The Policy & Services Committee recommended that the City Council carry forward its 2025-approved priorities into 2026 and supported a retreat format focused on identifying mid-level goals and tiered priorities.

Lupita Alamos, assistant to the city manager, presented the staff report describing the retreat structure and noted a study session on January 12 to review 2025 objectives before the January 24 retreat. Council members generally supported a tiered approach ("can't-fail," "must-do," "nice-to-have," and monitoring categories) to make mid-level goals more actionable and suggested staff prepare concrete objectives after the council sets mid-level goals at the retreat.

Council members emphasized the value of defining measurable mid-level goals so staff can translate them into tactical objectives without iterative delays. Council member Lou suggested a framework of tiers with explicit definitions; others urged the retreat produce clear objectives that staff can convert into a one-year work plan for council review.

Chair Venker moved to recommend the City Council maintain the 2025 priorities for 2026; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all committee members voting yes.

What happens next: Staff will bring the study session materials on January 12 and support the retreat on January 24 with the goal of returning a set of tactical objectives for council review.