Agenda Date: 05/13/2025
Subject:
Title
2025 City Council Retreat Follow-up
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Adrienne Burton, Manager of Innovation & Performance Excellence |
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Presentations: |
Adrienne Burton, Manager of Innovation & Performance Excellence |
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Kathleen Osher, Deputy City Manager |
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Mike Gent, Deputy City Manager |
PURPOSE:
To confirm Council direction from the March 2025 Retreat and review proposed next steps for capital prioritization, financing strategies, Authorities, Boards & Commissions (ABC) coordination, and community engagement enhancements in addition to a status report on the implementation of the top 30 initiatives identified in the city’s strategic plan, Horizon 2027.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
The March 2025 City Council Retreat surfaced shared priorities around fiscal stewardship, project readiness, transparency in engagement, and maximizing the impact of infrastructure investments. Council expressed a desire to balance project urgency with long-term flexibility, better align work across the organization, and ensure the public is meaningfully informed and engaged.
This study session advances that direction by proposing a capital funding framework-defining time-sensitive, transformational, and emerging projects-and outlines possible sequencing options and funding tools (e.g., Certificates of Participation, General Obligation Bonds). The presentation confirms Council direction for issuing debt for the Belleview Service Center, Santa Fe & Mineral Operational Improvements, and Town Hall Arts Center mechanical systems improvements in addition to previewing future discussions regarding Project Downtown.
Staff will also present tools to operationalize Council’s engagement goals, including the development of communication and engagement timelines linked to City Council’s policy and budget planning cycles, project-specific engagement matrices, and leveraging existing city events, programs, and meetings to allow for more focused, structured discussions around specific policies, initiatives, and projects. The session includes a recommended process for aligning ABC work plans with Council priorities, supported by new communication and feedback loops.
Finally, staff will provide an update on the top 30 Strategic Plan initiatives, illustrating how city resources are advancing both discrete projects and complex, multi-year programs aligned with Littleton’s long-term vision.
BACKGROUND:
Over the past decade, Littleton has scaled its capacity to address infrastructure challenges through dedicated funding (3A sales tax), strategic planning, and community partnerships. The March 2025 Retreat marked a key moment to integrate long-term financial strategy with community engagement and performance tracking.
Staff synthesized Council input into a unified approach to prioritization, capital investment, and engagement. This follow-up builds on that foundation, bringing clarity and structure to upcoming decisions that will shape Littleton’s infrastructure and community experience over the next 10 to 20 years.
Prior Actions or Discussions
City Council Retreat - March 2025
Project Downtown Adoption - November 2024
Strategic Plan Adoption - June 2024
FISCAL IMPACTS:
No immediate fiscal impacts. This session will guide future policy and budget discussions regarding debt issuance and capital planning. Funding decisions-such as potential use of COPs or a future GO Bond-are anticipated during the 2026 Budget Workshop and related study sessions.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends Council affirm the direction presented based on retreat input and provide feedback to guide implementation planning, financial strategy development, and future engagement efforts.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Modify capital prioritization framework or project sequencing.
2. Modify timeline for discussion of funding tools (COPs vs. GO Bonds).