Boise Mayor McLean, in first State of the City, addresses pandemic, economy, racism
In her first State of the City address, shared with residents virtually Tuesday night, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean spoke most prominently about a topic that’s dominated her time as mayor: the coronavirus pandemic.
McLean did not touch much on new policy proposals during the speech, but instead celebrated the city’s resiliency the past few months and touched on recent accomplishments. Discussing Boise’s COVID response, she thanked residents for wearing masks, canceling large events, and doing other things to support neighbors and friends. She said that although Boiseans cannot will the coronavirus away, it is community camaraderie that will get residents to the other side.
“We might be physically distanced, but this is drawing us closer,” she said.
She thanked the Boise City Council and several teams of city employees for adapting quickly to allow the city to make changes in how services are delivered. McLean also talked about how Boise was the first city in the state to pass a public health order closing city buildings, and then closed bars and restaurants. She said the city developed partnerships to deliver services and protect residents, doing what was right for the public.
McLean said she was proud of people in Boise like Jonathan Amissa, a refugee from Cameroon. He sewed a few masks and made plastic barriers for medical transport drivers, she said, before distributing hundreds more to front line workers, neighbors “and those most vulnerable in the Treasure Valley.”
She also touted other partnerships, including with Interfaith Sanctuary and the United Way, for helping keep Boiseans afloat, saying many in the city “rose to the challenge.”
“But we know history isn’t a straight line, and neither will be our recovery,” she said. “Things will get better, then tougher, then better again. We need each other.”
McLean praised the city’s Economic Recovery Task Force, which earlier this week released recommendations on how the city and partners can support local businesses. She touched on working with the Ada County Highway District to allow for patios adjacent to streets ACHD controls to allow for socially distant dining.
“The bedrock of our economy is strong,” she said. “More businesses have contacted us about relocating here this year, in the middle of the crisis, than last year.”
She did not name specific businesses, but she promised to “convert these inquiries into more economic opportunities for our residents.”
“All workers deserve to be paid enough to live a good life in our community, and we’ll invest in an economy that ensures this,” she said.
McLean then went on to talk about one of the city’s biggest goals, and challenges, which is bringing more housing to account for the increased population — including more affordable housing. She spoke of investing in a housing land trust to develop several types of homes; forming the committee tasked with helping to rewrite the city’s zoning code; and opening Valor Pointe, a project that provides housing and services for veterans who are homeless.
Amid a horrible wildfire season for the West, she also spoke about one of the issues most important to her, which is taking action on climate change. She called the climate crisis “undeniable,” saying that it will only get worse and that it must be solved for future generations.
“Boise will be a climate innovation leader, not just because we want to, but because we must,” McLean said.
Boise officials have set a goal to have 100% clean electricity for everyone by 2035 — a goal McLean said she wants to beat. She also said the city aims to have a carbon-neutral government by 2035, and will lead the way in building a clean and sustainable economy.
After a spring and summer that featured many Black Lives Matter protests, McLean also addressed systemic racism, calling it “a problem that’s gone unaddressed for way too long.”
She said Boiseans must do what they can to undo racist policies, which means more than undergoing training or having conversations. She said it requires “an ongoing commitment.”
“Together, we will honor our differences and bring forth a diverse community that celebrates each person’s inherent humanity,” McLean said. “Cities that honor differences thrive. Societies that share diversity are historically more innovative, more successful, safer and, yes, they have better, higher-paying jobs. It’s just common sense.”
McLean said watching the actions of young people is how she knows Boise will continue to thrive. She cited students who march on the Capitol and singled out Aubrey, a second-grader who wrote her a letter with suggestions for making restaurants safe in a pandemic.
“Our children tell us things we should already know,” McLean said.
“I intend to fight like hell with each of you, Boise, and together we will pen the pages of a new book about a healthy, prosperous and welcoming city for everyone,” she said.
This story was originally published September 23, 2020 at 8:08 PM.
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