HRSR INFORMATION 01-27-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• City of Elk -�-� River MEMORANDUM TO: Department Heads • FROM: Pat Klaers, City Admit DATE: January 28, 2003 SUBJECT: City Council Goals, Priorities, and Vision Statements At the last staff meeting on December 17, 2002, discussion took place regarding citywide goals a oals and establishing City Council vision for the future of Elk River. Discussion on this �' topic needs to continue at the 1-28-03 staff meeting. This topic was one of the issues raised during my performance review and the establishment of citywide vision statements and goals need to be worked on in 2003. The department heads raised this issue in filling out the • review forms and,in turn, the City Council has asked for some additional feedback and clarification from the department heads. The last department head staff meeting took place shortly after my performance review and things were not very clear (in my own mind) as to what the City Council wanted from the staff in terms of additional feedback. After talking about this issue with some of my peers, consultants, and department heads and after reading some articles on the topic it has become more clear that the City Council is not asking the staff what the citywide goals or vision should be;but rather the City Council is asking the department heads what you meant by saying you wanted and needed citywide goals...what are the benefits for you and your department to having a Council approved vision for Elk River and citywide goals? In general, I believe that you, as department heads, and your staff want to know "how you fit into the big picture" and that the City Council decisions are consistent with citywide goals/priorities/vision statements. I think everyone agrees that the citywide goals/priorities/vision statements need to be established by the City Council so that there is Council"buy in" and they are easier to use as a basis for Council decisions. Written and approved citywide vision statements,goals, and priorities are especially nice to have and use as a basis for decisions when the city is faced with budget cuts or an unexpected capital opportunity (such as funding for the Little Theatre). Attached for your review are some short articles from the League of Minnesota Cities Magazine on creating a city vision and establishing city goals.Also attached is some information from Michele McPherson regarding the Comprehensive Plan vision statement. The final • attachment is the back page of the Guardian Angels recent newsletter that identifies its