First plan since City founding covers governance, fiscal sustainability, redevelopment
One of City Manager Katherine Caffrey’s first recommendations was for the Council to develop a formal strategic plan. Although almost every City Council conducts some form of annual goal setting meeting (including several at the Beach Park during the 2010s), a formal plan had not been done since the City’s founding in 1959. In March, 2025 the City Council approved a search for an outside firm to facilitate the project and in July, Raftelis was chosen.
- City Strategic Planning and Facilitation Services Professional Services Agreement with Raftelis PowerPoint
- City Strategic Plan Facilitation Services Professional Services Agreement with Raftelis
Since then, Raftelis has conducted both Council, staff, and community listening session. This two day meeting was intended to summarise their work and ask the Council for feedback before presenting a Draft Strategic Plan for approval.
Day One was not part of the original plan. It was suggested by Mayor Grace-Matsui and concerned Council governance.
Day Two, was the Strategic Plan discussion and consisted of a morning session focusing on fiscal sustainability, and an afternoon session, which included consultant 1Dan Eernissee, considering goals for economic development.
Day One (Governance)
Day Two (AM — Financial Stability)
Day Two (PM – Economic Development)
1You may recall Mr. Eernissee as one of the four finalists for City Manager. He was chosen to perform a passenger ferry study, using a King County grant. Based on City Manager Caffrey’s recommendation, the Council has extended his portfolio to include general-purpose economic development.