Title
Second Workshop to Develop a City of Alameda Strategic Plan
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On March 6, 2023, the City Council and the Executive Management Team (EMT) of the City of Alameda (City) convened in person to hold the first public workshop on developing a three-year Strategic Plan for the City of Alameda. The workshop focused on discussing a shared vision for the future of Alameda and the core priorities required to achieve that vision. Prior to the workshop, CivicMakers, the City’s strategic planning consultant, interviewed each City Council member individually and facilitated a focus group with the EMT to gather preliminary input.
Following the March 6th workshop, the EMT and their staff drafted project lists that correspond with the City Council’s draft priority areas and CivicMakers prepared a survey to solicit preliminary feedback from the City Council and EMT on an updated vision and priorities and the proposed project lists by priority area. The survey results will be shared and discussed as part of the presentation at the upcoming second City Council workshop on April 24th.
Following the April 24th public workshop, CivicMakers and City staff will conduct employee and community engagement, such as staff Gallery Walks at various City work sites and Community Pop-Ups, to continue to solicit feedback on the draft vision, priorities, and projects being considered.
BACKGROUND
On February 7, 2023, the City Council approved an agreement with CivicMakers to provide strategic planning services and create a three-year Strategic Plan for the City. The Strategic Plan is a tool to help the City Council guide staff’s work over the next several years by developing a shared vision and priorities with specific projects included to meet those priorities. The Strategic Plan will also inform the upcoming Fiscal Year (FY 2023-25) budget and be reviewed and updated on an annual basis.
On March 6th, the City Council and the EMT convened in person to hold the first public workshop on developing the Strategic Plan. The workshop focused on discussing a shared vision for the future of Alameda and the core priorities required to achieve that vision. Prior to the workshop, CivicMakers, the City’s strategic planning consultant, interviewed each City Council member individually and facilitated a focus group with the EMT to gather preliminary input.
DISCUSSION
Following the March 6th workshop, the EMT and their staff drafted project lists that correspond with the City Council’s draft priority areas and CivicMakers prepared a survey to solicit preliminary feedback from the City Council and EMT on an updated vision and priorities and the proposed project lists by priority area. The survey results will be shared and discussed as part of the presentation at the upcoming second City Council workshop on April 24th.
Following the April 24th public workshop, CivicMakers and City staff will conduct employee and community engagement, such as staff Gallery Walks at various City work sites and Community Pop-Ups, to continue to solicit feedback on the draft vision, priorities, and projects being considered.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Participate in a second City Council Workshop on April 24 to continue the development of a three-year Strategic Plan.
2. Provide direction to staff for an alternative process to develop a citywide Strategic Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from this second City Council strategic planning workshop. Any projects identified through the strategic planning process that require financial contributions from the City would be subject to future City Council approval.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action does not affect the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Hold a second City Council workshop to develop a City of Alameda strategic plan.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Henry, Communications Director
Exhibits:
1. Workshop Agenda
2. Workshop Background Materials (draft vision, priorities, and project lists)
3. City of Alameda Strategic Roadmap FY 2023-2026 - Priority Projects Survey