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2021 Q2 Work Plan Update
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Summary and Background Information:
This presentation to Council is to provide an update on Staff’s progress on the 2021 work plan during Q2. Staff has made significant progress across all five of Council’s goals this quarter, and will be presenting updates to Council during this meeting. Staff prepares an annual work plan to track and manage projects and priorities for the year. Having a work plan ensures that all work accomplished by staff in a given year furthers the goals set by Council. This is the first year staff is using the more streamlined three-tiered work plan. Therefore, in addition to Council’s feedback on the progress made, feedback on the report itself is important. Improvements as to how this information is presented in the future will allow staff to more effectively and efficiently communicate progress to Council. Staff can make adjustments to the level of detail or nature of updates, as well as adding, removing, and adjusting objectives as needed throughout the year based on Council’s direction.
Staff has continued to diligently advance and realize Council’s vision for the community in the second quarter. The Envisio report and slides accompanying this communication will provide additional detail on the progress during this quarter. Overall, staff has made 44% progress on the work plan, with 88.64% of projects on track, 4.55% already completed, and 6.82% experiencing some amount of disruption.
Goal 1
Council’s first goal (please note – the number of each goal does not indicate priority relative to other goals i.e. goal one is not more important than goal two) is to promote a balanced and thriving city economy. This goal primarily focuses on economic development and key development and redevelopment areas. There are four objectives within this goal:
Location of choice for primary employers
Create a sense of place
Catalyze development in identified key areas
Improve efficiency and effectiveness of development review processes
Economic development efforts continue to ramp up. The number of new project inquiries has risen from 49 to 80 during the quarter. Additionally, ED staff has provided assistance to 28 small businesses through the Small Business Resource Center. The launch of the new Economic Development Council Sub-Committee will enhance staff’s continued efforts.
Community Development projects to revitalize key areas are continuing on pace. Additionally, staff has engaged the developer at Victory Crossing to discuss potential development opportunities. Staff continues to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the development review process in order to streamline future projects and make Commerce City attractive to developers. For example, the Building Safety Division has implemented several business improvement measures to this end, and plan reviews and issuance of certificates of occupancy are all on time.
Goal 2
Council’s second goal is to promote efficient and effective city government to improve levels of service. This goal focuses on internal processes to improve Staff’s performance. There are five objectives within this goal:
Leverage emerging technologies to enhance capabilities
A high-functioning city workforce
Provide responsive action to council-identified priorities
Act in a transparent and accountable manner
Secure a sustainable financial future
IT is working on several new technology projects, notably the Secureplex replacement for the PD’s paging and intercom system, anticipated to be complete next quarter and the Civic Center Conference Rooms A/V refresh. IT has also completed the Bluetooth assisted listening system in Council chambers. Evaluations of current systems planned for this year are mostly complete, with some scheduled to kickoff in Q4. Additionally, several other projects (MSC wiring upgrades, disaster recovery failover test, etc.) are scheduled to commence later this year.
Human resources is continuing to refine its plans for the ‘new normal’ work environment to ensure that staff remains fully functional and efficient while staying safe in the COVID environment. HR is also creating a new employee orientation system and implementing the Neogov Onboard system.
Finance is on track across its strategies. The 2022 budget process is underway and staff is preparing for the annual budget retreat. The City received a clean, unmodified opinion from the audit and was able to publish the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, presenting to Council on 6/28/21. Finance is increasing tax compliance awareness and audits, and is on track to exceed its stated objectives for delinquent filings, revenue recovery, and audit engagement rate.
Goal 3
Council’s third goal is to develop and maintain the public infrastructure to improve community appearance and encourage continued development. This goal focuses on infrastructure projects of all types, as well as CIPP projects and building safety. There are four objectives within this goal:
Develop educational infrastructure
Improve physical infrastructure
Engineer a safe built environment
Complete all approved phases of CIPP on time, budget, and to standard
Public works is continuing to make progress across its projects. PW has also identified and assessed several key problem areas and secured grant funding for improvements to them. PW has developed project management training to enhance employee capabilities and will hold the training in Q3.
Goal 4
Council’s fourth goal is to promote resident health, safety and education. The objectives cover a broad range of areas, including police work, parks and recreation, code enforcement, and oil and gas regulation. There are five objectives within this goal:
Create aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods
Provide recreation opportunities
Safeguard resident health and wellbeing
Enhance personal safety
Enhance community safety
PD is hard at work keeping the community safe during difficult times. To address the rising number of auto thefts (a trend consistent throughout the nation), the Police Department has focused on owner education. The social media campaigns appear promising as vehicle trespasses directly related to unlocked vehicles have remained steady. Additionally, the department has acquired Club anti-theft devices which it intends to provide to owners of previously stolen vehicles; these will be distributed next quarter. Staff is reviewing a domestic violence checklist to ensure investigations are thorough and consistent; the DA’s office has expressed interest in this checklist for its new domestic violence unit, and an in-person training will occur next quarter.
PRG is working to expand access to recreation opportunities. The opening of Paradice Island and the return of summer camps and youth sports programs have been a huge boon to the community. Additionally, PRG has received an Adams County Open Space grant for $960,000 to renovate Monaco Park and is awaiting decisions on another $80,000 in grant monies.
All departments are working to protect residents’ health and wellbeing. The signing of the contract with Lotus Environmental has enabled staff to begin working with the contractor to create various milestones that will be examined and analyzed throughout the project. Staff is continuing work on the Keep Commerce City Clean initiative, slated to launch later this year following meeting with Council and coordinating with a graphic designer on the logo/tagline and website.
Goal 5
Council’s fifth goal is to improve community involvement and trust. This goal covers community relations. There are four objectives under this goal:
Increase civic pride
Improve citizen interaction
An inclusive community
Improve citizen participation
The easing of COVID restrictions has allowed the City to begin limited in-person events. The Memorial Day Ceremony had an estimated attendance of 40 people and was very well received. Staff is planning for additional in-person events in Q3. The RFP for the cultural master plan in alignment with Artfully Adams County will be posted in Q3. Additionally, community relations has maintained an active web/social media presence during the pandemic to meet residents where they currently are.
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission is assisting HR in a review of practices and developing new policy ideas. Staff has developed a job description for a senior liaison/community navigator and has requested a 2022 budget enhancement for this position.
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Roger Tinklenberg
Staff Member Presenting: Roger Tinklenberg
Financial Impact: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
Staff Recommendation: N/A
Suggested Motion: N/A