On January 8, 2011, following a Goal setting session, the Novi City Council approved the following Strategic Themes & Broad Goal Categories. The items listed under each goal are the top ranked items and represent areas of focus to assist in reaching the over-arching goal during the next 12 to 18 months.

Ensure public safety services meet the needs of the community (Police, Fire, Public Services)

• Continue to coordinate the scheduling of Paid-On-Call and Full-Time Firefighters 24/7 365
• Continue to implement International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Study recommendations
• Investigate billing for “lift/assist” calls to nursing homes

Improve Infrastructure (Roads, Water and Sewer)

• Increase funding for Neighborhood Road Programs
• Fund and complete a portion of Phase One of Non-Motorized Master Plan
• Fund key intersection improvements from I-96 Corridor Study
• Review policy for road preventive maintenance to ensure adequate repairs are also aesthetically pleasing

Encourage economic development to maximize City revenue and job growth

• Provide ability for all forms, licenses, etc. to be completed online
• Implement Master Plan Update recommendations (ordinance changes, etc.)
• Continue strategic action plan for Main Street/Town Center. Continue to solicit stakeholder feedback to improve area & investigate city cause impediments to investment in area
  1. Propose implementation plan for reasonable suggestions from 2010 outreach to Main Street/Town Center stakeholders

Citizen Focused Government

• Continue efforts to share services with the school system
  1. Consolidate with schools for training…many of the same issues
  2. Continue to actively explore opportunities to share services with cities, schools, etc.
• Investigate re-opening front of Civic Center (road) and provide handicap/senior/expectant mother parking close to entrance
• Create more on-line tools for payment, service request, code enforcement, etc.

Be a community that preserves natural areas, natural features and community character

• Update ordinances and design and construction standards to be consistent with adopted Complete Streets Resolution
• Continue focus on code enforcement to ensure high quality community and neighborhoods
• Continue to seek Grants for Acquisition and Development of Parkland
• Review recycling in the City including City buildings, recycling center, and possible use of Recycle Bank Program
• Partner with private businesses to fund landscaping improvements to M-5/12 Mile interchange area

Fiscally Responsible Government

• Review health care policies (beyond premiums and co-pays) as compared to other cities and private companies and implement way to further bring down costs
  1. Find ways to reduce retiree health care costs
• Include in 2011-2012 Budget a plan to lower expenditures to match revenues by Fiscal Year 2012-2013
• Comprehensive impact study of recent and potential future Municipal Employees’ Retirement System (MERS) policy changes, including ability of City to ‘opt-out’, implications of doing so, and possible alternatives.
  1. Investigate alternatives to Municipal Employees’ Retirement System (MERS) for funding pension and retirement plans

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services

• Identify citizen level of desire for a dog park. If appropriate, pursue low cost proposal including city owned land and development using in-house/volunteer labor and materials
• Complete Fuerst Park improvements
• Complete a comprehensive analysis of Senior Transportation with goal to drive down per trip cost to users. Including partnerships, naming rights, electrification of fleet, etc. to make more accessible to all senior residents
  1. Explore cost/benefits of contracting out senior transit services