01-30-24 Strategic Planning Session Agenda Packet January 30, 2024 — 6:30 PM
Brookview - Valley Room
Dinner at 6:15 PM
Session Begins at 6:30 PM
Conclusion at 9:00 PM
1.Welcome
2.Affirmation of Statements and Values
3.Reflection and Review of 2023
4.2024-2025 Strategic Planning
Schedule
COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION AGENDA
Council Strategic Planning Sessions have an informal, discussion-style format and are designed for the
Council to obtain background information, consider policy alternatives, and provide general directions
to staff. No formal actions are taken at these sessions. The public is invited to attend and listen to the
discussion.
City of Golden Valley Council Strategic Planning Session January 30, 2024 — 6:30 PM
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2024
City Council Strategic Planning Session
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•6:15 pm –Dinner
•6:30 pm –Welcome And Explanation Of Process
Affirmation Of Statements & Values
•6:45 pm – Reflection & Review Of 2023
•7 pm – Setting The Stage For 2024
•9 pm – Conclusion
AGENDA
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AFFIRMATION OF
STATEMENTS & VALUES
Photo by Nyla West, Views of the Valley 2023 4
WELCOME STATEMENT
The City of Golden Valley believes in and stands for the values of social equity, inclusion,
and justice.
We embrace diversity and recognize the rights of individuals to live their lives with dignity,
free of discrimination, fear, violence, and hate.
We welcome individuals to Golden Valley regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national
origin, immigration status, gender, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, economic
status, sexual orientation, familial status, or cultural background.
We strive to provide fair and unbiased services and programs, giving opportunities for all.
We are dedicated to being a supportive and united community, strengthened by the
diversity of our residents and visitors.
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VALUES
Communication
Community
Inclusion
Integrity
Respect
Innovation
Courage
Accountability
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VISION STATEMENT
Golden Valley strives to creatively connect people and places,
preserve and enhance community resources, and nurture
opportunities for all.
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MISSION STATEMENT
The City of Golden Valley delivers high-quality, responsive
services to ensure the community remains a vibrant and
welcoming environment in which to live, work, and play.
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CORE SERVICES
Brookview Amenities
City Administration
Communications
Community Engagement
Economic Development
Elections
Emergency Management
Equity and Inclusion
Engineering
Finance
Fire Protection
Human Resources
Information Technology (IT)
Inspections
Legal Services
Motor Vehicle Licensing
Natural Resources Management
Park Maintenance
Parks and Recreation
Permits and Licensing
Planning
Police
Street Maintenance
Utilities Maintenance
Utility Billing
Vehicle Maintenance
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ORGANIZATIONAL PRIORITIES
Strategic
Development &
Redevelopment
Effective
Governance
Infrastructure
Maintenance &
Enhancement
Financial
Wellness
Community
Affairs
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REFLECTION & REVIEW
Photo by Russel Snyder, Views of the Valley 2023 11
REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL 2023 ACTION STEPS
Support and invest in affordable housing initiatives
Form defined and named neighborhoods with decentralized and tailored
communications and expand upon police neighborhood watch structure
Make progress on Legislative Priorities (LST, Bonding, LGA, FD)
Improve pedestrian and traffic safety on County roads and City arterials
Partner with local nonprofits to revive City-wide events
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COUNCIL MEMBER GINIS
2023 Reflections/Accomplishments
ü Worked to have Golden Valley voters approve the local sales tax by providing educational
material
ü Continued to advance the downtown plan by approving development that added affordable
housing and increased residents within walkable distance to key commercial areas
ü Joined and onboarded to the Council mid-year
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COUNCIL MEMBER HARRIS
2023 Reflections/Accomplishments
ü Voters approved 1.25 percent sales tax for new Public Works building and Public Safety
headquarters.
ü Obtained bonding money from the state for a remote fire station.
ü Continued to restaff the Police Department in an effective manner
ü Completed Hwy 55 and Douglas Drive underpass
ü Updated SRO Agreement with Robbinsdale School District
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COUNCIL MEMBER LA MERE-ANDERSON
2023 Reflections/Accomplishments
ü Broke ground on first HOPE home with Habitat for Humanity at 1605 Douglas Dr; approved
Sentinel development that will add 46 affordable housing units to the city; accepted award
of $3.5 million (HRA) for new, single-family affordable housing projects as part of HOPE
ü Completed construction of Hwy 55 pedestrian underpass, started pedestrian improvements at
23rd and Winnetka, and put plans in place for improvements at Duluth & Winnetka
ü Golden Valley voters approved 1.25 percent local sales tax to support essential Public Works
and Public Safety services
ü Passed goat ordinance
ü Approved new/updated bylaws for Boards and Commissions, including term limits and
staggered terms to create a balance between continuity and turnover while allowing for
rotation of voices, opportunity for new and different community members to participate, and
more opportunity for diverse representation
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COUNCIL MEMBER ROSENQUIST
2023 Reflections/Accomplishments
ü Made progress on HOPE projects and obtained significant funding to continue
ü Planning Intern completed report on neighborhoods and communications for initial discussion
at the Planning Commission
ü Began pedestrian improvements at Winnetka and 23rd and Duluth
ü Obtained funding for affordable housing and East Fire Station Phase 1
ü Made progress with Rotary and discussion with GVCF on reviving City-wide events
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ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
2023 Reflections/Accomplishments
ü Completed RFP and approved contract with Municipal Advisor Services
ü Completed RFP and approved contract with Audit Services (2023-2025)
ü Completed RFP with LOGIS for new utility billing software and in queue for
implementation
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COMMUNICATIONS
2023 Reflections/Accomplishments
ü Completed RFP and implemented contract for referendum communications and consulting
services for local sales tax public information and community engagement
ü Completed RFP and implemented contract for development of a City public safety strategic
communications plan
ü Completed transition to new hardware/software for digital sign on Winnetka Ave
ü Worked with all departments to successfully produce and promote 50+ in -person and virtual
open houses/public forums/events, 24 HomeRECed videos, and eight annual reports;
manage approximately 800 web pages across eight websites, produce 400+ print and online
stories/news releases, facilitate 30+ cable TV stories, and average 40 social media posts per
month; and develop strategy, messaging, public education, and promotions for more than 70
City projects/initiatives
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
2023 Reflections/Accomplishments
ü Submitted and received funding for East Fire Station Phase 1 and submitted
funding request for Phase 2
ü Submitted and received funding for HOPE program Rounds 2-5
ü Passed Local Sales Tax Referendum
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FIRE
2023 Reflections/Accomplishments
ü Implemented Phase II of Duty Crew staffing, which included adding Duty Crews on
Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am to 11 pm, added a position to provide leadership
for Duty Crew shifts, and moved one training drill each month to being completed
while on-shift
ü Reviewed and revised Golden Valley Firefighter Handbook and Standard Operating
Guidelines (SOGs) to align with City Employee Handbook, current GVFD practices,
and fire service best practices
ü Implemented new records management software (RMS) to improve record-keeping,
efficiency, and access to gear and equipment inventory and checks, scheduling,
incident reporting, building pre-planning, inspections, and participation and time-
tracking
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HUMAN RESOURCES
2023 Reflections/Accomplishments
ü Started “Let’s Talk About it, GV” and other internal and external channels
to recognize various identities
ü Digitized several HR forms for ease of use by staff city-wide
ü Completed the first Employee Equity Survey
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LEGAL
2023 Reflections/Accomplishments
ü Worked with City Council and Police Department to onboard new City Prosecutor
ü Provided data practices training to all full-time City staff, created data practices training into
new employee onboarding process, and facilitated follow-up training for department data
designees and other key employees
ü Provided legal review of 143 contracts, policies, and ordinances through legal/equity review
process and began new process to review title for land use applications and City-initiated
real estate transactions
ü Processed 5,822 ballots in municipal election, trained and supervised 60 election
judges,and managed 46 days of voting
ü Managed City Hall data clean-up project, which digitized, recycled, or securely shredded
60,000 pounds of paper and freed up 2,400 cubic feet of storage space in City buildings
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PARKS & RECREATION
2023 Reflections/Accomplishments
ü Successfully implemented Yosemite Park improvements
ü Completed first season of the fully accessible community garden, with residents using
all available garden containers
ü Expanded mobile summer programs to better reach underserved youth in conjunction
with New Hope Parks and Recreation
ü Completed the first fully accessible park shelter building update at Wesley Park
ü Successfully implemented Scheid Park improvements
ü Facilitated development of naming process and delivered to Council
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PUBLIC WORKS
2023 Reflections/Accomplishments
ü Completed in-house mill and overlay project, which included 194 cubic yards of
concrete, 5,885 tons of asphalt (654 truckloads), 34 new water gate valves, and 182
rehabilitated manholes and catch basins
ü Completed Hwy 55, General Mills trails, and Seeman Park basketball court paving
projects
ü Completed park improvement projects, including play pod trail; Scheid Park
tennis/pickleball courts, sun shelter, ballfield backstops, and dasher boards; Yosemite
Park playground equipment; and Wesley Park shelter interior remodel
ü Lined 4,654 feet of sanitary sewer, replaced effluent piping and valves for three pumps
at Skyline Pumphouse, and completed 3,911 locates, 598 water and sewer inspections,
405 inflow and infiltration inspections, 79 sump pump inspections, and 19 water main
break repairs
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STRATEGIC PLANDEVELOPMENT
(2024-2025)(2026-2027 Projection)
Photo by Clara Alexander, Views of the Valley 2022 25
PURPOSE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
Set key priorities and objectives for the City that:
•align with the City's mission, vision, values, and welcome
statement
•realistically balance available resources, including staff, budget,
community partners, and timelines
•provide transparent and clear direction for City Council, staff,
appointed officials, and the community
•optimize operational efficiencies using a people-centered
approach
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STRATEGIC PLAN TIMELINE AND DEVELOPMENT
Step 1:City Council sets key priorities (Jan 30, 2024)
Step 2:City staff works with City Council, appointed officials, and
other community partners to build work plans for each key priority
(February-April 2024)
Step 3:Staff presents draft work plans (April 2024)
Step 4:City Council approves work plans as 2024-2025 Strategic Plan
and 2026-2027 Projected Plan (April-May 2024)
Step 5:Start 2025-2026 budget planning (May-August 2024)
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FIVE-YEAR REVIEW
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DISCUSS KEY PRIORITIES BY PILLAR
Strategic Development & Redevelopment
Effective Governance
Infrastructure Maintenance & Enhancement
Financial Wellness
Community Affairs
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Strategic Development & Redevelopment
Focusing redevelopment on four planning districts: Golden
Valley’s downtown area, LRT station area, Douglas Drive corridor,
and I-394 corridor
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Strategic Development & Redevelopment
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Effective Governance
Governing with a focus on good communication and teamwork,
respecting values and process, heeding meeting decorum and
timely decision-making, and building citizen engagement and
understanding
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Effective Governance
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Effective Governance
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Effective Governance
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Infrastructure Maintenance & Enhancement
Maintaining and improving infrastructure at highest quality for
the investment by prioritizing areas of need, identifying costs,
and planning for future growth
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Infrastructure Maintenance & Enhancement
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Infrastructure Maintenance & Enhancement
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Infrastructure Maintenance & Enhancement
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Financial Wellness
Balancing spending with emphasis on maintaining current
service levels, accommodating future needs, expanding tax base,
growing reserves, improving bond rating, and improving
efficiencies and effectiveness
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Financial Wellness
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Community Affairs
Considering policies that benefit society at large
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Community Affairs
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CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Step 1:What items do you think can be eliminated or should wait for
the 2026-2027 planning session?
Step 2:What items do you think must be prioritized and completed in
2024-2025?
Step 3:High-level discussion with staff regarding feasibility and
resources for 2024 -2025 Strategic Plan
Step 4:City Council agreement on key priorities for 2024-2025, giving
staff direction to create work plans
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STRATEGIC PLAN TIMELINE AND DEVELOPMENT
Step 1:City Council sets key priorities (Jan 30, 2024)
Step 2:City staff works with City Council, appointed officials, and
other community partners to build work plans for each key priority
(February-April 2024)
Step 3:Staff presents draft work plans (April 2024)
Step 4:City Council approves work plans as 2024-2025 Strategic Plan
and 2026-2027 Projected Plan (April-May 2024)
Step 5:Start 2025-2026 budget planning
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STRATEGIC PLAN DEFINITIONS AND OUTLINES
Plan Definitions:
Key Priorities,Objectives,
Action Steps
Plans Must Include:
Timeline, Budget,
Staff Resources ,
and Community Partners
Plans Must Identify links
to other Work Plans, CIP,
and Strategic Plans (such
as 2040 Comp Plan)
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MOVING FORWARD
Photo by Ann Tesler, Views Of The Valley 2023
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success."
Henry Ford
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