Top goals for the next fiscal year in the city include approaching transportation from a North County regional basis, opening all planned parks and increasing arts education, City Council members said yesterday.

The goals will be incorporated into a draft of the budget that is scheduled to come before the council in May, city staff members said, although not everything will be funded.

The budget should be approved by June and go into effect July 1 for the 2004-05 fiscal year. Last year, the City Council approved a $142 million budget.

Mayor Bud Lewis said he wants to see some sort of Barrio plan resurrected, after some residents from the historically Latino area near downtown told him they want to see improvements in their neighborhood. But he acknowledged that the plan may have to wait a year.

Councilman Matt Hall said the city should focus on transportation through projects that affect the region, such as completing Cannon Road between Carlsbad and Oceanside, and Melrose Drive between Carlsbad and Vista.

Hall also said the city should wait until the state adopts its budget before proceeding with about $70 million in planned new parks and park improvements.

Councilwoman Ramona Finnila said the city should focus more on arts education through its community programs, and also try to find a spot for an arts area in town. Finnila received the council's approval to host a meeting with those involved in the arts.

New items on the council's wish list include a city Web site that is updated daily, suggested by Councilman Mark Packard; a firing range, suggested by Lewis; and a fishing pier on state-owned land near Palomar Airport Road, suggested by Councilwoman Ann Kulchin.

"A pier? OK," the mayor said.

"Hey, if you want a firing range, I want a pier," Kulchin replied.

Top existing projects include the State Street plan, which calls for revitalizing the downtown commercial area; a desalination plant to help supply drinking water to the region; and a plan for the further development of land around Carlsbad Ranch and Legoland.