Several councilors on Sept. 17 asked the city manager and staff to propose options for an orientation and a strategic-planning refresh to help incoming council members and to give the new council an opportunity to weigh in on the city’s strategic documents.

A councilor described past trainings hosted by Kent State (noted as no longer available) and by the Ohio Municipal League that councilors had found useful. The council asked staff to return with suggestions for a tailored orientation and a strategic-visioning process to be scheduled after new members are seated. “We could do a combination of both or offer at least offer them,” one councilor said, noting the city previously paid for similar training opportunities for elected officials.

No formal motion to adopt a plan was made at the Sept. 17 meeting; the request was a direction to staff to prepare proposals and possible timing for council consideration.