REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: January 17, 2022 Report No. ADM-22-006
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
SUBJECT:
Title
Update of Strategic Priorities and Operational Strategies 2022
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council approve the updated Strategic Priorities 2019-2023 and Operational Strategies as presented in Staff Report ADM-22-006.
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 2022 and support those priorities with operational strategies updated by staff.
BACKGROUND:
In November and December of 2018, after 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 incorporate specific input 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 December 7, 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 the review of the priorities and objectives, Council also had discussion in a few other areas and provided the following direction for staff:
1) In relation to housing:
a) -move towards a standard template for housing agreements for all development applications
b) -strike a healthy balance for the community between rental and ownership units
c) -prefer power lines to be buried but willing to negotiate other amenities
d) -spatial distribution of affordable housing
e) -explore options for development cost charges
f) -encourage relocation versus deconstruction of houses
2) Staff report for consideration at a future Council meeting to develop an addendum to terms of reference for advisory committees for Notice of Recommendation.
3) Future staff report on Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw to include a range of options for consideration including smaller scale projects as well as repeal of program.
4) Legislative changes to come into effect requiring development of a Council Code of Conduct so funds needed to undertake this initiative in 2022.
5) Training in regard to Indigenous Relations should be included in the new Council orientation.
6) Review of Council remuneration to be initiated in January 2022.
2. Organizational Implications
Once Mayor and Council confirm the updated operational strategies these will be used to update work plans and budget for the upcoming year.
3. Financial Implications
As budget discussions have not yet commenced, there may be some minor changes including timelines associated with operational strategies should adequate resources not be approved for some initiatives during budget deliberations.
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 of initiatives as part of Period Reports. The First Period Reports will be presented at a Special Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled for May 16, 2022.
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-22-006.
2. That Council make further modifications to the draft documents and approve as amended.