New Bedford 2020 - VHB.com

A City Master Plan New Bedford 2020GovernanceGoal and Objectives Responsible Party Timeframe Notes1. Fully embrace national, statewide, and regional inter-governmental collaborationsa. Seek out opportunities with public policy institutes andfoundations to test new approaches and operationalmodels for mid-size American cities and urban centersb. Create legislative and policy partnerships with othercommunities that will have positive impacts for NewBedford (i.e., Gateway Cities legislation)c. Join knowledge sharing networks to gather bestpractices and policies being established throughout thenation for implementation in New BedfordMayorMayorMayor, NBEDC,Planning OfficeShort-termOngoingMid-term2. Foster strong partnerships with Federal and State delegations and agencies that offer resources to meet the City’sstrategic needsa. Maintain regular communications with the federal andstatewide delegations to provide an understanding ofthe City’s agenda as it relates to the legislative processb. Survey the goals and requirements of all availableprograms for new opportunities that may supportstrategic initiatives and projectsc. Establish legislative and funding priorities that mosteffectively meet strategic needsMayorMayor, NBEDCMayorOngoingOngoingOngoing3. Improve efficiency, sustainability, and enhance the delivery of day-to-day municipal operations and servicesa. Evaluate existing structure of municipal departments todetermine ways to improve efficiency, streamlineoperations, and realize cost savings (i.e., potential tocombine departments)Mayor Short-term Study should be conducted by aconsultancy w/ experience of suchwork for similar sized citiesb. Evaluate cost-effective operational changes to the City’sfinancial management system (i.e., bi-weekly payperiods)Mayor, AuditorShort-termc. Establish a sustainable purchasing protocol with a focuson locally preferred service providers, and green andhigh recycle content products (refer to Chapter 5, Jobsand Business)Mayor, PurchasingShort-termd. Strengthen and formalize partnerships with othergovernmental agencies, non-profits, and communitygroups to provide enhanced services for the care ofpublic spaces and support of public eventsMayorMid-terme. Create and maintain a web-based statistical datasystem that is Geographic Information Systems-basedand “user-friendly” to track and map City services,activities, and response timesMayor, MIS, PlanningOffice, DPF, DPIMid-termExplore communities currentlyundertaking systems such as“city stat”f. Explore, through an independent body, the potentialbenefits of increasing and staggering terms for Mayorand City CouncilMayor, City CouncilLong-termWork Plan13-22