Priorities & Issues

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” - Coretta Scott King

Sidewalks - Safety, ADA Accessibility & Infrastructure

The Issue - Currently the city places the burden of sidewalk repair and maintenance solely upon the individual homeowner. This is a failed system. Sidewalks must be treated the same as streets, sewers, and other public resources - as a vital portion of this town’s infrastructure. Repair and maintenance could be managed by the city, just as many other forward-thinking communities are doing all over the nation. Imagine trying to navigate our sidewalks in a wheelchair… many - disabled or not - choose to use the street instead. As a community we have a responsibility to fix this - together.

My Plan - Create a fund through the existing Capital Improvements Program with a fixed amount set aside per fiscal year for sidewalk maintenance and improvements. The city will negotiate with a local contractor to do all sidewalk work. The city will foot the entire bill, which will be far more efficient and cost effective than having individual residents separately negotiate and pay for this service. Project requests will be completed on a resident referral basis until the fund is depleted for the year with work resuming the following fiscal year. Any unused funds will be carried over to the next year. To better address the needs of our residents with limited mobility, I will also advocate to create an ADA Grievance Procedure and have a current employee designated as an ADA Coordinator (this is actually required by law and our city is currently in violation). With this plan, we would not need the expense or delay of an “official sidewalk inventory” - no more kicking the can down the road… or sidewalk!

The Big Picture - Sidewalks have become a major issue in Monmouth, while important this is but a symptom of a deeper issue - our increasingly entrenched city government. This is about the safety, accessibility, and beauty of our town. We deserve representatives on our City Council who will push for improvement and stand up for the issues that matter to the residents of Monmouth.

Communication & Community Engagement

Effective communication is a two-way process with active listening and an exchange of ideas. As a city we must move away from the “can’t” or “won’t” mentality and work together to find creative answers. It all begins with active communication within city hall and without. The current structure of our City Council meetings, Budget Committee, and overall city communications discourages resident engagement. This needs to change.

My Plan - It’s pretty simple. Create a welcoming environment, ask for feedback, make a cultural shift.

• A Welcoming Environment - A sign on Main Street a few days before each meeting, a Councilor or member of the city staff at the door as greeter, a commentary process with an opportunity for discussion and clarification. All it takes are a few small changes.

• Ask For Feedback - There are state laws regarding the city’s responsibility for public notice; these are intended as minimums. When a decision impacts a neighborhood (e.g., the Gentle Woods Neighborhood and the bicycle campground) or a specific group (pay raises for city staff) the City Council needs to actively invite residents into the conversation. All it takes is a good old-fashioned knock on the door or a few phone calls.

• A Cultural Shift - We need members of the City Council and staff who won’t be satisfied with the status quo and who will continually look for new ways to engage residents in decision making. This is a relationship and what works today may not work tomorrow. This is why we need individuals on our City Council and in staff positions who continue to make this citizen engagement a priority.

AbouT Chris Lopez

I have a wide range of experience in both small businesses and nonprofit organizations, working myself up the ladder along the way. I understand the value of hard work. As a current manager in a publicly traded corporation, I know what it takes to challenge the status quo to make a good thing even better.

When elected to Monmouth City Council, I pledge to maintain both an inquiring mind and a heart for service. True leadership is rooted in service. As a member of the City Council my primary focus will be on service to the community and to give a voice to those who feel unheard. I will look to those most closely impacted by issues before the Council for their thoughts and ideas before crafting a plan or taking action. I will prompt conversation without feeling the need to control it.