2011-2016 GOALS AND 2011-2013 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
Goal 1: Create a Strong, Sustainable Economic Base
Strategic Objectives:
1. Break ground on reunification of Courthouse Square within 24 months.
2. Complete Museum on the Square within 24 months.
3. One or more additional downtown projects on City-owned opportunity sites will be available for development within 24 months.
4. Look for additional ways to reduce uncertainty in the Entitlement process:
Allow more uses to be permitted by right
Consider more design review permits at the staff level
Develop the Business Concierge Program
5. 1,000 net, new jobs and six new major tenants to locate in existing vacant commercial centers within 24 months.
6. 5% increase in gross sales and property tax in the City within 24 months.
7. Enhance strategic regional partnerships, including Chambers of Commerce, School Districts and Santa Rosa Junior College/Sonoma State University.
8. Identify and focus on major economic centers in the City – SMART Stations, Coddingtown, and Downtown.
9. Continue to implementing existing Economic Development Workplans including the “Aggressive Additions” and “Economic Sustainability Strategies”.
Goal 2: Promote a City Organization that is Sustainable and Maintains Employee Morale, Productivity, and Effectiveness
Strategic Objectives:
1. Live within our means; develop strategies to restore fiscal stability.
2. Contain labor and pension costs.
3. Consider reorganizations and sharing of services between agencies to improve productivity and efficiency.
4. Develop a Citywide succession planning model.
5. Involve employees in planning for the City’s future.
6. Recognize and celebrate the success of our employees.
Goal 3: Provide Leadership in Environmental Initiatives
Strategic Objectives:
1. Partner regionally to reduce greenhouse gases and move City operations to become carbon neutral through energy-efficiency, renewable energy generation projects, and clean energy procurement development.
2. Develop and implement Santa Rosa's Climate Action Plan to achieve established State, regional, and local GHG emission targets.
3. Identify opportunities for improved efficiencies as they relate to energy, water, and waste for City operations; meet State and local GHG reduction targets.
4. Develop a strategic education and outreach program to improve public engagement and participation in community-wide GHG reduction efforts.
5. Partner regionally to move toward 100% renewable electric energy sources.
6. Improve our transportation system to reduce vehicle miles and promote multi-modal transportation.
Goal 4: Maintain and Enhance our City’s Cultural and Recreational Assets (facilities, program, parks, etc.)
Strategic Objectives:
1. Research new revenue model, including formation of a special district, to sustain Recreation, Parks and Community Services in the future.
2. Develop "Friends Group" to support Recreation and Parks and assist with fundraising.
3. Develop programming budget and related strategic partnerships for a reunified Courthouse Square.
4. Acknowledge Southeast Greenway community planning projects.
Goal 5: Improve the Partnerships between Neighborhoods, Community Organizations and the City to Support and Promote Thriving Diverse Neighborhoods
Strategic Objectives:
1. Define Community Advisory Board’s role, consider this during the City Charter review.
2. Define neighborhood funding.
3. Define and identify potential opportunities to expand and enhance Gang Prevention’s relationship to existing City programs.
4. Support CAB efforts to sponsor the Neighborhood Summit.
5. Conduct a Neighborhood Assets Survey across the City to determine what services and amenities exist or are needed within 24 months.
6. Continue the City’s efforts to improve communication, increase the ease of obtaining information and support community-building efforts to promote a healthy community, and encourage participation by all groups.
Goal 6: Committed to Making Santa Rosa a Community Where People Feel Safe to Live, Work, and Play
Strategic Objectives:
1. Define what makes a person/community “feel” safe by conducting a community needs assessment.
2. Note impacts of any degradation to emergency response times.
3. Use Code Enforcement resources to preserve/enhance neighborhood safety and appearance.
4. Develop strategies to address perceived safety concerns for those who live and work in Downtown.
5. Improve outreach programs to better inform public of security issues related to lighting.
6. Expand Safe Routes to Schools throughout the City.