Agenda Item Wording:
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Review of Draft City Council Workshop Priorities and Goals. Consider the draft City Council Workshop Priorities and Goals and adopt as presented or provide direction to Staff regarding revisions.
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Deadline for Action: 4/21/2025
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Leslie B. Caviglia, City Manager, 713-4332
Department Recommendation:
1. It is recommended that the Visalia City Council review the draft workshop priorities and goals (copy attached) derived from the direction provided by the Council during the January 1, 2025 planning workshop and determine if the draft wording used to define the Council’s priorities are consistent with the Council’s direction and intent. If the draft document is accurate, it is recommended that the Council adopt the City Council Workshop Priorities and Goals for 2025, or, if amendments are appropriate, provide staff with direction and a revised report will be provided at the next meeting.
2. It is also recommended that the City Council provide input on the Draft City Council Workshop Workplan (copy attached) based on the draft 2025 Priorities and Goals. The workplan outlines the major actions staff will pursue to meet the priorities and goals set by the City Council. As such, staff is looking for general direction regarding the workplans and the Plan’s consistency with Council direction.
While it is a comprehensive list, it is not all inclusive. It is expected that some of the workplan will be adapted as studies and projects evolve, and that additional items will be undertaken as appropriate that will also be consistent with the Council priorities and goals.
3. While not specifically part of the City Council’s planning session, it is appropriate to recommend that the City Council direct staff to bring back a discussion of a new surplus funds and one-time money policy. For several years, all monies in these categories have been directed to the Civic Center Fund. With the opening of the recent bids for construction of Phase II which are within the limits of the available funds for this project, Council may want to consider revising the policy before the end of the fiscal year to coincide with the long range plans and projects included in the Council’s draft Workshop Priorities and Goals.
Summary:
The City Council held a planning workshop on Jan. 11, 2025 at the Visalia Convention Center. The public session included a recap of progress over the past two years, public comment on a variety of issues, and thoughtful discussion by the City Council of their long-term vision for the future of Visalia, and the issues they consider most pressing in the community. The Council ended the session with the following priorities:
Growth and Infrastructure:
Environmental
Utilities
Circulation and Maintenance
City Services
Land Use
Business:
Business Friendly
Training and Education
Economic Drivers/Partnership and Collaboration with:
Industrial, Mooney, Downtown, Health, Education, Hospital
Quality of Life
Diversity of Recreational Opportunities, activities, events and cultural endeavors
Homelessness
Governance
Staff Education: Training to grow our own
Consistent Communication, information and feedback
Continuing Transparency
Agency & Organization, Coordination and Collaboration
Council directed staff to compile the comments and direction provided by the Council and return with a draft of a policy statement regarding the Council’s 2025 Priorities and Goals.
Staff has also prepared an initial workplan for activating and implementing the Council’s Priorities and Goals. While this is a staff working document and not something that requires Council approval, input to ensure the Council is comfortable with the staff’s direction is requested.
Background:
This Council has also recently revised three other policy statements which provide guidance and direction to the organization’s decision making:
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to enhance the lives of Visalians by providing services and solutions that create a vibrant and connected community.
City Values:
Community: We care deeply for our community and strive to provide transparency and equitable services in an approachable and friendly way.
Opportunity: We are dedicated to enhancing Visalia by providing opportunities for economic and social development.
Vibrancy: We embrace unique perspectives and backgrounds to create a vibrant and welcoming city.
2024-2026 Budget Goals:
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Economic Vitality • Promote a vibrant economy that provides an equitable opportunity for all; • Facilitate programs to develop, attract, and retain businesses; • Foster economic development in both commercial and industrial. |
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Fiscal Strength • Continue to maintain the City’s good fiscal health and sustainability; • Adopt a balanced budget; • Continue to maintain the General Fund Emergency Reserve at 30% of operating expenditures. |
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Invest in Infrastructure & Growth • Plan for the development of future infrastructure; • Maintain, improve, and replace assets and infrastructure within the City; • Ensure safe, reliable infrastructure that benefits the community; • Seek grant funding to maintain and expand City infrastructure to meet the community's needs; • Manage, maintain, and enhance the City’s roadways to provide a safe and effective transportation system. |
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Organizational Excellence • Provide excellent public service that is efficient, accessible, and responsive to all; • Provide high-quality essential City services; • Attract and retain a talented, diverse, and engaged workforce across the entire City organization; • Utilize and add technology to increase efficiencies for City services; • Continue to make improvements that equip the City to deliver excellent services to the community. |
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Quality of Life • Maintain quality of life for the citizens of Visalia; • Continue City efforts to reduce homelessness while collaborating and advocating regionally as appropriate; • Provide diverse housing through a variety of programs and policies for all income levels; • Provide diverse community experiences and personal enrichment for all ages; • Continue to improve parks, recreational amenities, open space, and trailways for a connected community. |
Fiscal Impact:
There is no specific financial impact needed at this time for the draft workplan; however, there may be future requests that will be brought to the Council for consideration.
Prior Council Action: The Council held a planning workshop on Jan. 11, 2025 and provided direction to staff.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: To provide direction for adopting the draft priorities and goals to better fit Council’s intent.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Motion Options:
1. I move to approve the proposed 2025 Visalia City Council priorities and goals as presented
or
2. I move to approve the proposed 2025 Visalia City Council priorities and goals with revisions by City Council.
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3. I move to have staff revise the draft Visalia City Council priorities and goals and return for a further review by the City Council;
and
4. I move to direct staff to place an item on the agenda before the end of June for Council to consider changing the surplus funds and one-time monies policy.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachment:
2025 draft City Council priorities
2025 City Council Workshop Workplan