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Home My WebLink About08-16-2022 - Strategic Plan WorkshopMINUTES OF THE VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SPECIAL MEETING STRATEGIC PLAN WORKSHOP Tuesday August 16, 2022, 6:30 pm Morton Grove American Legion Memorial Civic Center 6140 Dempster Street — Main Hall Morton Grove, IL 60053 Pursuant to proper notice in accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the special meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Village President Pro -Temp Janine Witko who led the assemblage in the pledge of allegiance. Village Clerk Eileen Scanlon Harford called the roll. In attendance were: Elected Officials: Trustees William Grear, Saba Khan, Janine Witko, Connie Travis, and Rita Minx, John Thill Absent: Mayor Daniel DiMaria Members of the 2022 Strategic Plan Advisory Committee: Steven Blonz, Chair, Jon Cole, Danielle DiMaria, Marc Fernandez, Lindsey Karp, Tariq Laliwala, Volha Liston, Paul McGivern, Mathew Polson, Theresa Polyak, Habeeb Quadri and Ashur Shiba Village Department Directors and Key Staff Members: Ralph Czerwinski, Village Administrator, Michael Simo, Police Chief, Joseph Dahm, Public Works Director, Hanna Sullivan, Finance Director, Zoe Heidorn, Community Development Administrator, James English, Building Department Manager, Ralph Ensign, Fire Chief, Thomas Friel, Assistant to Village Administrator, and Teresa Hoffman Liston, Corporation Counsel Strategic Planning Coordinators, NIU Center for Government Studies: Gregory Kuhn and Alli Hoebing 1. Environmental Scan; Stakeholder Input Greg Kuhn from NIU Center for Government Studies began the meeting with an overview of the finding from the focus group date that was collected from various stakeholders including frontline Village Staff, intergovernmental/civic groups, business community, and the Strategic Planning Advisory Commission. Over all themes that emerged were: a. Sustainable infrastructure, services, and facilities. Continue to invest in Village assets including utilities such as water. Secure modern space for Village Hall and Police Stations. Go green at Village Hall and 1 businesses. Identify funding making TIF or other sources for school updates. Maintain b. Commercial and business investment. Work to develop a downtown area or city center. Make Morton Grove a one stop shop for shopping and bring in more diverse businesses. Family centered generational growth. c. Community diversity, promote and enhance DEI Morton Grove is global Village. Recruit and retain quality employees and focus on a succession plan. Diverse housing options. Promote and create access and equity across all aspects. d. Expand outreach and communication Increase frequency of communication and explore other modes of communications. Hire a marketing person. 2. Goal Review and Identification The next activity broke the meeting into four groups to answer the following: a. We want to but b. The two most important things to focus on are and c. If it weren't for we would d. We need to finally e. will have the biggest impact on the Village in the corning 2-3 years. Group answers are as follows: SWOC I: a. We want to enhance our community but maintain out hometown feel. b. The two most important things to focus on an attainable plan and appreciate financing because we need to insure our future. c. If it weren't for Dempster street realities we would have a viable downtown corridor. d. We need to finally build a police station and Village Hall. e. The increased revenue to all taxing bodies due to the successful lehigh/ferris TIF will have the biggest impact on the Village in the coming 2-3 years. Grovers +4 a. We want to see urowth in infrastructure, economics. and community engagement but want to remain fiscally responsible while doing so. b. The two most important things to focus on are financial stability and services and amenities that would improve the quality of life for both residents and stakeholders. c. If it weren't for the original strategic planning process we would not be focused on our growth. sustainability and development in the short and long term. d. We need to finally reimagine Dempster street because for many it is the first impression of Morton Grove. e. Development of a Village Center will have the biggest impact on the Village in the coming 2-3 years. MG3 a. We want to maintain continuous quality but fundim is not always available. b. The two most important things to focus on are planning and prioritizing many programs and protects needs to be addressed. 2 c. If it weren't for undersized staff we would realize opportunities. d. We need to finally fortify villace zovernment. e. Communication will have the biggest impact on the Village in the coming 2-3 years. Quantro-Seis a. We want toprogress but funds are limited. b. The two most important things to focus on are sustainability and diversity. c. If it weren't for financial constraints we would free up more time and resources to move the Village forward. d. We need to finally get a new Village Hall, police station and downtown area! e. A well designed and implemented strategic plan will have the biggest impact on the Village in the coming 2-3 years. 3. Assessment of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Challenges (2 -Part SWOC) a. Strengths: communications; reverse 911; Village Manager; Mayor, good relations with intergovernmental partners; success of TIF district; schools; central location; diversity; great board and administration; Village services; religious organizations; village -sponsored community events. b. Weaknesses: Aging infrastructure; capital funding; ability to recruit employees; low -tier salary schedules; MG landlocked; not timely; not multi -modal; underutilized manufacturing district; lack of new volunteers; c. Opportunities: Location; diversity; technology; government funding; new residents and new perspectives; business development; commuter train/Metra; presentation of info in easy to understand formats; modern codes, community events. d. Challenges: Financial constraints; diversity; aging infrastructure; employees, staffing and recruiting; succession plan; parking around businesses sectors; business development; crossings; land locked; tree canopy; knowledge gap; presentation of information in easy to understand and timely way; location; competition with other governments; modernization of codes; change of civic mind; volunteerism; code enforcement. 4. Classification of Goals a. Short Term Goals: New Village Hall & Police Station; Hire Communications employee; multi -modal communication plan; succession planning process; Metra station development; EDI; increase use of technology in services; make sustainable engagement to infrastructure. b. Long Term Goals: Increase environmental investments; develop and implement capital project plan; complete Village Hall & Police Station construction; be positioned for redevelopment opportunities/planning/codes/ reserves; continue to increase fiscal strength; interactive digital services; succession planning; street scaping appearance & aesthetics of Village; embrace diversity. The short and long-term goals were further broken down into complex or routine goals. Routine items are items that the Village can do about 80-90% on its own, does not necessarily mean it's easy. Complex goals are those that involve another unit of 3 government, involves private land ownership, special skills, or will it require extraordinary capital. c. Routine Goals: continue to increase fiscal strength; interactive digital services; Hire Communications employee; multi -modal communication plan; interactive digital services; succession planning process. d. Complex Goals: Replace train station; new Village Hall and Police Station; make sustainable engagement to infrastructure; environmental investment; be positioned for redevelopment opportunities/planning/codes/ reserves; 5. Residents' Comments Akter Sadiq: 32 -year resident of Morton Grove. Would like to see an even better Morton Grove. Would like to thank everyone for taking the time and effort towards strategic planning process. On behalf of Vision Morton Grove dvocacy group, would like to request the Village to include in Strategic planning in terms of EDI: 1. A new commission with diverse composition in charge of monitoring EDU Plan 2. Training in EDI to all employees, residents and businesses. 3. Plans for more diversity in hiring, recruiting and retaining employees in all Village departments. Bob Raccuglia: Love the diversity of the Village and is in support of the goals of Vision Morton Grove presented. Susan Morse: wants to share some goals that weren't talked about. 1. Revise building codes to include sustainable practices 2. Mental health support and resources for residents 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:33pm. 4 PASSED this 26th day of September 2022. Trustee Grear Trustee Khan Trustee Minx Trustee Thill Trustee Travis Trustee Witko APPROVED by me this 26th day of September 2022. Daniel DiMaria, VillagePresident Village of Morton Grove Cook County, Illinois APPROVED and FILED in my office this 27th day of September 2022. .44 Eileen Scanlon -Harford, Vi age Clerk Village of Morton Grove Cook County, Illinois i i 1