TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Kristin Retherford, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT:
title
2022 City Council Policy Agenda priorities.
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 City Council Policy Agenda, City Council makes its initial 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.
In its November 15, 2021 Work Session, Council considered progress achieved on 2021 Policy Agenda priorities, community feedback from the 2021 Community Satisfaction Survey, and updates on major initiatives in the 2021 Community Report. Council further discussed priorities for 2022 at a January 18, 2022 Work Session when staff returned with proposals for how to achieve City Council priorities, and at the February 14, 2022 regular meeting.
Priorities for 2022 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. In April, the City’s budgeting process begins, with final City Council action taken in June.
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ISSUE:
Adopt the 2022 City Council Policy Agenda.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Adopt the 2022 City Council Policy Agenda.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The City Council’s 2022 Policy Agenda (Attachment 1) features priorities in four areas: (1) responding to our sheltering crisis; (2) planning for our future; (3) engaging our community; and (4) sustaining infrastructure and services. Adoption of the Policy Agenda occurs between January and March of each year. The Policy Agenda informs the City’s annual budget. In April, the City’s budgeting process begins, and the 18-member Budget Committee convenes. Final City Council action on the budget is taken in June.
The 2022 Policy Agenda relies on the overarching framework of the City’s goals, result areas, and Strategic Plan, as established by the City Council. For each activity, the City’s primary roles are noted:
• DOER: The City’s primary role is to execute the activity.
• PARTNER: The City’s primary role is to partner with external parties and/or provide funding to support the activity.
• CONVENER: The City’s primary role is to bring together external parties to advance the activity via collaboration.
The 2022 Policy Agenda is the result of the City Council’s November 15, 2021 Work Session in which Council considered progress achieved on 2021 Policy Agenda priorities, community feedback from the 2021 Community Satisfaction Survey, and updates on major initiatives in the 2021 Community Report. Council further discussed priorities for 2022 at a January 18, 2022 Work Session, when staff returned with proposals for how to achieve City Council priorities, and at the February 14, 2022 regular meeting.
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.
The City’s Community Report (<https://www.cityofsalem.net/citydocuments/2021-annual-community-report.pdf>) provides a detailed summary of progress on these priorities.
There are several major initiatives underway - including Our Salem, our response to the sheltering crisis, strategic planning in key areas like Police, Library, and recently completed Economic Development Strategy- with a lasting impact on our community. We are also putting equity in action through access improvements to our programs and services, in business supports and livable wage job creation, and in how we plan for our future - through Our Salem and action needed to mitigate effects of climate change. These initiatives have committed current available resources and resources - staff time and funding - into the future. Revenue forecasts indicate that continuing ongoing expenses at current levels is unsustainable. With constrained revenues, funding one-time initiatives is preferable over significant new recurring priorities.
Courtney Knox Busch
Strategic Initiatives Manager
Attachments:
1. 2022 City Council Policy Agenda.