City Council on Oct. 21 received a working draft of a five-year strategic plan and voted to send the draft to city staff to prepare implementation strategies, measurable milestones and timelines before the plan returns to council for formal adoption.

Jane Ditmar of the Virginia Institute of Government presented the Phase 1 draft, describing a plan built around four strategic pillars — economic vitality; neighborhoods; celebrating Petersburg; and good governance — and a vision statement to align leadership and staff. Ditmar said the draft is a “living document” that staff will convert into project plans, metrics and timelines once council reaches consensus on vision and priorities.

Ditmar told council the consulting team conducted 20 hours of individual interviews, reviewed existing city planning documents and held advance sessions with council and staff. She said the draft collapses several draft vision statements into one and places “blue box” placeholders where council discussion suggested future topics for staff consideration.

Councilmember Jones moved and Councilmember Anna Smith Lee seconded a motion to refer the draft to staff for further work. The motion passed on a roll call: Cuthbert — Aye; Jones — Aye; Westbrook — Aye; Smith Lee — Aye; Vice Mayor Hill — Aye.

City Manager Altman and Ditmar said staff will develop department-level strategies, success metrics and implementation timelines and return a refined plan to council for potential adoption and ongoing reporting. Ditmar noted changes in city leadership or unanticipated events could prompt future updates.

Council members thanked the consulting team and emphasized the need for staff to provide details that the public and council can evaluate before adoption.