The mayor has not yet officially changed his stationery to read “Jim Innovation Clarke,” but innovation could be his middle name.
His next departure from the norm for often invisible Culver City mayors debuts in five weeks.
On Monday, Aug. 29, the City Council’s first Strategic Planning Retreat will be staged in quarters in the historic Helms District.
A map of the all-day session, from 9 to 6, is not available. “We have not yet worked out specific details,” Mr. Clarke said. “That is the role of the facilitator,” who is in the process of being hired by Aug. 16.
“How it gets organized is to be determined,” the mayor said. “I assume we will have segments so staff can be involved in providing input.”
What is Mr. Clarke’s agenda? His objectives?
“I have made two requests,” the mayor said. “The first is answering the question ‘Culver City will/should become — within the next five years.’ Fill in the blank. ‘The greenest sustainable community in Los Angeles County’ or ‘a great place to raise children.’”
That is the long-range view, said Mr. Clarke.
“The second part,” he said, “is what are discussion topics over the next two years, where we can hold community forums on subjects that take more than 15 minutes at a City Council meeting.”
Among the mayor’s suggestions:
- “How do we create more affordable housing?
- “How do we maximize the use of the Expo light rail in our public transportation system to benefit citizens?
- “How do we increase voter turnout?
- “How do we retain good businesses? Or attract new and different kinds of businesses to Culver City?”
The agenda is wide open, the mayor said.
“I have no preconceived ideas,” said Mr. Clarke. “But they all will be interesting and worthwhile.”
