Big challenges face city in 2009

<p>The recent news that Petaluma’s street ranking has slipped again — keeping the city in last place among other cities in Sonoma County when it comes to well-maintained roads — is emblematic of what this community faces as we embark on the beginning of a new year.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>Streets are in disrepair, parks are getting less maintenance, people are losing their jobs, businesses are closing and homes are being lost through foreclosures. Those are just a few of the effects that have been felt locally as the national economy experiences its worst downturn since the Great Depression. </p><p>Things aren’t expected to improve much in the near future. At City Hall, dozens of employees were laid off and office hours were cut back to four days a week. In Sacramento, Gov. Schwarz-enegger warned last week that the state may run out of money within two months.</p><p>Petaluma, which relies on sales tax revenues to pay for city services and salaries, is unlikely to see any new retail development come on line during 2009. The long-delayed Regency shopping center on East Washington Street is still years from becoming a reality. And auto sales, which account for the largest chunk of city sales tax revenue, are anemic, with fewer people buying new cars and the Big Three of the U.S. auto industry on life support.</p><p>The state’s money crunch could mean that funds earmarked for the long-awaited widening of Highway 101 in Petaluma and south to Novato could be yanked, further delaying these necessary transportation improvements. </p><p>Despite the gloomy economic outlook, there are, in fact, some positive things happening close to home. </p><p>The city’s state-of-the-art wastewater treatment and water recycling plant will go on line this year. The defeat of Measure K on the Nov. 4 ballot — an ill-advised proposal that would have rolled back sewer and water rates earmarked to repay the state loan on the project — clear-ed the way for Petaluma to begin work on other much-needed water and sewer projects.</p><p>The 1,737-acre Tolay Lake Regional Park will open with a limited public access plan this summer. It will allow hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders to obtain a day pass if they first attend an orientation session with the county parks department.</p><p>The $60 million expansion of the Santa Rosa Junior College campus in Petaluma was completed last year and local residents now have a top-notch educational facility that’s the envy of communities twice our size.</p><p>The city will soon begin work on an economic strategic plan for Petaluma that will, if done right, pave the way for developing a more diverse and sustainable local economy that generates the necessary tax revenues needed to subsidize the costs of essential government services. </p><p>And, in anticipation of a major economic stimulus package of infrastructure projects expected to be approved by President-elect Obama and Congress early in 2009, local officials have put together a short list of “shovel-ready” projects that could receive essential funding. Among them is the $25 million East Washington interchange project, which would add a northbound onramp to Highway 101 behind the Petaluma Plaza shopping center. That project is currently facing a $2-$3 million shortfall that could be backfilled with the federal funds. </p><p>The federal stimulus package might also be tapped for the city’s new fire station, which is designed and ready to go, but lacks complete funding to become a reality.</p><p>Yes, Petaluma will certainly have its share of challenges in the new year, but it also has many people with the leadership capabilities to tackle problems and find solutions. Its collective intelligence, generosity, compassion and community spirit — the same qualities that helped found this city 150 years ago — are still very much alive here in 2009.</p>