~ Both entities look at long-range planning.

Planning for the future isn't easy, but the city of Cape Girardeau wants to take a page out of the public school board's playbook.

City council and school board members met Monday night for the annual joint meeting and the subject of planning was on the agenda.

Cape Girardeau City Hall is beginning a yearlong process to revise its comprehensive plan, the blueprint which sets guidelines for growth and development. In July, the school district approved a five-year strategic plan setting goals for academic improvement and financial stability.

"If you have any ideas for us, I think it's important we get those passed along," said Councilwoman Loretta Schneider.

Board member Laura Sparkman said the key is to make the plan a living document; not something that will gather dust on a shelf somewhere.

"Our [strategic plan] is more than just a document; now everything we do, every decision we make, we have that in mind. I'm very proud of it," she said.

Community involvement

Other board members insisted community involvement is the key. The school board had more than 100 parents involved in the brain-storming sessions that helped create the strategic plan.

"It was the community members who developed this plan and by the time it came to our hands it was so perfect we didn't have to make a lot of changes," board president Sharon Mueller said.

The school's plan sets goals on a five-year timeline. The city strategic plan will likely serve as guidance for the next 10 to 20 years.

Arcturis, a consulting firm based in St. Louis, is charged with helping the city create its plan. The city gave the firm a contract of just under $82,000 for the work.

Bill Burke of the company spoke at Monday's meeting. He stressed the importance of getting residents involved through one-on-one meetings with "key stakeholders" as well as town hall and living-room-style gatherings with average residents.

'Vision driven'

He also wants the plan to be "vision driven."

"It should be driven by who you are, where your values lie and who you want to be when you grow up," said Burke, referring to economic and population growth.

Cape Girardeau's comprehensive plan was last updated in 1987. The current update was initiated in large part by Councilwoman Marcia Ritter.

When asked about accountability for the document, Mayor Jay Knudtson invoked her as the champion of the cause.

"Two words define real accountability, and that's Marcia Ritter," he said.

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245