City Council Goals

City Council holds an annual planning session to set goals for the upcoming year, which informs staff in the establishment of department work plans through the identification of tasks. To further the City of Lakewood’s commitment to making informed decisions and to continue fostering an open and transparent government, the quarterly status of each goal is provided below. 

View the City Manager's report(PDF, 97MB) about progress on the City Council's 2024 goals.

2025 Goals

Third Quarter Status

Trust and Accountability in Government

Measure: There are improved community engagement opportunities and processes.

Tasks   Status
Implement a new GIS story map for development projects Done and Ongoing
Presentations on current goals, measures, and tasks during City Council Ward meetings Done and Ongoing
 Improve access to the City's resources (e.g., Looking@Lakewood) through the website update  Underway
A) Schedule updates to the zoning code
B) Prioritize plan at housing workshop and implement with zoning code
C) Adopt a process where large zoning projects will have public hearings		  Done and Ongoing
Communications matrix dashboard Done and Ongoing
Present at 10 business associations throughout the year Done and Ongoing

Measure: There is expanded evidence-based programming across city.

Tasks Status

A) Provide Council with more detailed background sections in memos and supporting materials
as attachments.
B) Proactively notify Council on projected changes. 

  Done and Ongoing

Measure: Charter commission is developed.

Tasks   Status
 Establish a City Council Ad Hoc Charter Committee to outline a process.  Planning Phase
 City Council will begin to identify areas for focus for the Charter Commission.  Planning Phase

Measure: There is equitable outreach and representation on boards/commissions

Tasks  Status
Promote opening to underrepresented populations based on current
demographics of the community and board/commission composition. 		  Done and Ongoing

Measure: There are improved City Council processes.

 Tasks Status
City Council will establish an Ad Hoc Policy and Procedure Committee focused on improved processes.  Done
Conduct trainings for staff presentations to ensure that technology works well.   Underway

Affordable Housing

Measure: There is an increase in home ownership, more affordable homes, pipeline of affordable rentals. 

Tasks  Status
 Identify and act upon opportunities for regional collaboration to increase housing options that are affordable in Jefferson County Underway
 Continually measure the number of affordable units in the process. Done and Ongoing

Measure: Affordable housing fund is developed, resulting in more sustainability funding for affordable housing. 

Task  Status
Create a recommendation for how to raise money for an affordable housing fund, discuss at Housing Workshop  Underway
Repeat contribution to Colorado Gives Bring it Home Fund Done

Measure: City makes zoning updates that reduce conflicts to building affordable housing

 Tasks Status
Schedule updates to the Zoning Code  Done and Ongoing

Measure: Tenant/mobile home support and information services are available.

 Tasks Status
 Create and FAQ page for mobile homes Planning Phase

Measure: Recommendations from housing study plan are prioritized and implemented.

 Tasks Status
Prioritize plan at housing workshop and implement with zoning code.  Done and Ongoing

Measure: Incentives to support reduced costs and affordability are created.

 Tasks Status
Create recommendation strategy for uses of affordable housing fund.  Underway

A) Define what counts as "affordable housing"
B) Work toward a 90-day approval process for affordable housing projects.
C) Continually track the number of affordable units in the 90-day approval process.
D) Provide City Council with periodic reports on the number of affordable units in the 90-day approval process. 

  Done and Ongoing

Homelessness

Measure: Lakewood Navigation Center is fully operational.

Tasks  Status
Acquire building for temporary shelters and begin operations  Done and Ongoing

Measure: Permanent Supportive Housing and transitional housing are available in Lakewood. 

Tasks  Status
Purchase property for permanent supportive housing Underway
A) Evaluate and remove the barriers to hosting temporary shelters, creating pallet homes, and building permanent affordable housing.
B) Update codes enabling temporary shelters, pallet homes and permanent affordable housing 		  Done and Ongoing

Measure: Sanitation and water access is increased.

Tasks  Status
Conduct a restroom desert study Done
Support the shower trailer program Done and Ongoing
Figure out a fast solution for sanitation locations while navigation center is being built. Underway

Measure: Eviction and foreclosure support is available. 

Tasks  Status
Offer education to the public on eviction prevention and put links on website Underway
Provide grant money to the Action Center for eviction prevention  Underway

Measure: Dedicated resources to address homelessness are available.

 Tasks Status
Utilize CAT, navigators, co-responders and cold weather shelter  Done and Ongoing
Continue to assess effectiveness of the staffing levels  Done and Ongoing

Measure: Increased workforce partnership exists.

 Tasks Status
 Partner with Jeffco workforce center, Red Rocks Community College, Adelante, and Bayaud to provide opportunities  Underway

Measure: There is slowed growth in the number of people unsheltered and unhoused in Lakewood.

Tasks  Status
Provide regular updates to City Council with homeless numbers Done and Ongoing
Increase foot patrol and co-responder at RTD stations to assist those in need of sheltering, substance use care, or for other safety measures  Done and Ongoing

Measure: A citywide strategy for homelessness/affordable housing is formulated and advanced.

 Tasks Status
 Establish an Unhoused Advisory Council to provide input on development strategy Underway

Public Safety, Transportation, and Infrastructure

Measure: Next steps regarding TABOR pause are determined.

Tasks  Status
A) Facilitate a resident survey regarding a ballot measure for 2026 (conduct initial polling on the ballot measures before
February 2026)
B) Consider results as a City Council
C) Set up a November ballot measures; if appropriate		  Underway

Measure: There is improved Public Safety response.

Tasks Status
 Continue using crime data analysis to support and implement strategies that contribute to crime reduction.  Done and Ongoing

Measure: There is a more robust capital improvement budget.

Tasks  Status
Align the Capital Improvements Fund with City Council goals by allocating a portion of the fund (suggested one percent)
specifically for streetlights and safety improvements		  Underway

Measure: Increased utilization of evidence-based prevention and diversion programming.

Tasks  Status
Employ and develop innovative strategies such as Community Outreach Court, Veterans Court, and Law Enforcement
Assistance Development (LEAD)		  Done and Ongoing

Measure: Vision Zero, LAC transportation recommendations, and connected and protected bike lanes are prioritized.

Tasks  Status
A) Update Council on implementation of new traffic calming plan and Safe Streets for All program progress
B) Conduct a study session on Vision Zero, prioritize bike facility infrastructure investments		  Done and Ongoing

Sustainability

Measure: Art placemaking and trees are prioritized.

Tasks Status
Identify opportunities to include art placemaking and trees; complete the Public Art Plan
Consider: Dedicating one percent of capital projects to arts and trees; potentially also incorporate
economic development funds to small businesses using the CPTED framework. 		 Underway

Measure: There is increased city capacity to support sustainability work, and a sustainability department is created.

Tasks  Status
Provide City Council with a summary of 2024 and 2025 sustainability-related investments and the 
Sustainability Department's budget requests		  Done and Ongoing
 Create a holistic Sustainability Department  Done

Measure: Sustainability is incentivized.

Tasks  Status
Strengthen the City's incentive programs to benefit residents making water and energy
efficiency upgrades by.
A) Allocating a line item budget to the incentive fund
B) Improving the relevance of the City's website for users who want to learn about all sustainability incentives
(within our outside of Lakewood)		  Underway

Measure: There is accessible recreation and prioritization of parks and open space.

Tasks  Status
 Produce a report that identifies existing barriers to utilization of recreation amenities  Done

Measure: There is increased waste diversion

Tasks Status
 Hire a new zero waste employee and focus on compliance with new state laws  Done
Establish a single-hauler system for waste services in Lakewood  Underway

Measure: New developments are more sustainable; consider mixed-use.

Tasks  Status
A) Begin the process of updating the enhanced development menu
B) Highlight aspects of the enhanced development menu beyond code requirements to developers		  Done and Ongoing

Measure: City expands emphasis on and prioritization of acquisition of sustainable city assets and infrastructure.

Tasks Status
Complete EV action plan and highlight EV and solar projects   Done

Measure: Tougher regulations and more carrots for sustainability are in place.

Tasks Status
 Update code and incentives through zoning update  Done and Ongoing

Measure: Sustainability education is available.

Tasks Status
Staff will provide City Council with a report about efforts.   Done and Ongoing

Measure: Sustainability Committee

Tasks  Status
 Add Council Committee on Sustainability  Done and Ongoing

Thriving Economy

Measure: Barriers for small businesses and entrepreneurs are removed.

Tasks  Status
Map the business licenses and permitting process by:
A) Outlining the necessary steps for a business to open its doors (e.g. from obtaining permits to securing business license.)
B) Gathering data on the time it currently averages to complete each step of the process		 Underway
Conduct Economic Development small business trainings Done and Ongoing
Three tax workshops for small businesses and updating four tax compliance guides Done and Ongoing

Measure: Increased emphasis on urban renewal

Tasks  Status
Creating a revitalization plan and share with City Council  Planning Phase
Council Presentations on potential new Urban Renewal Area - Sheridan Corridor  Underway
Update and review the Vacant Buildings Ordinance enforcement strategy and incorporate incentives for reducing vacancies Planning Phase

Measure: Sustainable, long-term funding for Council priorities is included in City budget.

Tasks  Status
Ensure the city budget and five-year capital expenditure plan aligns with City Council priorities  Done and Ongoing

Measure: There is support for women-owned, minority-owned and small businesses.

Tasks  Status
Launch an education campaign focused on economic inclusion for minority-owned businesses by:
A) Establishing a plan, setting goals, and using data to create measurable outcomes
B) Conducting outreach focused on assistance for accessing government contracts and understanding procurement processes		 Underway
Create a revitalization plan and share with City Council and host a summer for all small businesses  Planning Phase

Address business retention by:
A) Combining economic development initiatives with creative placemaking for arts/trees initiatives
B) Offering grants or loan programs for small businesses to beautify and address safety concerns at their storefronts

  Done and Ongoing

Measure: Align with DRCOG comprehensive economic development plan

Tasks  Status
Provide City Council with a report of financial opportunities available to the City of Lakewood through DRCOG Underway

Measure: Increase partnerships for equitable workforce development

Tasks Status
Engage with Adelante and Economic Development Association for Black Communities Underway
Report to City Council on Economic Development efforts throughout 2024 on equitable workforce development Done and Ongoing

Measure: Increased citywide emphasis on livable wages.

Tasks Status
Monitor regional and state trends in livable wage Done and Ongoing
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