1. Building Today for a Better Tomorrow City of Polk City Visioning Workshop March 28, 2009

2. Workshop Attendees Polk City Council Members Polk City Council Members –Mayor Donald L. Penton –Kristi Eilertsen –Nancy Adorno Planning Commission Members Planning Commission Members –Wanda Fred –Michael Ho-Shing –Joe LaCascia –Robert Nuff –Charles Wilson Polk City Staff Polk City Staff –Mary Ellin Barrett –Cory Carrier –Kathy Delp –Gene Kniffin –Patricia Jackson –Pam Peterson

3. A VISION

4. Vision Merriam Webster defines vision as: Merriam Webster defines vision as: 1.Something seen otherwise than by ordinary sight (as in a dream or a trance) 2.A vivid picture created by the imagination 3.The act or power of imagination 4.Unusual wisdom in foreseeing what is going to happen

5. Vision Statement To create a vision, you need respect for the future, attention to the present and an understanding of the past. To create a vision, you need respect for the future, attention to the present and an understanding of the past. Vision Statement Benefits 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

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

7. A Vision Statement Goes Out Into the World Vision provides a pathway from the present to the future. 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 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. Statements do not make a vision a reality. People do.

8. Vision Statement Questions What do we want the city to be? What do we want the city to be? What is the dream or vision of the city? What is the dream or vision of the city? What makes Polk City unique or distinctive? What makes Polk City unique or distinctive? What excellence or special expertise does Polk City offer? What excellence or special expertise does Polk City offer? What sets Polk City apart? What sets Polk City apart? What is the city’s measure of success? What is the city’s measure of success? What does Polk City offer that will make a difference? What does Polk City offer that will make a difference?

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

10. A MISSION

11. Mission Merriam Webster defines mission as: Merriam Webster defines mission as: 1.A group of missionaries 2.A group of envoys to a foreign country 3.Task, a piece of assigned work, job, duty, chore, stint, assignment.

12. 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. 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. A mission statement serves as a foundation on which we will build the future.

13. Mission Statement Questions What are Polk City's strengths? What are Polk City's strengths? What are Polk City’s values? What are Polk City’s values? What business are we in? What business are we in? Why are we in this business? Why are we in this business? What is Polk City going to do and how are we going to do it? What is Polk City going to do and how are we going to do it? What does Polk City offer? What does Polk City offer? What do citizens want us to offer? What do citizens want us to offer?

14. What are Polk City's strengths? Location Location Small town feel Small town feel Environment – Green Swamp Environment – Green Swamp Elementary School Elementary School City Manager City Manager Uncomplicated government Uncomplicated government Active Staff Active Staff History History Citizens Citizens Diverse Diverse Fantasy of Flight Fantasy of Flight

15. What are Polk City’s values? Family Family Autonomy Autonomy Flexibility – Snowbirds Flexibility – Snowbirds Quaintness Quaintness Protective – Support Protective – Support Churches & Pastors – active Churches & Pastors – active Great School Great School Government Government Employees Employees Location Location Quality of life Quality of life

16. What business are we in? Public Service – health, safety & welfare Public Service – health, safety & welfare Protecting & improving resources Protecting & improving resources Maintaining our infrastructure Maintaining our infrastructure Guiding the development of the city Guiding the development of the city Protecting the citizens Protecting the citizens Responsive government Responsive government Respect differences Respect differences Utility Company Utility Company Outside funding Outside funding Maintenance Maintenance Environmental protection Environmental protection Communication Communication

17. Why are we in this business? Central Local governing authority Central Local governing authority Proximity Proximity Vibrancy – to include history and future Vibrancy – to include history and future To insure future To insure future Sustain community Sustain community Community access Community access To avoid chaos To avoid chaos Concerned citizens Concerned citizens Maintain individually Maintain individually Guide destiny Guide destiny

18. What is Polk City going to do and how are we going to do it? Increase population Increase population Develop social entertainment Develop social entertainment USF – live & play here USF – live & play here Develop commercial Develop commercial Services for elderly Services for elderly Create jobs Create jobs All roads paved & curbed All roads paved & curbed Growth plan – environmental/innovative Growth plan – environmental/innovative Land use & zoning – appealing Land use & zoning – appealing Create a reason for people to come Create a reason for people to come Draw business that draw all of Polk County Draw business that draw all of Polk County Clean up appeal Clean up appeal

19. What do citizens want us to offer? Public transportation Public transportation Activities for all ages Activities for all ages Services – payment center Services – payment center

20. 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. 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.

21. A GUIDING PRINCIPLE A GUIDING PRINCIPLE

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

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

24. Our Guiding Principal Providing a great quality of life responsibly. Providing a great quality of life responsibly.