“The state of the City is just simply, in a word, outstanding,” Mayor Steve Tate said to a standing-room only crowd Feb. 20 at the Community and Cultural Center.
Tate gave his State of the City address to an audience of more than 120 people – the biggest crowd he has witnessed at the annual speech during his seven years in office.
As much a ceremonial as an informational event, the speech was attended by City Council members, Morgan Hill Unified School District trustees, Chamber of Commerce directors, business owners, City staff, public safety officials and voters.
Despite some bleak observations – such as the wanting state of the City’s street asphalt – 2013 was a positive year because the long-term budget outlook improved, residents stepped up to help improve programs for local youth and the environment, and progress was made on continuing efforts to improve the downtown, Tate explained as the roughly 60-minute speech progressed.
Even with the state’s elimination of the city’s Redevelopment Agency – the “800-pound gorilla in the room” at the mayor’s address a year ago – Morgan Hill has remained on solid financial footing, Tate said as he displayed a slide depicting an animated gorilla in a rearview mirror.
The RDA was closed by the state in 2012, forcing City Hall to devote a significant staff effort toward figuring out how to hold onto the cash and properties that remained within the agency.
“But we have made such fantastic progress, still maintaining some of the funds dedicated” to downtown revitalization and other efforts, Tate said. “What seemed like a bleak outlook has turned around and become all positive. The gorilla is gone.”
While the City is still awaiting state approval to use about $19 million in remaining RDA funds, it has completed a detailed plan to spruce up the downtown with a multi-level parking garage, make some minor streetscape improvements, and partner with private developers to improve key properties the agency purchased several years ago.
Presenting an outline of the Council’s goals, strategies and focus areas in 2013, key themes throughout the mayor’s speech were “continuation” of projects and programs that started last year or earlier, and encouraging more community involvement in Morgan Hill.
Tate gave frequent recognition to local organizations, City employees and community leaders who have worked with the City over the last year to help improve the lives of residents and to make City Hall a “more effective organization.”
“We want to create a public participation plan,” Tate said. “We want to celebrate the community of Morgan Hill, its diversity and its values.”
A key area where the mayor hopes to apply these themes is youth services and programs, including the El Toro Youth Center which will be run by the Boys and Girls Club of Silicon Valley starting later this year – marking that organization’s first foray into serving Morgan Hill.
Attendees reacted positively while they continued to socialize and enjoy cookies and coffee after the speech Feb. 20.
John Brice, a resident for 19 years, said the mayor’s words on City infrastructure and the Llagas Creek Flood Control Project stood out. Although the City’s street pavement condition is in dismal shape, and no federal money or authorization for the flood prevention project is anywhere on the horizon, Brice was pleased the mayor and City are continuing to seek funds.
“Infrastructure is really important to me – now that you don’t have redevelopment funds, the streets are starting to” deteriorate, said Brice, who works for a civil engineering firm based in Gilroy which is planning on opening an office in downtown Morgan Hill. “That’s a big concern because that affects everybody. If we can’t maintain our roads, why should we live here?”
Tate’s theme of community involvement resonated strongly with attendees. David Gerard, a 21-year resident and eight-year veteran of the Leadership Morgan Hill program, said the mayor’s speech shows he “walks the walk” when it comes to engagement, as Tate is involved in more than 20 local organizations.
“I think Mayor Tate has really shown why he’s been a wonderful mayor. He has incredible insight into the vision of what the City has to be going forward,” Gerard said.
Morgan Hill Unified School District Trustee Claudia Rossi said she has been impressed with Tate’s focus on young people – illustrated by his active support of the El Toro Youth Center, the City’s Youth Action Council and other youth service organizations.
She was also glad to hear the mayor wants the City to do more to celebrate and recognize local cultural diversity.
“As a Latina, I’m very happy to hear there will be a concerted effort to reach sections of our community that have not been reached before,” Rossi said.
In 2013, for example, when promoting public participation in the General Plan Update process, City staff “went out and sought the input of the Latino community. It’s important they go to seek those perspectives.”
As noted by Mayor Steve Tate in his annual State of the City address:
– CAL FIRE helped reopen the Morgan Hill Fire Department “into vibrant existence”
– Morgan Hill Police Chief David Swing implemented an “outcome-based” public safety strategy
– MHPD reported a 42 percent arrest rate, and a 70 percent closure rate
– General fund reserves remained above 25 percent and are projected to stay there for at least the next five years
– Butterfield Boulevard southern extension completed
– City staff and the Council helped lead a fundraising drive to keep El Toro Youth Center open
– Council partnered with community organizations to ensure more kids have health insurance
– Economic development efforts included a “tourism forum,” a “downtown street scenes” parklet trial and new businesses opening in Morgan Hill
– Hurdles passed (with more to come) to start construction on a downtown parking garage by the end of 2014
