A c t i o n P l a n
TECHNICAL TWINNING PROGRAM FOR TECHNICAL COOPERATION BETWEEN:
MUNICIPALITY OF GABROVO, BULGARIA
and
CITY OF PORTAGE, USA
ACTION PLAN
INTRODUCTION:
In order to implement the activities described in the Memorandum of Understanding, the Municipality of Gabrovo, Bulgaria the City of Portage, MI have agreed to the following three point strategy. This will serve as a framework for the on-going relationship between our two cities. The Action Plan looks at both short-term and long-term goals. The short-term objectives are the items, which can be successfully accomplished in the next ten months. The long-term goals will our relationship forward into the future.
The major points of this strategy, in priority, are as follows:
- Citizen Participation
- Economic Development
- Private Sector Partnership
SHORT TERM GOALS (Ten-Month Strategies)
I. Citizen Participation
Goal: Improve information to citizen and their understanding of municipally services.
Action Steps:
- Design and produce a newsletter highlighting the activities of the Municipality, distributed to citizen on a bi-monthly basis.
- Develop a Comment Card to be placed through the Municipality, requesting feedback from citizens on service delivery.
- Develop, produce and distribute a catalog and brochures describing municipal services, outgoing procedures to access these services, and providing relevant staff contacts.
- Develop an annual citizens survey instrument to begin in 1999.
Time frame:
February, 1999 - Design newsletter, comment card, and brochures.
March, 1999 - Produce citizen information materials and distribute through Municipal Information Center and other outlets throughout Gabrovo.
May, 1999 - Develop annual citizen s survey.
July, 1999 - Finalize model survey plan and present it to the municipal council.
Participants:
- Gabrovo Depity Mayor Katrandjiev
- Gabrovo Public Relations Department Penkova
- Portage Director of Purchasing Department Slade
- Portage Director of Community Development Department Erickson
Projected Outcomes:
- Citizens have a better understanding of local government services, and local government officials have a better understanding of the needs of Gabrovo s citizens
- Municipal services and appropriate staff are accessed more efficiently.
- Municipal government communicates more effectively with its citizens.
II. Economic Development
Goal: Improve the economic condition of the Municipality through public/private partnerships.
Action Steps:
- Evaluate properties for industrial and commercial investment (maps, dimensions, available infrastructure, zoning regulations).
- Develop bid specification/requirements for proposed private investment on serviced municipal land and bidder s list.
- Send bids out.
- Collect and evaluate bids, and award property for development.
Time frame:
February, 1999 - Evaluate properties and produce site specifications.
May, 1999 - Develop bid specifications and advertise upcoming tender.
June, 1999 - Send bids out to private investors.
July, 1999 - Collect and evaluate bids. Award property.
Participants:
- Gabrovo Director of Economic Affairs and Municipal Property Kalpazanov
- Gabrovo Director of Cadastre Department Parashkevova
- Portage Director of Purchasing Department Slade
- Portage Director of Community Development Department - Erickson
Projected Outcomes
- Municipal government utilizes its resources to facilitate the growth of private economic development in Gabrovo.
- Members of the private sector become active participants in public activities through partnership with the Municipality.
- Quality of life improves for citizens through the development of a private economy, and the physical improvement of public areas.
LONG-TERM GOAL: (Beyond September, 1999 Strategies)
Evaluate the potential for private sector partnerships between Gabrovo and Portage (June/July 1999)
This the 13th day of November 1998.
