Priority One for the City of Manteca in the fiscal year starting July 1 is public safety.

Right there behind it in the upper echelon of marching orders for city staff in the next 12 to 18 months as the city shapes its budget, forms a Measure Q sales tax spending plan, and develops work plans based on City Council direction are, in descending order: economic development and vitality, updating city infrastructure, ensuing long-term fiscal stability, as well as expanding homelessness and housing options and solutions.

The top five goals were established during a council budget workshop several months ago. The goals — along with a department by department work plan — are before the City Council when they meet tonight at 6 p.m. for adoption.

The reason economic development and vitality was placed as No. 2 was based on a consensus of the City Council to leverage Measure Q sales tax as well as other municipal assets such as development of the 100-acre family entertainment zone bookended by Great Wolf and Big League Dreams is to generate additional revenue for the city beyond the $13 million Measure Q is expected to generate annually.

The additional funding will be able to enhance municipal services, conduct street work, and pursue amenities beyond just what the 20-year temporary sales tax will allow the city to do.

Among the identified projects and their status as of May 1:

Public safety

*The architectural design for the new police headquarters at 680 South Main Street is now underway.

*Upgraded body cameras for police officers pending budget approval.

*Completing the installing of 14 red light cameras that is now being done.

*Obtaining event safety barriers pending budget approval.

*Ongoing work to finalize the school resource officer and facility use agreement with the Manteca Unified School District.

*Ongoing effort to reduce Priority One response call for police from 4 minutes to 3 minutes based on the time of dispatch and arrival on scene.

*Continue to build relationships in the community through community-orientated policing, community involvement, and community outreach.

*Review and update automatic aid agreements with Ripon Consolidated Fire District as well as the Lathrop Manteca Fire District.

*Updating fire facility fees.

*Architectural and site design for the sixth fire station being built in southwest Manteca.

*Make repairs to Louise Avenue fire station.

*Apply for federal grant for firefighting staffing to man an engine at the Powers Avenue station so the tiller truck can be relocated to the Union Road station.

*Apply for a grant to fund a heavy rescue unit.

*Complete the fire communications upgrade.

*Purchasing two fire engines for $1.2 million each for delivery in late 2026.

Economic development

*Attract and retain shopping, dining and entertainment businesses in Manteca through targeted outreach and marketing.

*Finalize conceptual plans for the Family Entertainment Zone and complete the overall master plan update.

^Adopt a digital billboard policy.

*Complete digital billboard design for city property near Lathrop Road and Highway 99 and on Atherton Drive between Union Road and Airport Way.

*Develop am economic strategic work plan for staff.

*Select and fund a consultant to create a downtown specific plan.

*Completed the transfer of operation management to the Downtown Manteca Improvement Association.

*Complete the food truck court project at Library Park.

*Collaborate with the Post Office for landscaping improvements at its downtown location.

*Finalize community garden and mural project.

*Identify beautification and place marking opportunities in downtown Manteca.

*Continue to enhance city special events and programs.

*Complete the Climate Action Plan update

Updating city infrastructure

*Develop a citywide facility master plan.

*Complete the Woodward Park splash pad project.

*Start work on the Roth Road extension and Highway 99 interchange project.
*Complete interim wastewater treatment plant capacity improvements.

*Update fees for the Public Facilities Implementation Plan for sewer, water storm system, and transportation.

*Develop plans for the Union Road central sewer trunk replacement.

*Expand the storm drain system.

*Street maintenance for subdivisions east of Highway 99 surrounding Louise Avenue.

*Completing the Nile Garden School water well project.

*Mitigating TCP issues at a city well.

*Continuing initial study needed to eventually construct diverging diamond interchanges on the 120 Bypass at Main Street and Airport Way.

*Construct safe route school projects throughout the city.

*Development of a stormwater master plan.

*Increasing storm water capacity for the French Camp outlet canal.

*Safety improvements on Yosemite Avenue from Walnut Avenue to the downtown railroad crossing.

*Completing North Main traffic safety project between Alameda and Northgate.

*Upgrading and coordinating traffic signal timing city wide.

*Pursuing widening of Airport Way from Wawona Street to south of the golf course.

*Pavement work on Wawona Street between Union Road and Main Street as well as in the Shasta Park neighborhood  area.

*Update city design and development standards.

*Complete CNG fleet maintenance shop improvements.

*Obtain long term contracts for recycling and organics that include food waste.

*Converting older style street lights to LEDs.

*Renovating the Tidewater Bikeway.

*Complete lighting upgrades at Morenzone Park.

*Install protective playground surfacing.

*Complete master plan for parks and recreation plan update fees.

*Design a new skate park and determine a location.

*Obtain property for a bus yard for Manteca Transit.

*Work with San Joaquin Rail Commission on expansion of transit center parking lot to accommodate ACE passenger service.

Homeless & housing

*Complete conceptual plans for a homeless navigation center.

*Develop a Homeless Action Plan.

*Implement affordable housing fees to be charged to growth.

*Develop a scope of work and find a service provider for 555 Industrial Park and release a request for proposals for a progressive design-build for a low-barrier navigation center.

*Implement an affordable housing strategy.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com