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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-0505 Study Session MIN Minutes for the City Council Study Session May 5, 2014 Page I of 3 MINUTES FOR THE STUDY SESSION ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL Monday, May 5, 2014 Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way Mayor Stromberg called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Siskiyou Room. Councilor Voisin, Lemhouse, Slattery, Morris, Marsh, and Rosenthal were present. 1. Look Ahead review City Administrator Dave Kanner reviewed items on the Look Ahead. 2. Continued discussion of the draft Council goals Government Leverage our regional and state relationships to increase effectiveness in relevant policy arenas Develop plan for coordination with Jackson County • Jackson County road improvements within City Limits • Weed abatement on County land within UGB and beyond • Ongoing relationship between Councilors and County Commissioners Establish living documents on strategies, goals, and tactics regarding specific topics for new councilors to review Create mechanism for developing stronger relationships between the Mayor, Council, and County Commissioners Explore LOC involvement proactive/ongoing (Board/Policy Committees) • Have a Study Session to determine LOC opportunities • Create alliances with LOC members • Expand the City's involvement in local LOC activities Form relationships with other cities that have common interests and issues with Ashland and solidify relationships with cities in the Rogue Valley • Establish a formal connection with the Medford Water Commission • Communities interested in organic agriculture and establishing organic regions within Oregon. • Determine what policies are coming up in the next six years Improve coordination and regular communication with State Legislators • Determine regional and state relationships and associated entities Ashland should engage with • Work state and federal relationships to attain stable funding to complete and maintain AFR • Maintain a continual relationship and improve coordination with state representatives and legislators to support City issues and direct the City to other agencies as well • Have an Assistant City Administrator attend key meetings • Department Heads will continue to participate in their regional state and national organizations • Improve communication with County Commissioners • Commit a certain number of Study Sessions for strategic report sharing, timely, or schedule a specific amount of time each Study Session for reports on relevant items • Regular reports to Council regarding the Legislative hotline (during legislative session only) • Explore the utilization of other forms of legislative representation (lobbyist, dedicated staff, etc) Minutes for the City Council Study Session May 5, 2014 Page 2 of 3 • Develop a local legislative agenda prior to the session (possibly with Ashland Coalition'partners) Identify issues that directly affect Ashland Make the city more accessible to do business in Ashland • Use state relationships to work on ecommerce and enterprise zones • Be accessible to and engage with Economic Develop partners Work to expand/offer County heath/social services in Ashland • Establish a mental health outreach presence in Ashland through Jackson County by 2020 Promote effective citizen communication and engagement Evaluate existing communication tools currently in use and promote the most effective ways to communicate with Council • Open City Hall • Listserve • RVTV • Newspapers • City website Find innovative ways for people to feel engaged with government • Develop mechanism to relay facts regarding issues to the public prior to meetings • Develop an efficient way to receive input from citizens prior to Council making a decision • Repackage the Council Communication • Have Councilors attend Town Hall meetings or informal gatherings • Have Councilors and Commissions auto connect to the City's website • Possibly establish a "City Walk" outreach program • Balance existing time commitment/constraints of Council with new outreach efforts • Identify key issues to develop advanced outreach, input opportunities and informational sessions "on their turf' • Develop a communication plan - policy level versus operational • Research using television, radio (KSKQ), publications (Locals Guide and Sneak Preview) for communicating to the public • Add the Look Ahead to the City Source monthly newsletter Use the Mayor's State of the City address to honor and recognize volunteer involvement • Have Council participate in the State of the City speech • Incorporate the Ragland Award and other volunteer related activities • Make the State of the City and Ragland Award a public celebration • Possibly create a five star restaurant atmosphere for appointed commissioners where Council and City management are the servers for the evening Support and empower our community partners; for example: SOU, Mt. Ashland, Parks Delayed due to time constraints Identify and support core City services Delayed due to time constraints Minutes for the City Council Study Session May 5, 2014 Page 3 of 3 Meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dana Smith Assistant to the City Recorder