R2019-181 Resolution Approving and Adopting the 2019-2021 Strategic Priorities

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PRIORITY GOAL #7: CREATE A BOLD AND ASPIRATIONAL VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF DECATUR AND LINK SHORTER TERM GOALS TO THAT VISION TO ENSURE IT IS UNTIMATELY REALIZED Summary of Goal #7: Leaders of successful communities invest time and resources into the development of long-range aspirational visions. Short-term plans should support long-range ones.With many governmental and non-governmental units all engaged in different aspects of community planning, it is sometimes challenging to coordinate and integrate these planning efforts. But in an environment with limited resources it is imperative that the city and its partners and stakeholders always engage in community planning in a collaborative and coordinated fashion. Discussion.An aspirational vision for the future of Decatur begins with the community's key assets: 1) industrial manufacturing base and its ancillary industrial support services; 2) an attractive and viable downtown; 3) abundant open-space and recreational amenities; 4) significant municipal infrastructure that has the capacity to support a larger population and commercial/industrial presence; 5) the presence of educational institutions that are "plugged-in" to the community in ways that foster life-long-learning; 6) the city's role as a regional provider of a vast array of goods and services that Central Illinois needs—from health care to professional services to general and boutique retail to diverse dining and entertainment options; and 7) governmental and non-governmental organizations that are ready and willing to work together for the betterment of Decatur and Macon County. Possible Strategies: The June 2019 Council Planning Retreat did not espouse a short aspirational vision statement to serve as a brand phrase for public use; but this outcome should be developed in 2020 in a way that joins and links the plans,projects and visions of Decatur's partners to create a new aspirational vision—from which new capital and operational plans can flow, and be connected with one another. These could include items specifically mentioned by the council (below) and others. 1. Reach out to national and regional planning organizations such as the American Association of Planners (APA) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and others to serve as neutral conveners of coordinated planning efforts. 2. The result of this process should be incorporated into the next update of the city's comprehensive plan (last updated in 2009). 3. Work with the Macon Community Foundation to enlarge a foundation- sponsored student loan repayment program designed to attract and retain recent university graduates to live and remain in Decatur after the completion of their 4-year degrees.