Good afternoon and welcome to the 16th annual State of the City Address. I want to thank the Chamber of Commerce for partnering with us once again on a day we celebrate our City's heritage and continuous quest for excellence. It is my pleasure and honor to serve as your Mayor and stand before you today.
Our theme this year is “Go North,” which has special meaning for me, for not only having grown up in North Las Vegas, but for choosing this city as a place to raise my family. Our City is rich with tradition and opportunity. It is our mission to let others know about our strong community values, amenities and pro business environment.
I would like to thank our City staff who have produced today's event. Your hard work and tireless effort is appreciated. I would also like to thank Steve Schorr from Cox Communications. Every year you donate services to our City, it is appreciated along with your support and friendship. I would also like to thank Colin Huse from Cox Media and his team who produced the video for today's event.
The past two years have been the some of the most difficult endured by the city since it was chartered in 1946.
Layoffs, a contested election, budget deficits, employees fearful of what would come next, and unfortunately, an attitude of crisis management instead of stabilization left us all feeling worn out, stressed out, and underappreciated
But, we made the tough decisions, balanced the budget and took time to take a breath.
Out of that harried and stressful time came a decision by this council to bring in Tim Hacker, a new city manager with fresh ideas and a calm yet decisive personality. Since his arrival in September, he quickly saw that we all had the same goals, yet just needed to come together. Key city workers who were talking about retiring have decided to stay. There is a renewed hope among our staff, the citizens and the council. It is a new day in North Las Vegas. A storm may be on the horizon again, but we are more steadfast and steady on our feet.
Thank you, Tim Hacker for being a leader for our time.
I would also like to acknowledge my colleagues, Mayor Pro Tem Pamela Goynes Brown, Councilman Robert Eliason, Councilwoman Anita Wood, and Councilman Wade Wagner. Thank you for your service, hard work and passion for our community.
Our mission to serve has not changed; we are still committed to providing municipal services of the highest quality in a financially sound and responsible manner. We have a passion for service and we engage our community. We are known for our successful industrial, commercial and residential development. We are anchored by a robust future and community pride. We care about our community, quality of life and truly still are "Your Community of Choice."
It was gratifying to come together with the City Council to set goals, priorities and plan for the future. This does not mean this year will be easy, but we are committed to ensuring our citizens will continue to enjoy the qualities of life that they moved here for and have come to expect. Last year, we hosted a citizen's forum where we had a candid discussion about what our residents want and expect from leadership. We listened and aligned our strategies to address the voice of the people.
We are just as committed to the business community. You are most important to us, we are listening and change is coming.
It's true, in these tough economic times, we have had to cut back on some services.
Yet we have maintained the most important programs related to community outreach and public safety. We participated in efforts to clean up neighborhoods, promote child safety and prevent domestic violence.
In addition, we participated in national community initiatives to make the city a better, safer place to live.
On Make a Difference Day this October, one of our City's most beloved traditions, we had more than 2,200 volunteers of all ages pitch in with a great sense of community spirit and pride to make our city a more beautiful place to live. We are truly grateful for their efforts on Make a Difference Day and every other day they give of themselves to improve the community.
The City's Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services partnered with the Nevada Youth Alliance to present the annual Safe Summer Nights event. Safe Summer Nights brings the community together, while providing families ideas for enjoying the summer without breaking their budget.
We are moving forward and planning our economic recovery, employing a long term vision of fiscal conservancy and efficient use of our resources. I have reached out to business and community leaders to form an advisory council to provide these additional resources. Now is the time to stand up, now is the time to contribute, and now is the time to make a difference!
I have formed the Mayor's Economic Advisory Committee, and have sought out the following individuals to provide advice and guidance over the course of the next year: John Ramos with Harsch Investment Properties, David Scherer with Grubb and Ellis, Michael Saltman with the Vista Group, Elizabeth Trosper with Tropser Communications, Steve Schorr with Cox Communications, George Garcia with GC Garcia, Dan Hart with Dan Hart and Associates, John Restrepo with RCG Economics, Larry Carroll with Poggemeyer, Penny Mendlovic with CB Richard Ellis, Suzette LaGrange with Colliers International, Jeff Fine with Silver Nugget Gaming, Dave Brown with Land Development Associates, and Tony Sanchez with NV Energy. Thank you for agreeing to invest your time, talent and resources as we call upon you.
Over the past year, we again overcame what some perceived as insurmountable challenges. It is no secret Southern Nevada was at the forefront of a sour economy and budget woes, and North Las Vegas was the epicenter. But we have forged ahead and come out on top - from revitalizing the historic adobe of Kiel Ranch to completing the monumental new and modern City Hall on time and under budget.
We made great strides last year and I am proud to salute those responsible for our achievements and progress. We did not celebrate our successes enough last year, so we will celebrate them today.
Parks and Recreation completed the newest segment of the regional trail along the upper Las Vegas Wash. The new trail segment spans three-and-a-half miles from Deer Springs Way to Craig Road. It is the latest addition to the total 30 miles of developed trails in North Las Vegas. The Bureau of Land Management has provided more than $40 million in funding from the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act for our City.
We were encouraged to learn that thanks to North Las Vegas residents, Reader's Digest selected the City of North Las Vegas to receive funding from its "We Hear You America" campaign. The campaign was intended to bring funds and attention to towns across America that have been most affected by the economic downturn. This funding assisted in our Independence Day Jubilee.
Another milestone -- the City's new Sky View Multi-Generational Center opened last June as part of a public-private partnership with the YMCA. Sky View is a 36,000 square-foot recreation center. It boasts a gorgeous indoor pool, wellness center, kids gym, lounge areas, studios, and offers an array of classes and fitness programs for all ages.
The City's Communications and Economic Development divisions won three Awards of Excellence from the Las Vegas Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators for the “Go Local, Go North” campaign. The campaign aims to bolster the local economy by drawing support for local merchants and businesses.
NV Energy awarded the City of North Las Vegas $149,200 as part of its “Solar Generations Incentive Program” for using renewable resources in the new City Hall. The shaded parking in front of City Hall is covered by solar panels. These, along with solar panels on the building's roof collect solar energy that produces 12-and-a-half percent of the energy we use at City Hall. Energy savings are projected to be a quarter of a million dollars a year compared with energy costs at the old City Hall.
We also launched an innovative Emergency Alert System in partnership with Clark County and other Southern Nevada cities. Residents and businesses can now sign up to receive emergency alerts via phone, text and e-mail through a new website. This emergency alert website makes use of cell phones and e-mail as an alternative to land lines. The website was paid for by a grant from the Department of Homeland Security.
Our Utilities Department received a “Platinum Award for Utility Excellence” from the largest publicly-owned drinking water system organization in the United States. The Association for Metropolitan Water Agencies’ criteria for the Platinum Award focused on the ten attributes of effectively managed water sector utilities. The Utilities Department also built and opened the City's Water Reclamation Facility this past year. This incredible $240 million construction project now treats 100 percent of the City's municipal waste water. We now have control of the services we’re able to provide and we’re very proud of this amazing facility.
Through the federally funded Neighborhood Stabilization Program, the City has purchased nearly 60 foreclosed homes to re-sell and help prevent blight. The City has partnered with four non-profit developers to assist in the rehabilitation and resale of these homes. The homes have been upgraded with an emphasis on energy efficiency. The program provides up to $25,000 in assistance to people who qualify to purchase these homes. So far, nearly 30 families have benefited and now call North Las Vegas home.
The new North Las Vegas City Hall building opened Nov. 21. The original budget for the project was set at $142 million, but construction came in at about $125 million for a savings of more than $17 million. The new City Council chambers will seat 318 people; more than double the capacity of the old chambers. It will also be the city's first LEED- certified building
“Go North,” our theme harkens to the old-time expression, “Go West.” It echoes the sentiment of a time and of a people who would go forth and forge their own destinies in a land of great opportunity.
We have some amazing community leaders with us today who embody that spirit. I would like to recognize: Lenny Chide, executive director of Neighborhood Housing Services of Southern Nevada. He is partnering with the Valley View Neighborhood Association to take dilapidated homes, clear them out and renovate them in an effort to stabilize the neighborhood. This collaboration facilitated by the City but has become a force of its own and we now only offer minimal support.
Albert Mota from the Clarinda Grandview Neighborhood Association, through quiet but diligent efforts to improve his neighborhood park, became the vanguard of the Adopt-a-Park movement that has taken off throughout the city.
Quannah McCall Elementary School Principal Marissa Chairez and JD Smith Middle School counselor Brenda Irby, whose dedication to their students and the community, has resulted in a celebration of culture, which brought families and neighbors together in a way that has culminated in the “Music in the Park festival” that took place in November.
The Martinez family, owners of La Bonita Supermarket, are tireless volunteers and sponsors of the City's community events. They have provided hundreds of hours of volunteer time, donations of candy, carne asada, beans, tortillas and salsa to ensure all who participate in the City's events don't leave hungry. Such events include Trunk-or-Treat, Make a Difference Day, community cleanups and more.
We are a thankful and mindful community today and have so much to look forward to as we urge others to join us as we “Go North” this year.
Some already have heard our call. The West Coast distribution center of 2010's fastest growing e-commerce company, Montreal-based “Beyond the Rack” plans to open a 52,000-square-foot distribution facility here later this month. Robert Gold, co-CEO and a founder of the company said he expects to expand the project to 150,000 square-feet within three to five years.
The company already has begun hiring the first 50 employees and by the time the center opens, it will have more than 100 employees. By the end of the fifth year, they expect to employ between 300 and 500 people. They considered locating their West Coast distribution center in Los Angeles - the source of most of their clothing line - but executives changed their minds to Southern Nevada because of lower rent, a larger work force and greater support from state government leaders.
An important development in our City is the Veterans Administration Hospital. This campus, which sits on 151 acres and is more than 1 million square-feet will employ about 2,000 people. This project will become the focal point in a partnership between the Veterans Administration, the City of North Las Vegas and higher education.
In addition to providing much-needed medical services, this project will create highly skilled jobs, thereby diversifying the local economy. This hospital will be opening by early summer.
North Vista Hospital completed a $6 million construction project that included a first-floor renovation and the expansion of the hospital's Senior Behavioral Health Unit, the only unit of its kind in Southern Nevada. It became the first hospital in Southern Nevada to implement a Computerized Physician Order Entry system. This system, which is a key component to increasing patient safety, will be the national standard in all hospitals within the coming decade.
Amonix, one of the country's leaders in designing and manufacturing solar power systems, opened an $18 million manufacturing plant that generated more than 300 jobs in North Las Vegas. The plant provides opportunities for local clean energy, technical, production and management jobs. Sadly, our friend, the CEO of Amonix, Brian Robertson, lost his life a few days before Christmas. We will miss him and send our prayers to his family and colleagues.
The UNEV Pipeline Terminal, a 55-acre facility that has been under development for the past four years will be opened this month. The terminal located in KPEX is home to the UNEV Pipeline, a 400-mile, common carrier products pipeline that will originate near the refineries in North Salt Lake City and ship product to our terminal in North Las Vegas. The Pipeline will initially have the capacity to carry 62,000 barrels per day of petroleum products but will have future capacity for triple that amount.
So tell me, how did you like your shrimp today? You were eating 100% homegrown, home prepared and deliciously succulent North Las Vegas Shrimp! Ganix/Blue Oasis Pure Shrimp went north last year and built a 36,000 square-foot facility which now employs 30-full time workers with plans of expansion. Bon appétit.
I am very excited about a company named “Repurpose America.” The CEO Zachary Delbex and world renowned fashion designer David Tupaz, have set out to “regard the disregarded.” They find highly creative uses and designs for materials discarded by local conventions, show management, general contractors, exhibitors and organizations. They take discarded billboard material and turn it into designer handbags or clothing fit for high fashion. They turn old banners into room service menus.
In addition to their creative re-purposing of materials, otherwise meant for the landfill, they employ people with mental or physical disabilities and veterans -- people who otherwise might struggle to stand out in today's tough job market. Repurpose America employs 46 people with plans for expansion. This company truly exemplifies what North Las Vegas is about -- smart, sustainable growth that is good for people and good for the planet.
New businesses who have ventured north to our city over the past year include; Adesa Auto Auction. Headquartered in Indiana, they built a 55,000 square-foot facility and plan to employ as many as 130 full-time workers.
Associa Benchmark has leased 14,000 square-feet of office space and will employ about 50 people at their office.
Liquidation.com, leased 103,000 square-feet of space within the ProLogis Park North and will employ up to 150 full-time workers.
Orbus Exhibits, leased 56,000 square-feet of space with plans to employ 50 full-time workers.
We have commitments from Knight Transportation and Firestone Auto Care Centers, who are opening two locations, and “Collision Authority.” They are all making North Las Vegas their home and have chosen to go north.
I also would like to announce today that the Las Vegas Athletic Club has finalized a deal to move into our great city. Located near the 215 Beltway and Decatur, the fitness center will employee 200 beefy, brawny and beautiful people, who I wish I could look like. The 22-million dollar center will be 88,000 square-feet and also will include retail components.
When we say, “Go North,” we mean go where opportunities lie.
57% of our land is still available for development. We have rail, the interstate, and industrial/ warehouse space available now! We have affordable and desirable housing and a workforce ready to work!
We are unlimited in what we can achieve and do together. Indeed -- it is a new day in North Las Vegas. I am glad we made the choice to “Go North” and make North Las Vegas our community of choice. Join us now as we continue to move forward and Go North!
Thank you and God Bless.