REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: February 16, 2021 Report No. ADM-21-006
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
SUBJECT:
Title
Update of Strategic Priorities and Operational Strategies 2021
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council approve the updated Strategic Priorities 2019-2023 and Operational Strategies as presented in Staff Report No. ADM-21-006.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
The updated Strategic Priorities and Operational Strategies will be referenced in staff reports going forward throughout the year.
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
To set Council’s strategic priorities as of January 2021 and support those priorities with operational strategies updated by staff.
BACKGROUND:
In November and December of 2018, subsequent to the municipal election, Mayor and Council met to develop and identify key strategic priorities and objectives to be undertaken during the term. The draft documents from these meetings were then discussed at Committee of the Whole and distributed for public input. Council considered public input, gave direction for staff to update and then adopted the objectives and strategies in May 2019.
Each subsequent year Mayor and Council meet to review and confirm that the priorities and objectives remain relevant. This meeting occurred January 11, 2021 for the current year.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
While the strategic priorities and objectives are meant to cover the entire length of the Council term, they are reviewed each year and operational strategies are then updated and reflected in staff work plans. Based on the confirmation from Council that priorities and objectives remain relevant, staff have updated the operational strategies document to appropriately reflect those items achievable with current resources.
Attached for ease of reference are the operational strategies in list format with areas of change highlighted (Attachment No. 1) and a clean copy of the operational strategies with timelines (Attachment No. 2).
In addition to review of the priorities and objectives, Council also had discussion in a number of other areas and provided the following direction for staff:
-update the Council procedure bylaw:
-to clarify that all committees also adhere to the bylaw requirements for process
-update electronic participation at meetings to reflect that the chair is to be present in addition to quorum for webcasting of meetings with other participation permitted remotely
-update to reflect that regular start time for Committee of the Whole meetings is now 6pm
-Acting CAO rotation for attendance at Committee of the Whole meetings to commence in 2021
-lite meal service prior to public meetings will be reinstated once public health orders permit
2. Organizational Implications
Once Mayor and Council confirm the updated operational strategies these will be used to update work plans and budget for the coming year.
3. Financial Implications
Sufficient resources have been allocated and recommended to accommodate work programs and to support the operational strategies. There may be some adjustments required subsequent to scheduled budget discussions.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
There are no sustainability nor environmental implications.
5. Communication & Engagement
Once approved, the Strategic Priorities 2019-2023 document will be distributed to all staff for continued implementation and to inform work plans. Staff reports will refer to this document throughout the year and staff will provide updates on the status and progress on the initiatives as part of Period Reports. The First Period Reports will be presented at a Special Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled for May 17th.
A large copy of the Strategic Priorities will be posted in the Council Chamber and laminated copies provided for each Council desk. A copy of the finalized documents will also be posted on the website and a copy provided to all Advisory Committees.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council approve the updated Strategic Priorities 2019-2023 and Operational Strategies as presented in Staff Report No. ADM-21-006.
2. That Council make further modifications to the draft documents and approve as amended.