BACKGROUND:
Over the past 3 months, the City has undertaken a series of activities to solicit input from the community, City Council, and City staff for development of a 5-Year Strategic Plan. Strategic planning expands beyond previous goal setting performed by the City since, in addition to annual goals, it also identifies longer range priorities and initiatives.
A Strategic Plan is an important planning document to help organizations maintain focus on the future in addition to operationally and tactically addressing current issues and needs. Similar to the City’s Biennial Budget process, 5-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) plan and the Parks Improvement and Management Plan, the Strategic Plan should not be viewed as a static document. It should be reviewed, updated, and revised annually to reflect changes in business climate, evolving customer needs and expectations, challenges and opportunities created by current and emerging technologies, and new or emerging legal and regulatory compliance mandates.
DISCUSSION:
The draft Strategic Plan is the product of a thoughtful and inclusive process of education and solicitation of City Council thoughts and priorities, City staff review and collaboration, and community opinions and preferences. More specifically, outreach and inputs considered in development of the Draft Strategic Plan included:
•2023 projects and priorities identified by City staff
•Updates from the 2022 City Council Goals and Department Work Plans •City Council interviews conducted by MIG Consulting
•December 2022 Strategic Planning Workshop with Executive Management Team •January 2023 Community Survey conducted by FM3
•January 2023 City Council Strategic Planning Workshop
•March 9, 2023 Strategic Plan Workshop with City Management Staff Strategic Plans are developed around a framework based upon the organization’s Mission, Values, Vision, and Goals. The City’s Mission Statement is:
Moving Cathedral City Forward with Commitment, Pride, and Excellence Creating a safe, inclusive, and progressive community
Providing quality service
Valuing fairness, balance, and trust
Building partnerships
Honoring our similarities and differences
Celebrating our independent spirit
Based upon collective input received from the Community Survey and January 2023 City Council Strategic Planning Workshop, Values, Vision, and Goals were developed to guide and inform the City’s 5 Year Strategic Plan. The proposed Values, Vision, and Goals are as follows:
VALUES
Safety
Community Pride
Inclusiveness
Diversity
Community Investment
Culture of Service
Innovation Beyond Technology
VISION
Cathedral City is a safe, family-oriented community that values, respects, and supports human differences and diverse perspectives. We strive to be a vibrant, progressive, enterprising, and visually attractive community. Our diverse housing options and vibrant businesses attract residents and visitors who choose Cathedral City for its culture, arts, special events, and natural resources.
GOALS
Goal A - SERVE THE COMMUNITY WITH PRIDE AND DEDICATION Objective:Through diversity, equity, and inclusion driven employee programs and employee experiences, Cathedral City is the employer of choice with a workforce that is engaged, motivated, and respected public stewards.
Goal B - COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Objective:Cathedral City roads, gateways, public spaces, and other infrastructure are well planned, designed, constructed, and maintained.
Goal C - FISCAL STABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Objective:Cathedral City has economically prospered by facilitating the investment of private dollars in high quality development which benefits the community. We remain financially solvent by instituting prudent fiscal policies and transparent financial practices.
Goal D - INNOVATION
Objective:Cathedral City continually focusses on improving service delivery and customer experiences by successfully leveraging technology and creative initiatives to improve public services, public safety, and stimulate economic growth.
Goal E - SAFETY
Objective:Cathedral City is safe for all who live, work, visit, and play in our community.
Goal F - EMBRACING, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
Objective:Cathedral City is valued and respected as a community that welcomes and embraces diversity, has an abundance of high quality and affordable housing options, and vibrant businesses. Our neighborhoods are attractive, well-maintained, and issues surrounding homelessness have been compassionately addressed with thoughtful, coordinated, and collaborative programs.
The attached Matrix provides a format for identifying actions to be accomplished which support City Goals and achieve identified Objectives. Timelines, Lead Departments, and Support Partners are also provided. City Council priorities identified at the January 2023 Strategic Planning Workshop are highlighted and categorized under the appropriate Goals.
In addition to City Council identified priorities, additional actions to support achieving Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives were developed under the direction of the City Manager based on priorities identified through the discussions on January 28.. These actions are included on the Matrix as additional information.
The purpose and focus of the City Council Workshop is to review and provide feedback and direction to staff regarding the City’s Mission, Values, Vision, and Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives. Based upon City Council feedback and direction, staff will return with the Final 5-Year Strategic Plan for review and approval at a future meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is for discussion only and there is no fiscal impact. Some of the identified actions in the strategic plan will likely require additional resources which will be addressed as the current and future budgets are developed.