CRAG schedules strategic visioning session; members asked to pick April 22 or May 27

CRAG staff on March 11 asked executive committee members to hold the morning of either April 22 or May 27 for a rescheduled strategic visioning session, an event intended to review the council’s existing priorities and identify possible new strategic directions.

Matt Hart said the session—originally planned for Feb. 25 and postponed for weather—would run about 9 to 11:30 a.m. with the policy board meeting to follow. ‘‘We want to review our eight strategic priorities and then hear what other topics you would like to explore,’’ Hart said, listing governance, communications, workforce development, shared services, regional housing strategy, road safety and multi-use trails among current priorities.

Staff and members suggested themes for discussion including municipal workforce and recruitment challenges (notably firefighter and EMS staffing), expanded service-sharing or municipal apprenticeship programs, and big infrastructure ideas such as leveraging the Connecticut Riverfront and advancing the Greater Hartford Mobility Program’s plans to reconfigure sections of I-84/I-91.

Donna Hamsey Crochio, who will help facilitate the retreat, recommended engaging legislators earlier in the process and suggested social opportunities (for example, the Capitol’s April 29 restaurant night) as moments for informal meetings with delegation members. Members were asked to indicate availability via the Doodle poll included in the meeting packet.

The session is intended to produce priorities staff can translate into legislative and project work going forward. Staff asked members to confirm a date so planning can proceed and materials be circulated in advance.