On February 14, 2017 the City Council participated in a strategic planning workshop to provide staff direction for 2017 and outlined several longer-term goals for future action. The workshop built upon the successful 2016 workshop which provided similar guidance for last year.

As part of the workshop discussion, the following areas (outlined in the categories of Finance, Land Planning, Economic Development/Infrastructure and Miscellaneous) were considered by the City Council as a whole to be priorities for the organization. Long term issues are noted by (LT):

Finance

Low Taxes

Continued Financial Stability

Stable Tax Rate

Prioritization of Services

Fund Balance Study

Park Asset Fee/Fund Review

Community Center Operations Funding

Park and Recreation Expenses (LT)

Land Planning

High Density Housing

50/30 SCALE efforts

Orderly Annexation Agreement

Comprehensive Plan

Trail Connections

River Crossing Capacity Increase (LT)

Riverfront Improvements (LT)

Active Annexation of Portions of Jackson Township (LT)

West End Planning Process Continuation (LT)

Economic Development/Infrastructure

Downtown Improvement/Infrastructure Maintenance

Historic Preservation/Tourism

Process to Recruit Higher Paying Jobs

Redevelopment Toolbox and Policy

City Property Development Strategy/Excess Property Marketing Process and implementation

City Hall Redevelopment (LT)

Old Mall Redevelopment (LT)

Downtown Redevelopment (LT)

Miscellaneous Projects

Signage/Wayfinding

Use of Committees

Park Asset Planning Process

Code Enforcement

Transparency/Communications

School Resource Officer Program Review/Training

Community Engagement/Neighborhood Group Activity

Southbridge Fire Partnership (LT)

Upon approval, the items listed above will form the basis for the staff work plan for 2017. As part of that effort, staff will develop a time line for action, and bring items to council for any necessary clarification and/or decision points on key issues associated with the plan.

It is understood that some of the items listed are generally under that purview of the city administrator, but that the council is tasking the city administrator to move forward in the areas outlined, develop policies for council approval if required, and to report to council on the efforts.