With Community Teams Consensus

DID YOU KNOW? The September Community Vision 2000 was an outstanding success, representing the best of our community in establishing its vision for the future! Although all ideas received some votes, we are working at implementing those receiving the highest totals at this time. We want you to know how the implementing teams are progressing. We also can give you a good idea of the areas where you can assist. With more volunteers involved, the process of implementing these goals will be accelerated. Implementing teams in each category are meeting regularly to make these ideas a reality and we could use your help. It costs nothing to join, and takes only your time and your desire to improve our community. The dates and times are routinely published in Little Argus section of the Carlsbad Current Argus.

The Voting Results
Vote Ranking / Current Status
1. Improve playgrounds / Parks & Rec Board is developing a master plan-requested $30,000 for funding the master plan; city has requested $50,000 for upgrading existing playground equipment; Project Playgound is awaiting FEMA recommendations of taking land for the playground out of existing floodplane
2. Build a waterpark / Implementing team has been kept apprised of the status of the plans proposed by the group of private investors who are looking at building a waterpark
3. Build a skateboard park / Skate/Hockey Complex proposal, unanimously approved by the city council to locate at Riverwalk Recreational Center, with additional support of county commission & Parks & Rec Board. This proposal has been presented to the legislature for funding in the future.
4. Offer affordable four-year
degree programs / Coordinating with NMSU, College of SW, Carlsbad Public Schools and local employers, the Education team is researching alternatives including distance learning
5. Develop, implement, & fund a
street repair plan / The Infrastructure Implementing Team discovered that the city and county both have 5 year street repair plans, which are available for public review at City Municipal Building, County offices, & public library. The implementation of the plans is dependent upon continued funding
6. Bring in manufacturing/
industrial firms / Economic Development Implementing Team is establishing a sub-team to research and review the best way to obtain this goal. – needs volunteers
7. Construct & improve sports
facilities (softball, soccer,
tennis, golf, etc.) / CDOD has requested $100,000 from the state legislature for a feasibility study; Parks & Rec Board formed 2 subcommittees for needs assessment and siting issues.
8. Retain good doctors through
community support / Health Implementing Team has developed a survey for health providers directory to be published quarterly-starting Spring 2001; team is also working with sub-teams in economic development, have become involved with the expansion of the art center in the hopes that this will help retain, recruit spouses; hospital administration actively pursuing the recruitment of doctors based on the needs of the community
9. Re-activate amusement park
rides at beach / No action to date. Volunteers are needed.
10. Restore or remove unoccupied
buildings / Infrastructure team has reviewed ordinances in place which are available for public review at City Municipal Building & public library, city code enforcement & is prioritizing certain buildings that need attention.
11. 2000 jobs by 2010 / This goal is related to # 6 which is a a sub-team of Economic Development – needs volunteers
12. Increase pay for teachers / Education Implementing Team is developing ways for “in-kind” compensation
13. Build boot camp for juveniles / Service to Citizens Implementing Team is in the process of researching what the community meant by “boot camp” and has a survey circulating among social service providers
14. Create left turning lanes on
Canal Street / Infrastructure Implementing Team reports that the resurfacing and building of turning lanes on Canal are part of the plan by the State Highway department to be done 2005
15. Attract an Art & Crafts store / This is part of Economic Development which lead a group from the Carlsbad Art Association to become involved and expand the gallery into the Art Center which will include an expanded gallery, art courses for youth & adults, and an arts & crafts store
16. Support a river restaurant / No action to date
17. Advertise and use incentives
for regular city & county-wide
cleanup / Infrastructure is planning to organize a city-wide cleanup; a group called RiverBlitz has organized a river cleanup on March 3-contact Mark Maciha, 785-2232x372 or Randy Foster, 885-7783 for information; BLM is organizing a cleanup at Dark Canyon March 31 & April 1, volunteers welcome, contact Jim Goodbar for information – 234-5929
18. Remove gross-receipts for
medical services / Some discussion by Health Implementing Team; no action to date; requires legislative action
19. Develop model vocational-
technical program / Education Team, working in conjunction with NMSU & Carlsbad Public School system, is supporting ongoing discussion to implement this goal locally; Carlsbad Public Schools has hired two people to develop the program
20. Build an upscale miniature
golf course / No action to date
TEAMS RESPONSE TO TOP FIVE CONSENSUS GOALS BY CATEGORY (Not reported above)
Community Development
Develop, maintain & communicate Master Plan / CDOD has been asked by the City to prepare a master plan. Community Development team has offered to support the community involvement & help their efforts
Build tourist information centers / Community Development, working with Civic Center board, is hoping to encourage the placement of the initial tourist information center at the Civic Center
Train businesses in customer service / Some discussion, but no direct action. Needs volunteers to work on this issue
Become a college town / No action to date. Needs volunteers to work on this issue
Support Mainstreet Program / Community Development & Infrastructure is actively supporting all Mainstreet activities
Enhance communications to the public / Community Development is researching how we communicate in the community, both informally and formally, and developing a communications plan for RCCI; Quarterly Report is an outcome of this effort
Build memorial to Eddy County war veterans / Community Development is in the early stages of researching this goal – needs volunteers
EDUCATION
Offer additional master degree programs / Education Implementing Team is research possible academic partnerships
Establish all-day kindergarten / Discussion in the State of New Mexico Legislative 2001 session
HEALTH
Enhance & expand medical facilities / A plan for expanding the medical facilities exists
Recruit & retain more general practitioners / The hospital has a plan to recruit & retain more general practitioners and actively engaged in the process
Encourage competitive medical pricing / The Health team is researching this issues and gathering information
INFRASTRUCTURE
Make it a priority to defend our water rights / No action to date.
SERVICE TO CITIZENS
Provide consistent enforcement & prosecution of all laws / No action to date, volunteers needed
Rehabilitate abandoned buildings for shelters / No action to date, volunteers needed
Provide additional recreational facilities & activities for youth / Incorporated into discussion on playgrounds, waterpark, Skate/Hockey Complex proposal; sports facilities
Establish, support, & provide affordable day facilities for elderly / No action to date, volunteers needed
OTHER ACTIVITIES TO COMMUNITY IDEAS
Enhance Public Transportation System / City Transportation Program is currently in process of expanding system and needs community support utilizing the expanded service. Contact Mickey Cooper for more information 887-1191

Rural Community College Initiative

New Mexico State University at Carlsbad

1500 University Drive

Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220