From: Cynthia McDonald
To: STEPHENS, JOHN; REYNOLDS, ARLIS; Andrea Marr; CHAVEZ, MANUEL; GAMEROS, LOREN; HARPER, DON; HARLAN, JEFFREY Cc: CITY CLERK
Subject: Special Meeting of April 19, 2024 - Strategic Planning Retreat Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024 5:02:30 PM
Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers:
Due to a prior commitment, I am unable to attend the meeting tomorrow. I request that you consider adopting the following goals:
Strengthen the City’s relationship with the public:
Perform regular resident satisfaction surveys and release the results to the City Council and the public
Evaluate quality of life, economic health,
government performance, livability and
quality of life, mobility, community design,
safety, natural environment, health and
wellness, education, arts, and culture, etc.
Compare historical data
Develop a weekly community newsletter that notifies residents of upcoming city and county events, along with recreational activities, opportunities for citizen input, transportation alternatives (this Saturday is OCTA ride-the-bus-for free-day, for example), volunteer opportunities, diversity, equity and inclusiveness events, etc.
Increase transparency
Comply with all provisions of the
California Brown Act
All materials
given to
members of
the City
Council,
Commission
and
committees
must be
provided to
the public at
the same time
they are given
to the
members
All
presentations
at meetings of
City Council,
Commissions
and
committees
must be
provided to
the public as
soon as
possible
(either
simultaneously
or
immediately
after)
Limit the
closed
session items
to only topics
allowed to be
considered in
closed
session by the
Brown Act
Any major change or discussion of a major
change to meeting topic must occur prior
to the public comment period
Minutes of all meetings must contain
sufficient information to determine the
information presented and the discussion
and comments by the members of the City
Council, Commission or committee, staff
and members of the public, including the
attachment or link to all presentations,
public comments and any documents
provided
All “stakeholder” meetings must be
noticed to the public and held in a location
where the public can witness the meeting
A list of
attendees
shall be
maintained
Appropriate
notes shall be
maintained
Any
documents,
presentations,
etc. provided
to attendees
will also be
provided to
the public
Improve City’s website to include a
transparency portal that will include at a
minimum
Location and
brief
description of
major projects
(see both
Irvine and
Santa Ana’s
interactive
maps of major
projects –
TESSA does
not have this
feature)
List of all
major
developments
and the
important
related
documents,
status, and
upcoming
meetings (see
Santa Ana’s
major
planning
projects –
TESSA does
not have this
feature)
Contracts and
Agreements
not excluded
by the Brown
Act
Adopt an ethics policy for City employees, City Council, Commission, and committee members, including but not limited to:
Fraudulent Behavior
Conflicts of Interest
Unlawful Conduct
Unsafe or Unhealthy Conditions
Discrimination
Sexual Harassment
Workplace Violence
Substance Abuse
Better support the arts community
Establish a housing trust fund for affordable housing for resident artists
Establish an arts center/creative studios where artists can:
Create work
Display, perform and sell work
Instruct the community
Thank you for your consideration.
Cynthia McDonald
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