Strategic Planning, Partnerships Commission abolition moves forward

After tabling a Local Law in August to abolish the city's Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission, the City Council Public Safety Committee has approved abolishing the commission and moving the decision to a full council vote.

At their Monday meeting, Councilman Jeremy Engquist, D-At Large and chair of the Public Safety Committee, noted that the committee tabled the law last month to give members more time to learn more and reach out to related people for their thoughts.

"If we push it through today it will get read into the record at the end of the month and then we will be voting on it at the end of November," Engquist said. "I did take some time on this myself, to look into it and talk with a couple of people. ... I did get some feedback from some people and am ready to move forward with this I think."

Another committee members, Councilwoman Regina Brackman, D-Ward 3 and City Council president, and Councilwoman Hannah Jaroszynski, D-Ward 5, agreed, adding that since the law is only getting read onto the record at the end of the month and will not be voted on until November there is time to gather more information still.

"If something changes we obviously don't have to vote it through," Jaroszynski said.

Engquist noted that as of right now he is not sure how he would vote for it, but said he felt comfortable giving everyone else the opportunity to vote.

The two city residents who spoke out against abolishing the commission last time the issue was brought up, Jason Sample and Doug Champ, both spoke on the issue again at Monday's work session as well.

Sample spoke briefly on the history of the strategic planning commission, including past members from organizations throughout the city, and the recommendations and strategies that the commission made.

"That brings me to the question I think this council should ask itself; does this body fully know and understand all of those current issues and past issues and challenges facing different stakeholders within our community and what they need the local government to do to help address them?" Sample said. "If the answer is yes, then perhaps you do not need the commission or process to help with strategic planning. If the answer is no I think you risk shortchanging yourselves by eliminating an advisory board that could bring those perspectives to you."

Sample noted that the commission would not have to run the same as it did in the past and the structure and responsibilities may need to change. He added the city should examine what the commission accomplished and what did or did not work and how it could assist the council in strategic planning responsibilities.

Champ defined strategic planning to the council, and the components that are included. There are options that the City Council could undertake when it comes to the Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission, including eliminating the commission that has not existed since 2020, creating a new board for the planning process for the current times, a strategic planning focus for City Council with specific interests from the community, or allow the Planning Commission to include part of the strategic planning process.

"All of these processes can be folded into a number of things, some that you already do," Champ said. "If you want to throw this away, go for it. But, I would suggest there be options available to be discussed, presented and decided. I think the Planning Commission and city planner need to be listened to regarding what their position is for strategic planning. How you want to go about it is up to you; you can either lose it or use it."