Drum roll...The Commissioners' 2013 Priorities Are...

I attended my first Commission retreat today, which was held at the Public Safety Building. Rob O'Donnell, from solutions 21, facilitated the retreat. I found it to be an interesting experience.  Rob spent the first hour and a half talking about team building. I wish this retreat was televised, just so that the public could see the group dynamics. Kristen Linfante was madder than hell, sat with her arms folded and facing away from Matt, Kelly and John. The rest of the commissioners were pleasant and open to the discussion.  The remainder of the time was spent identifying goals and priorities.

Let me try to explain the board. Each commissioner had to come up with three items which were most important to them.

Dave’s top 3 priorities

Sports Advisory Board
New revenue
Technology media outreach (to be transparent to the public)

Kristen’s top 3 priorities

TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)
Sports Advisory Board
Deer management program

John’s top 3 priorities

Adopt a 2014 budget with no tax increase
Comprehensive Plan
TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)

Kelly’s top 3 priorities

TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)
Drug task force
Implement traffic management program

Matt’s top 3 priorities

Adopt a 2014 budget with no tax increase
TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)
Public Private Partnership (new revenue)

Looking at the white board, there are dots next to the goals listed. Each commissioner was to vote by placing a blue dot next to what should be the top three priorities for Mt. Lebanon. The green dot represents which three are best for each commissioner's ward, while the red dot was to stand for the commissioners' top 3 priorities. Notice there is one blue dot, one green dot, and one red dot next to deer management. Kristen was the only commissioner to place a dot next to deer management. 

Last year's top rated goals were revenue generating and recreation. Tallying the dots, here are the commissioners' top priorities, along with goals for 2013.

Commission Goals and Priorities for 2013

2014 Budget (#2)
Comprehensive Plan
TOD
Drug Task Force
Traffic Management Program
Public Private Partnership (#1B)
Sports Advisory Board (#3)
Deer management
Tech/Media Outreach (#1A)

I recorded the retreat but have not posted it yet on Lebocitizens.com. When I do, please listen to Kristen explain how the Sports Advisory Board's purpose is to resolve the fields problem. Dave Brumfield looked down at the table when she said that. Kristen also felt that drugs are a problem everywhere so they really can't do anything about it. She did make mention how she asked for an additional increase of $1,000 for Outreach.

All in all, I found the retreat to be fascinating. I should mention that Steve Feller sat with the commissioners and Marcia Taylor, Chief Coleman McDonough and Chief Nick Sohyda sat in the audience. The only other person there was yours truly.

Looking for fun this afternoon?

The Commission has scheduled a goal setting retreat this afternoon, which is open to the public. It is from 1:00 to 5:00 PM and will be held on the second floor of the Public Safety Building. From what I understand, it will be facilitated by an outside firm. Last year, the commissioners listed revenue generation as their number one goal. Stay tuned for this year's goals.