Building Today for a Better Tomorrow

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Building Today for a Better Tomorrow

• City of Polk City
• Visioning Workshop
• March 28, 2009

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Workshop Attendees

• Polk City Council Members
• Mayor Donald L. Penton
• Kristi Eilertsen
• Nancy Adorno
• Planning Commission Members
• Wanda Fred
• Michael Ho-Shing
• Joe LaCascia
• Robert Nuff
• Charles Wilson

• Polk City Staff
• Mary Ellin Barrett
• Cory Carrier
• Kathy Delp
• Gene Kniffin
• Patricia Jackson
• Pam Peterson

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A VISION
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Vision

• Merriam Webster defines vision as
• Something seen otherwise than by ordinary sight
  (as in a dream or a trance)
• A vivid picture created by the imagination
• The act or power of imagination
• Unusual wisdom in foreseeing what is going to
  happen

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Vision Statement

• To create a vision, you need respect for the
  future, attention to the present and an
  understanding of the past.
• Vision Statement Benefits
• Provides clarity
• Defines what is preferred vs. present state
• Encourages dreaming of the most possible
• Gives direction
• Serves as the basis for changes in the city

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Preparing for a Vision Statement

• Use soul-searching, listening and creative
  thinking.
• Assess the current situation.
• Solicit all points of view talk with others
  involved and get their opinions.
• Respond to questions designed to bring forth an
  expression of the desired future.

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A Vision Statement Goes Out Into the World

• Vision provides a pathway from the present to the
  future.
• A vision forces us to hold ourselves accountable
  for acting in a way that matches our vision
• Statements do not make a vision a reality.
  People do.

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Vision Statement Questions

• What do we want the city to be?
• What is the dream or vision of the city?
• What makes Polk City unique or distinctive?
• What excellence or special expertise does Polk
  City offer?
• What sets Polk City apart?
• What is the citys measure of success?
• What does Polk City offer that will make a
  difference?

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Our Vision

• Polk City shall embody Peace Serenity while
  promoting growth to sustain an effective quality
  of life through responsible leadership.

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A MISSION
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Mission

• Merriam Webster defines mission as
• A group of missionaries
• A group of envoys to a foreign country
• Task, a piece of assigned work, job, duty, chore,
  stint, assignment.

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Mission Statements

• We all need to have a mission of purpose. A
  mission motivates you. It gets you up in the
  morning and keeps you going.
• A mission statement serves as a foundation on
  which we will build the future.

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Mission Statement Questions

• What are Polk City's strengths?
• What are Polk Citys values?
• What business are we in?
• Why are we in this business?
• What is Polk City going to do and how are we
  going to do it?
• What does Polk City offer?
• What do citizens want us to offer?

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What are Polk City's strengths?

• Location
• Small town feel
• Environment Green Swamp
• Elementary School
• City Manager
• Uncomplicated government
• Active Staff
• History
• Citizens
• Diverse
• Fantasy of Flight

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What are Polk Citys values?

• Family
• Autonomy
• Flexibility Snowbirds
• Quaintness
• Protective Support
• Churches Pastors active
• Great School
• Government
• Employees
• Location
• Quality of life

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What business are we in?

• Public Service health, safety welfare
• Protecting improving resources
• Maintaining our infrastructure
• Guiding the development of the city
• Protecting the citizens
• Responsive government
• Respect differences
• Utility Company
• Outside funding
• Maintenance
• Environmental protection
• Communication

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Why are we in this business?

• Central Local governing authority
• Proximity
• Vibrancy to include history and future
• To insure future
• Sustain community
• Community access
• To avoid chaos
• Concerned citizens
• Maintain individually
• Guide destiny

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What is Polk City going to do and how are we
going to do it?

• Increase population
• Develop social entertainment
• USF live play here
• Develop commercial
• Services for elderly
• Create jobs
• All roads paved curbed
• Growth plan environmental/innovative
• Land use zoning appealing
• Create a reason for people to come
• Draw business that draw all of Polk County
• Clean up appeal

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What do citizens want us to offer?

• Public transportation
• Activities for all ages
• Services payment center

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Our Mission

• We will provide responsive municipal services and
  manage public assets to enhance the quality of
  life for our community while respecting our rich
  environmental resources.

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A GUIDING PRINCIPLE
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A Guiding Principle

• Expresses our mission and vision briefly, yet
  clearly and comprehensively so people will
  remember its essence.
• The guiding principle conveys the common element
  that ties everything together.

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Guiding Principle Questions

• What common thread runs through who we are and
  what we do?
• What are the images or metaphors that were most
  used to describe the city?
• What physical impression does the city create?
• What word or phrase captures the essence of what
  we are planning to do?

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Our Guiding Principal

• Providing a great quality of life responsibly.