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City of Abbotsford STRATEGIC PLAN 2019-2022 | JANUARY 2019

HUB OF THE FRASER VALLEY

City of Abbotsford

STRATEGIC PLAN 2019-2022The Strategic Plan sets the direction and framework for the work the City of Abbotsford will undertake over the next four years.

1. Align all municipal planning decisions: All City activities will be guided by the four Cornerstones in the Strategic Plan.

2. Provide direction for departmental business plans and budgets: The strategies, actions, initiatives and budgets of departments will be aligned to achieve the Cornerstones of the Strategic Plan.

3. Continually monitor progress towards desired outcomes: The priority actions for implementation identified in this document are the key initiatives for the 2019-2022 term of Council. Each Cornerstone has a statement of desired outcome, a listing of Principles and corresponding Council direction. Performance results will evaluate our progress and inform Council’s cycle of decision-making. Key performance indicators and targets will be established to measure success.

Our VisionThe City of Abbotsford is the Hub of the Fraser Valley. As the regional centre of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford will be home to centralized services and agencies including health care, courts, transportation, university, airport, provincial and federal government, entertainment & cultural facilities, and commerce. We are diverse, inclusive, and connected; we are green, prosperous, and healthy; we are a vibrant and beautiful community.

Our MissionWe strive to continually improve the quality of life within our community by delivering key services for current and future generations.

FISCAL DISCIPLINE

COMPLETE COMMUNITY

VIBRANT ECONOMY

Our Cornerstones

ORGANIZATIONAL ALIGNMENT

City of Abbotsford | 2019 - 2022 STRATEGIC PLAN

Message from the Mayor

It is a pleasure for me to present Council’s Strategic Plan for 2019-2022 with the Vision of Abbotsford as the Hub of the Fraser Valley. As your City Council, we are very excited to be building on the Vision that was first established in 2015 and that we have had the opportunity to refresh in 2019.

The Strategic Plan provides the foundation for aligning all municipal planning decisions; provides direction for municipal business plans and budgets; and enables City staff to continually monitor progress toward desired outcomes. In short, it is the City’s roadmap for service and program delivery, ensuring we are purposefully moving forward as one organization.

Throughout these pages you will find our key Principles and Priorities that will help us to achieve our Vision through our four Cornerstones: Vibrant Economy, Complete Community, Fiscal Discipline and Organizational Alignment.

It is a privilege to serve our diverse and vibrant community – a city filled with opportunity, hope and expectation. As your City Council, we are committed to continuing to improve the quality of life for all of our residents and to building an inclusive, prosperous and sustainable Abbotsford for current and future generations.

Mayor Henry Braun on behalf of Abbotsford City Council

ABBOTSFORD CITY COUNCIL2019 - 2022

COUNCILLOR SANDY BLUE

COUNCILLOR KELLY CHAHAL

COUNCILLOR BRENDA FALK

COUNCILLOR DAVE LOEWEN

COUNCILLOR PATRICIA ROSS

COUNCILLOR ROSS SIEMENS

COUNCILLOR LES BARKMAN

MAYOR HENRY BRAUN

COUNCILLOR BRUCE BANMAN

The City of Abbotsford is a regional hub of creativity and innovation where talent, investment and business thrive.VIBRANT

ECONOMY

Develop an Intergovernmental Relations and Advocacy Strategy, and a Regional Partnerships Strategy; and modernize our Joint Use Agreement with the School District.

Update our 4-year Economic Development Strategy, develop our new Abbotsford Water Source Project (Collector Wells) and continue with YXX developments.

Complete Special Study Areas review and complete the AgRefresh project.

Principles & Priorities

Invest in building relationships that facilitate alignment.

Develop a vibrant and diverse economy.

Recognize the value of innovation in our local economy, especially agriculture.

Council Principle 2019-2022 Priorities

The City of Abbotsford is a community of inclusive, safe and green neighbourhoods, connected to convenient and affordable transportation and vibrant commercial centres, built on the foundation of our cultural heritage and natural beauty.COMPLETE

COMMUNITY

Value our community’s connection with the environment.

Support a multi-disciplinary approach to public safety.

Capitalize on transportation opportunities in and through the City.

Embrace diversity as one of our community’s greatest strengths.

Value recreation and support facilities, amenities and activities that connect us.

Facilitate action to mitigate social issues that impact our community.

Focus on developing key environmental and green strategies including Urban Forestry Strategy, and Green Environment and Green Fleet Strategies.

Develop a multi-function Fire Hall #6/Social Housing Project, and develop a capital asset plan for a new APD Building.

Complete the Transit Maintenance Facility and build a Transit Hub.

Build opportunities for celebrating diversity and inclusiveness through a Culture Strategy and Heritage Inventory, update our Diversity Strategy and Host 55+ BC Games in 2022.

Improve key community amenities including Grant Park and Ledgeview, and develop a Sports Field Strategy and a Trail Strategy.

Update the Homelessness in Abbotsford Action Plan and the Affordable Housing Strategy.

Principles & PrioritiesCouncil Principle 2019-2022 Priorities

FISCAL DISCIPLINE

The City of Abbotsford is transparent and accountable to citizens, information is easily accessible and residents are well informed on Council’s priorities.

Adopt a long-term view on maintaining and upgrading our City assets.

Financial decisions consider long-term costs alongside the value to the community.

Community education and engagement play a critical role in the development and update of City plans, services and programs.

Actively manage our City finances with exceptional care.

Update our Asset Management Plan, Cemetery Plan, and complete an update to our Development Cost Charge (DCC) Bylaw.

Establish a 25-year Long Term Financial Plan, and an Allocation Policy.

Launch an online Community Engagement Portal and increase the amount of community followers on City social media channels including Twitter, Facebook, City App, YouTube and Instagram. Develop a Reserves Balancing Strategy and a Financial Resiliency Plan.

Principles & Priorities

Council Principle 2019-2022 Priorities

ORGANIZATIONAL ALIGNMENT

The City of Abbotsford has strong, consistent governance and aligned operations.

Principles & PrioritiesCouncil Principle 2019-2022 Priorities

Development decisions are based on our long-term strategies and are not swayed from our community vision by short-term goals.

It is important for us to have certainty in our community building and our rules and bylaws are critical to protecting the livability of our City.

Our City services and programs are efficient and effective.

Pursue excellence in customer service and strive to provide positive customer experiences.

Our workforce is involved, safe and engaged.

Develop a Bylaw Compliance Strategy and undertake a Development Process Review.

Update key bylaws including Zoning and Development Services.

Create a Digital Strategy and undertake an Agencies, Boards & Committees review.

Implement the Customer Culture Strategy.

Develop an Employee Engagement Strategy, and Succession Plans.

City of Abbotsford | 2019 - 2022 STRATEGIC PLAN

2019 Priorities

VIBRANT ECONOMY• Develop Intergovernmental Relations Advocacy Strategy

• Update Economic Development Strategy

• Develop our new Abbotsford Water Source Project (Collector Wells)

• Continue development of Abbotsford International Airport

• Complete Special Study Areas Review

• Complete the AgRefresh Project

COMPLETE COMMUNITY• Develop Urban Forestry Strategy

• Build Fire Hall #6/Social Housing Project

• Complete Transit Maintenance Facility

• Develop Culture Strategy

• Finalize Ledgeview Golf Course Clubhouse Project

• Update Homelessness in Abbotsford Action Plan

• Complete update of Affordable Housing Strategy

FISCAL DISCIPLINE• Update Development Cost Charge (DCC) Bylaw

• Establish a 25-year Long Term Financial Plan

• Launch Online Community Engagement Portal

ORGANIZATIONAL ALIGNMENT• Develop Bylaw Compliance Strategy

• Update Zoning Bylaw (Phase 1)

• Update Development Services Bylaw

• Create a Digital Strategy

• Conduct Council Committee Review

• Implement Customer Culture Strategy

• Develop Employee Engagement Strategy

• Develop Succession Plan(s)