TO:City Council
FROM:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
DATE:May 21, 2024
SUBJECT: FY 2024-25 Top Ten Priorities
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve City Council Top Ten Priorities for FY 2024-25.
2. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Costs for staff time associated with preparing, reviewing, and approving these policy statements are included in the Adopted FY 2023-24 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
Each year City Council sets Citywide Top Priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.
These Top Priorities clearly articulate City Council’s objectives and are used to promote accountability. At the April 23, 2024, Citywide Top Priorities Study Session, City Council received an organizational update and status on Citywide initiatives. Following the update, City Council discussed the establishment of Top Priorities for FY 2024-25 (Attachment #1).
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
1. Homelessness – Complete construction and begin occupancy of 30-unit Navigation Center at Lawrence Drive and contemplate timing for potential expansion. Work with relevant agencies to resolve legal complexities in an effort to move forward with construction on a 77-unit permanent supportive
FY 2024-25 Top Ten Priorities
May 21, 2024
9 8
8 housing project at former Quality Inn & Suites. Continue sustained efforts to address homelessness with Ventura County, law enforcement partners, and other regional entities.
2. Affordable & Workforce Housing – Advance the development process, provide project funding advocacy, and begin construction of the entitled 78-unit affordable for-sale project at site of former Hillcrest School. Leverage new General Plan Land Use map to advocate for a range of housing development on sites identified as residential or mixed use. Continue to explore potential affordable housing locations, partnerships, and opportunities to streamline consideration of projects with larger affordability proportions.
3. Public Safety – Proactively address current crime trends by continuing to participate in federal-level task forces and leveraging advanced technology, directed enforcement, and public outreach to combat crimes including fentanyl abuse, organized burglary, theft crews, and catalytic converter theft. Advocate and support a potential “Family Justice Center” presence in Thousand Oaks plus additional County services to the City and other East County cities.
Support and encourage efforts of fire-safe councils within the building community and neighborhood resiliency.
4. Campus Master Plan – In conjunction with the ad-hoc committee and consulting team, continue community engagement on the Campus Master Plan project. Begin work on the design of the project. Engage with neighboring property owners to encourage investment and participation in alignment with the overall vision.
5. Economic Development – Continue harnessing investment in the Thousand Oaks biotech cluster with a focus on recruitment, retention, and localized job growth. Investigate other potential public infrastructure investments to better connect life science campuses. Explore diversification strategies to attract other emerging industries to Thousand Oaks.
6. Environmental Sustainability – Implement the Climate and Environmental Action Plan. Advance strategic sustainability investments including implementation of microgrids at strategic locations; installation of EV charging stations to serve the City’s fleet and transit, multifamily communities and transit riders; and programs and processes to encourage a clean energy transition for residents and businesses. Continue to strongly advocate for collaborative regional solutions that promote localized water resiliency including feasible strategies for wastewater treatment and reuse, as well as stormwater capture and reuse.
FY 2024-25 Top Ten Priorities
May 21, 2024
9 8
8 7. Public Works and Infrastructure Investments – Leverage capital improvement budget to address aging public infrastructure and improve public median plantings with drought-tolerant landscaping. Promote safer and more widespread bicycling and pedestrian access with specific attention to residential neighborhoods and connectivity to other areas. In conjunction with the Thousand Oaks Police Department (TOPD), complete targeted outreach to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety.
8. Comprehensive General Plan Update – Implement General Plan Update including adoption of redrawn zoning maps. Ensure final certification of City Housing Element by State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Encourage thoughtful development of key sites on the land use map. Begin implementation actions of various General Plan elements (i.e., Public Art via Arts & Culture element, Bicycle & Pedestrian via Mobility element, Conservation element, etc.)
9. Cultural Arts and Library – Identify operational synergies and short- and long-term fiscal strategies to further enhance library experiences and cultural arts programs in Thousand Oaks. Contemplate library space planning options and identify plans and time horizons for potential renovations.
10.Technology Investments – Complete comprehensive rebuild of City websites. Continue process of upgrading water billing system to offer more real-time information for customers. Refine and build upon comprehensive land management system implementation. Ensure continued technology safety through investment in state-of-the-art cybersecurity protections. Begin implementation of recommendations identified in the Information Technology Strategic Plan.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
B. Provide municipal government leadership which is open and responsive to residents, and is characterized by ethical behavior, stability, promoting public trust, transparency, confidence in the future, and cooperative interaction among civic leaders, residents, business representatives, and staff, while recognizing and respecting legitimate differences of opinion on critical issues facing the City.
FY 2024-25 Top Ten Priorities
May 21, 2024
9 8
8 C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
PREPARED BY: Melissa Hurtado, Assistant to the City Manager Attachments:
Attachment #1 – City Council FY 2024-25 Top Ten Priorities CMO:120-40\mh\H:\COMMON\City Council\Council Items\2024 Staff Reports\052124\052124 FY 2024-25 Top Priorities Staff Report.docx