09-11-2019 Workshop & Council Packet

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STAFF REPORT TO: Mayor Keis and Members of City Council FROM: Chris Heineman, City Administrator DATE: September 11, 2019 RE: 2019 Strategic Plan BACKGROUND: The City Council has typically held an annual goal-setting workshop in the first quarter of each year with members of the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and representatives from other local community organizations. The purpose of these workshops was to provide direction to staff on the top 4-5 goals for the current year. As an alternative, staff proposed a strategic planning process to look at longer term goals (3-5 years) for the City of Little Canada. In preparation for this, staff partnered with the U of M Extension to provide Retail Trade Analysis information for the Council to consider. The City also worked with the Urban Land Institute (ULI- MN) to conduct a ‘Navigating your Competitive Future’ session on February 27. In May, the City Council, City staff, and representatives from the Parks and Recreation Commission and Planning Commission participated in a strategic planning retreat lead by Richard & Irina Fursman from Hue Life to create a strategic plan that guides the City of Little Canada into the future. The goal of a strategic plan is to establish a practical vision for the community and identify clear steps the City will take to achieve that vision. The first step in this process was to create a practical vision for the next 3-5 years. From this practical vision, four strategic directions were identified to help achieve this vision: 1. Enhancing and Empowering the Community, 2. Creating Operational Efficiency 3. Maximize the City’s Assets to Catalyze Development 4. Mandating Action and Accountability The attached document is the culmination of this process. These four strategic directions have been utilized by City staff as a guide during the 2020 budgeting process. Staff recommends City Council approval of the 2019 Strategic Plan REQUESTED ACTION: