Yorkton Council accepted the strategic goals and objectives which came out of the public conference held in October 2010.
City Manager David Putz provided Council with background to the process at the regular meeting of Council Monday.
"In 2010 Council made the decision to implement Strategic Planning. With this objective in mind, research was done to access alternative and select an approach that would be suitable for the City.
"Council made the decision to use a search conference process involving the Mayor and Council and selected individuals from all major groups throughout the community as it was deemed to provide the broadest input from the community," he said.
From there Council turned to a facilitator to host the actual conference.
"Council entered into an agreement with Athabasca Business Development to lead the process. In addition the Sunrise Health Region generously provided the services of Ms. Louise Belanger to assist with the process," said Putz. "A Committee consisting of Councillors Fisher, Maloney and Pearen was struck to develop the Search Conference Question and the specific criteria used to select participants. Their objective was to have participants representing a broad range of specific constituencies who were knowledgeable about the city and keenly interested in its future."
The Search Conference was held October 28, 29 and 30th with forty-eight participants.
"The conference generated thirty-five pages of data including eight broad strategic goals and numerous objectives. The next step was for Council to review and refine the Strategic Goals and specific objectives ensuring they were within the City's scope and ability to influence," detailed Putz.
Those involved in the Conference had one more look at the document.
"On Jan. 19th Council met with available participants to validate the Goals and identify possible community partners in achieving the specific objectives," said Putz.
The process now falls to Council to carry the recommendations forward, said Putz.
"Going forward the process will be for administration to develop three year (2012 - 2014) business plans in consultation with Council Committees for Council consideration. Following adoption of the business plans administration will begin preparing a five year (2012 - 2016) capital budget and the 2012 operating budget with financial plans for 2013 and 2014. In addition, Administration will begin giving semi-annual updates on progress towards achieving the strategic goals and objectives. On an annual basis, Council will review and if appropriate amend the strategic goals and objectives," he said.
Councillor Bob Maloney said the public consultation was good way of getting a good effort for the city to undertake.
"I think this was a really good process," he said. " I think it was valuable. I think it was a good way of getting community input."
Coun. Larry Pearen said it was a good way to draw on the experiences of people in the city, and to see there was a commonality between different age groups in terms of the future they want for Yorkton.Coun. Ross Fisher was also supportive of the process.
"I think this was a good exercise, an exercise that is in process," he said. "This is a good step forward."In terms of actual objectives, they fell into six general areas;* Healthy Community - Promote and build a healthy community encouraging healthy lifestyles, personal wellness with quality health care.
* Infrastructure - A community with a comprehensive, integrated and sustainable infrastructure plan and programs that meet current and future needs.
* Economic Development - A City that is open for business, providing an economic environment that embraces innovation and growth.
* Environment - A community that promotes environmental awareness, rethinks, recycles reuses and uses green space and energy efficiently.
* Community Development - Foster a safe community that embraces cultural and social diversity by providing social, recreational and educational opportunities for all community members.* Education - Foster strategic partnerships, to offer responsive, quality education for all citizens.* Technology - Position technology as a means for community communication, create operational efficiencies, promote and facilitate.
