TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
DATE: APRIL 23, 2024
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
APPROVAL OF THE 2024-26 CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES (FUNDING SOURCES: VARIOUS)
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SUMMARY
In November 2023, the City began a public engagement campaign to gather community feedback on City Council Priorities. The City conducted a community survey that asked participants for their opinions on City programs and services, priorities for the City Council, and suggestions for improving City operations and programs. Additionally, the City hired Patrick Ibarra of the Mejorando Group to facilitate three community focus group meetings (held in December 2023 and January 2024) and a City Council Priorities Workshop, which was held on January 27, 2024.
At the workshop, the City Council reaffirmed the seven existing priorities, which had been formally approved in April 2022. The City Council also requested additional information on several work plan items or “objectives” that it would like to further consider, all of which the City Council provided additional direction on during its March 12, 2024 regular meeting. Based on the direction that has been provided, staff recommends that the City Council approve the 2024-26 City Council Priorities and Objectives (Attachment A), which will inform the budget development process for 2024-26 (July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026).
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council approve the 2024-26 City Council Priorities and Objectives.
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation there are the following alternatives:
A. Request additional information.
B. Provide additional direction to staff regarding the 2024-26 Priorities and Objectives.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The process of updating City Council Priorities and Objectives is intended to inform the development of the City’s 2024-26 Operating and Capital Improvement Program Budget. In many cases, objectives identified by the City Council may require the allocation of funding and/or resources through the budget development process. Accordingly, the financial impacts related to the 2024-26 Council Priorities and Objectives will be accounted for in the City’s 2024-26 Budget, which will be presented to the City Council for its consideration at a later date.
The cost to prepare this report is estimated at $1,000 and is included in the operating budget of the Administrative Services Department.
ANALYSIS
In November 2023, the City began a public engagement campaign to gather community feedback on City Council Priorities. The City conducted a community survey that asked participants for their opinions on City programs and services, priorities for the City Council, and suggestions for improving City operations and programs. Additionally, the City hired Patrick Ibarra of the Mejorando Group to facilitate three community focus group meetings (held in December 2023 and January 2024) and a City Council Priorities Workshop, which was held on January 27, 2024.
At the workshop, the City Council reaffirmed the seven existing priorities, which had been formally approved in April 2022:
• Preserve Our Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resources;
• Maintain Financial Stability;
• Invest In The Maintenance And Improvement Of Our Infrastructure;
• Ensure the Safety of Our Community Through Community-Based Policing and Emergency Preparedness;
• Increase Livability In Our Neighborhoods And Expand Opportunities For Our Businesses;
• Promote Community Engagement Through Transparency And Communication; and
• Develop Anti-Racist, Anti-Discrimination Policies And Plan To Achieve Community And Organizational Diversity, Equity And Inclusion.
Information on how to provide written feedback and/or participate in the 2024-26 Priorities Setting Process was advertised as follows:
• An article was published on the front page of the December City Letter, which was mailed to all households, businesses, P.O. Boxes, and apartment complexes in Claremont.
• Over several weeks, articles were published in the City Manager’s Weekly E-Newsletter. Additionally, a direct email containing information on the Priorities Setting Process was sent to the over 900 email addresses that subscribe to the newsletter.
• Information is available on the City’s website and was also shared with all City Commissioners, Committee members, and employees.
• Several posts have been shared via the City’s social media pages (Instagram, Facebook, “X” (formerly Twitter), and Nextdoor).
• City Departments sent emails out to all “interest lists” that the City maintains (i.e., Outdoor Dining, Hotel/Motel Ordinance, and Tenant Protections, to name a few).
• The Claremont Courier published an article on December 7, 2023 encouraging public participation.
• Community groups and organizations were encouraged to share information with their respective memberships.
During the Workshop, the City Council also requested additional information on several work plan items or “objectives” that it would like to further consider, all of which the City Council provided additional direction on during its March 12, 2024 regular meeting. Based on the direction that has been provided, staff recommends that the City Council approve the 2024-26 City Council Priorities and Objectives (Attachment A), which will inform the budget development process for 2024-26 (July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026).
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities, Sustainable City Plan, Economic Sustainability Plan, General Plan, Youth and Family Master Plan.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Adam Pirrie Katie Wand
City Manager Assistant to the City Manager
Attachment:
Proposed 2024-26 Council Priorities and Objectives