HomeMy WebLinkAboutOverview MemorandumCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
Date: May 18, 2018
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Derek Johnson
City Manager
Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
VIA: Derek Johnson, City Manager
SUBJECT: COUNCIL RETREAT MATERIALS
RECOMMENDATION
Hold a City retreat and discuss items outlined on the Special Meeting agenda for Tuesday, May
22, 2018.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City Council last held an annual retreat on March 28, 2017. At that time, the Council indicated
that it was committed to holding an annual retreat for the purposes of discussing progress and
connecting on Council interactions and dynamics. Lynn Biddinger, a trained facilitator will be
assisting the Mayor in facilitating the following agenda items.
The agenda for May 22, 2018 is broken down into five areas:
1) REVIEW OF 2017 COUNCIL RETREAT (Notes attached)
a. The purpose of this item is to discuss progress on addressing key take aways from
last year’s discussion.
i. Please be prepared to shar a quick synopsis of your journey since last year
and what you believe art the top three achievements from last year and top
three priorities moving forward. \
ANNUAL COUNCIL RETREAT May 18, 2018 Page 2
2) EXCEPTIONAL CITY COUNCILS (ILG Reading Materials)
a. Lynne plans on providing a quick presentation and overview of the characteristics
of successful teams: Forming/Storming/Norming/Performing
i. Each council member shares:
1. What stage they believe the council is currently in what they
think needs to happen to get them to better “performing”.
b. The Institute of Local Government issued a publication this past year entitled
“Attributes of Exceptional Councils”. The purpose of this item is to discuss the
document; reaffirm our understanding of roles and responsibilities and see if any
“Best Practice Tips” or other actions should be incorporated into the organization.
i. Lynne will provide an overview of the six attributes of exceptional councils.
On each of the six points;
1. Council members are requested to give examples of what is
currently working well in each area and what could be improved.
3) THE PATH AHEAD (No Attachment)
a. The purpose is to hold a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
discussion about the organization and community.
i. Please come prepared to share your thoughts about the City’s SWOT.
1. What are our strengths?
2. What challenges inhibit progress?
3. What opportunities are there that we need to pursue or plan to take
advantage of in the future?
4. What threats do we see to the organization and community?
5. How do we respond to community requests when priorities have
already been established and resources are fully subscribed to those
priorities?
6. How does this inform some of our thinking for the 2017-2019
Financial Plan? What ideas does the Council have in establishing
Major City Goals in a fiscally constrained environment?
4) STRATEGIC PLANNING AND MAJOR CITY GOALS (No Attachment)
a. Moving forward—preparing the Council and Organization to meet tomorrow’s
challenges —
b. Lynne will introduce department heads to speak on: •
i. City in transition
5) SUMMING IT UP (No Attachment)
a. The meeting will conclude with a clear list of action items and expectations.
i. Will consider action steps for suggestions to continue to support a
high performing Council
ii. Will consider action steps for staff support
iii. Steps to maximize/prepare for SWOT items