City Council Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Risi Karim, Assistant to the City Administrator
Title
Consider Approval of the Strategic Plan (2025-2028).
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is asked to consider a Motion approving the Strategic Plan (2025-2028).
Summary Report:
Attached is the draft 1-page Strategic Plan document that was reviewed at the May 13th worksession. Craig Rapp and staff are currently reviewing for some potential minor edits based on feedback at the worksession. Additionally, the full report is being drafted. The report will be provided as a supplemental memo.
Background
The City of Northfield’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan is presented for final approval following a comprehensive and months long process that involved City Council, City staff, community members. This plan represents the City’s third consecutive strategic plan since 2018 and reinforces Northfield’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, transparent, and result oriented governance. A supplemental memo containing the final version of the Strategic Plan will be provided to the Council next week.
The strategic planning process began in late 2024 with Consultant Craig Rapp working closely with City leadership to tailor a process that reflects both organizational goals and community values. The planning process included:
• A public engagement process, including feedback opportunities for community stakeholders, to ensure the plan reflects broad based input.
Engagement activities:
Individual interviews with the Mayor and Council Members.
A citywide community survey to gather broad input.
Four facilitated community stakeholder meetings (~90 minutes each) to gather diverse perspectives and priorities.
• A facilitated Strategic Planning Retreat with the City Council and senior staff on April 5, 2025, where four strategic priorities were identified.
• A follow-up work session with City staff on April 8, 2025, to define Key Outcome Indicators (KOIs) and performance targets.
The Northfield City Council reached consensus on four strategic priorities for the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan:
• Improve Financial Strength - Ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability through prudent budgeting, diversified revenue, and responsible financial management.
• Increase Housing Availability - Expanding housing options to meet the needs of current and future residents across all income levels.
• Achieve Infrastructure Sustainability - Maintaining and modernizing the City’s physical assets, including streets, utilities, and public facilities, through strategic investments.
• Enhance Service Delivery - Improving the efficiency, accessibility, and responsiveness of city services to better meet the needs of the community.
Upon Council approval, staff will begin implementation planning, aligning departmental goals, resources, and initiatives with the adopted strategic framework. Annual updates will be provided to Council to track progress and make adjustments as needed.
Alternative Options:
Not applicable.
Financial Impacts:
Not applicable.
Tentative Timelines:
Strategic Plan Development: Timeline Events
ü 10/22/24 (5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.) - All Board & Commission Training
Comprehensive Plan Background & Context for Strategic Planning (Reilly)
Strategic Plan: Craig Rapp
1. Strategic Plan - background, purpose, schedule
2. Strategic Plan - facilitated feedback on policy, issues, etc.
ü 11/18/24 Staff Senior Management Team Meeting (Craig Rapp)
Leadership & Staff Working Together
ü 12/4/24 Staff Senior Management Team + Others: Strategic Plan Kickoff Meeting (Craig Rapp)
Enviro scan work, development, implementation preparation.
ü 1/14/25: Council Worksession: Good Governance Workshop (Rapp)
ü February 2025 - Facilitated Community Stakeholder meetings (4 meetings approximately 90 minutes - in process for development)
ü January/February 2025 - Mayor and Councilor Interviews
ü January - February-March 2025: Community Survey.
ü 3/11/25: Council Strategic Plan Workesession, City Hall 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Download of 2024 Board/Commission Input, Community Survey, 4 Focus Group Facilitation, Staff Environmental Scan, Strategic Plan Retreat Process etc.
ü 4/5/25 (Saturday): City Council Strategic Plan Retreat, City Hall 2nd Floor Training Room 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (breakfast & lunch)
Develop Strategic Plan: Vision/Mission/Values, Strategic Priorities, Desired Outcomes, Strategic Initiatives
ü 5/13/25: Council Worksession: Review & Direction on KOIs & Targets
Key Outcome Indicators & Targets. One agenda item 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
o 5/20/25: Council Regular Meeting: Adoption of Strategic Plan Report (2025-2028)