Discussion of Agenda Topics for Upcoming Council Retreats

Provide an opportunity for Council input on the upcoming City Council retreats.

The purpose of this Work Session discussion is for the City Manager to provide a recommended outline for the upcoming Council retreats and receive input from Council to ensure the meetings are productive for all.

Retreat Recommendations
On Tuesday, January 3rd at 2 p.m., the Flagstaff City Council will come together for the first time to introduce themselves to each other and to Team Flagstaff as well as discuss opportunities for effective staff and Council relations.  At this initial retreat, Council will familiarize themselves with their rules of procedures, the process for future agenda item requests and City Council Reports.  At this retreat, the Council will also determine liaison assignments for the coming year as required by State Statute, intergovernmental agreement or City ordinance. 

On Thursday, January 5th at 9 a.m., the Flagstaff City Council will come together to set goals for the next two years.  The City of Flagstaff's mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life of its citizens.  To help the City Council work toward achieving this important mission, a “Goal Setting” process is undertaken at the start of each new term of office to determine Council’s desired focus and priorities in order to ensure City work programs are appropriately aligned. This process forms an integral part of City operations, and helps to ensure the most effective use of public resources. These goals represent the areas of common interest for Councilmembers, and are referenced on staff summaries, to help keep Council apprised of how each agenda item discussion relates to their term goals. 

At this retreat the City Manager will provide a progress report on current Council goals and discuss needs for continued progress.  In addition to current Council goals, staff will facilitate an opportunity for the Council to incorporate existing guiding documents such as the Regional Plan and Strategic Plan for Team Flagstaff into their goal-setting process.  The January 5th retreat will also include a discussion about the City Council's 2017 intergovernmental priorities.     

On January 19th at 9 a.m., the Flagstaff City Council will initiate the FY 2018 budget process.  One of Council's most significant responsibilities is to deliberate and determine a plan on how best to allocate municipal revenues to further the City’s mission of protecting and enhancing the quality of life of its citizens. Historically, Council often convened for initial budget discussions in the months of November or December.  Given the timeline for adopting the City's annual budget and the later retreat date, this first budget retreat is more critical than ever.  At this retreat staff will provide Council an overview of the current year's budget and review fiscal policies.  Staff will also provide Council an outlook on anticipated expenses for the coming year.  Council will also have an opportunity to discuss the City's revenue outlook and any desires for new revenue.  Finally and most importantly, the Council will engage in a budget priority-setting process to provide direction to the City Manager as he prepares a FY 2018 recommended budget.    

Please note the additional City Council budget retreat dates: February 15 - 16, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and April 26 - 27, 9 a.m. -
5 p.m.  All retreats are currently scheduled to take place in Council Chambers.

COUNCIL GOALS:
1) Invest in our employees and implement retention and attraction strategies
2) Ensure Flagstaff has a long-term water supply for current and future needs
3) Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics
4) Explore and adopt policies to lower the costs associated with housing to the end user
5) Develop and implement guiding principles that address public safety service levels through appropriate staffing levels
6) Provide a well-managed transportation system
7) Continue to implement the Flagstaff Regional Plan and focus efforts on specific plans
8) Improve effectiveness of notification, communication, and engagement with residents, neighborhoods and businesses and about City services, programs, policies, projects and developments
9) Improve the economic quality of life for Flagstaff through economic diversification, and by fostering jobs and programs that grow wages and revenues
10) Support and assist the most vulnerable
11) Ensure that we are as prepared as possible for extreme weather events