Healthy, Sustainable Communities Group - May 9

A City That Works - May 9
Healthy, Sustainable Communities Discussion Group at Klein JCC

What does this goal mean to you?

• Clean streets and sidewalks.

• Village atmosphere with small businesses and parks.

• Neighbors will look out for each other.

• Social services, activities, and police department sub-stations will be coordinated in hub locations (mini City Halls) – a place to pay utility bills.

• There will not be empty storefronts or houses.

• This will be a safe places for kids.

• Local newspapers will be our advocates.

Performance measures - I will know that there is:

• A cleaner neighborhood, if

    → there are more public trash receptacles that are made more “attractive” to get people to use them – maybe through use of color or humorous sayings on the sides.

    → the streets are cleaned more often.

    → there is increased use of plastic bags to hold trash so it doesn’t get blown around the streets.

    → local youth are educated about litter and are enlisted to clean up around their schools and even become litter inspectors in the neighborhood.

    → there is a NE Philly District, similar to the Center City District.

    → sewers are kept cleared so water does not back up in the street.

• Increased safety and vitality in the neighborhood, if

    → I can walk to the El stop safely and kids can walk to the corner to get ice cream.

    → there is increase pride in the neighborhood by name.

    → more trees are planted.

    → the mural arts program is extended.

    → there is an increased population of younger families moving in.

    → there are more block captains.

    → there is increased integration of all ethnic populations through more interaction among business owners and between business owners and the community; and the Human Relations Commission is working to better integrate the immigrant population.

    → success in this goal is measured by interviewing residents.

• Centralized services in the neighborhood, if

    → there is an increase in the volume of use of the existing services.

    → there is an increase in the number of community meetings held by police captains, with greater attendance encouraged through better public relations.

    → there are hub locations where I can access services and pay utility bills; measure the success of these locations by a decrease in the number of calls to 311.

    → there are widely available directories informing residents of how and where to access services; more people find out about services through faith-based and community centers.

    → there is better staffing at health centers; measure by shorter wait time for an appointment.

    → greater use of health centers; measure the increase in the number of flu and other shots given at health centers.

• Increased recycling, if

    → there is an increase in the tonnage collected.

    → there is information available on how to replace my recycle container.

    → there is an easier way to get the city to assume responsibility for collecting recycling and trash from condos. We pay taxes; why do we have to pay extra to have our trash collected?

• Increase access to cultural venues, if

    → there is increase bus service to cultural locations.

Customer Service Standards

• I am able to speak to a person in a language that is comfortable for me.

• I am talking to a real person, who gives me his/her name up front, without my having to ask for it.

• They give me a time frame for resolving the problem.

• They email me with a response, telling me what is going to be done to take care of the problem.

• They can help me find resources if I want to organize my community.