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Staff outline department priorities as council prepares two‑day public strategic‑plan retreat
Summary
Department heads presented detailed priorities ahead of the Jan. 18 council retreat. Recommendations ranged from homelessness coordination, grant writing support and staff development to long‑range planning, permitting software, stormwater planning and parks master plan work.
City department heads presented priorities and programmatic needs to inform development of a two‑year strategic plan covering FY 2025‑26 and FY 2026‑27.
Assistant City Manager Ryan Kinst framed general‑government priorities that included greater public engagement, a proposed homelessness‑services coordinator, hiring or contracting for professional grant‑writing services, enhanced emergency management and preparedness support and continued staff recruitment and compensation review. Kinst said the city has a limited staffing base and recommended considering shared or partially funded positions with regional partners.
Administrative Services Director Lisa Maldonado emphasized internal controls, updating the master fee schedule and technology integration (including consideration of Microsoft 365 and improvements to permit and accounting systems), a reserve study and staff cross‑training.
Community Development Director Nick Popoff outlined long‑range planning work: completing the general plan and coastal land‑use plan updates (public‑draft release and environmental review anticipated in coming months), continued housing element program implementation (including recent rezones and future inclusionary ordinance updates), launching a new permit platform to reduce backlog and improve reporting, and restoring proactive code compliance capacity.
Public Works priorities included continued design and grant seeking for mobility and bridge projects, the Living Shoreline concept, storm‑drain master planning, pavement maintenance and essential facility upkeep; many projects include partial grant funding. Parks and Recreation Director Jeanette Gantt highlighted the Rincon Bluffs Preserve (Bluffs 3) project with a five‑year improvement timeline tied to an endowment agreement, the posted pool needs assessment RFP and a recommended parks and recreation master plan to guide future investments.
Council received the presentations and later voted to receive and file departmental priority reports for use at the Jan. 18 council retreat and in subsequent budget discussions. Staff committed to return with cost estimates, grant options and, where appropriate, proposals for shared or contract positions.
