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ITEM: |
CONSENT
CALENDAR |
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4. |
AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED
FUNDS FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING AND GOAL SETTING FACILITATION SERVICES BY APEX
STRATEGIES |
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Meeting
Date: |
September 20 , 2004 |
Budgeted: |
Yes |
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From: |
David A.
Berger, General
Manager |
Program/ |
Personnel – Staff Development and
Services & Supplies -- Travel
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Prepared
By: |
Same |
Cost Estimate: |
$3,475 |
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Administrative Services Division
Manager/Chief Financial Officer Review:
Yes |
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Committee
Recommendation: The Administrative
Committee reviewed this item on September 13, 2004 and recommended approval 2
to 0. Director Edwards was absent from
the meeting. |
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CEQA Compliance:
N/A |
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SUMMARY: The purpose of this action is
to authorize the expenditure of District budgeted funds for professional
meeting facilitation services by Eileen Goodwin of Apex Strategies in
connection with the Board’s Strategic Planning and Goal Setting Workshop
scheduled on September 29, 2004.
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RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board authorize the expenditure of budgeted funds not to exceed $3,475 to cover the cost of Apex Strategies professional meeting facilitation services.
BACKGROUND: The Board of Directors last held a strategic planning workshop to establish District work program priorities approximately 2 ˝ years ago. Since then three new Board members have been elected, a new General Manager has been appointed, and external conditions affecting the District have occurred that necessitate creation of a Strategic Plan that reflects the policy direction and priorities of the current Board. In addition, the General Manager employment agreement requires the Board to create goals by which my work performance will be evaluated during the current fiscal year. At its July meeting the Board concurred in my suggestion that these two necessary activities be combined into a single, professionally facilitated, all-day Board workshop. All Directors have advised staff that they are available for the September 29 workshop proposed by the Board Chair.
Staff contacted several experienced strategic planning workshop facilitators. Eileen Goodwin, principal of Apex Strategies of Santa Cruz has the relevant experience; her reference checks were all outstanding; and she is available to provide facilitation services for the September 29 Strategic Planning workshop. Attached as Exhibit 4-A is Ms. Goodwin’s August 26, 2004 proposal that includes tasks to assist the Board Chair and Vice Chair in developing the proposed agenda and facilitate the workshop. Because of the short time period available to pre-plan the workshop, I authorized Ms. Goodwin to proceed with the first three tasks within the General Manager’s delegated expenditure authority. I am proposing to use a portion of the General Manager training/education budget accounts to cover the cost of Apex Strategies’ services. The Administrative Services Director/C.F.O. has confirmed that the amounts in these budgeted accounts are available and adequate. If the Board approves the recommended action, staff intends to execute a standard District professional service agreement with Ms. Goodwin that will incorporate her proposal.
4-A Letter Proposal by Apex Strategies dated August 26, 2004
U:\staff\word\boardpacket\2004\2004boardpacket\20040920\ConsentCalendar\04\item4.doc