A c t i o n P l a n

for Technical Cooperation Between:

Municipality of Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

and

City of Auburn, USA

INTRODUCTION

In order to implement the activities described in the Memorandum of Understanding, the Municipality of Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria and the City of Auburn, Alabama have agreed to the following two point strategy. This will serve as a framework for the on-going relationship between our two cities. The Action Plan looks at short-term goals for cooperation between the cities, which can be successfully accomplished within the next ten months.

The major points of this strategy, in priority, are as follows:

I. Solid Waste Management

II. Strategic Planning Methodology

SHORT TERM GOALS (Ten-Month Strategies)

I. Solid Waste Management

Goal: Develop a solid waste management plan with a strong emphasis on recycling.

Action Steps:

A. Establish a steering committee comprised of citizens, representatives of the municipal council and municipal administration, AUBG and Southwestern University officials, environmental groups, and business groups

B. Analyze Blagoevgrad's current solid waste system, including workforce, collection methods, and supervisory training and management techniques

C. Discuss with Auburn representatives the analysis of the current solid waste management system and define the new direction of the solid waste management plan

D. Develop and present the draft solid waste management plan, including collection and disposal methods and recycling component, to Blagoevgrad Municipal Council Develop long term solutions to solid waste collection and disposal

Continue to promote community involvement in the development of solid waste strategies

Develop and implement a solid waste education program, including the necessity to reduce, reuse and recycle

Develop a long-term solid waste financing strategy.

Time Frame:

December, 1998 - Appoint a steering committee

January/February, 1999 - Analyze Blagoevgrad's current solid waste system

March, 1999 - Discuss with Auburn representatives the analysis of the current solid waste management system and define the new direction of the solid waste management plan

June, 1999 - Develop and present the draft solid waste management plan to the Blagoevgrad Municipal Council

Participants:

Representatives of the Blagoevgrad City Administration

Representatives of the Blagoevgrad City Council

Representatives of environmental groups, BIOSTROI and other organizations

City of Auburn, City Manager's Office

City of Auburn, Director of Environmental Services

Projected Outcomes:

Solid Waste services are conducted more efficiently

Citizen are involved in service delivery planning

Blagoevgrad's Solid Waste Management Plan guides future improvements of service delivery, financing, citizen involvement and education efforts

II. Strategic Planning Methodology

Goal: Establish the methodology and conduct a pilot strategic planning exercise for Growth and Development, Transportation and Infrastructure Development and Maintenance for Blagoevgrad.

Action Steps:

A. Public announcement of the intent to develop the methodology and a strategic plan for the Municipality of Blagoevgrad incorporating the following three areas:

Growth and Development

Transportation

Infrastructure Development and Maintenance B. Appoint a Steering Committee comprised of:

Mayor/Chairperson

Representatives of City Council

Representatives of City Administration

Key leaders in the community

C. Appoint Subject Committees including:

Representatives of City Council

Representatives of City Administration

Citizens effected by committee subject areas

Representatives of AUBG and Southwestern University D. Perform training of Subject Committees on strategic planning methodology including development of Mission/Vision statements and key questions to be evaluated by Subject Committees

E. Conduct public Subject Committee meetings

F. Write Subject Committee reports

G. The Steering Committee reviews the Subject Committee reports and addresses commonalties and differences

H. The Steering Committee prepares a draft Strategic Development Plan and submits it to the City Council for approval

Time Frame:

November/December, 1998 - Initial public announcement of the intent to develop the methodology and a strategic plan

December, 1999 - Appoint a Steering Committee and Subject Committees

February, 1999 - Follow-up public announcement of the intent to develop the methodology and a strategic plan March, 1999 Perform training of Subject Committees on strategic planning methodology

March - June, 1999 - Conduct public Subject Committee meetings

June 15, 1999 - Subject Committee reports due

June 30, 1999 - Steering Committee completes review of the Subject Committee reports July, 1999 The Steering Committee prepares a draft Strategic Development Plan and submits it to the City Council for approval

Participants:

Representatives of the City Administration of Blagoevgrad Representatives of the City Council of Blagoevgrad City of Auburn, Department of Economic Development Citizens effected by committee subject areas AUBG and Southwestern University representatives

Projected Outcomes:

Municipal government utilizes a broad array of resources to facilitate the growth of private economic development in Blagoevgrad

Citizens of Blagoevgrad are engaged in the process of local self-government

Municipality is more responsive to the transportation needs of its citizens

Municipal services are provided more efficiently and effectively through strategic management

Municipality's management and planning activities are more transparent

This the 20^th day of November, 1998.