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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,March 11,2013 Page 21 process was started, it was set up for two (2)biennial cycles based on the existing work plan information; with short-term goals addressed in the first biennial cycle, and long-term goals addressed in the second biennial cycle. Right now, Mr. Ma- linen advised that with the information presented, it was now time to affirm or re- affirm those initial goals and develop a mechanism for newer Councilmembers to have individual input in them. Mr. Malinen advised that the work done to-date hopefully met those strategies and actual implementation. However, he noted the need for further discussion and refinement over the next few months; with part of that exercise being to take new initiatives and align them in order of importance for a priority-based budget; with how to sort them being a major part of this budget process. Councilmember Laliberte expressed her appreciation for that further explanation from City Manager Malinen. Councilmember Laliberte referenced the revised budget calendar from Finance Director Miller, and advised that she needed more time to review this most recent information with the Strategic Plan, available in various formats (e.g. website, cd and paper). Councilmember Laliberte advised that she would address her questions to staff and in consultation with Coun- cilmember Etten outside the meeting. Acting Mayor Etten recognized the need to review the directives with the Strate- gic Plan as a whole to inform decision-making and the budget process; and ad- vised that he would spend the next week doing so in consultation with staff as needed. Finance Director Miller confirmed that the March 18, 2013 City Council meeting would provide for a review of the Strategic Plan itself. Mr. Miller encouraged in- dividual Councilmembers to contact staff for any strategic plan details they need- ed, advising that each Department Head was available to provide additional in- formation. Mr. Miller noted that staff was open and encouraged more individual City Council contact with staff when it came to prioritizing budgeting and the process itself; and was ready, willing and able to serve as a resource for them. b. Discuss League of MN Cities/Metro Cities Legislative Policy City Manager Malinen provided a brief summary of options for City Council con- sideration and potential support of specific legislative goals of the League of Minnesota Cities and/or the Metro Cities lobbying group. Councilmember McGehee stated that she had no interest in reading the extensive platforms or either group; and therefore would not support something she was un- familiar with, but remained willing to talk about individual legislative efforts, but not from a blanket perspective. However, Councilmember McGehee questioned if this discussion was prudent with only a portion of the body available.