Second visioning phase to begin

Published 5:00 pm Thursday, September 19, 2002

Warrenton switches from philosophy to practicalityWARRENTON – Phase 2 of the Warrenton visioning process kicks off Tuesday, with 25 community leaders hoping to begin coming up with concrete plans for local improvements.

Mayor Jeff Hazen and City Commission colleagues will be leading the open forum, in which a who’s who of local stakeholders will begin to mold “mountains of feedback” into tangible projects.

“The task force will work to refine the data collected during the first phase of the Visioning/Strategic Plan and define specific implementation projects,” City Manager Scott Derickson said.

“The task force’s final product will be a Visioning Strategic Plan that will be incorporated into the city’s future decision and planning documents.”

Commissioner Lisa Lamping encouraged continued widespread community support in this endeavor. Paul Rodriguez has suggested a detailed look at the community’s economic infrastructure. This is Bill Harris’s first participation from his seat on the commission.

“I am very pleased with how the process has gone so far,” said Commissioner Lylla Gaebel. “I am most pleased with how Warrenton citizens invoked themselves in the process. I view the vision for Warrenton as a long-term process that needs to be regularly revisited to assure it is still an accurate reflection of the community’s needs and wishes.”

Tuesday’s session may include selecting a citizens’ oversight group to guide the progress of the visioning. Further town hall meetings may be held.

“The city has used grant funds to hire a project manager and facilitator from the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments to work with the task force over a six-to-eight-month period,” Derickson said. “Currently, it is anticipated that the task force will meet in Warrenton between one and two times per month for the next six to eight months.”

Tuesday’s meeting is 4 p.m. at Warrenton City Hall. For more details, call Derickson at 861-2233.