Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.8 - 3461 Strategic Plan Update Page 1 of 5 STAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL DATE: November 17, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Linda Smith, City Manager SUBJECT: Two-Year Strategic Plan Quarterly Update Prepared by: John Stefanski, Assistant to the City Manager EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City Council will receive a quarterly status update on its Two-Year Strategic Plan, which sets forth the City Council's policy priorities for 2020-2022. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Receive the report. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. DESCRIPTION: The City Council adopted the City’s Two-Year Strategic Plan on May 5, 2020. This Plan sets the overall direction for the City, guiding resources and setting specific objectives to drive City action. The Plan coincides with Fiscal Years 2020-21 and 2020-22. This report represents the first of eight quarterly Strategic Plan updates, covering the period of July 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020. Status updates for the strategies and objectives are provided below: Strategy 1: Implement the City’s Adopted Preferred Vision for Downtown Dublin Objective Update A Make necessary land use changes. Completed. On July 21, 2020, the City Council adopted amendments to the Downtown Dublin Specific Plan land uses and maximum floor area ratio based on the Preferred Vision. B Work with private property owners on acquisitions that result in the creation of a future town square. In Progress. On October 15, 2019, the City Council adopted a Memorandum of Understanding with one of the property owners of Dublin Place shopping center, creating a partnership with the City. Through the MOU, the property owner intends to acquire additional Page 2 of 5 parcels of the shopping center in order to work with the City on the siting of the town square. C Establish the proposed street grid network, including study of right-of-way acquisition and the appropriate funding mechanism for construction and maintenance. In Progress. On July 21, 2020, the City Council adopted amendments to the Downtown Dublin Specific Plan to incorporate the street grid contemplated in the Preferred Vision. The internal Downtown Action Team continues to evaluate the right-of-way acquisition and the appropriate funding mechanism for construction and maintenance. D Conduct a parking analysis of the Transit Oriented District and the Retail District and proposed changes. Not Started. E Create certainty and provide development rights that result in achieving the City Council’s Preferred Vision. Not Started. F Develop implementation measures for the adopted Downtown Streetscape Master Plan and updated Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan for the next Capital Improvement Program. In Progress. Staff have established a project website and held the first digital workshop (9/14/2020) for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. In Progress. On October 13, 2020, the Planning Commission reviewed the draft Downtown Streetscape Master Plan. City Council review is scheduled for November 17, 2020. G Market, in conjunction with Property owners, the opportunity sites. Not Started. H Work with Downtown property owners on updating the CC&Rs to facilitate retail transition. In Progress. Staff is working with property owners of the Dublin Plaza Retail Center on amending their CC&Rs. A draft of the changes is being routed to the property owners for their initial feedback. I Work with Downtown property owners on building/site improvements. In Progress. Staff is working with property owners of the Dublin Place Shopping Center on an amendment to the Master Sign Program to rebrand the center and add new signage to the center. J Refine and provide specificity on City development goals in the Downtown Plan and East Transit Center Area Plan. Not Started. Strategy 2: Explore New City Revenue Streams for Long Term Financial Stability Objective Update A Explore the feasibility of increasing the City’s current Transient Occupancy Tax. Not Started. B Evaluate the establishment of other fees and/or taxes that could offset City costs in providing services to the community. In Progress. Staff have established new fees for remote (online) programs and classes, outdoor fitness classes, and the L.I.V.E. n’ Rec Program in response to COVID-19-related restrictions. C Explore operational efficiencies in delivering services with other public agencies. In Progress. Staff is exploring a partnership for mental health crisis support with the Cities of Livermore and Pleasanton. Page 3 of 5 D Continue to maintain strong fiscal policies. In Progress. Staff has presented a Fiscal Year report on November 3, 2020, that included additional reserve designations to add funds towards retirement liabilities as well as funding towards IT infrastructure that will allow the City to become more efficient in delivering services. Strategy 3: Create More Affordable Housing Opportunities Objective Update A Facilitate production of affordable housing for lower income seniors, workforce, and special needs households by leveraging the Alameda County Measure A-1 Bond funds and the City’s Affordable Housing Fund. In Progress. On July 17, 2020 Staff released a Notice of Funding Availability for the creation of affordable rental housing. The City received two proposals by the October 9, 2020 deadline. B Look for additional opportunities to facilitate the acquisition of sites, at low or no cost, to build housing that is affordable to lower income households. In Progress. Staff continues to coordinate with the developer of the St. Patrick Way project regarding the acquisition of the adjacent parcel for development of an affordable housing project by Eden Housing. On July 21, 2020, the City Council adopted a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit an application for up to $3,333,333 in grant funds from the State of California’s Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF) Program for the Eden Housing project. Grant awards are anticipated to be announced in late October. Staff continues to work with Alameda County to acquire the remainder of Transit Center Parcel D-1 once the proposed parking garage footprint has been established. C Facilitate the production of accessory dwelling units throughout the community. In Progress. On November 3, 2020 the City Council introduced an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and approved related Impact Fee reductions to relax development standards and restrictions, and to address changes to state law to facilitate the production of accessory dwelling units. In addition, Staff has engaged RRM Consulting to assist with preparing pre-approved design and construction drawings to facilitate and streamline the production of accessory dwelling units. D Seek opportunities to preserve the stock of housing that is affordable to moderate- and middle-income households. In Progress. On September 1, 2020, the City Council authorized the City to become an additional member of the California Community Housing Agency (CalCHA) Joint Powers Authority for the production, preservation, and protection of essential middle-income rental housing, and authorized the City Manager to enter into purchase option agreements with CalCHA for middle-income rental housing. Page 4 of 5 E Update the City’s General Plan Housing Element in accordance with state law and to ensure an adequate supply of sites to accommodate the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation for the period 2023-31. In Progress. On July 21, 2020, the City Council approved a consulting services agreement with Kimley-Horn to assist Staff with preparing the current Housing Element Update. The Housing Element Update is underway. Strategy 4: Become a 24/7 City Hall to Enhance Resident and Business Engagement Objective Update A Reduce/eliminate the need for paper transactions where feasible. In Progress. Staff instituted Docusign and Laserfische Forms for electronic workflow and contracts processing, and Public Works plan check applications, reviews, and permit issuance can now be done electronically. B Provide more opportunities for residents to complete transactions with the City online, with appropriate security measures. In Progress. All planning, building, and business license permit applications can now be applied for and processed online, and Staff have instituted electronic review of fire system plans and online payments. Public Works implemented online payment for encroachment permits and is working to expand online payment for other Public Works permits. The Senior Center has transitioned from cash to pre-paid passes. C Enhance citizen online interaction via reporting of issues and transparent data. In Progress. On September 1, 2020 the City Council approved an agreement with OpenGov for financial transparency, budgeting, and citizen engagement software. D Continue to utilize all appropriate methods to share and exchange information with the public, including social media, at events and at the City’s website. In Progress. Staff continues to add to and enhance information on the City’s online recreation webpages (Virtual Recreation Center and Shelter-In-Fun activities). E Explore additional social media platforms and expanding use of Facebook to other departments. In Progress. With the addition of the digital media staff resource, Staff is preparing to consolidate many of its existing platforms on Facebook to a main City of Dublin account in early 2021. F Explore more exciting and user-friendly presentation of information, and a periodic report from the City Manager’s Office. In Progress. Staff is working with a focus group to create a more user-friendly experience on the City’s website. The redesign will begin by end of calendar year. Strategy 5: Large Land Tract Development and Open Space Objective Update A Look to establish an Economic Development Zone to prioritize commercial and industrial development east of Fallon Road. In Progress. On September 15 and October 20, 2020, the City Council received reports on a conceptual land use framework and incentive package for a new Economic Development Zone east of Fallon Road. Page 5 of 5 B Work with the area property owners in conjunction with the Dublin Boulevard extension project on issues such as road and project mitigation, entitlements, as well as supporting infrastructure. In Progress. Staff continue to hold meetings with property owners regarding the Dublin Boulevard Extension and proposed Economic Development Zone. On September 17, 2020 the Alameda County Transportation Commission awarded a not-to-exceed $6M agreement to BKF Engineers for the design phase of the Dublin Boulevard Extension project. The design phase is estimated to take 24 months. The City continues working with resource agencies to secure National Environmental Policy Act clearance of the project to facilitate potential Federal funding opportunities for project construction. C Begin discussions regarding required reporting under the Open Space Initiative of 2014 for the provisions of commercial and industrial development in the unincorporated area. Not Started. STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE: None. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: None. ATTACHMENTS: None.