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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 Minutes_Minutes_SPAC_2017-01-22 MINUTES Strategic Plan Advisory Commission Tuesday, January 24, 2017 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. City Hall, 1st Floor Conference Room Commission members present: Bill Briska, Judy DiFulvio, Armida Dominguez, Dustin Good, Todd Martin, Jeanette Mihalec, Dan Miller, Carolyn O’Neal, Dennis Verges Commission members absent: Steve Knight, Sara Sabo Members of the public: Dave Segel, Sustainability Commission Staff: Rick Kozal, city manager ; Laura Valdez-Wilson, staff liaison A. Chairmain Briska called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. B. Roll call was read by staff liaison Laura Valdez-Wilson. C. SPAC approved the meeting minutes from December. Dan Miller moved to approve the meeting minutes, with a 2 nd from Dennis Verges. D. Staff liaison Valdez updated the group about the citizen survey process. a. Tentative timing is to have the survey out to residents at the beginning of May, so draft questions will go to ETC Institute by mid - March. Approximately 4,000 surveys will be sent out, with a goal to receive 500 responses back. Follow up is done via email, and finally phone if channels don’t work. ETC monitors responses to ensure that we have representation from all geographic areas of town and demographic groups. b. We are also exploring the option to do an online community survey that will be available to all residents. While this isn’t statistically significant, it’s a chance for everyone to participate. ETC would administer this survey as well. c. SPAC asked if the city has thought about offering incentives for completing the survey. Examples included Centre membership and restaurant gift certificates. E. City Manager Kozal reiterated his intention to have a meaningful process to redevelop the city’s strategic plan, and asked SPAC to start by looking at what is working or not working in the current plan. He noted that while he likes what’s in the current plan, it’s a very long document that is not indoctrinated in the organization. He wants people to remember the priorities without having to refer to the “guide book.” a. Todd Martin described the need for value statements, and SPAC looked at some of the purpose statements currently in the plan to see if these could potentially carry into the new plan. b. Bill Briska and Dennis Verges expressed an interest to see actionable items or specific strategies in the plan. City Manager Kozal said that strategies and initaitves need to be part of the process, but doesn’t want the document to get too busy. Departments have annual business plans, and specific information could be housed there. c. Dustin Good asked what has been accomplished with each priority area to date. Looking at the big picture can help us see where we have made impact and progress. For example, public safety has accomplished a lot, but where are the gaps? d. Dennis suggested the process consider the question, “Where do we want Elgin to be in 5 years?” e. Jeanette Mihalec noted that the plan and therefore its initiatives should overlap. Initiatives may fall under several categories because single values can’t be assigned. This currently happens in the plan, and this should continue. f. Judy DiFulvio asked if the group needs more data to see where the gaps are. Laura Valdez stated that Strategic Plan data or other sources could be provided to the group. F. The group shifted its discussion and analysis to the Downtown priority area. a. This priority area will be the focus of the next meeting, and Laura will provide the group with a list of downtown initiatives to date. Laura will also send a link to the DNA’s presentation to city council. b. Preliminary ideas include: the downtown should support activity that attracts people to experience downtown (events, residential development, potential business assistance); the Fox River is a resource; the DNA should be a resource for both businesses and residents; consider what is needed policy wise and dollar wise realize our goals. G. The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m. by Jeanette Mihalec, with a 2 nd by Dennis Verges.