City of Powell River councillors received an update on the city’s strategic plan and opportunities for actions moving forward.
At the November 17 committee of the whole meeting, city chief administrative officer Russell Brewer said he wanted to provide councillors the opportunity to review the strategic plan. He said his hope is to bring it to the committee and councillors on a quarterly basis.
Brewer said his presentation was an opportunity to check in on the plan and action items that are in it.
“You’ll note what we’ve done with the strategic plan, which was approved nearly a year ago at the end of 2019 in December, that we pulled the strategic plan together and provided a document that is now on our website,” said Brewer. “We also included responsibilities, whether it’s council, staff or what departments, or combinations. We’ve also included opportunities to provide comments on status. We projected out a timeline when something might be implemented to the end of 2022.”
Brewer said a work plan has been included: one page for each of the priorities and broken out to match what’s listed in the strategic plan document.
“Also included with this report is what I’m intending to produce for you on a quarterly basis, which is an action list,” said Brewer. “It allows for a check-in for items that are not necessarily associated with the strategic plan but they might be items that have been directed to staff at committee or council meetings.”
Brewer said there might be opportunity in the next quarter or so to revisit the strategic plan. He reminded council that it was now almost two years into its mandate. Brewer said maybe next spring there could be the opportunity to look at the plan and see if it should be tweaked, if items should be dropped, or items added. He said revisiting it had been discussed earlier in the year, but with the pandemic, it was felt it might be best to hold off until early 2021.
“Really, this is just here for information,” said Brewer.
Councillor Maggie Hathaway said it was a good idea to stay on top of things and review the strategic plan.
Councillor Cindy Elliott said she thought the quarterly review is a good idea and she is supportive.
Councillor CaroleAnn Leishman said she wanted to thank Brewer for bringing this forward. She said she liked the idea of how the strategic plan was laid out and that it was very clear.
Committee chair George Doubt said he liked the idea of getting together and reviewing the strategic plan early in 2021.
“Hopefully, we’ll have more time to do that in late 2020,” said Doubt.
Councillor Jim Palm said strategic planning is one of the most important tasks council performs during its term so he really welcomes the opportunity for a midterm checkup.
The city’s strategic plan can be found online at powellriver.civicweb.net/document/88317.
