The Organizational Development Standing Committee approved the minutes from its Dec. 2, 2024 meeting and received a briefing on administrative priorities including third-floor office renovations, staffing reviews and preparations for the upcoming budget season.

During the Jan. 8 meeting, the clerk read the electronic meeting announcement and the committee conducted a roll call. The clerk said the minutes for the Dec. 2, 2024 meeting would "stand approved as presented" if there were no amendments or corrections; the committee later confirmed approval.

Matthew Slats, interim chief of staff, told the committee staff is prioritizing completion of plans and timelines for third-floor construction to provide workspace for council and staff, preparing for the budget season and organizing a retreat and legislative strategy to align council priorities with the General Assembly session. Slats said communications staff transferred information for the new council and that an audit of communication channels is planned to improve public outreach. He also said the job posting for a permanent chief of staff is live and staff are addressing vacancies including the role previously held by Joyce Davis.

Council members asked administration for timelines and follow-up. Councilmember Robertson thanked administration for water-restoration work and requested the administration provide a timeline and a skeleton outline for a fuller presentation on the system review and planned actions; Vice Chair Jordan noted the Governmental Operations Committee meeting on Jan. 22 as a possible opportunity for an update.

Office-space timing: Several members pressed for a date certain on when council would have office space; Slats said the third-floor renovation is a major focus and that staff will coordinate follow-up meetings with administration to produce specific dates and timelines.

Ending: The committee concluded after the items were addressed and the mayor and administration staff were thanked for their participation earlier in the meeting.