City Council seeks citizen ideas
before annual Focus Session 

Broomfield City Council is planning its annual Focus Session on Tuesday, Feb. 3.  Before the members meet, they would like residents to give their ideas and input to help them prioritize what city staff will focus on for 2009. 

The council has scheduled a time for interested residents to come and offer ideas about the issues or projects they would like to see the city work toward this year.  It will be at 6 p.m. at the regular City Council meeting on Jan. 27, 2009. 

In order to encourage the most input, the council has also placed advertising encouraging residents to write, call or email them directly, or email the city at info@broomfield.org, or send written correspondence to the City Manager’s Office at 1 DesCombes Drive. 

Each year the members of council meet to review past priorities and accomplishments, and determine new priorities that can go forward in the upcoming year.  They take into consideration budget ramifications, staffing levels, the multitude of goals and activities listed in Broomfield’s Comprehensive Master Plan, information they have received from constituents as well as their own ideas. 

Examples of the 2008 priorities are: a capital facilities priority plan, the 40 percent open space goal attainment, preservation of property values and quality of neighborhoods, establishment of council procedures and rules of order, establish a planning group for the State Highway 7 corridor, attract unique retail for the State Highway 7 corridor, and establish a training and travel policy for the council.

In 2008, ongoing priorities spanning more than one year include a civic center plan, Zip Shuttle evaluation, high speed internet access for all of Broomfield, completing the Wadsworth interchange project, attracting unique retail in all of Broomfield, Green Broomfield, a sound walls and perimeter fences policy, Healthy Broomfield, a permanent dog park, implementation of the Brunner Reservoir plan, internal traffic flow improvements, a water utility financial plan, attracting manufacturing jobs to the city, explore alternative energy sources, and lessen local burdens on local businesses. 

With all these items to focus on, staff has had clear direction as well as the opportunity “shine,” said City and County Manager George Di Ciero.  Under Broomfield’s charter, Di Ciero is the chief executive and administrative officer of the city, and is responsible for the day-to-day operations, directing staff in the implementation of City Council's policy direction.