RPVCCA_CC_SR_2012_01_17_07_Meeting_Facilitation_BrooksTO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
City Manager
Councilwoman Susan Brooks
Planning for January 31,2012 Part 2 Council Goal Setting Meeting
January 11,2012
I am requesting a refinement to our Jan.31st Goal Setting process,otherwise
known as 'Part 2'of our two-part series,which began Jan.3rd.Time is of the
essence and this Council has already demonstrated its commitment to an
efficient,participatory,user-friendly government.
Specifically,in the interests of greater efficiency and transparency,I would ask
that the Council consider expanding its efforts to incorporate discussion of
specific Member requests as they pertain to Council and Staff roles and protocol
for int.eraction.In order to accomplish this,'a facilitator with experience and
expertise in local government would be required to assist the Council on
January 31,as I believe this Council would have high-level expectations for the
outcome of such an exercise.
Councilmembers and staff are aware of the expertise fellow resident,Len Wood,
brings to the table.He was the first City Manager of RPV,as well as several
other cities in California.He is author of many well-regarded professional guide
books in the field of public administration,including the books Dollars and
Sense and the Elected Officials Little Handbook.both of which we have in our
posession.He was born here and has no plans to leave.He loves this
community,as do all of us.A mild-mannered professional,he is committed to
addressing the will of elected officials with clarity of purpose.
I am recommending that the City Council consider expanding the scope of our
January 31 agenda item to encourage and allow a natural flow of discussion that
incorporates values,goal-setting and reflection on how we as Council Members
can work together,along with staff to best serve the needs of our residents.
I would ask that the Council direct you to enter into discussions with Mr.Wood
to develop a professional services agreement that will comply with the advice of
our City Attorney,bearing a value that is,of course within your authority to
approve.His services entail a great deal of preparation to effect the desired
outcome.
Thank you so much and I look forward to participating in this discussion with my
colleagues at the upcoming Council meeting.
Thank you,
Susan Brooks
Councilwoman,City of Rancho Palos Verdes
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LEN WOOD
&ASSOCIATES CONSULTING
4228 PALOS VERDES DRIVE EAST
RANCHO PALOS VERDES,CA 90275
310-832-5652 •lenwood@aol.com --------.::""":""-,.,..
.:~:r ...-.........~.._---
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January 11,2012
Carolyn Lehr
City Manager
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
30940 Hawthorne Blvd
Ranc1?-o Palos Verdes,CA 90275
Dear Carolyn:
Thank you for the opportunity to submit a proposal to conduct a goal setting
session with the City Council and City Manager of Rancho Palos Verdes.
My goal setting and team building background with local governments
include:
*Considerable experience in helping elected officials and management
forge an effective partnership.
*Author of the Elected Officials Little Handbook and five other books on
local government.
*Creator of the Assessing City Council Effectiveness Survey used by the
League of California Cities and the National League of Cities.
*An in-depth knowledge of California local government.
Approach
These steps will be followed in the design and delivery of the goal setting
and team building session.
Step I.Review the approach and objectives for the workshop with the Mayor
and/or his designee.
Step II.Interview City Council Members,City Manager and other key
officials to identify issues,opportunities and problems.These items will be
used to assist in the design of the workshop.
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City of Rancho Palos Verdes
January 11,2012
Page 2
Step III.Workshop topics will be refined and the program agenda will be
developed and sent to the City Clerk for posting and distribution prior to the
seSSIOn.
Step IV.Len Wood will facilitate the program.The session will be highly
interactive,non-threatening and productive.The workshop should be in a
relaxed,informal setting preferably away from City Hall ..
Professional Fees and Services
A.Professional Services
1.Conduct One-Day of Interviews
2.Design Goal Setting Program
3.Facilitate Workshop (one or two sessions)
$4,850
B.Expenses
Expenses will be billed at cost with no overhead added.Expenses
include training instruments,office supplies and mileage.Any
required city licenses,permits or insurance will also be billed at actual
cost.
C.Interviews
Interviews prior to the session help to focus the agenda and result in a
more productive session.One day of interviews are included in the
professional fee.
Sincerely,
Len Wood
President
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Len Wood's Biography
Len Wood is President of Len Wood &Associates and the Training Shoppe.
He is a leading trainer and consultant to local government specializing in
budgeting,management development,council team building,commission
training and strategic planning.He works primarily with city councils,
management teams and advisory commissions.Len regularly provides
seminars for the International City Management Association (lCMA
University:Guarding the Public Checkbook),National League of Cities and
the League of California Cities ..
Prior to establishing his firm,Len spent over twenty-three years in local
government,fourteen of which were as City Manager in the Cities of
Rancho Palos Verdes and Claremont.
Len has served as professor at the Graduate Center of Public Policy and
Administration at California State Long Beach and at the Political Science
Department,Cal Poly Pomona.
He has a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of
Southern California and a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from
California State University at Long Beach.
Len is the author of six local government books,the Commissioner's Little
Handbook,the Little Budget Book,the Elected Official's Little Handbook,
Local Government Dollars &Sense,Tales from the Trenches:Achievements,
Blunders and Challenges in Local Government Management and the Tales
Instructor's Manual.
Local Government Dollars &Sense:225 Financial Tips for Guarding the
Public Checkbook won the 1998 distinguished Irwin Award in the best
nonfiction category.
Website:www.trainingshoppe.com
Email:LenWood@aol.com
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