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changes in the organization. The Council Personnel Committee felt it was important for the full Council to understand what the continuous improvement program and its efforts were. From time to time decisions come before the Council that seem to be small things, such as a job reclassification or change in title, however these changes are part of the continuous improvement program. "When a vision is created and values of an organization are reflected in the vision, it is important for us as policy makers to have a comprehension" of the changes taking place that are implementing that vision. Mayor Hartnett said it was very important for the Council to have continuing input in the policy decisions regarding the vision for the City. 1. Introduction - Maria Rivera-Pena, Director of Human Resources REPORT: Continuous Improvement Efforts, Human Resources, April 1, 1996 Director Rivera-Pena described the genesis of the continuing improvement program in organizations as a natural outgrowth of the forces that took shape in the early 1990s: end of the cold war, economic recession, technology proliferation, and the rise of the global economy. In the wake of the need to "reinvent government" the City has embarked upon incremental changes to meet the new demands of the current economies and increased demand for services. From the Report: "Continuous improvement is the process of taking what works and improving upon it. It is an attitude of continually asking: can it be done better, faster, more cost effectively, or should it be done at all?..The staff is committed to continuous improvement because it will result in improved organizational performance, efficiencies with resources, and build teamwork....There is no beginning and there is no end, just a process of continually improving so that City Council can make maximum use of scarce resources, implement (its) priorities, and improve service to our customers, the taxpayers of Redwood City." Director Rivera-Pena said the presentations tonight will provide information on the "hard work of our employees (to show) how they came together in the areas of customer service, efficiencies in managing our resources, and creating teams," continuous improvement efforts that have already taken place. ___n______---------------------------------------------------------------------------------n_--____n_____- 2. Library Case Study a) Strategic Plan presentation - Jim Centis, Library Board President Library Director Light introduced Library Board President Centis who described the process resulting in the Library's Strategic Plan, including the use of focus groups to determine what services Library patrons really wanted. President MINUTE BOOK NO. 54 Special Study Session Minutes Page No. 160 April 1, 1996 Page 2