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<br />4~ <br /> <br />TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1986 <br /> <br />c. Look at outside contracting--garbage, public works (roads), etc. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />d. Work with local industries to push sales of their products. <br /> <br />e. Place more emphasis on small companies--larger companies losing <br />jobs. <br /> <br />f. Work closely with Press to sell Martinsville. <br /> <br />g. Work with private developers on affordable housing. Consider a <br />Major Task Force on Housing. <br /> <br />,- <br /> <br />2. Computers for Small Cities - LINUS is a new electronic network for <br />local governments that can be used to see how other cities are <br />handling problems. It would cost us $950 per year. I will discuss <br />with City Manager George Brown. <br /> <br />3. Shaping Your City's Future - The key here is strategic planning. <br />Develop a five-year plan and update yearly. Develop cost for <br />capital improvement program. It was suggested and I recommend that <br />we have a "Planning Retreat" where Council and Staff members layout <br />their vision of what is needed for Martinsville. This would be an <br />all-day meeting with no rank. Need to set goals, priorities, and <br />lay ground work for our future. <br /> <br />4. Managing Cities Smarter - (See attached handout). <br /> <br />5. Housing - I have given Mr. Brown several handouts. Housing is the <br />key to growth. <br /> <br />6. Insurance - The key is to focus on preventive safety--Reduce and <br />know what your losses are. Establish a risk management team. It <br />appears to me this is the direction we are heading. It was pointed <br />out that you can't afford to be risk free. <br /> <br />,- <br /> <br />7. Capitalizing on Your City's Assets - Sell your City--your community <br />image is important. Work together as a Council, as a Council and <br />Administration, and as a City and County. Promote downtown. Work <br />for your City to be more efficient like the private sector. <br /> <br />8. Education for Your City's Future - How do you keep young people in <br />your city? Prepare them for jobs that are in the area. <br /> <br />Summary <br /> <br />I am pleased to say that I think the City of Martinsville is doing a lot of <br />the things that I learned from other city officials. However, I feel that <br />some of the ideas that I have discussed can help us plan and do a better job <br />for the City in the future. <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />I will be glad to discuss this report with you in more detail if you so <br />desire. I think together we can and will do great things for our citizens. <br /> <br />I also suggest that we consider joining the National League of Cities as a <br />Full Member. It would cost $741 per year. <br /> <br />Thanks for the opportunity to attend. <br />