Review 2021 Planning Session

The purpose of this case is to determine what type of planning session(s) the Council would like to conduct in 2021.

Each year, the City Council and city leadership staff typically review the city's strategic plan and adopt priorities for the coming year.  This process gives staff clear direction from council as to the priorities for the coming year.

Such sessions in the past have included:

• Review and revision of the City's vision, mission, and values.
• Team-building and development.
• Review of past years accomplishments relative to the plan.
• Review of the citizen's survey results.
• Development of priorities for the next 1-3 years.

On occasion, the City has used consulting firms and has done full-day or multi-day "retreat" sessions with the council and senior staff.

In recent years, the city has done 2-3 evening sessions devoted to the topics above, and has primarily used staff to facilitate the planning sessions.  Consultants have been used in this format as well.  The League of Minnesota Cities offers facilitators as part of our annual membership.  Staff recommend we take advantage of this service from the LMC as a start to our annual planning.  The sessions can be tailored to our needs.  Note, normally, outside consultants are expensive and it is not unusual for a city to spend $5,000 to $15,000 or more, for these planning efforts.



 

One or two evening work sessions are recommended for this activity.

N/A

Kurt Ulrich, City Administrator

Direction on how to proceed with planning of 2021 priorities, based on discussion.