TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Steve Powers, City Manager
SUBJECT:
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Progress report on 2019 Council Policy Agenda priorities
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): All Result Areas
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ISSUE:
Information or City Council discussion in preparation for 2020 City Council Policy Agenda.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information only.
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SUMMARY:
At the November 18, 2019 work session, Council will have the opportunity to reflect on progress made on the 2019 Policy Agenda, seek additional information and background from staff, and consider priorities for 2020. The progress report is on priorities from the 2019 Policy Agenda and on-going service commitments that require substantial resources of the City.
A desired outcome from the work session is a set of priorities for staff to further develop for Council’s consideration at a January 21, 2019 work session. The work sessions are Council’s opportunity to create the 2020 Policy Agenda.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
Progress Report
Published in early October, the 2019 Annual Community Report provides an update on progress City is making toward Strategic Plan priorities, as articulated in the 2017 Strategic Plan and the City Council’s annual work plan, or the 2019 City Council Policy Agenda.
The report is organized around the community’s and Council’s expectations of service and desired results from the City. The six result areas are from the Strategic Plan’s vision, mission and values: Safe Community; Welcoming and Livable Community; Strong and Diverse Economy; Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure; Natural Environment Stewardship; and Good Governance.
A high-level overview of the City Council Policy Agenda Progress Report is attached (Attachment 1).
Updates for 2019 Policy Agenda Priorities include:
• Safe Community: Sobering Center
• Welcoming and Livable Community: Our Salem and Homeless Rental Assistance Program
• Strong and Diverse Economy: Tourism Promotion Area and Testing the Market for High Speed Internet Downtown
• Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure: Asset Management and General Obligation Bonding Strategy
• Natural Environment Stewardship: Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Environmental Action Plan
• Good Governance: General Fund Revenue Strategy and Key Performance Indicators
This report also includes updates on on-going service commitments, including:
• Safe Community: New Police Station, more emergency response in West Salem, safer for bikers and walkers, and preparing together for emergencies
• Welcoming and Livable Community: meeting housing need sin our community, Library seismic and safety upgrade, and pop-up downtown program
• Strong and Diverse Economy: more industrial jobs, north Salem food hub, business expansion in West Salem, and Salem Brewery District
• Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure: investing in safe drinking water, utility rate relief program, and improving bicycle and pedestrian safety
• Natural Environment Stewardship: buying green power and restoring the Willamette River
BACKGROUND:
The Salem Strategic Plan <https://www.cityofsalem.net/citydocuments/citywide-strategic-plan.pdf>, adopted by City Council in October 2017, articulates the mission, vision, values, and goals of the City. The plan charts a course for the City moving forward based on findings from an assessment of current conditions in our community, impacts of anticipated change in the region, and perspectives of residents, community leaders, and Council.
Through an annual City Council Policy Agenda, City Council makes its initial priorities for action and provides direction on aligning resources towards the Strategic Plan Policy areas through the City’s budgeting process.
Courtney Knox Busch
Strategic Initiatives Manager
Attachments:
1. Council Policy Agenda Progress Report