City Vision and Values

Overview

Every four years at the start of a new elected term, the City of Minneapolis engages in strategic planning to set the four-year vision and goals for the City. This year, the City created a revised strategic planning process that integrates strategic planning and racial equity action planning into a joint plan built on the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

The Strategic and Racial Equity Action Plan is used to prioritize work and guide resources toward strategies and actions that address the root-causes of racial disparities and improve outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. The plan outlines a set of policy and operational priorities that the City will address in the next three years. It creates clear alignment of work from leadership to departments and defines goals at all planning levels which can be objectively measured. Ultimately, the plan provides a common focus and gives direction to City leaders in the development of operational plans and activities.

The City of Minneapolis created the Strategic and Racial Equity Action Plan to ensure implementation of racial equity goals in its work and service delivery. By focusing on a small group of priorities, the City will be more successful in its efforts to embed racial equity principles and strategies into goals, operations, programs, services, and policies. We expect to achieve successful outcomes, and address racial inequities in our city, through effective development, execution, and measurement of the Strategic and Racial Equity Action Plan.

Vision

Minneapolis is an intentionally compassionate city where each of us can reach our full potential while caring for one another, eliminating racial disparities, improving our environment and promoting social well-being. We lead in innovative and creative ways, focused not only on our present needs, but also the success of future generations.

Mission

Our City government takes strategic action to address climate change, dismantle institutional injustice and close disparities in health, housing, public safety and economic opportunities. In partnership with residents, City leaders help to ensure all communities thrive in a safe and healthy city.

Values

Equity: City government works side-by-side with community members to engage all voices, creatively problem solve, and build trust, particularly with those who have been most impacted by inequities. This helps to ensure that opportunities are accessible to everyone.

Safety: People have a strong sense of security and can live peacefully in safe neighborhoods, knowing that City government is accountable for responsive and proactive public safety services.

Excellence: To achieve the best outcomes and the highest quality service, we are forward-thinking and exhibit competence, professionalism, and integrity, and strive for personal growth.

Welcoming: All individuals are welcome, regardless of race, ethnicity or place of origin, gender identity or religious affiliation. This enhances Minneapolis’ cultural fabric, economic growth, global competitiveness and overall prosperity for current and future generations.

Stewardship: We serve as trusted stewards of financial, environmental, social, and physical resources, recognizing that resources are for the common good today and tomorrow. We seek solutions that reflect our long-term commitment to end suffering in our city.

Transparency: People can trust City government and hold them accountable for making and communicating decisions grounded in accurate information and integrity. We build credibility by accepting feedback, owning our actions, and providing reliable follow-through.

Health: To achieve physical, emotional and mental health, we all work to ensure equitable access to healthy food, recreational opportunities, natural amenities, positive youth development, and walkable neighborhoods.

Goals

Public Safety: The City prioritizes collaborative and community-inclusive strategies to ensure safety for all members of our community.

Housing: The City prioritizes equitable access to safe, stable, accessible, and affordable housing to eliminate racial disparities in housing.

Economic Development: The City prioritizes economic inclusion so that all workers and families are supported and People of Color, Indigenous and Immigrant (POCII)-owned businesses in all sectors can thrive.

Public Services: The City prioritizes reliable and equitable access to high-quality public services.

Environmental Justice: The City prioritizes sustainable practices and renewable resources to equitably address climate change while restoring and protecting our soil, water and air.

Built Environment & Transportation: The City prioritizes high quality neighborhoods, streets, infrastructure and equitable access to multimodal transportation in all parts of the City through thoughtful planning and design.

Public Health: The City prioritizes positive youth development so that all children can grow healthy and safe.

Arts and Culture: The City prioritizes arts and culture as an important part of inclusive economic development and placemaking in our communities.

Operational Priorities

Spend diversity: Increase the percent count of, and spend with, racially and ethnically diverse for-profit suppliers across all departments.

Racially disaggregated data: Improve the use of racially disaggregated data for decision-making in the legislative process.

Community Engagement: Improve the capacity of appointed boards and commissions (ABCs) to advance the City's racial equity work.

Workforce: Increase the hiring and retention of People of Color and Indigenous People in the City’s workforce.