REPORT TO GOVERNANCE AND ETHICS COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Review Draft Agenda for City Council Budget Study Session/Priority Setting Session Check-In
Report
BACKGROUND
At the City Council Priority Setting Session on Feb. 1-2, 2021, the City Council convened to discuss the City's fiscal outlook, City governance, Council communication norms, impact and efforts regarding COVID-19 response and recovery, and future priorities.
The Council categorized priorities using the following levels:
* Urgent/Top Priority
* Important
* Mid-Year or 2022
* Already in Progress/Ongoing
A full list of the items is attached to this report (Attachment 1). Not including the City's fiscal condition, the Council unanimously agreed that COVID-19 Assistance and Relief was the only item in the "Urgent/Top Priority" category and should be the primary focus in the immediate future. Council also identified three items as "Important," which included revisiting the Stadium curfew and fee, pursuing a business employee tax and middle and low-income housing.
Due to the reality of holding a policy priority setting session during multiple converging crises with a number of unknowns, the City Council directed staff to schedule a check-in session to review any relevant updates concerning the City budget or COVID-19 response or recovery. Staff determined that this check-in session was appropriate to hold in conjunction with the proposed budget study session in May 2021 so that the Council can balance any new initiatives against existing resources. Additionally, with Phase 1 of balancing the budget in place, the Council can evaluate additional service impacts with the remaining $29.4 million on-going deficit, planned $25.9 million federal one-time support, and any new information regarding economic and public health recovery.
DISCUSSION
The draft agenda for the City Council Budget Study Session/Priority Setting Session Check-In includes the following topics:
* Budget and resources update
* City Co...
Click here for full text