Residents vocal about strategic planning goals
Examiner photos by Connie Clements Wrapping up the well-attended April 4 strategic planning workshop, facilitator Alysia Cook provided sticky notes to participants for them to state their “heartfelt” No. 1 goal they want to see incorporated into the City’s strategic plan, what they love the most about Navasota, and on a scale of 1-5, how satisfied they are with the level of public services they receive.
Navasota residents aren’t usually shy about offering their opinion about how the city should be run! Those opinions were in high demand at a workshop Tuesday night, April 4, as the City of Navasota kicked off its strategic plan update. City Manager Jason Weeks served as host at the nearly two-hourlong workshop at City Hall, facilitated by Alysia Cook with Opportunity Strategies, LLC.
In his introduction, Weeks said, “The idea is for you to be open and candid…feel free to talk and voice your concerns, opinions or whatever. This isn’t our time, this is y’all’s time.”
Weeks explained that a second workshop was scheduled for Wednesday for specific stakeholders about specific topics. All information will be provided to council later this month for strategic planning consideration.
Weeks said, “The strategic plan is a road map of where we’re going to be heading the next two to three years.”
Cook said, “Tonight is the first step. What do you want from your elected officials? What do you want them to be able to provide, offer, stop doing, start doing, anything along those lines?”
She encouraged participants to be creative, even suggesting “cool” things they may have seen in other cities.
Most pressing issues
The first topic, “Most Pressing Issues Facing Navasota,” elicited the most comments. Roads, streets and growth were expected but other suggestions were about traffic, the need for a red light at LaSalle and Blackshear, speeding in residential areas, crime and gun violence, animal control and loose dogs, noise from trains and ambulances, concerns about future zoning, the need for increased code enforcement related to junky yards and cars, park signage and a fire station west of the tracks.
Other suggestions included public transportation for residents to travel around Navasota, more sidewalks to get people out of their cars, creating one-way streets downtown, adding more greenspace and establishing a growth target. Many voiced concerns about maintaining Navasota’s small town atmosphere despite growth.
Improvements, events/programs desired
Streets, roads, sidewalks and drainage topped the list of Improvements but one suggestion was to use more costly but longer lasting road materials. Others wanted to see stricter enforcement of the truck route and the City’s hard water addressed.
Navasotans are happy with existing events but would like to see some adjustments made, such as summer concerts which last longer and start later, and activities after the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
Movies in the park, partnering with Washington-on-the-Brazos to bring historical events to Navasota, art walks/events, historic church tours and dated designer Christmas ornaments to be sold by merchants were on some residents’ wish list. Other suggestions included involving Navasota children in creating the City’s Christmas tree ornaments. Others wanted to see more frequent display of the U.S. and Texas flags.
Ordinances, small biz, underserved areas
In addition to code enforcement issues, residents suggested the City review ordinances related to setbacks, multifamily housing and narrow lots, and revisit tiny, modular and manufactured homes. The need for designated parking for people living downtown was also pointed out.
Business owners present felt the city was doing a great job of supporting small business and entrepreneurs but suggested improvements included more business roundtables and local job fairs. Some expressed a desire to see businesses open Sunday.
Participants had a broad definition of underserved areas. Some felt it was any area with bad streets, dirt streets or lacking curbs and gutters while others specifically identified the east, west and south of town. Sidewalks came up again, particularly in low-income areas where residents are without vehicles. One resident suggested the street sweeper run more frequently.
Amenities, retail wish list
Some suggested amenities included curbside, battery and technology recycling, household and hazardous waste disposal, mosquito control, automated Federal mail service, a fenced park for safety of small children, parks on the west and south side, pickleball courts and a tornado warning siren. Concerns were expressed about the City’s emergency plans for a train disaster.
The wish list of commercial and retail businesses residents desired to see in Navasota included an eye doctor, an audiologist and urgent care. Also desired here are day and summer camps for children or something similar to a Boys & Girls Club, a Whataburger and more gas stations between Navasota and College Station.