HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council & Ex Staff Retreat & Goal/Priority Setting Session CITY OF PALM DESERT
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Consideration of Proposed Council and Executive Staff Retreat and
Goal/Priority Setting
SUBMITTED BY: John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager
DATE: December 9, 2010
CONTENTS: Proposals from Norman R. King and Carolyn Stark
Recommendation
By Minute Motion:
1. Direct the City Manager to organize a Council retreat between the entire City
Council and appropriate selected executive staff to be held in a Palm Desert
location in January, 2011;
2. Council to select the available dates in January to schedule a retreat; and,
3. Appropriate an amount not-to-exceed $10,000 from Account
110-4154-415-3121.
Backqround
The recent election and the passing of long-time City Councilman Richard Kelly have
resulted in two new Council members. The recent events provide the biggest turnover in
Council in many years. A couple of Council members approached me, suggesting that
the Council have a retreat to open and improve communication among the Council and
executive staff as well as discuss goals and priorities of the City of Palm Desert.
Staff Report
Proposed Council and Executive Staff Retreat and Goal/Priority Setting
December 9, 2010
Page Two
I have begun to organize and contemplate such a retreat. The time requirement would
be an organized day and a half retreat in Palm Desert, away from City Hall, such as the
Living Desert, with the first day being eight hours and the second day being four hours.
The retreat should be facilitated by an experienced facilitator. I have contacted two
potential facilitators and both are potentially available in January, 2011. The potential
facilitators are:
Norman King, former City Manager
Carolyn Stark, former Dean at UCR Palm Desert Campus.
When the Council concurs on holding a retreat and provides possible dates, I will finalize
arrangements and establish an agenda.
Fiscal Analvsis
Funds are available in Human Resources account for City-wide training, Account
110-4154-415-3121. The arrangements and the facilitator cost will not exceed $10,000.
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* By Minute Motion: ... 2) select 9:00 a.m-5:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 6, 2011, and 9:00 a.m.-1:OO�p.m.
Friday, January 7, 2011 to schedule said Retreat;
BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE OF
NORMAN R. KING
Norm King is both "practicing retirement" and is a part time consultant to public agencies, particularly
local governments and transportation agencies. He provides transportation and management consulting
services and facilitates strategic planning processes and workshops. He has worked extensively with
elected officials and pubic managers and supervisors.
Norm King became the first Director of the Leonard University Transportation Center California State
University San Bernardino in January 2006. He stepped down in February 2008 after establishing the
Center as an on-going transportation research and educational resource at the University.
Prior to this appointment Mr. King served as Executive Director of San Bernardino Associated
Governments/County Transportation Commission from August 1996 until he retired in December, 2005,
after 38 years of local government management in the Inland Empire.
Mr. King previously served as City Manager of Moreno Valley, California from January 1991 to
August 1996, eleven years as City Manager of Palm Springs, California, five years as City Manager of
Claremont, California and five years as Deputy City Manager in Claremont. Between these Claremont
assignments he served with the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors in
Washington D.C.
Until 2011 Mr. King served as for eight years as member of the Board and Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the ICMA Retirement Corporation, a financial service firm which provides deferred income
programs to 900,000 state and local government employees in the United States. He served on the
Advisory Council of the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). In May 2007 he was appointed to
the City of Palm Springs Airport Commission of which he is now Chairman. He is also a member of the
Advisory Board of the Blakely Center for Sustainable Suburban Development at the University of
California at Riverside.
Mr. King is a past-President of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). This
Washington-based organization is the professional association for 9000 local government
administrators. He is a past President of the City Manager's Department of the League of California
Cities and of the California Redevelopment Association. In 1997, Mr. King was elected as a Fellow of
the Congressionally charted National Academy of Public Administration. Mr. King is past Moderator of
the Self-Help Counties Coalition, an organization of regional transportation agencies having a sales tax
for transportation purposes.
Mr. King was awarded the 1993 Management Leader of the Year Award by the University of California,
Riverside, Graduate School of Management. He was also chosen the Outstanding Senior Administrator
of the Year for the 1992-93 by the American Society for Public Administration, Inland Empire Chapter.
In November 1993, he was awarded the Riverside Valley Group's `Bxcellence in Govermnent Award."
Norm is the recipient of the "1994 Distinguished Citizen of the Year", awarded by the California lnland
Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America(September 1994).
In 1990, he was a member of an international delegation to Moscow and Budapest, sponsored by the
National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, to train newly elected Mayors and Council
Members in the Soviet Union and Budapest in local government politics and administration.
Until recently Mr. King has taught part-time at Claremont McKenna College and previously taught at
the University of Southern California School of Public Administration.
During 1973 and 1974, Mr. King worked for the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of
Mayors in Washington D.C..
Nonn King's Biographical Profile
He is a graduate of Claremont McKenna College and the Wharton Graduate School, University of
Pennsylvania, attended the University of Vienna, and was a Fellow with the Coro Foundation.
Mr. King's articles on the management and economics of local government and public policy have
appeared in several professional journals and books. He is considered a leading proponent of"demand
managemenY' and"market-based"public policies.
Mr. King lives in Palm Springs and is married to Terry Dean. His daughter Deborah and family live near
Seattle and his son Kevin and family live in Denver.
NocYn King's Biographical Profile
Proposal to Facilitate Palm Desert City Council/Executive Staff
Workshop
Purpose: To provide an opportunity for the Palm Desert City
Council and executive staff to discuss critical and strategic issues
facing the City and for the City Council to develop consensus
about the direction and goals of the City.
Pre-Workshop:
Facilitator will meet individually with the Mayor and City
Councils members and key staff to document key issues facing the
city and perceptions about the functioning of the city government.
From these sessions a more precise statement of workshop
purposes will be developed.
Facilitator will propose a draft agenda for the workshop to the City
Manager.
Workshop:
The Workshop will be scheduled for January (or if necessary
February) 2011. The preferred format is one full day followed the
next day by a 4-5 hour session.
Fees and Arrangements:
Fee per hour: $150. Maximum number of billed hours: 50
City shall provide meeting place and facilities and duplication and
clerical services for materials needed at the workshop.
Norm King
760 320 5908
November 14, 2010
Prusinowski, Karen
From: Carolyn Stark [stark.carolyn@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2010 11:10 AM
To: Wohlmuth, John
Cc: stark.carolyn@gmail.com
Subject: Stark proposal for City of Palm Desert retreat
Attachments: Stark Palm Desert Proposal 12-2010.docx; Carolyn Stark Resume 11302010.pdf
John
I am pleased to submit my proposal to facilitate a retreat for the City of Palm Desert council members and
members of the senior management of the city.
Successful retreats, like successful meetings, are carefully planned and thoughtfully executed. The result is a
group of individuals united together in a team focused on a shared vision with clearly-identified priorities, roles
and goals. I am confident I can deliver this result by my facilitation of the City Council's January retreat and
follow-up meetings.
Also attached is my current resume. My background as a leader and manager in complex and public
organizations includes includes extensive experience in facilitating meetings and managing the process of
shared visioning and goal setting.
I look forward to discussing this proposal with you.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Stark
stark.carol ny�cr�,.gmail.com
760-285-4698
i
Proposal to Organize and Facilitate a City of Palm Desert Planning Retreat
for City Council members and Senior Management Staff
Prepared by
Carolyn Stark
December 3, 2010
I propose to organize and facilitate a retreat for members of the Palm Desert City Council and the city's
senior management staff. This retreat will take place over one-and-a-half days in January 2011 at a site
to be determined.
Overview
A retreat is a meeting designed and organized to enable leaders and decision makers to step back from
their day-to-day demands and activities for a specific period of time for concentrated discussion,
dialogue and strategic thinking about the future and specific issue that will affect that future.
Retreats are hard work and require long periods of intense uninterrupted discussion. Participants must
be present for the entire process, commit to be engaged and participate actively.
The purpose of the proposed January retreat is to bring together the new Council in the post-election
period, identify goals, set priorities and establish a successful working environment within the Council
and among senior staff of the city.
The desired outcomes of this retreat are 1)to develop a shared clarity of purpose and vision for the
work of the Council and 2)to lay the groundwork for effective teamwork and communications between
City Council members and the city's staff.
Methodology
As the retreat facilitator I will meet one-on-one with each Council member in advance of the retreat.
Information obtained during these meetings, which will be kept in strictest confidence, will help me
identify issues that should be discussed by the participants during the retreat. Prior to the January
retreat I will also spend time with senior city staff who will participate in the retreat in a large group or
staff ineeting format.
The agenda outlined below is one-and-one-half days in length, including dinner on the first day. This
agenda provides ample time for in-depth discussion among all participants. A shorter agenda is unlikely
to accomplish the goals identified by Council members for the proposed retreat. Shorter retreats are
usually held to follow up on previously-identified goals and priorities. In addition, the agenda outlined
below provides sufficient opportunities during meals to allow participants to get to know each other
outside their normal work settings,which is vitally important as a new council is formed.
Proposal by Carolyn Stark—December,2010 Page 1 of 4
Retreat Agenda:
Dav One
9:00-9:30am Welcome,Introductions,Overview of Purpose,Ground Rules
9:30-11:30 Discussion
11:30—12:30 Lunch(provided)
12:30—2:00 Discussion
2:00-2:15 Break
2:15—3:45 Discussion
3:45-4:00 Break
4:00-5:00 Discussion
5:00—5:30 Summary of Day's Discussion and Review of Agenda for Day Two
Dav Two
7:30-8:30am Breakfast(provided)
8:30—10:00 Discussion
10:00—10:15 Break
10:15—11:30 Discussion
11:30—Noon Wrap-up and Review of Action Steps
Foilow Up
As the retreat facilitator I will be responsible for compiling notes and preparing a draft report within
fourteen days of the conclusion of the retreat, which will be distributed to all retreat participants. This
draft will then be reviewed by participants, with comments and corrections incorporated into the final
retreat report.
People typically leave well-planned and properly-facilitated retreats with renewed enthusiasm and
energy for their work. However, this energy can wane as time goes by and old habits return. Thus, I
recommend two retreat follow-up meetings with Council members and with the entire group: 1) thirty
days and 2) as part of the meeting for the annual budget process. Each follow-up meeting would be one-
to-two hours in length.
Required Factors for Success
• All five Council members and other participants are present and actively involved during the
entire retreat
• All participants commit to preparation time with me prior to the retreat
• All participants commit to open communication and demonstration of respect
• All participants share a desire to achieve the identified outcomes
Role of Facilitator
A good facilitator is one who enables a process to happen, especially one who encourages a group of
people to find their own solutions to problems or tasks. As facilitator of the lanuary retreat, I will create
an environment that encourages, maintains and protects open communications among the participants.
This environment allows all perspectives to be considered with individual biases minimized or removed.
I will also ensure that all participants are engaged,fully-present and involved in the process. Cell phones,
Proposal by Carolyn Stark—December,2010 Page 2 of 4
smart phones, computers, pagers and other electronic devices will only be allowed during the break
periods.
Fee Hours
One/One meetings
Preparation 4
City Council member meetings (5 x 1 hour ea) 5
Senior staff meeting 2
City Manager meeting 1
Compilation of notes 4
Preparation for Retreat 16
Retreat Time: Day One (10 hrs), Day Two (5 hrs) 15
Follow Up
Report draft 16
Report final 4
Meeting One (preparation, meeting, summary report) no charge
Meeting Two (preparation, meeting, summary report) no char�e
Total Hours 67 hours
Materials, phone,fax, copying no charge
Travel Time no charge
Total Fee: 67 hours x$150/hour=$10,050
Result
Successful retreats, like successful meetings, are carefully planned and thoughtfully executed. The
result is a group of individuals united together in a team focused on a shared vision with clearly-
identified priorities, roles and goals. I am confident I can deliver this result by my facilitation of the City
Council's January retreat and follow-up meetings.
Proposal by Carolyn Stark—December,2010 Page 3 of 4
Brief Bio of Carolyn Stark(see attached for complete resume)
Professional Stren�ths:
- Reputation for identifying opportunities for positive change and improvement
- Experience providing leadership and building effective organizations
- Proven ability to create mutually-productive industry, community and university relationships
Universitv of California, Riverside: Executive Director of the UCR Palm Desert campus (2006-2010)
Universitv of California, Riverside: Assistant Executive Vice Chancellor& Provost(2005-2009)
Austin (Texas)Technology Council: President and CEO (2002-2005)
Universitv of Texas,Austin: Executive Director, College of Engineering (1998-2002)
Stanford Universitv: Director of Business Development, School of Engineering (1988—1998)
AT&T/Illinois Bell: eight years in sales and marketing (1980—1988)
Experience facilitating Board Retreats and Key Meetings
Desert Lviceum: founder and facilitator of monthly meetings of community leaders where a
fundamental tenet is open and engaged discussion of all sides of an issue.
UCR Business Leaders Roundtable: facilitator of monthly roundtables of local business people
Lviceum Summit (2008 and 2009): coordinator of numerous committees in the planning and execution
of these events.
RAP Foundation Board Retreat: facilitator of 2009 retreat
Shelter From The Storm Board Retreat: facilitator of 2009 retreat
Proposal by Carolyn Stark—December,2010 Page 4 of 4
Carolyn M.Stark
5700 Via Sotelo
Riverside, CA 92506
stark.carolyn@gmail.com
Professional Strengths
• Reputation for identifying opportunities for positive change and improvement
• Experience providing leadership and building effective organizations
• Proven ability to create mutually-productive industry, community and university relationships
University of California, Riverside
Executive Director. UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center 7an 2006 to Dec 2010
As Executive Director for the UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center, served as the primary university
spokesperson and representative for UCR in the Coachella Valley. Responsible for the Palm Desert
campus, including proposed growth and expansion of academic programs; the creation and expansion of
programs that served the community and region; the development and implementation of activities and
programs that provided a source of funding to support the campus operations; and planning for additional
research, programs, and/or instructional space needed to achieve University objectives.
• Conceptualized and founded the Desert Lyceum at UCR Palm Desert and served as co-chair with the
late Riverside County Supervisor S. Roy Wilson. The Lyceum is a non-partisan community leadership
organization with the university acting as "honest broker" for information that educates community
leaders on issues affecting the Coachella Valley's future.
• Created initiatives for inspiring entrepreneurship and business growth that nurtured the growth of the
UCR-based Coachella Valley Angel Network, the UCR Business Leaders Roundtable, and the Angel
Capital Expo Forum at UCR Palm Desert.
• Key initiator and later coordinating co-chair of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership initiative in
2009 to develop a regional economic development strategy to transition the region from a primarily
agriculture, hospitality and recreation driven economy to one that with a diverse economy.
• Member of the Chancellor's Cabinet, a senior leadership council advising the UCR Chancellor on
internal and external matters affecting the success of the university in accomplishing its goals of
research, teaching and public service.
Assistant Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Sept 2005 —7an 2009
Served as chief of staff to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, who is the chief operations officer
and chief academic officer for the University. Note: This position was held by Ms. Stark concurrently with
the position of Executive Director, UCR Palm Desert until Jan 2009).
Austin Technology Council
President and CEO Nov 2002 to Aug 2005
The Austin Technology Council (ATC) is a member-driven non-profit association of 300 businesses and
organizations working together to foster the growth and success of Austin's software and advanced
technology industry.
• Redesigned the ATC by focusing its mission on serving the needs of technology executives.
• Formed a quarterly technology forum for semiconductor professionals and university faculty and
students from throughout Texas to share ideas on emerging innovations in their field.
• Charter member of the Austin Wireless Alliance in the Austin Technology Incubator.
• Founding board member of the Austin initiative to hold the World Congress for Information
Technology in Austin (held in Austin May, 2006.)
• Reported to a board of directors composed of 25 technology company CEOs.
Page 1
The University of Texas at Austin
Director of the Center for Lifelong Enaineerina Education Jan 1999-Nov 2002
Managed a self-funded center with a budget of $4.5M. Led a team of 30 professionals involved in
developing, promoting, and delivering educational programs from the College of Engineering for private
industry. Developed team consisting of marketing and sales, program development, course design,
online/distance learning, use of multimedia, and financial administration.
• Hired to develop and implement a turnaround plan for the original College of Engineering continuing
education program. Consolidated three organizations to form the Center for Lifelong Engineering
Education. Set the vision and implemented a strategic and tactical plan for accomplishing the key
goals of developing a portfolio of programs, demonstrating innovative use of instructional technology,
creating solid partnerships with faculty, industry, and The University, and building financial
independence from The University.
• Founded the UT College of Engineering Faculty Innovation Center where faculty receive mentoring to
improve teaching and learning through an understanding in the use of technology in teaching.
• Raised external funding to support Center initiatives. Personally involved in the industry relationships
that resulted in raising over$1.5M through the following grants:
— $175,000 Hewlett-Packard,January, 2002
— $284,000 Hewlett-Packard,June, 2001
— $500,000 Ford Motor Company,August 2000
— $50,000 Ford Motor Company, July 2000
— $495,000 Hewlett-Packard, May 2000
— $50,000 Tivoli Systems now part of IBM, March 1999
• Launched high level revenue-generating executive engineering education programs for the College.
Stanford University
Associate Director,Stanford Center for Professional Development (SCPD) 1988 — 1998
Responsible for new business development through the building and maintaining of industry relationships.
Directly contributed to the financial growth of SCPD, which grew from $4.5M to $14.5M during this time.
• Based on identified industry need for improved access by industry students to Stanford education,
SCPD began to offer live Stanford courses online beginning in 1994. As part of the team creating
Stanford Online, negotiated with Microsoft and Compaq Computer to provide software, equipment and
professional support for this innovative project. Stanford launched the first complete online degree
program from a major university through Stanford Online.
• Demonstrated leadership in the recruitment and management of a team of marketing and customer
service professionals in corporate outreach, marketing communications, and customer service.
Managed a $1.5M marketing budget.
. Negotiated new tuition and fee structure for distance learning programs with the University, resulting
in a new competitive fee structure and increased revenue as a direct result of implementing this
change. The new fee structure actually reduced fees by 40%, and was quite risky because SCPD
relied on these fees as its financial foundation. The decision to proceed was based on extensive
customer and market research, and resulted in increased participation in the SCPD program and
related revenue.
. Involved in grants awarded for the development of Stanford Online:
— $2M Sloan Foundation for the development of online learning at Stanford
— $1M in donated equipment and technical service from Compaq Computer and Microsoft
AT&T/Ameritech / Illinois Bell / Universal Products 1979-1988
Held increasingly responsible positions in technical sales and marketing. Attained PresidenYs Club and
Achiever's Club status representing top 3%of sales force while with Illinois Bell in Chicago. At Ameritecn,
managed third-party sales channel that included sales and profit responsibility. At AT&T, responsible for
design and implementation of high-speed data networking solutions for Bell Labs.
Carolyn M. Stark
Page 2
University Service Highlights
University of California, Riverside
• Member, Chancellor's Cabinet 2008-2010
• Community Engagement Strategic Planning Committee 2009
Universitv of Texas at Austin
• Chair, Provost's Policy and Oversight Committee for the conference and education space at UT Austin
• ProvosYs Advisory Group for Technology Enhanced Learning and Distance Education
Community Service
• Founder and Co-Chair, Desert Lyceum
• Board of Directors, Coachella Valley Housing Trust
• Board of Directors, Desert Forum, Inc. - producers of the Indian Wells Desert Town Hall
• Board of Directors, LifeStream, 2009-2010
• Board of Advisors, Alliance for the Commercialization of Technology, Cal State San Bernardino
• Member of Board Executive Committee, Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, 2008-2010
Professional Affiliations
• Commission on Innovation, Competitiveness and Economic Prosperity, Association of Public
Universities (2008-2010)
• Board Member, World Congress for Information Technology Z006,Austin Texas
• Board Member,Austin Community College Foundation (2002-2005)
• Science,Technology, and Society Advisory Board Member, The University of Texas at Austin (2001)
• Advisory Board member,TexChange Austin (2002-2005)
• Executive Committee member, National Council for Regional Information Technology Associations
(2002-2005)
• Executive Committee member, American Society for Engineering Education, Continuing Professional
Development Division (1991-2002)
Education
• Master of Science in Human Resources and Organization Development, University of San Francisco
• Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management, Indiana University
• Leadership Texas, class of 2002
• Senior Leadership Institute, University of California, 2007
. Leadership Coachella Valley, 2009-10
Carolyn M. Stark
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