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1 Attachment 4. Notes from 9/22/12 Council Workshop (Agenda Item El Cerrito City Council Strategic Planning Workshop NOTES September 22, 2012 The following draft Vision, Mission (previously adopted) and draft Values are the result of El Cerrito City Council discussion. These elements will serve as a starting point for the current Council to discuss, refine, and ultimately adopt as part of a City Strategic Plan. Council discussion notes follow the draft strategic plan elements. OUR VISION (draft) Our vision states a desired future as a result of the organization’s work. (Draft from September Council session – for discussion and revision on 1/26/13) El Cerrito is a beautiful, connected, and environmentally‐focused Bay Area destination with vibrant neighborhoods, businesses, and public places and cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities for people of all ages. OUR MISSION Our mission represents what the organization stands for and the reason for its existence. The City of El Cerrito serves, leads and supports our diverse community by providing exemplary and innovative services, public places and infrastructure, ensuring public safety, and creating an economically and environmentally sustainable future. ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 OUR VALUES (draft) Our values drive behavior and support the effective implementation of vision, mission and goals. (Draft from September Council session – for discussion and revision on 1/26/13) Ethics and Integrity Fiscal Responsibility Innovation and Creativity Leadership Professional Excellence Responsiveness Inclusiveness Transparency and Open Communication ETHICS AND INTEGRITY • Keeps the public’s interest always in mind • Abides by professional codes of conduct • Exercises good judgment • Does the right thing even when no one is looking • Knows and follows ethical rules • Adheres to individual and organizational professional standards in the conduct of the organization’s business • Has the courage to say no • Is accountable • Open/honest communication FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY • Ensure responsible spending of the City revenues with services delivered in the most cost effective, efficient manner • Maintains financial reserves consistent with City Financial Policy • Adheres to best practice financial policies and practices • Attracts outside funding and resources when appropriate • Forecasts • Maintains fiscal discipline • Addresses unfunded liabilities ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 INNOVATION/CREATIVITY • Solves problems creatively and is open to new ideas • Creates new ways of moving the organization forward to achieve its mission • Fosters new and creative thinking and solutions • Identifies new ideas/methods/techniques and embrace those that lead to improvement • Uses emerging technology with purpose • Problem solves • Takes risks (calculated) • Encourages outside‐the‐box thinking • Fosters empowerment • Make it safe to make mistakes and to learn from them LEADERSHIP • Has and communicates a vision • Stands for something • Sets the example • Has courage • Inspires results and effective teamwork • Communicates and listens effectively • Makes the hard decisions • Demonstrates compassion • Mentors • Remains steadfast • Is willing to admit failures/faults • Puts others first (emotional intelligence) • Sets the example; mentors others to be successful PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE • Demonstrates respect • Is dedicated • Dependable/reliable • Keeps skills and knowledge current • Exhibits excellent interpersonal skills • Provides stewardship • Identifies/forecasts issues • Solution‐oriented • Pays attention to detail • Humility • Sees the public and City employees as sources of creative ideas and effective ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 solutions • Creates and sustains an atmosphere that fosters a culture of openness, inclusion, compassion and trust RESPONSIVENESS • Seeks and utilizes community input • Listens/responds actively • Is timely • Keeps others informed and up to date • Keeps commitments and does what is said will be done; is reliable • Engages – two way interaction • Fulfills commitments and keeps promises that are made INCLUSIVENESS • Treats others with dignity and respect • Demonstrates a welcoming attitude at all times • Demonstrates sensitivity to the needs, concerns and opinions of others • Incorporates inclusiveness into programs and services • Cultivates a broad and diverse network to exchange ideas and make decisions • Models inclusive behavior when interacting with staff and the community • Values and promotes full utilization of workforce diversity • Successfully manages differences in primary language and culture • Encourages and promotes a work environment in which all individual differences are valued, respected and welcomed • Seeks or provides resources to promote and support inclusiveness • Resolves complex issues by balancing needs of diverse groups TRANSPARENCY AND OPEN COMMUNICATION • Operates in such a way that others can easily see one’s actions • Champions public transparency laws to enhance accountability and builds trust in government • Follows open meeting laws in conducting the public’s business • Facilitates public participation in open meetings; encourages candor and welcomes input • Provides free and easy access to information regarding matters of public interest • Provides timely, accurate information that is easy to access and to understand • Seeks ways to increase community participation and inclusion in government • Considers media, technology and other channels to reach the public • Listens carefully and remains open to different perspectives • Explains policies, issues, and changes • Develops creative ways to get the public involved in a productive way • Engages in open, honest communication ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 • Actively seeks citizen participation; strives to keep the public informed and educated about community issues • Listens to other perspectives with an open mind and a sincere desire to understand Council Discussion Notes CONCEPTS TO CAPTURE in Values Connection between city and community Integrity Diversity, equal access Community focus Achievement Respect Continuous improvement Collaboration (regional) Strategic (under innovative and creative; leadership) Long‐term view CONCEPTS TO CAPTURE in Vision Beautiful Sustainable (environmentally) Connected Safe Destination Engaged Innovative Local businesses Respect Strives to be Forward thinking Cultural accessible Inclusive Unique Place‐making Walkability Transit People of all ages Not just vanilla Welcoming Active; people on the street Vibrant What they liked about the examples: • Using sentence format • Showcasing what’s special; You learn a bit about Albany • Safety/work/live • Should complement the mission statement • Speak to EC uniqueness • Express a sense of pride • Keep it in the realm of what is possible to accomplish