Present: Mayor Donald Trinks, Deputy Mayor Timothy Curtis,(arrived at 8:25am) Councilor Paul Broxterman, Councilor Sonya Dean, Councilor Steve Ellingwood, (arrived at 8:25am) Councilor Donald Jepsen, Councilor Wayne Mulligan, Councilor Alan Simon, Councilor Lenworth Walker

Staff: Town Manager Leon Churchill, Assistant Town Manager Peter Souza, Michael Meotti, Meeting Facilitator

1. Call to order

The meeting was called to order at 8:15 a.m.
 

2. Discussion

Town Manager Churchill provided a welcome and introduced Mr. Michael Meotti, the workshop facilitator.

The Town Council divided into three groups and reviewed past goals and objectives including those outlined in 1998 during the Town Manager recruitment/search process. Councilors felt the goals and objectives were largely completed, although they identified items such as economic development/revitalization, regional initiatives, diverse and cohesive community, along with enhancement of brand name or image as ongoing issues.

Town Manager Churchill provided an overview of the staff’s business planning process and the five multi-disciplinary strategy teams. (Staff members Enita Jubrey, Jim Halisey, and Sharon Enot arrived at approximately 9:15 a.m.) Staff then reviewed goals and action plans for the following strategy teams: Healthy People, Healthy Community, Broad Based Development, and Marketing and Communications. Town Manager Churchill also highlighted the key topics that individual Councilors had identified in Fall 2003 and staff generated topics not included in the strategy teams’ business plans. (Enita Jubrey, Jim Hallisey, and Sharon Enot left the meeting at 9:45 a.m.)

Town Councilors then completed a process to identify, categorize, and rank the issues to begin developing a vision statement and possible goals for the next eighteen to twenty-four months. The following items were identified for further discussion as possible goals and/or elements of a vision statement.

• Redevelop underutilized sites and buildings
• Improve transportation networks to facilitate economic development efforts
• Economic development including expanded dining and retail opportunities
• Preserve and enhance housing values
• Promote use of alternative fuel vehicles, recycling and "green building" techniques
• Study the delivery of mental health and social services
• Enhance early childhood development efforts
• Raise awareness of education system achievements
• Develop an arts and culture policy
• Increase small business assistance
• Explore the potential of Charter reform
• Increase community and regional awareness of Windsor’s events, services and programs
• Create a "sinking fund" for capital projects
• Retain eminent domain powers with the Town Council

The Council distilled from the above list the following elements to serve as the basis for creating a vision statement.

• Quality of life to drive a regionally recognized brand
• Property value increase compared to the regional or peer group
• Rich mix of commercial amenities (dining and retail)
• Growing opportunities for businesses and employment
• Active and involved community
• Well run government that efficiently returns value to taxpayers

The consensus of the Council was to have the Town Manager develop, in the coming weeks, a vision statement incorporating the elements listed above for Town Council review. Mr. Meotti suggested that the Town Council also develop a list of goals and objectives to provide direction in achieving the vision and allow progress to be measured over the next two years.

Town Council members thanked Mr. Meotti and staff for their efforts on planning and facilitating the workshop.
 

3.  Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Souza

Recording Secretary