Cityof Hercules2024StrategicGoals
PlanAssembledBy:
Authors:Ryder ToddSmith, PrincipalChristineMartin, DirectorKylieSun, Business Analyst CompletedMay2024
1 Tableof Contents
Summary 3KeyConcepts for StrategicPlanning 4Reviewof Vision, MissionandValues 4Cityof Hercules’ Vision 4Cityof Hercules’ Mission 4Cityof Hercules’ Values 4StrategicGoals 5Goal #1–AdvanceProgress of theHercules Hub 5Goal #2–TakeSteps toAddress theCity’s Fiscal Sustainability 6Goal #3–ImproveCommunityTransparencyandCommunication 6Goal #4–ContinueInvestinginaWinningTeamat CityHall 7Goal #5–PlanandFundMajor Infrastructure 7Goal #6–DevelopaComprehensiveLand-UseStrategy 8Goal #7–DevelopaComprehensiveEconomicDevelopment Strategy 9Exhibit A–April 13, 2024Agenda 10Exhibit B–April 13, 2024Tripepi SmithPowerPoint Deck 11 2 Summary
Strategicplanningis acommonbest practicefor all organizations. Identifyingbroadgoals,definingsuccess for theorganizationandhelpingtoset adirectionfor theteamthat worksdailytodeliver is alogical management practice. Incitygovernments, this takes onaparticularlyimportant rolewherethefunctionof theelectedleaders is toset targets andpriorities for theagencystaff, andthentounleashthecitystaff toworkonaccomplishingthegoals anddeliveringfor thecommunity. Aneffectivestrategicplanningprocess bothinformscitystaff about thepriorities of thecitycouncil theyserveandhelps council members resolvetheir competingpriorities andvisions for thecitytheyserve.
Citymanagers findthestrategicplanningprocess tobeparticularlyhelpful as it gives themachancetohear fromall thecouncil members inapublicforumwheretheycanengageeachother inhealthydialogueof sharedmissions andvisions. This process alsoaids thecitystaffleadershipteam, allowingthemtosharetheir expertisetohelpinformtheelectedleadersabout areas of concern, potential focus areas, andstrategicsolutions. Therobust exchangecanalignthecitystaff totheaspirations of thecitycouncil andprovideathree-to-five-yearvisionfor their workandbudget priorities.
TheCityof Hercules engagedTripepi SmithTalent Solutions (TSTS) toleadastrategicplanningprocess for theCityCouncil inApril 2024. Theprocess includedaninterviewwiththeCityManager, individual interviews withfour of fivecouncil members, afacilitatedCityCouncil workshop, adebrief of theworkshopwithcitystaff andtheassemblyof this report.
Thepurposeof theprocess is not onlytoidentifygoals, but alsotoestablishaworkplanwithreportableobjectives toaccomplishthosegoals andprovideongoingprogress reports totheCityCouncil. 3 KeyConcepts for StrategicPlanning
Tocreateauniformunderstandingof keyterms usedinstrategicplanning, thefollowingexplanations areoffered:
Vision
What is Hercules’ overarchingaspirationfor theCityandcommunity?Think30+years out.
Mission What is Hercules currentlyfocusingontoachievethevision? Values What coreprinciples guideHercules inpursuit of its visionandmission? StrategicGoals
What definableelements arenecessarytodeliver or showprogress onthemissioninthetwo-year goal cycle? Reviewof Vision, MissionandValuesGiventimeconstraints, TSTSadvisedtheCityCouncil togiveacursoryreviewof thevision,missionandvalues toensuretherewerenoegregious issues. Adeeper reviewof thevision,missionandvalues requires amoreextensiveanddetailedprocess that canbeundertakenatalater date. Duringtheworkshop, theCityCouncil offeredmodest suggestions for futureadjustments tovision, missionandvalues, but noedits wereformallyapproved. TheCouncilagreedtorevisit thevision, missionandvalues at alater date.
Cityof Hercules’ VisionTheCityof Hercules is arichlydiversecommunity, servingas amajor transportationhubandaprimedestinationfor theBayArea. It is built onasoundeconomicandphysical infrastructure,andits residents enjoypublicsafety, security, well-maintainedparks, streets andpublicfacilities. Weconduct our workinanatmosphereof trust andrespect. Weconstantlylookforbetter ways todeliver services andalways strivefor excellence.
Cityof Hercules’ MissionOur missionis toleadour diversecommunityandenhancethequalityof lifeintheCityofHercules, nowandinthefuture. Wedothis byprovidingeffective, efficient, responsive, andinnovativeservices withintegrityandacultureof transparency.
Cityof Hercules’ Values● Integrity–Honesty, transparency, fair dealing● Professionalism–Exemplaryconduct, competence, continuous improvement, respect● Service–Customer orientation, courtesy, hardwork, strivingfor excellence● Collaboration–Teamwork, communication, communityinteractionandoutreach● Creativity–Thinking, innovating, encouragingcritical analysis● Tenacity–Settingpriorities, stayingfocused, not gettingdiscouraged● Responsibility–Takingownershipof one's work, accountability, goingtheextramile 4 StrategicGoals
EachCityCouncil member was offeredtheopportunitytofill out aquestionnaireandparticipateinaone-on-oneinterviewwithTSTStoprovideinitial insight andfeedbackonindividual concerns andpriorities. After meetingwithfour of fivecouncil members, TSTSreviewedthefeedback, identifiedandconsolidatedconcerns andpriorities andpresentedsixgoals at aspecial meetingheldonApril 13, 2024 1 . Thecouncil members engagedinrobustdiscussion, agreedwiththesixgoals inconcept, identifiedonenewgoal andofferedlanguageadjustments and/or additional objectives withineachgoal. Whilethemeetingwaspubliclynoticedandopentothepublic, nomembers of thepublicwerepresent at thestrategicplanningworkshop. TSTSreliedonthediscussiontoassemblethis report, andit isanticipatedthat theCityCouncil, whenadoptingthereport, will alsobeadoptingtheobjectives andtactical steps notedwithinthosegoals.
Followingthefacilitatedmeeting, citystaff met todiscuss anddevelopaworkplanwithdepartment-level objectives andtactical steps that will provideameasurablewaytotrackandreport progress onthestrategicgoals. This report outlines thesevengoals identifiedbyCityCouncil, alongwithtactical steps andmetrics for each. *Pleasenote: Thegoals arenot listedinanyparticular order.
Goal #1–AdvanceProgress of theHercules Hub
Objective Tactical Steps Timeline
Developregionalpartnerships
Participateandcollaboratewithotheragencies, their boards andcommissions, andother stakeholder groups toraiseawarenessof theHercules Hubandregionaltransit-relatedissues, surfaceopportunities forpartnership, andsupport appropriatetransportationrevenue-generatingmeasures.
Ongoing
Enhancelobbyingefforts/contracts
Securetheservices of afederal lobbyist as anadvocateonbehalf of theHercules Hub.
Winter 2024
Continuetokeepthecommunityinformed
Utilizesocial mediaandother informationalplatforms todisseminateinformationregularlyandwhennewdevelopments occur.
Ongoing
InitiatetheTrainStationdesign
Securesufficient grant fundingtobeginthestationdesign.
Summer 2025
1 Exhibit Aincludes thespecial meetingagenda; Exhibit Bincludes thePowerPoint deckpresentedbyTSTS 5 Goal #2–TakeSteps toAddress theCity’s Fiscal Sustainability Objective Tactical Steps Timeline
Improveefficiencythroughabudget reviewprocess
ContinuetoimproveandcreateamorerobustCapital Improvement Plan(CIP) withspecialattentiontoservicedeliverymethodology,addressingdeferredmaintenance, andprioritizingprojects.
Spring2025;Ongoing
Explorerevenuesourcestomeet current andfutureneeds
Present toCouncil futurerevenue-generatingoptions that include:● Sales Tax● UUT(UtilityUser Tax)● Grant opportunities● General Obligation(GO) bonds● LeaseRevenue/CertificateofParticipation(COP) bonds● Real PropertyTransfer Tax Winter 2024
Goal #3–ImproveCommunityTransparencyandCommunication
Objective Tactical Steps Timeline
Improvecommunicationontheprogress ofStrategicGoals
Providequarterlyupdates at CityCouncilmeetings andpost theprogress toadedicatedstrategicplanwebpageontheCity’s website.
Fall 2024;Ongoing
Providecommunityengagementopportunities outsideofCouncil meetings Providetwice-a-year workshops/townhalls toallowresidents toconnect withtheCityoutsideof Council meetings andtherigidpubliccomment process.
Winter 2024;Ongoing
Encourageresidents tobemoreinvolvedincivicaffairs
Evaluateandreport backonways toimproveresident engagement.
Winter 2024
6 Goal #4–ContinueInvestinginaWinningTeamat CityHall
Objective Tactical Steps Timeline
Address staff capacity
Initiateagapanalysis of strategicgoalpriorities andstaff capacity.
Spring2025
Initiateastaffingcomparisonstudyofcomparablecities (population, cityservices,department size, andtotal FTEs).
Spring2025
Developasuccessionplan
Identifycritical andvulnerablepositions;Identifyatalent pipeline; andidentifyemployees inthequalifiedpositions whocouldtemporarilyfill thevacancyandpotentiallyapplyas candidates for thepositionshouldtheneedarise.
Winter 2024
Createasuccessiondevelopment planwithtrainingandlearningopportunities that arealignedwiththesuccessor position.
Winter 2025
Invest inongoingstaffeducationandtrainingthroughconferences andother learningtools Surveystaff toassess serviceand/or traininggaps ineachdepartment andtheCityorganization, as awhole.
Summer 2025
Usetheabove-mentioned(successionplan)education/experienceassessment andcrossreferencewithsurvey/interviews.
Spring2026
Identifytrainingopportunities/conferences,includingcomplimentarywebinars, for eachdepartment.
Spring2025;Ongoing
Buildahigh-performanceculturethat bothyieldsefficient results andincreases staff retention Reviewandanalyzepotential standards todefineandmeasurehighperformanceculture.
Spring2025
Surveyandinitiatestandards for efficiency. Spring2025Surveyandinitiatestandardretentiongoals,toincludeimpediments andopportunities.
Spring2025
7 Goal #5–PlanandFundMajor Infrastructure
Objective Tactical Steps TimelineIdentifyandset prioritiesrelatedtomajorinfrastructure Reviewandrefinepolicyfor prioritizingcapitalprojects as part of thebudgetingprocess.
Spring2025
Continueprogress ontheCapital ImprovementPlan
ContinuetoupdatetheCityCouncil onprogress duringthemid-year CIPprogressreport process.
Spring2025
Deviseaplanfor fundingtheParks andRecreationFacilities Master Plan Identifygrant opportunities, sponsorships,partnerships, andavailableCapitalImprovement funds for projects calledout inthe5–year ParkMaster PlanActionPlan.
Ongoing
Deviseaplanfor fundingfacilities assessment andmaintenance MaintainandrefinetherecentlyestablishedFacilityReplacement Fundtoaddress thebacklogof largeunfundedmaintenanceandinfrastructureprojects.
Spring2025
Goal #6–DevelopaComprehensiveLand-UseStrategy
Objective Tactical Steps TimelineCompletetheHousingElement certificationprocess andbeginimplementation WorkwiththeStateDepartment of HousingandCommunityDevelopment tocompletethereviewandcertificationof theHousingElement.
Spring2025
UpdatetheGeneral Plan
Securetheservices of aconsultant toupdatetheGeneral Plan, whichwill includeland-usestrategies for theredevelopment of shoppingcenters andcommercial sites withmixed-use.
Spring2025
CompletetheGeneral Planupdate. Spring2027
2 UpdateCouncil andcommunityonaffordablehousingprogress andRHNA 3 obligations
Continueannual reportingtotheCityCouncilonthestatus of development projects andHousingElement RHNA(Regional HousingNeeds Allocation) progress.
Ongoing
3 RHNAstands for Regional HousingNeeds Allocation
2 Thetimelinefor completingtheGeneral Planupdateis outsideof thetwo-year goal cycle 8 Goal #7–DevelopaComprehensiveEconomicDevelopment Strategy Objective Tactical Steps Timeline
Devisestrategies toexpandretail andattractbusinesses
DevelopanEconomicDevelopment strategy. Spring2026
Continuetoimplement theBusinessAttractionGrant program.
Ongoing
9 Exhibit A–April 13, 2024Agenda
10 Exhibit B–April 13, 2024Tripepi SmithPowerPoint Deck 11 12
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