City Council, citizens discuss changing public perception

Nearly 30 people gathered Nov. 26 for a special City Council meeting to discuss North Las Vegas' strategic plan. Reviewing what City Manager Tim Hacker and his staff considered accomplishments in 2012, Hacker also presented city employees and concerned residents with the city's benchmarks for next year.

Hacker championed the city's financial stabilization plan, including avoiding police and fire layoffs, making progress on a foreclosure ordinance to address blight in neighborhoods and addressing the city's budget deficit while maintaining popular city events, including Movies in the Park.

He referred to major projects completed last year, including the new City Hall and phases I and II for Craig Ranch Regional Park as well as business licenses and permitting kiosks at local Home Depot stores. He also highlighted the police detention deal of embedded North Las Vegas officers at the Las Vegas jail and the recent Sloan Channel wash agreement.

Residents shared their thoughts on the plan from broad ideas about rebranding the city's image to nuts-and-bolts issues such as specific shopping center developments and wild coyotes. Changing how the city is perceived dominated much of the public discussion.

Realtor Jane Armstrong said she is concerned about the city's image.

"They're all moving out of the city of North Las Vegas, and I hate to see that, so I think the rebranding is really important," Armstrong said. "It's hard for us to really sell."

Lenny Chide, president of the Neighborhood Housing Services of Southern Nevada Inc., said three or four years ago, his organization participated in more than $1 million in down-payment assistance in North Las Vegas, but that has changed.

"Today, it's extremely difficult when we conduct a class, and you mention the city of North Las Vegas, no one wants to move here," Chide said.

He said that since May, he has assisted with 60 loans in Las Vegas and only two in North Las Vegas.

"It is an image issue. It goes back to when you were having all your infighting and everything else not too long ago," he said, pleading with the media to cover the positive along with missteps.

Even though homes can be less expensive in North Las Vegas, he said he has had trouble convincing people to consider neighborhoods because of the city's image issue.

Mayor Shari Buck responded that she constantly battles the city's negative image, reminding residents to assist in sharing their positive stories and why they love North Las Vegas.

"We are a great city; we have a great value," she said. "What we need is our residents out telling good stories."

Joining the discussion, former Clark County School Board member Ruth Johnson and another teacher talked about using school programs to highlight positive events in the city. Buck expanded on the comment and suggested that the city highlight the College of Southern Nevada and workforce training.

Buck and Hacker turned the conversation to focus on individual responsibility.

"What we can do is create advocates. Everybody here can be an advocate for the city of North Las Vegas," Hacker said. "We all rise and fall together, and getting everybody to understand that and appreciate that and get out of the peanut section and quit throwing shells and get involved ... we'll be a great community."

He said rebranding the city will continue to be a priority next year and a crucial part of the five-year strategic plan.

Resident Felix Acevedo Jr. said he would like to see the city rebrand itself as a military-friendly town as it is adjacent to Nellis Air Force Base and houses the new Department of Veterans Affairs hospital.

"We don't use it to our advantage. We might not have the Strip, but we have our military community," Acevedo said.

Looking to 2013, Hacker highlighted the city's priorities before opening the discussion again. He said all city employees are expected to explain how a proposed project would help the city reach one of its five-year goals before moving forward with it. The goals for 2017 include: becoming a financially sustainable city government providing services of the highest quality; growing a diverse local economy; making the city the safest and most beautiful in the valley; upgrading city facilities and infrastructure; and highlighting the city's distinctive image and community identity.

"A lot of that seems very lofty; a lot of that seems very long range and that's intended to be - that's the vision," Hacker said about the city's long-term goals. "Barring that, there was no limitations on resources. What do you want to be? You don't want to just be an OK place; you want to be a great place - you need to strive."

Projects for next year include the demolition and planned reuse of Buena Vista Springs apartments, the development agreement revision of the Park Highlands community, encouraging action at the federal level for Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, completing Craig Ranch Regional Park, construction at Kiel Ranch and developing a target retail attraction strategy.

Hacker said he and the City Council would take residents' feedback and incorporate the ideas to create an updated action plan.

Stephanie Gorden, a master at Kifaru-Jitsu Academy of Martial Arts, said she appreciated the cooperation she saw last year among the council and city employees while they made difficult decisions between balancing the budget and maintaining key services such as police and fire.

Michael Holly said he agreed with the council's decisions but in the future would like to see more focus on public safety and response times. He said he would like residents to have access to metrics on police and fire response times online so he could come better prepared for a meeting like the one Nov. 26.

"I think it's sad that we had to do the cutbacks we did, but I respect each and every one of you for having to make those tough decisions," Holly told the council members.

Phyllis Levy raised the idea of mentoring residents and businesses to bring new skilled labor to the area. Hacker responded that building an incubator for these relationships and developments has been discussed and hopes to see it realized in the next couple of years.

"We have women that would probably be able to teach their craft, but we need a place other than at Sun City," she said. Buck joked that the old city hall building is sitting empty and could be used.

Levy and Holly planned to meet to discuss what can be done on a resident level to promote development and advocacy outside of the City Council.

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Laura Phelps at lphelps@viewnews.com or 702-477-3839.