Planning for Committees

How We Can Help

Each committee has assigned to them a liaison from the Strategic Planning Committee to guide you through the planning process and answer questions along the way.

We know the City’s strategic plan, as we developed it from the needs and desires of the community. If your committee chooses to develop values, visions and goals we will be able to assist you.

We are familiar with the public planning/thinking process; getting from large general ideas and values to a prioritized list of needs and projects that are more specific.

We are a bit removed from the details of your issues and may often help clarify issues by seeing them with fresh eyes.

We can be impartial…our job is to help you accomplish your tasks, not do them for you or take credit for them.

In summary, the Planning Committee and your Planning Committee Liaison will;

• Help train committees in the use of forms developed by the planning committee—work plan, project scoping etc.

• Answer questions on planning process.

• Recognize and advise when committees need to bring projects to the attention of the City Council or the Planning Committee, or to coordinate work with another committee.

• Advise on preparation of the quarterly report to the City Council.

• Provide tools to help with the process of planning a specific project.

• Explain what the City Council expects from committees.

• Help your committee develop goals.

• We can facilitate meetings so that everyone can participate equally and help keep discussions on track.

• We can help you get your thoughts down on paper and assist in creating documents that communicate more effectively.

We cannot and will not write your work plan or budget for you, however.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Why Plan?
  • You have to know what you want in order to get it.
  • You have to ask for what you need in order to get it.
  • The people who have what you need want to know what you are doing, why, and how you are doing it before they will give you what you need.
  • The public has a right to know what you are doing and to comment on your plans.
  • The City Council says so!
• How do I get help with all this? What if I have comments?
  • Contact your planner.
• What do I need to get done and when?
  • You must submit your Annual Work Plan and Budget Forms before the last Friday in March.
  • You must make reports to the City Council each quarter. If you don't know when, ask the city clerk.
  • If you are seeking funding from grants or other outside sources, you will probably need to complete and submit a project scoping form on the schedule set by the grantor.
  • Grantors generally have periodic reporting requirements, also.
• I want to know more about planning in the City of Gustavus.
  • See the planning committee's main page.