07-25-2023 Workshop (Strategic Planning Session)HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
2023 STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2023 - 4:00 PM
CITY CENTER — COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. Call to Order
Mayor Forcier called the workshop to order at 4:00 p.m. Members present included Tim Burley,
Pat May, Dave Sebesta and Chad Czmowski. Others present were: Matt Jaunich, City
Administrator, Marc Sebora, City Attorney and other city directors.
2023 STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION
2. 2023 Strategic Planning Session
Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, presented before the Council. Mr. Jaunich noted that today's
workshop is to begin strategic planning for the future and set goals and objectives that need to be
achieved to reach visions for the future. The last strategic planning session was held in 2018 and
there are three new council members since that time.
Mr. Jaunich reviewed the various strategic planning documents that help guide city staff and the
City Council. These include the Ends Statement document, Strategic Plan, Comprehensive Plan,
Transportation Plan, Downtown Plan, Complete Streets Policy, Financial Management Plan,
Master Park Plan, EDA Strategic Plan, Marketing and Branding Plan, Housing Plan and Growth
Planning. Today's focus is to review the Ends Statement document and the Strategic Plan.
The Ends Statements, or Core Values, that have been identified for the City are public safety,
health & recreation, transportation, economic development, environment and good government.
In 2018, the City established eight goals to accomplish by 2023. These included: being known
as a destination place for recreation, art and leisure; having a growing, diverse economy with a
skilled workforce; having adequate, affordable housing for all; having welcoming and safe city
facilities to service current and future generations; having cost effective, reliable and sustainable
energy and practices; having high quality, multi -modal transportation and infrastructure systems;
having active citizen engagement, participation and involvement; and having fiscally responsible
management to serve community needs. All of these goals tied into the City's Ends Statements/
Core Values. From those goals, 21 initial projects were identified to complete over four areas in
Planning, Growing, Engaging and Paying. More than half of the projects identified were
completed. 60 specific projects were accomplished within the eight goals that were established in
the 2018 strategic plan. Several successful indicators were completed in the 2018 strategic plan
as well. Mr. Jaunich also provided an extensive list of development projects that occurred from
2018-2023. Mr. Jaunich also provided data from the citizen survey to be used as measurements
of the City's core values.
Mr. Jaunich asked of the Council if the City's core values need to be updated. He also asked if
the eight goals identified in the 2018 strategic plan need to be updated. Mr. Jaunich then dove
into a review of the City's Ends Statements/Core Values and proposed revisions, including
adding a section on Housing.
Council Member May agreed that a Housing section should be added to the City's core values.
Council Member Czmowski expressed that perhaps a "funding toolbox" should be identified for
housing expansion/development. He also expressed that the items currently included in the Ends
Statements/Core Values still ring true. Council Member Burley also agreed that the Core Values
identified are solid, however perhaps some minor updates/revisions could be made. Mayor
Forcier encouraged citizen feedback as well when items like this are being developed.
Mr. Jaunich asked the council members to review the ends statements/core values document in
more detail as a follow up strategic planning session will be held on them specifically. He also
asked the Council to think about if there is a need or desire to update the core values and to think
about what the strategic plan looks like for the next five years. Mr. Jaunich spoke about
challenges over the next five years which includes staffing costs on the overall tax levy, need for
new housing of all types, infrastructure costs for new development, higher
infrastructure/equipment/supply costs, uncertainty of future sales tax, public's desires vs. tax
levy, daycare shortages, declining availability of commercial/retail land, and compliance
regulations. Mr. Jaunich shared a list of projects/items to address over the next five years, as well
as other ideas to consider. He asked that the Council think of other ideas/projects to bring to the
table.
Mr. Jaunich noted that most likely staff/council will hold at least two more strategic planning
sessions. He noted he would like to have a five-year strategic plan developed by the end of 2023.
3. Adjournment
Motion by Burley, second by May, to adjourn the workshop at 5:15 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
ATTEST:
Gary T. Forcier
Mayor
Matthew Jaunich
City Administrator