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CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that a City Council workshop shall be held on Wednesday. evening,
September 3, 2003, 6:00 PM, at the Falcon Heights City Hall, 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue.
The purpose of the workshop is to discuss. the proposed 2004 budget.
• .Anyone wishing to attend the workshop is invited to do so.
HEATHER WORTHINGTON
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
LJ
AuG i 4 2003
League of Minnesota Cities
145 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN 551Q3-2044
~a•of~•~ Imo" (651) 281-1200 • (800) 925-1122
~ ~ Fax: (651) 281-1299 • TDD: (651) 281-1290
wwwamnc.org
August 11, 2003
Dear City Manager or Administrator:
Enclosed is the League of Minnesota Cities 2003-2006 strategic plan. The LMC Board of
Directors is enthusiastic about the new directives this plan sets, and is committed to ensuring that
the resources and services you rely on remain strong and meet your city's changing needs.
You will recall that during the spring we asked for input into our strategic plan through au in-
depth member survey. We also conducted focus groups, telephone interviews, and discussions at
Regional Meetings to help determine what was most important to members and where we should
focus the League's energy and resources. Based on this member input, we developed a draft
strategic plan and again asked for your comments. At its June meeting the LMC Board of
Directors approved a final version of the plan.
As part of this process, the Board also approved a new mission statement for the League:
• ~ "Serving Minnesota's cities through effective advocacy, expert analysis, trusted guidance, and
collective. action." We believe this mission more accurately portrays the work of the League and
will guide the efforts of the Board and staff going forward.
In addition to sustaining ongoing programs and services, in 2003-2006 the League will focus on
five goals:
1. Developing and advocating sound public policy and engaging members in the process.
2. Being Minnesota's authoritative resource on city issues.
3. Helping cities anticipate and respond to fiscal challenges, and build economically vibrant
communities.
4. Building understanding and improving connections to and among cities.
5. Helping cities innovate and collaborate in proactively serving their citizens.
As you will see, each of the strategic plan's goals has a number of objectives, recognizing the
great demand for a broad range of offerings. Yet we must still set priorities for the near term.
At its July retreat the Board provided guidance for how League resources should be focused
during the next fiscal year by setting eight priority objectives. These objectives fall into several
key areas:
• The League will continue to advocate on behalf of cities by being an authoritative source
of information on city issues for state and federal officials and the media.
• • To help our members address ongoing challenges -particularly those related to fiscal
issues - we will facilitate information sharing, develop tools and templates, and establish
a repository of best practices, case studies and comparative analyses.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
Page 2
August 2003
The League will work to strengthen relationships, foster collaboration and build
understanding across cities and with state government (particularly with those who
influence fiscal policy) and other governmental associations.
We will work to improve our members' access to League information and resources
(such as through regional approaches .and electronic communications) and focus
particularly on direct contact with and the unique needs of elected officials.
On behalf of the LMC Board, I want to thank you for your membership in the League and for
helping us determine where the League should focus its efforts over the next several years. We
look forward to implementing this new strategic plan and continuing to serve you and your
community through effective advocacy, expert analysis, trusted guidance, and collective action.
Sincerely,
r/?~
Mazk Voxland
Mayor, Moorhead ~ ~ •
President
•
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LEAGUE ®F NIINIVES®TA CITIES
Serving Minnesota's cities through ef~ective advocacy,
expert analysis, trusted guidance, and collective action.
S''t~'°'~'~ ~~ The League of Minnesota Cities
'~~ is a membership organization
representin more than 800
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2 ~ ~ Minnesota cities. We work in
the interest of cities and the
6 communities they serve,
achieving our mission through
the expertise, involvement, and
cooperation of our members,
Board, and staff.
League of Minnesota Cifies
Cities gromotmg excenence
LIVIG's Oafs ®r 2003®2006
•
In addition to sustaining its ongoing programs and services, the League will focus
on the following initiatives:
Develop and advocate sound public policy and engage members in the process.
^ Advocate the League's policies by being an authoritative source of information on city
issues for state and federal officials, and the media.
^ Strengthen relationships with the administration, the State Auditor's Office, and other
state agencies that influence city fiscal policy.
^ Implement a new policy development process that increases member participation and
ownership, and yields .effective and actionable policies.
^ Work to build common-ground solutions when there are differences between cities on
policy issues and legislation.
^ Build member participation in advoca.ry by reaching out to uninvolved members,
making it easier for members to take informed action, and improving tracking of
member advocacy activities. •
Be Minnesota's authoritative resource on city issues.
Improve access to the League's information and resources,, particularly examining regional
approaches, electronic communications, and the unique needs of elected officials.
^ Provide unbiased, timely, complete, and accurate information and original research on
city issues.
^ Assist cities by developing tools and templates, and establishing a repository of best
practices, case studies, and comparative analyses.
^ More clearly and consistently communicate the League's identity and mission.
^ Continue to attract, retain, and support an exceptional staff.
Help cities anticipate and respond to fiscal challenges, and build economically vibrant
communities.
Connect cities to grant opportunities, and help them apply for and administer
grant funds.
^ Identify and examine new, stable sources of revenue for cities.
•
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•
Determine and communicate best practices and benchmarks for fund balances,
fee structures, and other fiscal issues.
Facilitate information sharing and compile comparative analyses that help cities
determine appropriate solutions to fiscal challenges.
Foster discussion around innovative economic development ideas.
Build understanding and improve connections to and anion cities.
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^ Evaluate the League's current service delivery methods and explore new ways to improve
connection to members and ease of access to League resources.
^ Improve the level of direct League contact with elected city officials.
^ Explore ways to foster better understanding of both differences and commonalities
among Minnesota cities.
^ Develop opportunities for cities to showcase themselves and learn from each other.
. ~ Help cities innovate and collaborate in proactive) servin their ci
Y g rizens.
^ Build cities' knowledge and skills in addressing the growing cultural diversity of
Minnesota, including assistance in implementing the "Building Inclusive Communities"
action guide. _
^ Develop resources and strategies around key demographic issues to help cities prepare
for changing citizen needs and new opportunities.
^ Create forums for the exploration of uinovative approaches to addressing specific issues
and challenges.
^ Provide tools for cities to use in developing and implementing collaborative approaches.
^ Explore how the League might provide services to assist cities with collaboration.
^ Work with other governmental associations and groups that serve cities to increase
collaboration, improve understanding among governmental units, foster common
solutions, strengthen legislative advocacy, and facilitate statewide partnerships.
at~fi ~ 4 2003
~. '~ Values
To achieve its mission, the League commits to these core values:
Leadership
Anticipating important policy issues and developing sound solutions.
Innovation
Applying creative ideas and strategies to address city issues.
Quality
Ensuring that excellence and member satisfaction drive all that we do.
Partnership
Developing alliances that add effectiveness, resources and perspective to League activities.
Diversity
Valuing the diversity of member cities and the people they serve.
Professionalism
Hiring, developing, retaining; and recognizing an exceptional staff.
:7
•
Trust
Earning and sustaining the trust of city officials, legislators, and other decision-makers.
Stewardship
Responsibly managing member resources to protect city interests and the vitality of the
organization.
~ i.eague of Minnesota Cities
145 University Avenue West, St. Paul, Minnesota 55103-2044
L~gvgafMinn•sotacitiss (651) 281-1200 • (800) 925-1122 Fax: (651) 281-1299
Cities promo{ing sxaeAence TDD: (651) 281-1290 • www lmnc.org