MONROE - During the second and final implementation forum for the Monroe Comprehensive Plan, attendees were invited to outline a more solid vision statement for Monroe and to direct resources to create an implementation group oriented toward ensuring projects become reality.
The first forum was hosted Nov. 18 by the Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. People gathered to organize the needs of the city. Attendees took part in exercises to identify areas citizens felt needed more investment. They took each of the five categorical topics and created projects to achieve a goal. Three groups suggested an overhaul of the zoning ordinances, or to amend tax increment district no. 7. Two others suggested start-up assistance through small business "boot camps" as a way to keep entrepreneurs in the area and create a better local economy. However, the projects are simply suggestions that could come to fruition if organized by the right people. People who took part also focused a number of efforts on creating space for young professionals and improving housing for young and old city residents.
The second forum was Thursday. Four possible versions of the mission statement for the city's future were brought forward for discussion, including terminology that describes the city as picturesque, diverse and a boundless source of energy and opportunity.
Monroe Chamber Executive Director Cara Carper was present for the discussion. When reading the longest choice, which encapsulated the merits of health care, safety, business, culture, diversity, agriculture and even more merits, she said, though it was a bit long, "That's Monroe."
However, the length was a sticking point, as was "Swiss culture." While some saw it as a way to draw tourism, others saw it as limiting the inclusion of new residents. Participant Joe Hillary said it might be a hindrance against the goal of drawing more people to live in Monroe.
"It's a question of whether or not "Swiss' should be embraced or rather a "diverse heritage,'" Hillary said.
SWWRPC Planning Program Manager Troy Maggied coordinated the meeting. He said the discussion was a positive way forward to make sure the city is described according to its residents.
"One thing that struck us initially is the passion," he said. "You know the people care about their community."
The second piece of the meeting included a group effort. The goal of all of the planning is to put an implementation group in place to ensure the projects proposed through the comprehensive plan come to fruition. Five topics were laid out by the SWWRPC organizers who welcomed feedback by participants to specific questions: membership and communication, funding, project selection, city partnership and measuring and reporting. The questions asked for feedback in areas such as how in-depth the group should be connected to city government and how funding should be procured for the group. Others asked how the success of projects should be measured, by whom and in what ways success should be declared, and how projects should be prioritized.
SWWRPC Associate Planner Savannah Ernzen said the next step will be to gather information from the answers, including suggested contacts who could possibly form the group. The organizers will meet with the Monroe Common Council during a January meeting to update council members on results and progress and hope to finalize the comprehensive plan by the end of March. However, she said there is no certain timeline to form the implementation group.
The first forum was hosted Nov. 18 by the Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. People gathered to organize the needs of the city. Attendees took part in exercises to identify areas citizens felt needed more investment. They took each of the five categorical topics and created projects to achieve a goal. Three groups suggested an overhaul of the zoning ordinances, or to amend tax increment district no. 7. Two others suggested start-up assistance through small business "boot camps" as a way to keep entrepreneurs in the area and create a better local economy. However, the projects are simply suggestions that could come to fruition if organized by the right people. People who took part also focused a number of efforts on creating space for young professionals and improving housing for young and old city residents.
The second forum was Thursday. Four possible versions of the mission statement for the city's future were brought forward for discussion, including terminology that describes the city as picturesque, diverse and a boundless source of energy and opportunity.
Monroe Chamber Executive Director Cara Carper was present for the discussion. When reading the longest choice, which encapsulated the merits of health care, safety, business, culture, diversity, agriculture and even more merits, she said, though it was a bit long, "That's Monroe."
However, the length was a sticking point, as was "Swiss culture." While some saw it as a way to draw tourism, others saw it as limiting the inclusion of new residents. Participant Joe Hillary said it might be a hindrance against the goal of drawing more people to live in Monroe.
"It's a question of whether or not "Swiss' should be embraced or rather a "diverse heritage,'" Hillary said.
SWWRPC Planning Program Manager Troy Maggied coordinated the meeting. He said the discussion was a positive way forward to make sure the city is described according to its residents.
"One thing that struck us initially is the passion," he said. "You know the people care about their community."
The second piece of the meeting included a group effort. The goal of all of the planning is to put an implementation group in place to ensure the projects proposed through the comprehensive plan come to fruition. Five topics were laid out by the SWWRPC organizers who welcomed feedback by participants to specific questions: membership and communication, funding, project selection, city partnership and measuring and reporting. The questions asked for feedback in areas such as how in-depth the group should be connected to city government and how funding should be procured for the group. Others asked how the success of projects should be measured, by whom and in what ways success should be declared, and how projects should be prioritized.
SWWRPC Associate Planner Savannah Ernzen said the next step will be to gather information from the answers, including suggested contacts who could possibly form the group. The organizers will meet with the Monroe Common Council during a January meeting to update council members on results and progress and hope to finalize the comprehensive plan by the end of March. However, she said there is no certain timeline to form the implementation group.