Quarterly Report - Strategic Goals and Objectives

Coming up Tuesday night at the Council session...

STRATEGIC PLANNING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

I decided that it wasn’t the best policy to dust off the “strategic planning” every few years, have a half-baked discussion and then put them away until we took them out again, years later. If the goals and objectives we are setting are to have real meaning, they need to be constantly in front of us so we can evaluate what we’re doing and make adjustments as needed. So I am starting a new quarterly report as part of our agenda in which we review the goals and objectives.

Here is my preliminary analysis using the goals and objectives set by the Council and filling in those activities that I think best fit into that category. Some activities fit into more than one category so you’ll see some overlap.

For the sake of brevity I’ve only included the activities started in 2018. The actual report covers 2017 as well and can be viewed at the city’s website.

1.1 WELL PLANNED - "Purposeful direction in land use and transportation planning create a community future generations will value."

• Independent analysis for Nakase proposal – Approved Jan 2018. To check whether or not this is the best alternative for the City.
• Traffic and Parking Commission – Approved Feb 2018. Expected to begin July 2018.
• Intersection Collision Report – Completed March 2018. This will help with planning changes to signals, lanes, etc.
• Police Parking Citation Analysis – Completed March 2018. Now we know exactly what is being cited and the minimal impact it has on our parking problems.
• Revision to street sweeping – Underway. Mayor Pro Tem Basile and I are working with staff. Proposal expected in July.

1.2 ATTRACTIVE – “Investment and maintenance in public facilities, infrastructure, and natural resources enhances visual character of the City and supports quality neighborhoods.”

• City adopts Pavement Management System – Approved Mar 2018. New standards set at 80% (“very good”).
• County repair to Aliso Creek riverbed – After months of negotiations, in March 2018 Mayor Pro Tem Basile got the County to respond appropriately.

1.3 SAFE – “Excellent public safety efforts maintain a family-friendly environment and a high quality of life.”

• Doubled up on Homeless Liaison Officer – Started January 2018 in anticipation of Santa Ana riverbed cleanup.
• Increasing classes on safety for children. First one Feb 2018. Advanced class offered in April.
• Revised Emergency Training Program – First one started in March 2018.
• New catch basin to prevent pollution – Approved Mar 2018.

2.1 ENGAGED – “Outreach, creative events, and programs inspire connection and engagement between the community and City government.”

• Mayor Pro Tem Basile (Monday) and Councilman Cagley (Thurs) began having office hours - Jan 2018. Now 3 Council members have office hours.
• Mayor’s Councils – Approved Feb 2018. HOA Roundtable March 2018, Business Roundtable April 2018.
• Expanded “Shop and Dine” week to month long – Feb 2018.
• New “Welcome to Lake Forest” video – Completed Mar 2018
• New slide show for people waiting for City Council meetings – Completed Feb 2018
• New Greeter for City Council meetings – Completed Feb 2018
• Weekly “Mayor’s Minute” video – Started Mar 2018
• City Information Kiosks – Model kiosk presented to HOA Roundtable in March. Now being used at city events.
• “Pop Up” City Halls – Approved Feb 2018. First one in April 2018.
• Closer ties with Chamber of Commerce – Approved Mar 2018. Promote “block parties” at local shopping centers, regional workshops, topic-focused special events.

2.2 INFORMED – “Transparency about decision-making and government performance cultivate public trust.”

• Live Streaming Council meetings on FB – Started Feb 2018.
• Production Assistant for more informative council meetings – Started Feb 2018
• Updated City Events Calendar to Yearly – Completed Feb 2018
• Takeaways – Approved Feb 2018. We now provide takeaways after Council meetings, promoting local businesses and upcoming events.
• City Manager Report – Approved Feb 2018. First report due April 2018.
• Council Committee Reports – Approved Feb 2018. First report March 2018
• Weekly “Mayor’s Minute” video – Started Mar 2018
• City Information Kiosks – Model kiosk presented to HOA Roundtable in March 2018. Now being used at city events.
• “Pop Up” City Halls – Approved Feb 2018. First one in April 2018.

2.3 TECHNOLOGICALLY CURRENT – “Innovative technologies enhance organizational efficiency and help our community.”

• Mobile App 2.0.- Beta version available Spring 2018. Release Winter 2018.
• Live Streaming Council meetings on FB – Started Feb 2018.
• Weekly “Mayor’s Minute” video – Started Mar 2018

3.1 SUSTAINABLE– “Responsible financial policies and prudent decisions provide short-term fiscal stability and long-term financial health.”

• Expanded “Shop and Dine” week to month long – Feb 2018.
• Payoff Bond Obligation – Approved Mar 2018. Payoff before Dec 2018. This act will make us completely debt-free, save us $1,000,000 in interest payments.
• Closer ties with Chamber of Commerce – Approved Mar 2018. Promote “block parties” at local shopping centers, regional workshops, topic-focused special events.
• Business Executive Roundtable – April 2018

3.2 WELL-RUN – “Good governance and professional management supports the City’s ability to serve the needs of the community.”

• City Manager Report – Approved Feb 2018. First report due April 2018.
• Council Committee Reports – Approved Feb 2018. First report March 2018
• Weekly Legal Issues Update – Approved Feb 2018. First report March 2018.
• Mayor’s Award – Approved March 2018. Given as appropriate.
• New Greeter for City Council meetings – Completed Feb 2018
• Intersection Collision Report – Completed March 2018.
• Ethics Committee – Approved Feb 2018. Mayor Pro Tem Basile and Col. Cagley working with City Attorney. Expected Summer 2018.
• Traffic and Parking Commission – Approved Feb 2018. Expected to begin July 2018.
• New Civic Center - Contract management oversight initiated Nov 2017
  

3.3 COMMITTED PEOPLE – “Talented staff and contractors are vital assets to our organization and essential to effective and efficient City operations.”

• Special Election - Jan 2018
• Traffic and Parking Commission – Approved Feb 2018. Expected to begin July 2018.
• First Responders Support “Grab and Go” – Started March 2018.
• Roundtables with Stakeholders – Started March 2018 (HOAs). Next one in April (Businesses).

FWIW - I included committed residents in this list.

4.1 HIGH STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

• Ethics Committee – Approved Feb 2018. Mayor Pro Tem Basile and Col. Cagley working with City Attorney. Expected Summer 2018.
• Campaign Funding Reforms – Approved Feb 2018. Submit to ROV in July 2018 for voter approval in November.
• Real Term limits - Approved Feb 2018. Submit to ROV in July 2018 for voter approval in November. Opinion Poll on Lake Forest Town Square shows 75% prefer 2 term limit.
• Change way to appoint commissioners – Approved Mar 2018. Designed to prevent “gang” dominance of council processes.

4.2 DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE

• Drone ordinance created – Jan 2018
• Explore creation of local no-kill animal shelter – Feb 2018
• Dog Park Shade Erected – Feb 2018
• Traffic and Parking Commission – Approved Feb 2018. Expected to begin July 2018.
• Reviewed and updated responses to active shooter issues – March 2018.
• Intersection Collision Report – Completed March 2018.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jim Gardner is on the City Council for Lake Forest where he serves as Mayor. You can check him out on LinkedIn and/or Facebook and you can share your thoughts about the City at Lake Forest Town Square on Facebook. His Twitter handle is @DrJimGardner. His comments are not meant to reflect official City Policy.

Dr. Gardner has office hours every Tuesday from 4 pm to 6 pm at the City Hall. In addition, he holds a town hall meeting every quarter. The next meeting will be May 17 at 7 pm at the Lake 1 Clubhouse (Ridge Route).