‘Big Five’: Transparency among issues to be focused on for
goal setting

Public safety, fiscal stability/sustainability, infrastructure/utilities, economic development and transparency are the “Big Five” a wide variety of people have discussed with the consultant that will guide City Council and community goal setting.

Former longtime Simi Valley City Manager Mike Sedell is offering his services pro-bono to work with the city on the goal setting that was previously crafted in house and then dropped about four years ago.

Sedell told the council they will have to consider short- and long-term goals, the former more council-centric and the latter requiring more public input for what would be considered “visioning.” 

Sedell has already met with about 20 community members “so far” and it was these meetings that led to his recommendations.

Sedell has spoken with “the community, staff, council, unions, business leaders,” and others garnering a sense that the community has some deep concerns.

He noted he was told that there had been community goal-setting in the past.

The budget process is also a priority and an emphasis will be placed on numbers being clear and understandable; Sedell said consultant Frank Catania, former assistant city manager of Simi Valley, would be examining city finances to present an “overview of his perspective,” of finances in an “objective and unbiased way.”

The council goals will be short-term to better reflect their terms of office and wants while long-term goals will be considered more as community visioning for the future.

Sedell offered some other suggestions but noted, “What I sense in talking to a number of people seems to be more and more,” of thoughts and concerns that center on communication breakdowns between the community, council and staff that stretches both ways.

The community believes — and has become used to — what they say is a lack of leadership, a team not “going in the same direction,” and no teamwork between the city, community and beyond.

Sedell noted the people of Santa Paula want a better place for them and their families, with a cohesive leadership team working together to the benefit of all.

The council has taken those admirable first steps and, “With a cohesive leadership team working together to deal with the issues,” Sedell said, “I have no doubt that Santa Paula has a very bright future.”

He noted that focusing on the five core issues he mentioned earlier is important but that the budget is coming quickly that might call for changes.

Sedell also cautioned the council it is “important to recognize that you can’t operate on grants,” revenue that other cities have discovered is unreliable for ongoing costs.