2017-05-22 Council Work Session Packet-Goal settingCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP AGENDA
May 22, 2017 – 1:00 p.m.
Mendota Heights City Hall
1. Call to Order
2. Discussion Items
a. Goal Setting Session
-with Facilitator Mark Nagel
b. Other Issues
3. Adjourn
To: Mendota Heights City Council and Staff
From: Mark Nagel, Workshop Facilitator
Subject: Goals and Objectives Workshop Preparation
Date: May 22, 2017
Thank you for the opportunity to facilitate a Goals Session for the City of Mendota Heights next Monday
afternoon, May 22nd. This will be held from 1:00 PM, until 5 PM at City Hall. So that you know who I
am, I’ve attached a brief bio of myself.
The agenda for the afternoon is as follows:
1. City Administrator – Set the Scene – Why are we here?
2. Facilitator – Explains the Process – Hybrid of Delphi, Nominal Group Technique and
Brainstorming
3. 2 Rounds + of Brainstorming…perhaps more?
4. Consolidate goals, if necessary
5. Explanation of Priority Goal Assignment –to be determined by the group
6. Assign Priorities/Develop Grid of Results
7. Break
8. Return for Outcomes
9. Next Steps – City Administrator/Facilitator
10. Final Comments
11. Home!
But, this session is just the start of what needs to be done…once there’s consensus on the goals, then
City Staff will develop “Action Plans” for the priority goals for further review by Council. Of course,
Strategic Planning encompasses 2 parts – Strategy Formulation and Strategy Implementation, so both
need to be in balance for the greatest chance of success.
As a Professor, I, of course, need to give you all some homework. Let’s start by addressing the definition
of a Goal, since that is the point of this process – to set goals. Based on research, and as you might
expect, there are wide variations in the definition, so I like to define it by saying what it isn’t. Therefore,
for the purposes of Mendota Heights, a goal is defined as a program/project that hasn’t already been
started, required by law, or approved by City Council and can be done by 12/31/18.
So…your “assignment” is to write down your list of 3 to 5 goals that you’d like to see accomplished on or
before 12/31/18 given the parameters noted above…and, bring it with you on Monday. Your prior prep
will make the brainstorming work go more smoothly. Thanks…and looking forward to meeting you all.
See you on Monday!
Mark Nagel
Facilitator
MARK NAGEL
Mark Nagel is a Business Professor at Normandale Community College, Bloomington,
MN, where he teaches courses in Human Resource Management, Small Business
Management and developed an award-winning skills based Supervision course. Mark is
also an Adjunct Professor at Hamline University, St.Paul, MN; University of Minnesota;
and Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN. Previously a City Manager for over 25
years, mainly with the City of Anoka, MN, he is also the owner of MN Consulting, which
focuses on strategic planning, organizational development, and temporary management
services for local governments.
Mr. Nagel holds a B.A.A.S. in Sociology from the University of Delaware, Newark, DE;
a Master in Public Administration from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; a
Master in Business Administration from the University of Saint Thomas, St. Paul, MN;
and a Certificate in Community College Teaching from the University of St. Thomas, St.
Paul, MN.