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11/10/1996 CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 10, 1996 Present: J. B. Johnson Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Robert Clark Commissioner Ed Hooper Commissioner Karen Seel Commissioner Elizabeth M. Deptula City Manager Kathy S. Rice Deputy City Manager Bob Keller Assistant City Manager Pamela K. Akin City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Pamela Skyrme Organizational & Employee Development Director Absent: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner The Vice-Mayor called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. at the Sailing Center for the purpose of strategic planning. An icebreaker of finding out more about each other was conducted. Dr. Skyrme indicated there is a need to establish a vision so staff knows where we are going. She stated this will include values, a purpose or mission, and goals. The goals will be written by the departments and employees and will be how the City carries out the mission and values. Two values exercises were conducted and reviewed. The meeting recessed from 2:31 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Participants had been asked to vision what they hoped the City would become. They were to describe the City as if they were seeing it from a helicopter, from a car, and on foot. Each team member reviewed their vision. Common themes included green space and landscaping, activity, festival atmosphere, family orientation, high tech industries, safe, clean, people friendly, and a thriving downtown. Discussion ensued regarding the common themes. Concerns where brought up regarding the trends as far as aging of the population, the impact that will have on the health care systems, the impact of technology, the need to be more regionally oriented, and to address foreign trade. A question was raised about small companies adding employees and whether that had more impact than one big company coming in. Mr. Keller indicated there is public pressure for a “magic bullet.” He considers focusing on a magic bullet a waste of money. There was also discussion regarding the possibility of some of the smaller cities merging with the larger ones. Some were of the opinion that each town would want to maintain its identity. But there was also the feeling that there is a desire for a bigger bang for your tax dollar. It was felt that each area of Clearwater has a distinct personality and that is part of what draws people to the area. There was concern regarding the need to represent all of the different areas of the City, allowing them to maintain their identity and yet fostering a sense of community. A concern was expressed that the community was not involved in establishing the vision for Clearwater. It was felt the vision could be taken to the community for confirmation once it is developed. It was suggested that between the last strategic planning meeting scheduled for December 3 and January, a plan could be developed regarding how to get input from the community. It was stated the visions expressed today had many common elements and there was optimism the vision could be brought together. The meeting adjourned at 4:26 p.m.