XCC Special Session Meeting Minutes, 01-28-10, Page 8 pretty it is? Mr. Percival thought it was both. President Felton disagreed; she thought people ‘wanted businesses first. Mr. Percival agreed people want businesses. He noted they will discuss wayfinding in a couple of weeks. He thought people want to know how to get from Main and Detroit Streets to the downtown administration building. President Felton said then the county can erect signs, Mr. Percival said the county is participating in the wayfinding project. Councilman Caupp said he did not see how hiring Police and Fire personnel pertains to a lot of the other stuff in the survey question. Mr. Percival said it was kind of a laundry list; there may have been a better way to have asked the question. Councilman Caupp noted people are not too concerned with the quality of the water. Mr. Percival agreed; however, if the water was unfit to drink or the sewer backed up in their basement, it would become #1 on the list. As long as you have a good potable source of water coming in, and the wastewater is going out, people figure it is up to the city to figure out the rest. STAKEHOLDER FOCUS GROUP Focus Group Details: + Facilitated by Xenia firm 3F Coaching + 4-hour roundtable session + Included leaders from education & business, boards/commissions, local organizations, former City leaders, & more + Participants explored three critical commut + ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT + QUALITY OF LIFE + GOVERNANCE & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP + Participants were asked four key questions: + ARE WE ON THE RIGHT TRACK? + WHERE ARE WE OFF TRACK? + WHAT DOES XENIA HAVE TO DO EXTREMELY WELL OVER TIME TO ACHIEVE OUR VISION? + HOW WILL XENIA DO THAT? elements: Focus Group Findings and Recommendations: + Need for more and better communication + Promote Xenia’s strengths, locally and regionally + Market Xenia’s business community and development potential + Re-enforce the “story of Xenia” and correct negative perceptions + Leverage existing relationships, create new partnerships + Work closely with educational institutions to enhance workforce, improve Xenia’s image + Strengthen partnerships with Downtown merchants & local business + Facilitate volunteerism and entrepreneurship + Maintain strong local government + Develop effective plans and see them through + Ensure fiscal responsibility, accountability, and transparency + Uphold core services (public safety) and enhance service deficiencies (recreation) NEXT STEPS Communications and Public Relations: + Survey and focus group results emphasize the need to communicate better with the public