Mayor Mark Orgill continues the City’s podcast series with a candid discussion on the 2026 City Council Strategic Planning Session. Joined by City Manager Dave Kiff, this episode provides a transparent look at how the Council evaluates the year ahead, sets priorities, and directs organizational focus.

The conversation highlights both progress and ongoing challenges. Mayor Orgill and City Manager Kiff discuss what is working well, where the City faces constraints, and how those realities shaped the Council’s policy direction for 2026. Topics include major initiatives, service delivery goals, fiscal considerations, and the practical steps the organization will take to implement Council direction.

Listeners will gain insight into how strategic priorities are established, how resources are aligned with policy objectives, and how accountability is maintained throughout the year. The episode offers a clear explanation of what residents can expect in 2026 and how the City measures success against the goals adopted by the Council.

Mayor Mark Orgill launches the City’s inaugural podcast with a focused discussion on one of the most consequential issues facing coastal communities today: the intersection of State housing law and local decision making. Joined by City Attorney Megan Garibaldi, the conversation provides a clear and practical overview of how recent State legislation shapes what the City can and cannot do when reviewing housing proposals and adopting local policy.

The episode explains why State housing mandates carry legal force over local ordinances, where the City retains meaningful discretion, and how objective standards guide project review. Mayor Orgill and City Attorney Garibaldi walk through real world scenarios that illustrate how conflicts between local preferences and State requirements are resolved, what that means for coastal planning, and how the City continues to advocate for community priorities within the bounds of the law.

This discussion is intended to demystify a complex regulatory framework, clarify common misconceptions, and provide residents with a transparent explanation of the rules that govern housing decisions. Listeners will come away with a better understanding of the legal landscape, the limits of local control, and the tools the City still has to shape outcomes consistent with adopted plans and community values.