8.1. SR 03-03-2014 City of
Elk - Request for Action
River
TO ITEM NUMBER
Mayor and City Council 8.1
AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY
General Business March 3, 2014 Jeremy Barnhart,Deputy Director,
CODD
ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By
2014-15 Council Visioning Plan Update Cal Portner, City Administrator
REVIEWED BY
ACTION REQUESTED
Receive update on progress on 2014-2015 Visioning Plan.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In June, 2013, the City Council approved the 2014-2015 Visioning Plan.
This report is intended to provide the Council with an update as to progress while outlining expectations
with ongoing or pending projects. Recall this Plan is intended as a way to focus resources on projects
that have maximum,tangible benefit. Not all tasks will be completed, some tasks may be disregarded
following study or analysis.
The boxes represent percentage completed. Many of these items will be discussed as part of the 2015
budget.
Staff will be available at the meeting to discuss the upcoming process.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENTS
■ 2014-2015 Vision Action Steps Tasks Plan
POWERED BY
N:\Public Bodies\Agenda Packets\03-03-2014\Final\Laserfiche\x8.2 sr VAST 3-3-14.docx Na
City of Elk River 2013-2014 Goals
Abounding in natural beauty,Elk River is a vibrant,historic rivertown that
promotes an active lifestyle in an innovative and involved community offering
unlimited opportunities.
Goal:Innovation-Develop new programs and services to meet the needs of the community
Percent complete
Action Steps Tasks 25 50 75 100
Resurvey residents;Establish a metric system for the evaluation of city
Evaluate existing programs;Eliminate services no longer valuable as once was;Review programs Park and Rec master plan will include a
Al All Departments survey in 2014 Q1.Follow up survey
programs and services for three tests:1.Required/Mandated/core service,2.Quality of Life,3. from 2012 will be included in 2015
Service that others provide budget proposal.
A2 Redefining government Employee development and retention,customer service training ERMU added CSR training.Organization
wide incident management and crisis
as customer service All Departments training.Sunmmer hours
A3
ERMU/Directors/
Foster collaborative Develop district energy,Job shadowing,IT collaboration Finance IT collaboration with SC,ERMU
A4 opportunities City day at ER schools Administration?
Shift more talking to online. Engineering blog for street assessments excellent
A5 Communication
Enhance communication example Dedicated a staff person
A6 Single source for newspaper/uniform comments Communication
A7 Review programs to protect and enhance existing commercial property and
Explore and develop new housing stock Economic Development Have developed a housing TIF policy
A8 programs and services Conservation Improvement programs:refrig harvest,LED holiday lighting
contest,energy audits,etc. Environmental ERMU:LED holiday contest.
Goal:Community Development-Enhance and Expand community involvement and public participation through a
variety of innovative outlets
Action Steps Tasks
B1 Independent review of communication practices Communication Budget discussion,2015
B2 Evaluate,Enhance and Statistically significant survey to compare against benchmark established by Administration
expand communication 2010 survey and drill into specific areas(See also Al) Budget discussion,2015
Shifting more talking to online. Engineering blog for street assessments
B3 Communication
excellent example,evaluate website
B4 City Day at Schools,Community Education:walking tours,history,water quality, Administration,
Enhance and Expand and City stuff Environmental StCloud State walking tour:HPC
diversify public Streets plans to have annual event
during Natl Public Works Week.ERMU
B5 education and outreach will recognize Public Power Week in
Celebrate/promote national and state wide professional weeks. (e.g.Public Oct.
Power week,National Planning month...) All
B6 Define/establish a program and policies to support/administer special events
hosted by others Parks and Recreation
B7 Parks/Econ Approved downtown festive lighting
Build Community Spirit Expand and enhance events(downtown) Development and lighting infrastructure
B8 Explore History Day,art promotion Environmental
B9 Added frequency of press releases;
Recognize community successes(internally and externally) All Administrator blog
B10 Engage younger populations Parks Skate park advisory committee
Bll Develop tree ordinance CODD Currently being drafted
B12 Promote community Inject/preserve nature in visible ways CODD Beautification projects
B13 brand Promote interaction with rivers Parks Bailey Pointe Park
B14 Increase volunteerism Implement Volunteer program: Seek opportunities within each department Parks
Volunteer coordinator
Goal:Beautification-Have attractive,welcoming streetscapes at City entrances and primary corridors. Enforce Zoning
Ordinances
Action Steps Tasks
Cl Prepare plans to improve primary intersections with landscaping,lighting,and Two projects identified,state funding
hardscaping CODD assisted
C2 Renovate Orono Park Parks
C3 Improve,revitalize,and Plans prepared,seek approval 2014 Q1
invest in streetscaping Improve visual impact into King Avenue Parking lot,Planters downtown CODD
C4 along primary corridors Introduce public art;Destination-type amenities Improving infrastructure,amenities in
and entrances Econ Development downtown
C5 Implement median and streetscape design and maintenance standards streets Ongoing
C6 Increase maintenance of Hwy 10/169 CODD Ongoing
C7 Actively enforce zoning and signage standards on primary corridors Code Enforcement Ongoing
C8 Review design standards for all development types Planning Pending completion of Comp Plan
C9 aesthetics w/b encouraged in BMP
Improve water quality When employing BMP,consider aesthetic component CODD guidelines along w/recommendations
C10 Provide consistent and Review all public signs,make improvements as necessary Communications Comprehensive sign plan,RFP
expanded signage advertised
Goal:Opportunities-Foster a pro-business atmosphere that provides incentives and other opportunities for new and
existing business growth
Action Steps Tasks
D1 Position land for Complete mining area study
development Planning Scope being prepared
D2 Facilitate development ID opportunities to expand Industry/jobs,in particular data centers.Develop a
and redevelopment to business recruitment strategy plan
p Econ Development
support rapidly changing
D3 technological advances Explore Fiber Optic expansion via incentives:NEBC,Business parks
Econ Development Policy to be developed with County
D4 Promote and amend Conservation improvement programs:Technology,rebates,audits,design
assistance Environmental Energy City Action plan
existing programs and
D5 services Evaluate objects of Project Conserve;utilize existing programs or redirect funds
to other opportunities Environmental Reviewing
D6 Address the housing Implement findings and recommendations of 2012 housing study Econ Development Developing Housing TIF protocol
D7 needs of current and Review opportunities for historic,culturally significant districts;establish Heritage Preservation Commission
future Elk River residents programs to assist low income/work force housing reinvestment Planning developing
Goal:Planning and Positioning. Employ resources toward long range benefit to the community.
Action Steps Tasks
E1 Complete the Comprehensive Plan update Planning April approval
E2 Complete the Park Master Plan Parks Started in February
E3 Complete a communication plan Administration/Commu
Complete nications
E4 comprehensive plans Implement FAST zoning Planning Late 2014,moved up in priority
E5 Acquire parcels necessary for the implementation of approved plans and
studies. Economic Development Plan being developed
E6 Adhere to plans and studies All Ongoing
E7 Frequent review of pending/new legislation. Develop policy to comment on
said legislation Adminstration Ongoing
E8 Legislative advocacy Administration&
Yearly legislative goals meeting with legislators Communications Mayor Dietz going to DC with ERMU
E9 Participate in industry agencies. E.g.MMUA,APPA,MRWA,MCFOA,LMNC,
APA,M FSCA,M PWA,M NAPA... All ongoing
E10 Preservation of assets Complete facility feasibility study/studies to maximize utilization of assets
Parks/Finance/Administ
ration RFP expected spring 2014
CODD has quarterly and topic specific
Ell Employee development Establish an employee development program Directors/HR training schedule
E12 and retention Encourage growth in Leadership ER CODD EDD 2014 particpant
Positive progress w/Connexus.
E13 Expand city services to provide uniform electric utilities service to all residents Collaborative reintegration study
of city through organized electric service territory acquisition ERMU complete.Orderly area acquisition plan
E14 positioning to improve Seek partnerships and collaboration to acquire Houlton property Parks Resolved.Failed to obtain grant
E15 services and value to Improve terms and/or supplier for wholesale power contract ERMU Contract signed.Transition in 2018.
community
HDM,Pavement management plan,
E16 Administration franchise fee,micro/forgivable loans,
Promote and highlight successful programs and efforts by employees and Streets employees assisting domestic
employee teams that reflect positively on Elk River and on public servants situation