TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Keith Stahley, City Manager
SUBJECT:
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Priorities proposed for the City Council’s annual work plan, the 2023 City Council Policy Agenda.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Result Areas - Good Governance; Natural Environment Stewardship; Safe Community; Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure; Strong and Diverse Economy; Welcoming and Livable Community.
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SUMMARY:
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Through its annual Policy Agenda, City Council makes its priorities for action clear to staff and the community and provides direction on aligning resources towards the Strategic Plan Policy areas through the City’s budgeting process. Each fall, City Council develops a framework for its policy priorities and considers progress achieved on earlier priorities, community feedback from the Community Satisfaction Survey, and updates on major initiatives in an annual Community Report.
For 2023, City Council’s Policy Agenda priorities are concentrated in four areas: (1) responding to our sheltering crisis; (2) planning for our future; (3) engaging our community; and (4) sustaining infrastructure and services.
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ISSUE:
Should City Council approve the 2023 City Council Policy Agenda?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Approve the 2023 City Council Policy Agenda.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
Policy Agenda Progress
The 2022 City Council Policy Agenda priorities are concentrated in four areas: (1) responding to our sheltering crisis; (2) planning for our future; (3) engaging our community; and (4) sustaining infrastructure and services. On November 21, 2022, City Council considered progress outlined in the 2022 Community Report, community satisfaction with City services outlined in the annual statistically valid survey, and adjustments to priorities for the 2023 Policy Agenda.
At the November Work Session, City Council affirmed these priorities for 2023. As part of the Council’s conversation, staff were asked to bring back ideas for how to advance the Housing Production Strategy work in 2023. This priority is reflected in the 2023 Policy Agenda (Attachment 1) as are other priorities, confirmed in the Council’s January 17 Work Session, that fit within the Policy Agenda framework including:
1. Improve engagement and communications. A comprehensive engagement and communications plan is expected to result in strategies to tell our story, increase awareness of the impact the City has in day-to-day lives, and increase civic participation and diversity in participation, enhance our volunteer base, expand Neighborhood Associations, advisory boards and commissions, and benefit talent acquisition and recruitment strategies. This work is underway and is anticipated to be completed prior to July 2023.
2. Assess equity in delivery of Salem’s programs and services. A detailed equity assessment focused on workplace equity, supplier diversity, equitable access of community services, and a general policy review. This work is proposed for inclusion in the 2024 budget and can be initiated before July 1, 2023 by making use of professional services savings, and completed in FY24. Based on this assessment, the City will create a strategic plan to guide future operations, incorporating equity analysis into everyday work and assuring city services are equitably available to and accessed by all. This assessment will also result into performance indicators for measuring external and internal equity
3. Conduct a review of the City Charter. To ensure the City Charter reflects an efficient and effective government, principles of equity, and is relevant to today’s Salem.
4. Examine the committee structure and look at opportunities to streamline and simplify advisory board and commission structure to enhance their effectiveness and relevance
5. Continue investment in community-engaged policing. Increase police engagement with all communities within the City to enhance crime prevention and to facilitate trust when a police response is needed. Continue the commitment in this work through the Salem Police Department Strategic Plan.
6. Strengthen our community’s resilience and emergency response. by continuing to support community preparedness efforts. Community resilience to natural hazards and those brought on by accelerating climate change, as evidenced by recent fires, ice storms, and flooding.
City Council can expect to continue to receive detailed updates on key initiatives within the Policy Agenda as well as quarterly updates on progress for the 2023 Policy Agenda.
BACKGROUND:
Each year, through its Policy Agenda, the Council provides policy direction and develops a set of specific actions designed to move the City towards achieving each objective. This policy direction informs the City Manager’s recommended budget.
Courtney Knox Busch
Strategic Initiatives Manager
Attachments:
2023 City Council Policy Agenda.