HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - DRAFT 1994 1997 STRATEGIC PLAN (2)AGENDA REPORT
City
Item (016epresent
George Caravalho
NEW BUSINESS
DATE: February 22, 1994
SUBJECT: Draft 1994 - 1997 Strategic Plan
DEPARTMENT: City Manager
by:
pproval
In November of 1993, City staff met to develop its second strategic plan, the first plan having been
accomplished.
The strategic plan is one of the key management tools City staff uses to measure progress and
accomplishments of priorities and objectives as established by the Council. The first plan covered a
three year planning period from 1988 to 1992. Some examples of what was accomplished in the first
plan are: the improvement of traffic conditions (from the quick fix plan to Soledad and San Fernando
widening); purchase of the City Hall building and the Corporate Yard; the development of existing parks,
as well as the acquisition and construction of new parks and trails; developing aggressive solid waste
disposal alternatives and cufbside recycling programs; improving air quality; a Municipal Report that goes
to every resident; beautification of the community's landscape; a general plan; regional mall; cultural arts,
as well as a new transit system.
The above accomplishments are just a few examples of what it is now taken for granted as just a part of
everyday life in Santa Clarita. However, these items were all in the City's first strategic plan,
Attached is the 1994-1997 draft strategic plan for your review and comment. It contains 26 items which
range from an aggressive economic development program to developing an infrastructure and financial
master plan. It is our desire that the action items in this plan will also be taken for granted as everyday
life in Santa Clarita.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file.
DEL/agnstrat Continued To: -�3 — �O -cl, v
City of Santa Clarita
Strategic Plan
1994-1997
"Take the best and make it better. "
The following is the mission statement for the 1994-1997 City of Santa Clarita
Strategic Plan.
Introduction
A strategic plan workshop was conducted by Gary Brown. The development and logistics of
the workshop were carried out by Ken Pulskamp, Assistant City Manager; Jeff Kolin, Deputy
City Manager, Public Works; Lynn Harris, Deputy City Manager, Community Development;
Terri Maus, Administrative Assistant; Amelia Hutchinson, Administrative Assistant; and Dennis
Luppens, Administrative Assistant.
This was a City-wide strategic plan, encompassing all departments, and participants were the
management staff from those departments. These participants were: George Caravalho, City
Manager; Ken Pulskamp, Assistant City Manager; Cecilia Burda, Special Projects Manager;
Carolynn Deller, Information Resources Manager; Gail Foy, Public Information Officer; Dennis
Luppens, Administrative Assistant; Michael Murphy, Intergovernmental Relations Officer; Jenny
Roney, Personnel Manager; Donna Grindey, City Clerk; Steve Stark, Finance Director; Barbara
Boswell, Accountant; Jeff Kolin, Deputy City Manager, Public Works; Hazel Joanes, Associate
Civil Engineer; Jesse Juarros, General Services Manager; Ron Kilcoyne, Transit Manager; Terri
Maus, Administrative Assistant; Dennis Welch, Street Supervisor; Lynn M. Harris, Deputy City
Manager, Community Development; Mike Haviland, Marketing Economic Development
Manager; Rich Henderson, City Planner; Amelia Hutchinson, Administrative Assistant; Tony
Nisich, City Engineer; Ruben Barrera, Building Official; Rick Putnam, Director, Parks,
Recreation and Community Services; Raquel Garcia, Administrative Assistant; Vyto Adomaitis,
CDBG Coordinator; John Danielson, Parks Superintendent; Mary Dixon, Lieutenant, SCV
Sheriffs Station; and Gary Nelson, Assistant Fire Chief, L.A. County Fire Department.
Also participating in the creation of the strategic plan were: Manuel Flores, Groundskeeper 1;
Bahman Janka, City Traffic Engineer; Adele Macpherson, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator;
Kevin Tonoian, Administrative Analyst; and Sandy Walrath, Executive Secretary. These 5 were
chosen by City employees to represent their perspective in creating the City's next strategic plan.
The 2 -day strategic planning was preceded by one day of organizational development. It is
generally felt that as a whole, the City had hit a plateau or decision point, and the question
begged, "Where do we go next? Do we stay where we are? Do we go down, or do we go up?"
The organizational development meeting on November 17, 1993, was conducted by Dick
Del,ong, who helped City management staff work through this issue and set a new strategic
management plan in order to continue innovation and sense of purpose. The development
meeting was designed to assist the group to involve creativity, bring our sense of history,
commitment, technology and community support to create the next strategic plan. It was agreed
that we do practice strategic management to realize our vision. It was discussed that we have
4 choices ahead of us in creating our strategic plan and future. We could: 1) prevent the
future; 2) adapt to the future; 3) predict and prepare the future; and 4) invent the future. All
agreed that our goal with this strategic plan is to invent our future.
To summarize the introduction, it was thought that the last strategic plan, 1989-1992, was highly
successful and focused the City's direction, accomplishing 99% of that plan's goals.
The theme selected for this strategic planning process encompassed the feeling that we want to
take the best and make it better.
Section I - State of the Organization (Current)
To begin the planning process, a list of issues that currently concern the City, both externally
and internally, was compiled. This list was used as a check list to assure that all issues currently
of concern to the City were addressed by the action plan. The following current issues were
identified; they are not in priority order:
• Employee training (technical, leadership and communication).
• Staff development, retention, enhancement and professional growth.
• Maintenance of infrastructure and facilities.
• Community identification.
• Expansion of services.
• New functions.
• Diminishing resources (financial).
• Slowing job/career advancement opportunities, e.g. "success without promotion."
• Promotion of growth for economic development.
• Sustainability (environmental protection).
• Future growth patterns for transportation application.
• Social/community services.
• Resource allocation/priorities.
• Competition for grants.
• Role of government -- less vs. more.
• Loss of services (less grant dollars).
• Inadequate technology.
• New regulations (building services).
• Create self-help partnerships with community.
• At -risk kids (lack of specific programs/involvement).
• Negativity among staff (morale).
• Cultural diversity (language).
• Services for seniors.
• Identification of resources (funding).
• Intercommunication and coordination between/among departments.
a Lack of trust in government.
• Unfunded mandates.
• Replacement funds.
• Equipment infrastructure.
• Gang activity, emerging poverty areas and housing deterioration.
• Fear in society, increasing crime and lost traditional family values.
• Media/communication into and out of the community.
• Law enforcement resource allocation.
• Demand management.
• Review/evaluate existing use of resources.
• Graffiti and funding of programs.
• Partnershipping (public and private).
• Loss of volunteers (burnout).
• Assessment of facility needs and growth of transit, parks and maintenance.
• School issues impact on government, child care and recreation.
• Slum prevention.
• Growth outside the City.
• Education of public on role of City government.
• Geographical expansion analysis.
• Cost of business and workload.
• Increased competition for scarce resources.
• Compete with each other for resources.
• Recycling and responsibility for our actions -- "Walk the talk."
• Role of departments.
• Lack of internal trust (perception).
• Increased bond with contract services.
• Distribution of workload/organizational expectation (the justice is out of balance).
Section 11 - Planning Period
The planning period segment of the planning process is when the organization determines a
logical time frame on which to focus and within which, to some degree of certainty, one can
predict what may take place. There was vigorous discussion regarding the time period on which
the plan should focus. Options considered were 5 years, 3 years and 2 years. It was discussed
that many of the projects and tasks we will face over the next years could take as long as 5 years
and could be completed in as short a time as I year. Concern was expressed that the longer
range (5 + years) projects might not be completed within a shorter planning period. A vote was
taken and it was determined that a 3 -year planning period, from 1994 through 1997, would be
utilized.
Section III - Assessment of External Conditions
In this section, the objective is to list our service population, regulators, competitors, resource
providers and the trends or direction these elements are going.
W`ho are those in our service population and what are the trends associated wilh them?
Population
Trends
Citizens More diverse; more demanding; more willing to be
involved; growing population; larger teen and elderly
population; less pre-school.
0 Other departments More demanding; competition; creeping parochialism;
more history and knowledge of each other; doing more
with less; identities have changed; not "new" anymore;
questioning philosophy; demands getting more
sophisticated; more training time to learn technology.
Seniors There will be more of them and they will be older; they
will be working longer; more educated and more
demanding; volunteerism will increase.
Developers Currently, the projects are smaller, there are less of them
and those that are around are getting ready for the new
boom; they are starting to process projects.
0 Ethnic groups Expanding; more diverse; more vocal and organized;
demand separate identity with a trend towards multi-
culturalism.
Pre-school Population growth is slower; still need affordable pre-
schools.
Teens Becoming more involved; more of them are becoming
at -risk;" graffiti is coming from this group; the group
numbers are growing; they are becoming more
adventurous; they have more money; they are mobile.
At -risk kids There are more of them; they are coming from single -
parent families; they are more violent than in the past,
but more programs are being developed.
Environmentalists There is more regulation and there is opposition from the
business community to this regulation; environmentalism
is becoming more mainstream; they are heavily involved
in schools and in the media.
City Council and They know their roles better; they want more
Commissions involvement in policy development; they are more
realistic.
Business group They want less government intervention and more
incentives and assistance.
Sheriff's Department They are becoming more expensive with regard to the
SCV station; increased movement; promotions are
moving people up and out; there is frustration on their
part to do more with less; a feeling of more isolation
from City staff.
Fire Department More expensive; unions are raising the cost; training
costs are going up; more volunteerism.
0 Homosexuals They want more service; they are more open and visible.
Homeless There are more of them; need more shelters; there are
more homeless families; if the economy improves, the
homeless situation should improve.
Chambers of They are working together better; the SCV Chamber is
Commerce dominating.
Valencia Industrial Gaining strength, visibility and credibility.
Association
East Newhall The population is becoming more involved and active;
they are open to partnerships.
Civic groups There are more of them; they are partnershipping to
create more influence.
Tourists The City and business are trying to attract them, but
currently they have less to spend.
Large employers Seems to be that they are leaving California, however,
more are coming to the SCV; large corporations are
down -sizing.
Small business They are hurting economically; there is a high turnover;
they are complaining of not enough service from the
City.
Film industry They are strong; they are increasing their filming
activities within the City; there are more facilities within
the City, however, citizen complaints about location
filming are increasing.
Large sales tax New ones are coming in and want services, incentives
generators and recognition from the City.
Jurisdictions There is increased competition for these large sales tax
generators from many jurisdictions.
Volunteers Less of them; more of them are needed.
0 Press media They too have stretched resources.
Trail/Outdoor More of them; they are becoming more vocal.
recreators
Transit users School kids are using the transit system; there is more
visibility of Metrolink; more demands on the transit
system from the users.
Schools There are new schools and they will want more crossing
guards, signals and bus services.
Higher education and They are over -crowded; they seem to want to use our
Colleges information resources; they are providing an employment
base for internships to the City.
%%a are our regulators and what are the trends associated with them?
Regulators
Trends
0 State No money; taking City resources; less regulation, but
when they do pass regulation and mandates, no funds
follow to the local governments who are responsible for
their implementation.
County No money; they are pushing regulatory functions onto the
City.
0 Federal government No money; they are pushing regulation onto the States;
they are asking for more training standards.
SCAG They are doing more regional planning, with a regulation
emphasis.
AQMD More regulation; more emphasis on working with
business.
0 Corps of Engineers Lots of red tape.
Forest Service Budget problems; new leadership; more environmental
emphasis; less recreational campgrounds.
LAFCO New leadership, but the future trend is unknown at this
time.
NITA More standards; performance measures; independent
policing.
0 L.A. County Flood More environmental emphasis; implementation of or
Control regulating the MPDGS.
0 Fire Department Becoming more reasonable.
0 Building and Safety Higher standards; rating emphasis; training.
0 City Council Trend is changing and is dynamic.
0 Health Department Less regulation; fewer employees; down -sizing the
organization due to budget concerns.
0 Sanitation Districts Becoming more cooperative; developing higher standards;
more expensive.
Courts Broadening their role in policy-making; transferring
responsibilities to the cities, i.e., traffic parking citations;
more conservative; judgements are turning in favor of
cities or exposure from high monetary awards from the
cities are lessening.
0 CAL EPA More regulations and enforcement.
OSHA Stronger guidelines and enforcement; moving into
operations; developing higher penalties.
Risk Managers More control; more emphasis on limiting risk; more
cautious; increased liability costs as partnerships with
private groups and individuals increase.
Who are our competitors and what are the trends associated with them?
Competitors
Trends
Cities We are competing for jobs, funds and business; citizens
are leaving and migrating to better lifestyles and cities in
different parts of the country or within the state.
Federal/State/Local More regulatory control; adversarial roles are being
governments developed and regionalism is the outcome.
0 Private sector Competing for the same dollars and for control of land
use; questioning whether in-house services or contract
services are best for our organization; the public's use of
the private sector services over government services;
privatization of traditional government services.
New governments Want more control; interfere with local control;
(regional, super- competition for power among them; more of them;
regional, COGS) bureaucracy and regulation is increasing, but this does
provide new opportunities as well.
0 Non -profits Duplication of services; becoming more professional and
structured; increased competition among them and
ourselves; more mediation by the City; becoming a
strong lobbying group.
0 Transit agencies Competing for federal, state and county transit dollars.
International Competition is up between governments; more major
employees have greater options to go to other countries;
increased need for assistance in other countries; more
cultural influence and diversity are being encouraged.
Other states Partnerships; competing for rail haul, high-speed rail and
other large projects; states are competing with one
another to employ large corporations or industries to their
states.
County of Los Talcing more of our dollars; the impact of development of
Angeles the City is increasing; increasing is the impact for
service; the formation of other cities within the County;
cities within the County competing for businesses;
County limits our competition and ability; loss of City
opportunities.
The Newhall Land & Development is up outside of the City; increased
Farming Company cooperation; increased relations with the County of Los
Angeles
H%o are our resource providers and what are the trends associated with them?
Resource Providers
Trends
Social service agencies Less funding demand on the City; can utilize money
(non-profit) more efficiently; change in needs for support; increased
need for partnerships and facilitation.
9 State More regulation and fewer dollars; unfunded mandates;
more impact on our services; more politics and less
policy coming from Sacramento; pushing formerly State
programs down to local government.
Federal Unfunded mandates; do less with more; more confusion;
more politics; less policy; increased money from the
federal government; courts are having a larger influence
on policy through their judgements; funds which are
available are in more restricted capacities; service
realignment going on.
MTA Fewer dollars; more competition for the dollars and
service with the federal government; more intrusive in
the conditions and audits to the City.
Volunteer They are younger, smarter, specialized and changing in
attitudes; increased reliance on them; more legislation is
helping volunteers; more of them.
Special districts Don't want to partnership; will be more of them; seem to
be a wave of the future for taxing and funding reasons;
extensive use and expansion of them.
Developers More resistant to fees; focusing on a more intensive need
to recoup losses from the recession; more partnerships
will be on the horizon; increased demand on them for
donations from non-profit and the public sector, but
because of the recent slowdown in development, the
funding from development is down.
Citizens Their expectation, as well as their involvement and sense
of ownership, is on the increase; their expectations are
diverse, demanding and there is an inherent distrust of
government; less will to pay for services; seems to be
less parochialism among the citizen groups, however,
there is an increased level of fear from crime.
Citizen's sales tax, More DUPPIES (disenfranchised urban professionals).
property tax and
user fees
Franchises (cable and More regulation; less revenue coming to the City from
trash) them; increased fees upon their users; more demands
from the franchise groups; public satisfaction with the
franchise groups is down.
Utilities Revenues are up; more dollars to the City; more activism
on the part of residents towards utilities.
Local business Increased partnerships and need for incentives; more of
(corporations and them in a survival mode rather than a growth mode;
small business) although there seems to be an increased need for
corporate sponsorships for non -profits and public
organizations, donations are down.
Homeowners' Becoming more active and demanding; increasing in
associations numbers; within their demands, they would like the City
to take better care of them.
* LAFCO More of the same?
County of Los Do less with more; their service to the area will decrease;
Angeles seem to be in the mode of turning over services and
facilities and this corresponds to a transfer of liability
upon the City.
School districts Relying more upon the City for services in all areas, but
they do not want to give up control in exchange for the
increased service; less responsibility for students traveling
to and from the campuses; attendants dollars are up;
branch out for funds; new responsibilities and creativity
in looking for funds, rather than just relying on
attendance dollars; study of consolidation of districts
within the City.
Joint Powers The risk of liability exposure will increase as the City
Authority becomes more involved in partnerships.
0 Tourists Tourism is up; dollars are up.
Film industry Filming is increasing, as well as the dollars that come
from filming.
Section IV - Vision of the Futur
Having previously identified the current issues facing the organization, and having explored
those groups, people, and agencies that influence the community and the trends regarding them
over the 3 -year planning period, the next step in the strategic planning process is to project what
the City might look like at the end of the 3 -year planning period in 1997. This would serve as
a means to determine if we will be ready and able to provide services to an ever-changing
community, as well as to further identify what the emerging issues and constraints are under
which we will have to operate. Often in establishing a future scenario, one will portray the best
and the worst cases. For this, our purposes, we identified the best case, the worst case, and a
realistic glimpse of what we think our local government will be like in 1997.
Worst Case Scenario
• So many demands, we can't handle them.
• Loss of grants and funds.
• More employee problems (lower morale).
• Creation of employee unions.
• Crime takes over.
• Loss of trust from the community and Council.
• Reduction in quality of services.
• Reputation suffers.
• High turnover.
• Become "like the County" in eyes of citizens.
• Lose Council support and trust.
• No maintenance of equipment or infrastructure.
• Increased economic development outside of the City.
• Transit buses are not maintained, break down and new ones are not purchased.
• AB 939 penalties assessed upon City.
• Deterioration of public safety programs.
• Newhall plan put on shelf and not implemented.
• Gang activities increase.
• Lack of ongoing revenues.
• Elimination of parks and recreation.
• Low rating as a safe city.
• Balkinization of our communities.
• Trash haulers out of business.
• Less desirable land uses.
• Adult book stores/check cashing -type of businesses are established.
• Employee layoffs.
• The "big one" earthquake and emergency plan doesn't work, with inability to recover
from the disaster.
0 Landfill located outside of City and City gets no revenue from it.
0 Traffic on local streets increases, no east -west corridor is constructed and local traffic
backs up to freeway's off -ramps and on -ramps.
• Loss of affordable housing.
• Loss or no addition of City facilities.
• Increased gangs and vandalism.
• Council becomes antagonistic and at odds with another and staff.
• No parking at City Hall.
• Losing Saugus site opportunity.
Best Case Scenario
& Total funding secured for City Hall.
* Neighborhood taking ownership for themselves in term of refuse and public safety.
0 Major progress made on east -west road and it is designed.
0 Self-sustaining management of refuse.
a Construction of central park (buy it and build it).
0 Partnership with The Newhall Land & Farming Company.
0 Annex Magic Mountain.
0 Commerce center.
0 1-5 corridor.
* Annex Castaic.
0 Joint effort to re -define Town Center (material benefits).
0 126 Corridor.
• Improve the roadway to deep water port.
• Adequate Headstart facilities for those that qualify.
• Master plan for infrastructure (streets, etc.).
• Financial plan to construct these improvements.
• School districts/City partnership for safety, volunteers, etc.
• Replace and maintain all equipment.
• 4 -Year university in the community.
• Master plan to reduce the number of vehicle trips (finances to do it).
• Transit center in Valencia Town Center area.
• Transit financial plan in place.
• Retrofit program to create pedestrian access.
• Funding for bus service transit expansion.
• Improved employee attitudes
• Negativity is gone.
• Personal responsibility for attitude.
• Neighborhoods taking responsibility for their community wellness.
• Assume responsibility for L.A. County street maintenance.
• Own Soledad Metrolink rail station and develop the property.
• Volunteer community resources team to help families with children at risk.
• City facilities, schools, Sheriffs, etc., joint effort.
• Decrease voter apathy and increase interest.
• Staff development program in place.
• Seats on the Castaic Lake Water Agency board and have access to surface water.
• All homes have smoke detectors.
• Wild fire plan in place.
• Completing of the river park, including pedestrian areas.
• Regional river plan (all agree on what will be done).
• Lake in the City.
• City known widely for our innovation and leadership.
• In 3 years, we look back and feel good about our accomplishments.
• Even workload and distribution between/among employees and departments.
• Clear vision of where we are going.
• Good communications in all directions (up, down, sideways).
• Increase the quality of our work force through training and certification.
• Increase volunteer participation in City Hall.
• Open space around the City.
• City/schools/parents coalition to address children at risk.
• The first redevelopment project to happen.
• East Newhall community center is established.
• Telecommunications are installed and used, televising meetings.
0 Engage planning management with business and industry,
0 A positive recognizable trend established in the East Newhall area.
0 Neighborhood equality is established throughout the City.
0 Safest City in the country.
0 20 Miles of class I trails constructed.
a Acquisition of Saugus site and construction.
0 Municipal golf course is designed and constructed,
0 Tourism is increased by packaging of products which exist within the valley.
0 Tourism office is created.
0 Conference center with Six Flaggs established.
0 Partnerships with the private community increase.
0 Establish City Hall satellite facilities.
0 City Hall at the mail is established.
0 Convenience kiosks (24-hour City Halls).
• Self-supporting revenue generation.
• Financial plan to fund and maintain capital projects.
• Seceding from L.A. County and forming our own County.
• Automation of City facilities.
• More competitive pricing from local vendors.
• Cooperation from local community college.
• Transit maintenance facilities constructed.
• Newhall transit facility constructed.
• Ventura rail right-of-way preserved.
• Consensus with developers on how to build transit -friendly development.
• Establishment of corporate identity for the City.
• Reduction of paper storage through technology.
• Teen center and cooperation with other non -profits for at -risk kids.
• Volunteers to teach parenting programs.
• All neighborhood have SECURE Program.
• Traffic control issues are at a minimum.
• Top-notch studio and programs for public access cable television.
• Remove the risk from at -risk kids through the elimination of gangs and graffiti and
increased youth programs.
0 Top-notch relationships with the media,
0 Improving and upgrading existing parks facilities, grounds and equipment.
0 New corporation facility at east end of town.
0 City has become more hazard -free and less reliant on risk management.
0 10% COLA.
0 The City becomes a political power player in the County equal to our size in the County.
9 Employee work force increases sufficiently to meet the demands of the Strategic Plan.
0 Economy turns around and sales tax increases.
a Opening for promotional opportunities.
0 Child/adult care for employees.
0 The safest city in U.S. over 100,000 population, including fire, police and hazards.
0 City and The Newhall Land & Farming Company to identify something very special to
work on together, i.e., bring a Fortune 500 company into the City.
0. Towsley Canyon comes into the City.
• We become an all-American city.
• We win an award from the National League of Cities as being the most innovative.
• Automation of building permits an recreation registration.
Most Probable Cas
0 50% of the funding is secured for the City Hall building.
0 Neighborhoods do take ownership for themselves as far as refuse and safety.
0 Major progress will be made on east -west road and it win be designed.
0 Construction of a central park.
0 Partnership with The Newhall Land & Farming Company will develop.
0 We will annex Magic Mountain, the commerce center, the 1-5 corridor and Castaic.
a Redefine the Town Center and its core.
• Partial improvement of the 126 corridor to a deep water port.
• Adequate Headstart facilities for th ose that qualify.
• Master plan for infrastructure, streets, etc. will be accomplished.
• Financial plan to construct these improvements will be accomplished.
• School districts and City partnerships for safety and volunteers will be formed.
• Plans to replace and maintain all equipment will occur.
• Master plan for reduced vehicle trips and the finances to do it.
• Retrofit program and create pedestrian accesses.
• Funding for bus service and transit expansion will happen.
• Attitudes of employees will improve, negativity will go down and personnel will become
more responsible for their attitude.
• Neighborhoods will take responsibility for the community's wellness.
• Streets maintenance will assume responsibility from L.A. County for maintenance of the
streets.
• The Soledad Metrolink station will be paid for and plans for the property development
will be completed.
• Volunteer community resource team to help families with children at risk will be
a ccomplished by utilizing the facilities and joint efforts of the City, schools and Sheriff s
Department.
• Staff development program will be in place.
• All homes will have smoke detectors and the City will have a wild fire plan in place.
• Completing the river park, including pedestrian areas, will be accomplished.
• There will be general agreement on what will be done in the regional river plan area.
• Lake in the City.
• City will be known for its innovation and leadership.
• In 3 years, we will look back and feel good about our accomplishments.
• Clear vision of where we are going will be attained.
• Communication up, down and sideways will occur.
• Increased quality of our work force through training and certification will occur.
• Increased volunteer participation in City Hall.
• Open space around City.
• City/schools/parents/business coalition will be created for at -risk children.
• Development of an East Newhall community center.
• Developed communications will occur.
• Positive, recognizable trend will occur in the East Newhall area.
• We will be the safest City in the country.
• 12 Miles of class I trails constructed.
• Acquisition of the Saugus site and construction.
• Municipal golf course established.
• Tourism will increase through packaging of our existing products.
• Tourism office.
• Conference center with Six Flaggs.
• Many City Hall and satellite facilities will be created.
• Convenience kiosk (24-hour City Hall) will be in place.
• Financial plan to fund and maintain capital projects will be created.
• Automation of City facilities.
• Cooperation from local community college will exist.
• Transit maintenance facility constructed.
• Ventura rail right-of-way preserved.
• Work with developers on how to build transit -friendly developments will happen.
• Establishment of corporate identity for the City.
• Reduction of paper stores through technology.
• Teen center in cooperation with other non -profits.
0 Volunteers to teach parenting programs will be recruited.
0 All neighborhoods will have SECURE program.
0 Traffic control issues will be resolved and there will be an increased level of traffic
control.
0 Top-notch studio and programming for public access television will be created.
0 At -risk will be removed from kids through the elimination of gangs and graffiti and
increased youth programs.
• Top-notch relationship with the media will be established.
• Parks grounds facilities and equipment will be improved.
• New corporation facility at the east end of town will be acquired.
• Hazard -free, with less reliance on risk management mode of operating will occur.
• We will become a political power broker in the County equal to our allies and influence.
• County will turn around and sales tax will increase.
• More openings for promotional opportunities.
• Child/adult care for City employees will be established.
• We will be the very best City in the U.S. over 100,000 population for safety.
• City will establish with The Newhall Land & Farming Company a very special project
on which we will work together, i.e., bring a Fortune 500 company to the City.
• Towsley Canyon will come into the City.
• We will win the All-American City award.
• We will win the Most Innovative City award from the National League of Cities.
• There will be automation of building permits and recreation registration.
Section V - Organizational Assessment
Once the major issues and trends were identified, we looked at what the community might look
like in 1997. The participants analyzed the organization's current ability to meet and present
the future demands which will be placed upon the City. The participants focused on what they
believe the City does well and where the City needs to improve. Additionally, the participants
listed what the expectations of the community are.
Community's Expectations
• Services shall be quick, high in quality and immediately available.
• Respect and sympathy will be required.
• No taxes will be expected.
• The trend will be not to think about the City.
• They want higher assessability.
• Policy formulation without their input will be less tolerated.
• To be more involved in decision-making.
• To keep them safe.
• Expect the City to validate their positions by agreeing with them.
• Does not want the City to interfere.
• Desire for less government.
• They will hold the City more accountable.
• Street maintenance needs met.
• Basic services provided (garbage, safety, traffic).
• Most expect nothing and don't think of the City as a resource.
What We Do Well
• Deal with citizens professionally.
• Produce accomplishments.
• Work is towards a common vision.
• We really do care...
• Active public participation program.
• Accessible.
• Listen well.
• Have respect for one another.
• Have fun.
• Acknowledge and reward our accomplishments.
• Competent.
• Responsive.
• Return our calls.
• Few barriers to communication with one another.
• Work well together.
• Like one another.
• Pull together on projects and in crises.
• Compete well in obtaining grants.
• Creative.
• Good at recruiting quality staff.
• Committed.
.0 Sense of humor.
• Respected by the Council.
• Professional.
• Take criticism well.
• Take risks.
• Optimistic.
• Compensated well in dollars and other areas.
• Freedom to choose.
• Less bureaucratic than other agencies and organizations.
• Rank and file are appreciated and respected.
• Fair.
• Accommodating.
• Stable.
• Set a good example.
• Take pride in our work.
• Feel free to express our opinions and ideas.
• Anticipate the future.
• Excellent relationships between field staff and management.
• Excellent relationships with policy -makers and executives.
• Good job creativity.
• Vision.
• Strive to improve.
• Acceptance of gender and ethnicity.
What We Need To Improve On
• Communication.
• Do not say "no" very well.
• Not straightforward at times (guarded).
• Do not coordinate well interdepartmentally.
• Don't sa y "thank you" enough.
• Don't respect each other's calendars/time constraints.
• Not willing to help with projects.
• Becoming compartmentalized.
• Getting older.
• Whine.
• Lack of communication can cause frustration because we are not dealing with issues.
• Internalize and personal issues.
• Compensated well but not necessarily equitably.
• Do not practice inclusion consistently.
• Aggressive vs. assertive behavior.
• Failure to let go.
• Do not use vehicles available to deal with issues.
• In positive situations, we often focus on negatives.
• Bias toward negativity.
• Extrapolation of one person's complaint onto the rest of the group.
• Overly sensitive/reactive to complaints.
• Do not take constructive criticism well from each other.
• Do not always lead by example.
• Meeting management.
• Lack of standardization and consistency in dealing with projects and issues.
• Lack of empathy for other's workloads and constraints.
• Do not do a good job with including other agency's contract providers.
• Do not clean up after ourselves.
Section VI - Review Point
After having identified current issues, assessed the external and internal conditions, taken a look
at the future of the community in terms of what it might look like, assessed the organization's
ability to address such issues, the group took time to review the information prior to developing
a mission statement. It was recognized that the previous mission statement from the 1989-1992
plan should be incorporated into our current mission statement, and a blend was created.
Section V11 - Mission Statement
The 1988-1992 mission statement was reviewed by the group, We believe that the mission
statement will help values and direction be maintained in the 1994-1997 plarL However, after
3 years of experience, it is believed that new items need to be added to the mission statement.
The following is a combination of the 1988-1992 mission statement, along with those new goals
developed by the participants during the strategic plan workshop.
The mission statement is the guideline or parameter that provides a sense of direction for people
within an organization to follow. It is a philosophical statement that addresses: 1) "What should
we be doing?"; 2) "Where do we want to go?"; 3) "What should our organizational values be?";
and 4) "What level of service do we want to provide?"
In preparing the mission statement, we want to make sure that we can address immediate issues
and trends that we will experience over the next 3 years.
The mission statement should not be confused with the City's Philosophy. The mission
statement should reflect the values of the Philosophy. The mission is detailed to provide
guidance in achieving the goals of the action plan.
Mission Statement 1988-1992
• Provide assistance to the community. Helpfulness should be our primary attitude.
• Encourage community participants and solicit input prior to making decision.
• Informing the public in order for them to better understand the City.
• Provide high level of service and make sure proper controls are in place to enhance and
preserve the environment and quality of life.
* City Council and Commission staff must be responsive to the entire community in terms
of addressing their concerns, inquiries and requests for assistance.
a Be proactive in terms of identifying and addressing issues.
0 Provide innovative solutions and be results oriented.
Provide leadership in the community and help develop leadership within the community
itself.
Staff must provide policy -makers with sufficient and timely information in order for the
Council to make important policy decisions.
Mission Statement 1994 - 1997
The mission statement is the guideline or parameter that provides a sense of direction for people
within the organization to follow. It is a philosophical statement that addresses what should we
be doing? Where do we want to go? What should our organizational values be? What level
of service do we want to provide?
In preparing the mission statement, we want to make sure that we can address immediate issues
and trends that we will experience over the next three years.
A mission statement should not be so brief that people consider it to be vague or non-specific.
As such, it is not a motto or slogan. Members of the organization need to understand what the
City's general objectives are so they can better understand their roles. Likewise, a mission
statement should not be too detailed that staff cannot determine what is really important.
As a result of the information discussed, the mission statement for the City of Santa Clarita
should include the following elements:
We believe in ourselves to consistently provide the highest levels of quality service to the
community. Our confidence propels us to focus on major issues. We respect ourselves
as individuals, as an organization, and the community we serve.
We believe in a humanistic and non -bureaucratic, sensible and friendly approach to
government, and engage sensible planning.
We believe in partnershipping with other agencies, both private and public, to maximize
valuable resources.
We believe in creating our future and are concerned about the impact of our decisions
on the future. Our vision recognizes the values of family and youth in making this a safe
community.
We believe in providing a higher quality of leadership to the community. We aim to
facilitate community consensus -building by continuing to include the community in the
decision-making process and guiding the community to seek solutions to issues by taking
collective and individual responsibility.
We encourage public participation, listen to their needs, and pay attention to them as a
customer of the services we provide.
Section VM - Action Plan
After having developed a draft outline of the Mission Statement, the group set out to establish
an Action Plan, whereby participants would address the immediate issues facing the City, assess
the trends that were identified, and put into effect the Mission Statement or sense of direction the
City wants to pursue.
The Action Plan identifies not only what should be done, but when and who will be primarily
responsible for seeing that the task is accomplished.
The following action items are not in order of priority.
1. Economic Development
a. Partnerships with key players. I MIKE HAVILAND I Jun 1994
b. Develop and implement a George Caravalho Jan 1996
partnership between the City and
NL&F of a significant nature.
c. Develop a methodology to Mike Haviland Jun 1994
increase tourism. Cecilia Burda
Dianna Boone
d. Consider an economic Mike Haviland Jun 1995
development corporation after
completion of item 1c.
e. Evaluate the feasibility of a Lynn Harris Jan 1994
redevelopment agency for Santa Steve Stark
Clarita.
2. Staff Development
a. Assess current staff development KEN PULSKAMP May 1994
program Ron Fierro
Jenny Roney
Bahman Janka
b. Training needs assessment; cross Ken Pulskamp May 1994
training Kim Holcomb
Jenny Roney
c. Opportunities for promotion; focus Ken Pulskamp Dee 1994
on success without promotions; Glenn Bogna
job enlargement. I
3. Safest City
a. Continue implementation of the "V DIXON
Sheriff's Department Strategic
Plan with the goal of safest city
over 100,000 population.
b. Designate a City person to Carolynn Deller
enhance communication between Dennis Luppens
Sheriff, City and And -Gang Task Adele Macpherson
Force
c. Place great emphasis on
- prevention programs of area.
d. Residential sprinkler ordinance;
public/private partnership for
smoke detectors; extinguishers;
wildfire reduction plan.
4. Golf Course feasibility study; site
destination.
5. Develop means to enhance internal
communication process.
6. Compensation equitability analysis
for internal consistency between
responsibilities/task of signposts.
7. Infrastructure Master Plan
a. Create a scope of work and
budget.
Cecilia Burda,
Raquel Garcia
Amelia Hutchinson
Ed 0stroski
Kevin Tonoian
Mark Harvel
Gary Nelson
Lynn Harris
Adele Macpherson
Hazel Joanes
Dennis Welch
Johnathan Skinner
JOHN DANIELSON
Amelia Hutchinson
Barbara Boswell
DENNIS LUPPENS
Terri Maus
Kevin Tonoian
Mark Harvel
Frank Hogan
Priscilla Neilsen
JENNY RONEY
Jesse Juarros
Carolynn Deller
Kevin Tonoian
Terri Maus
Amelia Hutchinson
TONY NISICH
Lynn Harris
Jeff Kolin
Dennis Welch
Amelia Hutchinson
Mar 1996
Jun 1994
Jun 1995
Jun 1995
May 1995
Jun 1994
Mar 1994
Jun 1995
8. Financial Master Plan
a. Tie in Infrastructure Master Plan
STEVE STARK
May 1995
and address financial issues.
Rick Putnam
Headstart; etc.
Terri Maus
Jesse Juarros
10. Establish location, design,
Lynn Harris
Jul 1995
b. Funding of ongoing maintenance.
Dennis Luppens
public/private partnership for
Carolynn Deller
c. Long-range financial plan to tie
Amelia Hutchinson
into General Plan.
Johnathan Skinner
d. Replace and maintain equipment.
9. East of Newhall
a. Show definite, measurable RUBEN BARRERA Dee 1994
improvement in east of Newhall" s Vyto Adomaitis
area capital improvements. Raquel Garcia
Jesse Juarros
b. Develop community center in
Steve Stark
Newhall; Sheriff's recreation;
Rick Putnam
Headstart; etc.
Mary Dixon
Vyto Adomaitis
10. Establish location, design,
DENNIS LUPPENS
Jul 1995
building purchase and
Rick Putnam
public/private partnership for
Gail Foy
Teen Center.
Rich Henderson
Johnathan Skinner
11. Acquire site, design and build
RICK PUTNAM
Jun 1995
park in Saugus.
Steve Stark
Ken Pulskamp
Dianna Boone
12. Consistency in procedures, TERRI MAUS Jun 1995
programs, reports and budgets; Amelia Hutchinson
conflicting deadlines; multiple Jon Danielson
people working on one
thing;develop final tracking
system.
13. Automation of building permits, '. 'E'ER Jun 1994
recreation processing and Ruben Barrera
signature verification for voter V. Adomaitis
registration. Donna Grindey
14. Neighborhood Groups A. MACPHERSON Jul 1994
Barbara Boswell
Donna Grindey
Paul Zaengle
15. Continue Civic Center design of KEN PULSKAMP Sep 1994
City Hall and Master Plan in Terri Maus
connection with Porta Bella Lynn Harris
specific plan. Jeff Kolin
George Caravalho
Ron Kilcoyne
16. Defeat Elsmere. JEFF KOLIN Sep 1996
Hazel Joanes
Mike Murphy
Gail Foy
17. Explore live and taped City GAIL FOY Dec 1994
Council meetings and other
public access to educate the
public regarding local
government.
18. Successful, ongoing Cowboy CECILIA BURDA Mar 1994
Poetry, Music and Film Festival. Mike Haviland
Gail Foy
19. Evaluate role of City in RAQUEL GARCIA Jun 1994
human/community services. Michael Marks I
20. Transit Master Plan. RON KILCOYNE Jun 1995
Terri Maus
Priscilla Neilsen
21. Establish standards for RON KILCOYNE Jun 1994
development regarding Lynn Harris
pedestrians/access to transit.
22. Implementation of river plan
acquisition of River Park.
23. Develop a strategy for managing
development out of City.
RICK PUTNAM Dec 1996
Ken Pulskamp
Jeff Kolin
Joe Inch
LYNN HARRIS Dec 1996
Ron Kilcoyne
Rick Putnam
Terri Maus
24. Open roads that are not open.
BAH34AN JANKA
Dec 1994
Ron Kilcoyne
Mary Dixon
Gary Nelson
Rick Putnam
25. Develop a strategy for managing
LYNN HARRILS
Oct 1994
aging housing
I
I
conclusi
At the conclusion of the 1994-1997 Strategic Planning sessions, ecognition was given to the
importance of having and following a strategic plan. The impressive list of accomplishments
from the 1989-1992 Strategic plan serve as proof of what can be accomplished by strategicly
directing resources.
The task and activities selected are considered as the City's most important work to be completed
and to which City resources and energy will be dedicated.
When planning the sessions, much consideration was given to the following two questions so at
the session's conclusion, we believed that we had a Plan that all City employees believed in and
dedicated their efforts to implement. These questions are: I.) How many employees can attend
and still make the process viable? 2.) If it is too difficult to have all 200 employees, who should
attend?
By requesting departments to hold meetings with all employers prior to and after the strategic
planning session, and selecting departmental representatives to attend the sessions, as a whole we
feel our response to the above concern achieved our goals, and we concluded with a Plan which
can be successfully implemented.
As a whole, we are satisfied with the tasks we have selected to put our effort toward. We feel
that the timelines we have set are appropriate and sufficient. We feel confident that with our
goals clearly identified, we can move toward successful resolution of these very important issues.
We will constantly monitor our progress on each item to determine that we are on target with the
issues in our Strategic Plan. We feel strongly that we can move forward as individuals and as
a unified team to meet our challenges.
We would like to particularly thank Ken Pulskamp, Jeff Kolin, Lynn Harris, Terri Maus, Amelia
Hutchinson, Dennis Luppens and Gary Brown for planning, facilitating strategic planning
sessions, and drafting the report.
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