in the best economic conditions. Attempting the same in the current economic environment is a daunting task. However, this is a task that the City of Carbondale Administration is embracing. The overall economy of our community is one that is vital to both the quality life and a strong tax base. Some key new initiatives that we will undertake in these next four years include:

  • Promote the City's "Main Street" corridor as a "Life Style Center."

  • Work to preserve original fabric buildings and encourage smart growth/redevelopment projects.

  • Fast track development of specific vacant or underutilized properties - specifically those located along or adjacent to the Main Street corridor, such as the former "Hotel American," the "Park Place" site, and the former "Sacred Heart" property.

  • Expand the cultural amenities within the City of Carbondale to further develop the area as a regional hub and a destination by specifically focusing on the Anthracite Historic Discovery Center by the end of 2010.

  • Reduce the number of vacant store fronts by 30% in one year.

  • Increase the number of retail establishment within the City by five (5) in 2 years.

Environment: It is the belief of my Administration that we, as citizens in Northeastern PA, have been entrusted to protect and preserve our most prized possession - the Environment and its natural beauty. Preserving natural resources and safe-guarding again pollution are not easy tasks. These undertakings require individual dedication and a total change of mindsets. As residents and businesses owners in the City of Carbondale, we must change our ways and embark on a course of action. The goals of this initiative are very simple: Reduce, Re-Use, and Recycle! By reducing the amount of solid waste generated in the City each week, re-using certain materials either in their same use category or in a totally difference venue, and by recycling everyday items such as newspaper, office paper, glass, plastic metal, and cardboard, we can begin to lessen the negative impact our behavior has on the environment. To be more specific, the following goals and programs are in the development stages to address environmental issues in the City of Carbondale over the next 4 years:

  • Reduce the amount of solid waste produced by residents and businesses in the City Carbondale by 15% by 2011.

  • Reduce the amount of Pennsylvania "Act II" contaminated properties by 50% by 2011.

  • Eliminate the use of non bio-degradable products at all events held on City of Carbondale property by 2009 unless coordinated Recycling is underway.

  • Sponsoring of a semi-annual large item recycling event - beginning in 2008 for items such as electronics, appliances, mattresses, furniture, children's toys, tires, yard waste and large trees.

  • Begin collecting large items curb-side on a quarterly basis by the year 2010.

  • Enforce fines for business that do not recycle as per the City of Carbondale Recycling ordinance. (This is commencing in 2008.)

  • Begin quarterly curb-side pick up of cardboard by 2009, and monthly curb-side pickup of cardboard in 2010.

  • Utilize recycled plastic containers to collection of recycled items in businesses and public events.

  • Explore the feasibility of acquiring hybrid police vehicles and bio-diesel DPW trucks by 2011.

  • Effectively maintain existing trees and plant 100 new trees throughout the City by 2010.

  • Effective promotion and utilization of natural resources that exist within the City of Carbondale, including the Lackawanna River and open green space.

Education: In the realm of education, Mayor Justin Taylor is embarking on a path that has not often been explored by City government. Through the notion of the "Greater Carbondale Academic Institute," the City of Carbondale Administration is committed to investing resources into area such as K-12, traditional post secondary, and non-traditional educational programs - all designed to expand the capability of our talented workforce that has contributed to this great City's economy. The "Greater Carbondale Academic Institute" could be implemented as early as 2009/2010 academic year.
The goals of the Greater Carbondale Academic Institute are to:

  • Develop a high-tech educational campus setting for a consortium of higher educational providers - here in downtown Carbondale & Northern Lackawanna County.

  • Increase educational opportunities and access to higher education for individuals living in Northern Lackawanna, Wayne, and Susquehanna Counties.

  • Recruit discipline-specific programs to the Greater Carbondale Academic Institute. (I.E. - Keystone College's Hotel Restaurant Management Program - Second 2 Years = Externship in Pioneer Plaza, Carbondale.)

  • Direct and assist the local workforce into training for existing employment opportunities available within the region.

  • Engage local employers to invest in their current workforce in efforts to expand their skills and abilities. Thus allowing employers to better compete in the global economy.

  • Engage K-12 educational providers to cultivate students to attain necessary training and education to become viable participants in the local economy, via the use of some specific initiatives like Career Ladders.

Infrastructure: Our roads, bridges, and sidewalks are the paths that allow us to travel through life on a daily basis. There strength is dependent upon our investment into their effective maintenance and replacement. The City of Carbondale is beginning to invest in our infrastructure to enhance our overall community and economy. To that end, the City has developed the following goals and projects in regards to the municipal infrastructure for the period of 2008-2011:

  • Commence a city wide paving project of 30 - 40 streets throughout the City of Carbondale.

  • Rehabilitation of the 6th, 7th and 8th Avenue bridges - to include new sidewalks and lighting.

  • New sidewalks, lighting along the City's entire Main Street Corridor.

  • New Sidewalks and lighting along the Avenues adjacent to the Main Street Corridor.

  • New Sidewalks along Church Street Corridor.

  • Continued maintenance and enhancement of the City's sanitary and storm sewer system.

  • Increased maintenance and expansion of our parks and recreation system.