(Spirit Lake)– A group of about 35 people took the next step Thursday evening in the process of identifying what Spirit Lake should look like in the next 10 to 15 years. They participated in a visioning meeting that’s part of a process to update the city’s comprehensive plan.
The city is being assisted in the process by officials with the Institute For Decision Making at the University of Northern Iowa, which has assisted some 450 Iowa communities through a similar process.
The group Thursday evening reviewed some preliminary results of a recently conducted survey in the community and established a few priorities of its own.
Bill Wood of the Institute For Decision Making says they’ve been able to arrive at a list of common themes for the Spirit Lake community. They include affordable housing, retail/shopping, air/water quality, quality jobs/economic development, addressing drug/alcohol abuse among teens, marketing for new businesses, municipal utilities, storm water control, educational excellence, jobs creation, higher wages and economic diversity.
Wood says they were also able to identify six values on which to build the themes. They include natural environment and community attractions; economic opportunity; educational, social, cultural and entertainment; civic involvement; equitable development; and planned growth.
Wood says the public still has an opportunity to give input by taking an online survey available until November 10th at the city’s website–www.cityofspiritlake.org.
Wood says they’ll meet November 15th with the city’s planning team–a cross section of community representatives–at which time they’ll put together a formal summary for the city council to consider.
