The Birmingham City Commission held its annual long-range planning session Jan. 21, during which commissioners heard reports from various city departments on what happened in 2011 and what's in store for Birmingham in 2012.

Birmingham Patch was there all day, but just in case you missed it, here are some of the highlights about the upcoming year in city government.

Museum outlines plans for facilities, volunteers

At the Jan. 21 long-range planning session, Leslie Pielack, director of the Birmingham Historical Museum, said the museum has several plans for the upcoming year, including: 

• Cleaning up museum property.
• Adding Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant, barrier-free access ramps to the Allen House.
• Looking at how to take advantage of emerging technologies.

Pielack said the museum is excited about a new structure that will house the Hill school bell, which will be displayed in the outdoor courtyard between the Allen House and the John West Hunter House.

On the volunteer front, she said the museum has increased its staff of volunteers and continues to brainstorm ways to use personnel in the most efficient manner. Pielack said the museum will consider all these factors and more when revising its own five-year strategic plan, which is up for renewal this year.

“Last year and this year, we’re working on stabilizing and adapting to our changing conditions and looking to build toward the future,” she said.

• For more: For a full report from the long-range planning session, check out Birmingham Plans for 2012 and Beyond During Long-Range Planning Session. Make sure to tell us what you think city government should focus on in 2012 by taking our poll at the end of the story.