REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
City Council Priority Setting Summary Report for 2024 Priorities
Report
BACKGROUND
The 2024 City Council Priority Setting sessions were held on March 25, 2024 and April 3, 2024 at the Santa Clara Convention Center. The City selected Raftelis (Consultant) which included Executive Vice President Julia Novak and Vice President Nancy Hetrick who led the City Council through a two-day priority setting session and conducted pre-interviews with the members of the City Council. In addition, the City selected EMC Research Inc. to perform research to aid in understanding resident satisfaction with the City’s efforts around the current Council Priority Areas, and to gauge resident priorities to inform the setting of new Priority Areas.
The facilitators led the City Council through a two-day discussion and conducted several exercises, including a “True in Ten Years” exercise where City Councilmembers were asked to share three to five items that are not true about Santa Clara today, that they hope to be true in ten years. The City Council was then led through an exercise to identify 7 to 10 priority items each. On the second day of the session, the facilitators shared the priorities the Council provided on day one of the session and led the City Council through a dot exercise to identify which priorities were identified.
The Priority Setting session resulted in the Consultant’s establishment of four new “Priority Areas of Focus”. A total of 34 top priority items received unanimous support from the City Council and 9 high priority items received majority support (received at least 4 council votes). Following the session, the facilitators issued the consultant’s report with a summary of the priority areas of focus and a list of priorities.
DISCUSSION
The City has reviewed the Consultant’s report and recommendations for Priority Areas of Focus and the list of 43 City Council priorities identified at the 2024 session. The City Council Priority Setting Summary Report (Attachment 2) includes a comprehensive summary of reach priority identified and the status for each project or initiative. The planning for many of the priorities are considered ongoing / baseline, underway, completed, or a new priority. There are some items that may have to be shifted based on budgetary and staff resource allocation.
As noted above, a total of 43 City Council priorities were identified in the summary report. The priorities were organized into four overarching Priority Areas of Focus with subcategories listed below as strategic outcomes.
1) Excellent City Government
a. Valued City Services
b. Reliable Funding
c. Well-Managed Stadium
d. Trusted and Engaged City Government
2) Reliable Infrastructure
a. Resilient and Well-Maintained Infrastructure
b. Accessible Transportation Options
3) Outstanding Quality of Life
a. Affordable Housing and Supportive Services
b. Safe Community
c. Quality Parks Programming and Cultural Amenities
4) Thriving Community
a. Vibrant Local Community
Of the 43 items, a total of 34 items were categorized as “Top Priorities” and a total of (9) nine items were considered “High Priorities”.
The Consultant categorized the 43 City Council priorities with the following methodology:
• Top Priorities: Unanimous support to move forward (34 total)
• High Priorities: Majority support to move forward with 4 or more votes (9 total)
The overall total priority initiatives (Top and High Priorities) are categorized into the following categories:
• Complete: (3) Priority initiatives which are considered completed based on staff analysis and review.
• Baseline/Ongoing: (12) Priority initiatives which may be considered baseline foundational items. These items will be removed from tracking list as they are considered ongoing items.
• Underway: (18) Priority initiatives which have already started in the planning phases or underway.
• New: (8) Priority initiatives which have not started and may need to be shifted based on budgetary and staff resource allocation.
The summary report provides details and additional information on each City Council priority on items that have been completed, are considered baseline and ongoing priorities, those priorities which are currently underway and staff have made progress on and those which are considered new and are based on the allocation of budgetary and staff resources.
The City Council will reconvene for its annual City Council Priority Setting on April 3, 2025 and on a second date which is currently being scheduled. At the 2025 City Council Priority Setting session, the City Council will review the current status of the identified 2024 City Council priorities and discuss any potential changes to the priorities list. The session will be facilitated again by Raftelis.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an information report only and no action is being taken by the City Council and no environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this update other than staff time. Implementation of certain priority initiatives may require additional funding which will be requested through the normal budget process.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Manager’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and File the City Council Priority Setting Summary on the 2024 Priorities.
Staff
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. City Council Priority Setting Summary 2024