1. CITY OF WHITING STRATEGIC PLAN Mayor Joe Stahura Whiting City Council May 8, 2007

2. Introduction Why make this presentation?  I feel it is important for everyone to know that our decisions are made with a strategy involved…a method to the madness of sorts  To highlight our vision for future of our City  I made a commitment to conduct at least two public forums per year to hear your concerns

3. Plan Objectives Help keep us focused Provide a road map to achieve goals Help sort out project proposals that are consistent with our vision Proactive vs. Reactive Ensure continuity between multiple projects

4. 6 Point Strategy 1. Expand & Diversify our tax base 2. Improve the condition of residential and commercial property within the City 3. Stabilize and then work to improve the City’s business corridors (Downtown & Boulevard) 4. Continue to enhance the Quality of Life in the community 5. Develop & implement a plan to address the City’s infrastructure needs 6. Implement change to maximize the efficiency of local government operations

5. What are we doing to achieve our goals? Expand & Diversify our tax base  Working with BP to maximize the 3 rd party investments related to their expansion project  Aggressively pursuing Lakefront development opportunities that will bring increased investment  Reconstructing Standard Avenue, Front Street and 121 st Street (east of Schrage) to allow new development to occur in this area  Acquiring key properties to control future development opportunities

6. What are we doing to achieve our goals? Expand & Diversify our tax base  Aggressively working to identify funding to demolish the former Globe Roofing buildings  New Center Street home project now progressing  Investing in New York Avenue homes – Sale price of $177,500  Working with dozens of prospective businesses and developers to attract new venues  Offering ED loans for large scale commercial Investments

7. What are we doing to achieve our goals? Expand & Diversify our tax base  Aggressively working to market the former Justak Trucking property  Preparing for construction of the 1 st condo building in the City’s history  Working with developers to retrofit additional condos into various renovation projects  Working with potential developers on planning and then constructing lakeview condos

8. What are we doing to achieve our goals? Improve the condition of residential and commercial property within the City  Tightly enforcing building codes & increasing the number of residential & commercial inspections  Providing matching assistance programs for residential & commercial curbside appeal improvements – over $2.5M being invested  Offering ED loans for large scale commercial Investments

9. What are we doing to achieve our goals? Improve the condition of residential and commercial property within the City  Investing in new housing construction  Demolishing unsafe and abandoned buildings  Purchasing and renovating select properties

10. What are we doing to achieve our goals? Stabilize and then work to improve the City’s business corridors (Downtown & Boulevard)  Developed a branding & marketing initiative to showcase our community and currently implementing the action plan  Developing physical & web based tools to fill vacant storefronts and attract new businesses  Developed a Business Assistance Program to assist merchants with specific business issues

11. What are we doing to achieve our goals? Stabilize and then work to improve the City’s business corridors (Downtown & Boulevard)  Added additional staff to focus on both Economic Development & Community Development  Working tirelessly with dozens of prospective businesses and developers to attract new venues  Providing matching assistance programs for commercial curbside appeal improvements  Offering ED loans for large scale commercial Investments

12. What are we doing to achieve our goals? Stabilize and then work to improve the City’s business corridors (Downtown & Boulevard)  Acquiring key properties to control future development opportunities  Developing plans for civic attractions that will bring shoppers & visitors to the community  Installing new signage along 119 th Street and reviewing additional projects to enhance the charm of the business district  Established a Historic Preservation District to preserve the historic character of the street

13. What are we doing to achieve our goals? Stabilize and then work to improve the City’s business corridors (Downtown & Boulevard)  Funding a Wi-Fi program to create wi-fi hot spots along the business corridor  Working closely with the Chamber of Commerce committees to enhance the district  Sponsoring and hosting numerous special events throughout the year focused on attracting shoppers to our community

14. What are we doing to achieve our goals? Strive to continually improve the Quality of Life in the community  Investing $700,000+ into the WCC to ensure this important asset continues to provide Q of L services for the community for years to come, while aggressively seeking ways to improve the efficiency of the operation  Engineering a new pedestrian and bike trail connecting George Lake Trail to Whiting Lakefront that was ranked as the #1 project for funding in NWI - $750,000

15. What are we doing to achieve our goals? Strive to continually improve the Quality of Life in the community  Restoration of the Whiting Park Pavilion at a cost of $225,000  Currently working on finalizing plans to construct a joint Whiting-Robertsdale dog park  Negotiating tax relief and new job opportunities for Whiting residents with new industries looking to locate in Whiting  Working on railroad “Quiet Zone”

16. What are we doing to achieve our goals? Strive to continually improve the Quality of Life in the community  Implementing the principles of the Marquette Plan into our lakeshore development plans

17. What are we doing to achieve our goals? Develop a plan to address the City’s infrastructure needs  Developed and continue to update a 5-year Capital Improvement Plan to prioritize the replacement of infrastructure including: Street paving plan Sidewalk replacement plan Water line replacement plan Sewer line replacement plan Alley paving plan

18. What are we doing to achieve our goals? Develop a plan to address the City’s infrastructure needs  Completed a water line study to determine the priority needs to upgrade the water system  Made a commitment to review all infrastructure needs when planning a project  Investing capital into City owned buildings to protect our assets  Addressing emergency situations in a timely fashion

19. What are we doing to achieve our goals? Implement change in the operation of local government to improve our efficiency  Participated and subsequently implemented the majority of recommendations of the Good Government Initiative  Partnered with Hammond to bid jointly on asphalt and concrete projects  Developed a 5-year staffing plan  Doing more with less employees

20. What are we doing to achieve our goals? Implement change in the operation of local government to improve our efficiency  Partnering with the School System to identify cost- saving projects and opportunities  Working with Hammond to identify potential cost- savings projects and opportunities  Trash collection and recycling program changes unbelievably successful  Aggressively seeking grants to supplement funding

21. If we’re successful… Whiting will become a place to visit…a destination place, where:  Businesses are successful  People can enjoy a traditional vibrant downtown shopping district  The Quality of Life is so outstanding that people are waiting to purchase homes and move here  There are multiple attractions such as museums, art centers and recreational areas to enjoy

22. If we’re successful… Property values will rise, while property taxes will continue to fall Our tax structure is not heavily reliant on a single industrial tax payer Our City’s infrastructure becomes easier to maintain and will accommodate future growth Whiting will be one of the most efficiently run government operations in Indiana Our Lakefront becomes an asset that we are proud to showcase

23. Project Update Updates available on the web 24/7 Center Street homes  Single family vs. townhomes  Booming – 12 new homes expected this year Globe – Justak Properties  Numerous interested parties  BP – Private developers Civil Defense changed to EMA  Statutes changed – improved efficiency

24. Project Update Ohio Avenue (this week)  New water main, sewer replacement, drainage issues resolved, new street surface 118 th Street (this week)  New water main and new street surface New York Avenue (July)  New water main, new sidewalks, new curbs, new street surface, ornamental street lighting Community Court (underway)  New water main and new street surface

25. Project Update Standard Ave. – Front Street – 121 st Street  121 st Street extended through existing refinery  New water mains, new sewer lines/drainage, 3-lane roadway, new curbing, lighting, bike trail  Allows for 50-acre industrial development and improves existing industrial access Water Plant  BP expansion delays - Available land  Will have a final plan in place by summer

26. Project Update Water System Improvements  Why – ISO – CIP  New hydrants  Ohio Avenue  118 th Street  New York Avenue  Community Court  Cleveland Avenue  White Oak Avenue  Standard Avenue, Front Street, 121st

27. Project Update Parking Improvements  WCC area New angle parking along Clark Street New angle parking along Community Court (one-way) Additional parking spaces along existing island  WHS Football Field Changing lot entrance/exit to 117 th Street Several new spaces added  119 th Study underway Recapture lost spaces Look for new opportunities

28. Project Update Parking Improvements  Dr. Benchik area  Fire Station area City Hall renovations  ADA compliance  Resolve court security issues  New office space for future consolidation Senior Condos  Waiting on developer to finalize plans

29. Project Update Marina – Lakefront Development  Working with BP for various approvals  Developers waiting in line  Position to fast track process after BP nod  Infrastructure $1M grant to install water, sewer, power lines into park – thanks to Congressman Pete Visclosky Expected to begin this year Former Tri-City Roofing property  Clearing in preparation for development

30. Project Update Whistle Ban – Quiet Zone  Waiting for railroad action  Exploring sound barrier options Berms Sound proof walls WCC  New roof in June  New windows underway  Electrical improvements

31. Project Update Economic Development Projects  Valdes Engineering  Walgreen’s  Illiana Hotel  John’s Pizzeria  Significant regional hospital interest  Working with 1 national and 1 regional restaurant  Ethic Deli  Large scale industrial project moving forward

32. Project Update Demolition  1520 – 119 th Street – complete  1601 Fischrupp – complete  3 small homes Steiber & New York – underway  Globe Roofing Recent Acquisitions  Father & Sons Auto lot  Reasoning  Working on others

33. Project Update Projects that have not yet received final approval  Cleveland Avenue reconstruction New water main, sewer line, sidewalks, curbing, and restored brick surface - $2.4M Outside chance for 2007 – likely delayed to spring 2008  White Oak Avenue New water main, sewer line, street resurfacing Correct several problems related to aging sewer line Emergency repairs to be completed in 2007 Outside chance for 2008 – likely delayed to spring 2009

34. Project Update Tax Relief  Still deciphering General Assembly action  Local Homestead Credits approved by the City Council for 2007 but eliminated by the legislature in 2008  Local income tax mandated  No good indication of how trending will impact us  Impact determined by the effect of trending on BP

35. Questions & Answers