HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2501-4049CITY OF PALO ALTO
Policy & Services Committee
Special Meeting
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
7:00 PM
Agenda Item
4.Follow Up from 2025 Council Retreat - Discussion on 2025 Umbrella Operating Strategies
Guiding Council Priorities
Policy & Services Committee
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: ACTION ITEMS
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: February 11, 2025
Report #:2501-4049
TITLE
Follow Up from 2025 Council Retreat - Discussion on 2025 Umbrella Operating Strategies
Guiding Council Priorities
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation for the Policy and Services Committee to continue the discussion of proposed
2025 Umbrella Operating Strategies from the 2025 Council Retreat.
BACKGROUND
On January 25, 2025, Council held its Annual Priority Setting Retreat. Part of the discussion was
the concept of developing umbrella operating strategies to guide Council’s work and focus in
2025, in addition to the Council Values, Priorities, and Objectives. The four Umbrella Operating
Strategies discussed were:
•Reduce employee vacancy rate by further accelerating the rate of filling open positions
so staff is in place to execute on priorities.
•Take a more cautious approach to budgeting decisions in light of economic uncertainty
and a new [federal] administration.
•Increase effectiveness and channels of communication to/from our residents.
•Structure committees for optimum effectiveness.
To further develop these concepts and establish a thoughtful framework that will support the
Council in advancing its priorities, this topic was referred for additional discussion at the Policy
and Services Committee.
ANALYSIS
The Council Annual Retreat is an opportunity to revisit and review its annual priorities to ensure
they reflect making progress on important and critical issues affecting the community. There
are various key inputs that inform this discussion including community feedback through
various surveys, a review of previous year accomplishments, and Council feedback on proposed
Priorities for the year.
This includes a set of values that the Palo Alto City Council holds to help guide decisions that:
1. Balance revenues and expenses, now and in the future.
2. Are environmentally sustainable, now and in the future.
3. Will integrate equity into our decisions, considering how decisions affect people
differently based on their identity or circumstances.
4. Create a healthy, safe and welcoming community for all.
5. Will safeguard public trust through transparent practices and open communication.
6. Will embrace innovation.
At the 2025 retreat, Umbrella Operating Strategies were proposed to provide an overarching
approach to managing an issue, reflecting a long-term or multidimensional perspective.
The draft Umbrella Operating Strategies are listed below. For reference, staff have added
references to existing Council actions that relate:
Proposed Umbrella Operating Strategies Related Council Actions
1. Reduce employee vacancy rate by further
accelerating the rate of filling open positions
so staff is in place to execute on priorities
Employee vacancies and vacancy rates are
reviewed by the Finance Committee as part of
the annual budget approval process. In
addition, this has been identified this as a
performance indicator in the City Manager’s
evaluation.
2. Take a more cautious approach to
budgeting decisions in light of economic
uncertainty and a new [federal]
administration
Council Value – Balance revenues and
expenses, now and in the future; also reflected
in Council-adopted Budget Development
Principles.
3. Increase effectiveness and channels of
communication to/from our residents
Council Value – Will safeguard public trust
through transparent practices and open
communication.
4. Structure committees for optimum
effectiveness
This was a specific topic of discussion at the
2025 retreat, with action taken on committees
for 2025 resulting in the addition of the Rail,
Retail, Climate Action, and Cubberley ad hoc
committees.
The Committee may discuss the proposed Umbrella Operating Strategies and make a
recommendation to the full Council.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
No fiscal impact known at this time.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The Council began this discussion at the January 25, 2025 retreat.
APPROVED BY:
Ed Shikada, City Manager