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10.1. SR 02-01-2016Template Updated 4/14 Request for Action To Mayor and City Council Item Number 10.1 Agenda Section Work Session Meeting Date February 1, 2016 Prepared by Zack Carlton, Planning Manager Item Description Visioning Update Reviewed by Cal Portner, City Administrator Reviewed by Action Requested Receive 2013-2014 Goals update, begin discussion of 2016-2018 Goals Background/Discussion In 2010, staff leaders and the City Council developed a comprehensive community vision: 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. During the formation of the vision, four goals were created to either protect or enhance the vision and a fifth goal was added in 2013: 1. Innovation - Develop new programs and services to meet the needs of the community. 2. Community Development - Enhance and expand community involvement and public participation through a variety of innovative outlets. 3. Beautification - Have attractive, welcoming streetscapes at city entrances and primary corridors. Enforce Zoning Ordinances. 4. Opportunities - Foster a pro-business atmosphere that provides incentives and other opportunities for new and existing business growth. 5. Planning and Positioning - Employ resources toward long-range benefit to the community. From the goals, Action Steps were identified to focus resources toward the achievement of a broader goal. Each department developed tasks that satisfies Action Steps and achieve the stated goals. Collectively, the Goal, Action Step, and Task process is called the VAST process and the spreadsheet, the VAST plan. The attached VAST plan has been reviewed by all department heads and reflects the current status identified action steps. Some items are ongoing, and others are complete. Completed items will be removed, and new goals will be added for 2016-2018. The intent is to develop cultural changes at all levels, and in future VAST plans, goals will rotate out as they are completed with new ones added as identified. Staff requests that the Council evaluate the current Vision and the Goals, identify actionable items which may no longer be appropriate, and provide direction on new action steps for the updated VAST plan. N:\Public Bodies\Agenda Packets\02-01-2016\Final\x10.2 sr Visioning update.docx Financial Impact Some action steps will require future funding allocation. Attachments  2013-2014 VAST Plan and Progress Chart Action Steps Tasks 25 50 75 100 A1 Evaluate existing programs and services Resurvey residents; Establish a metric system for the evaluation of city programs; Eliminate services no longer valuable as once was; Review programs for three tests: 1. Required/ Mandated/ core service, 2. Quality of Life, 3. Service that others provide All Departments Park and Rec master plan includes a survey. Council removed the community survey. A2 Redefining government as customer service Employee development and retention, customer service training All Departments ERMU added CSR training. Organization wide incident management and crisis training. Sunmmer hours. Ongoing A3 Develop district energy, Job shadowing, IT collaboration ERMU/Directors/ Finance IT collaboration with SC, ERMU A4 City day at ER schools Administration A5 Shift more talking to online. Engineering blog for street assessments excellent example Communication Ongoing. A6 Single source for newspaper/ uniform comments Communication Ongoing. Communications coordinator routes information for most departments. A7 Review programs to protect and enhance existing commercial property and housing stock Economic Development A8 Conservation Improvement programs: refrig harvest, LED holiday lighting contest, energy audits, etc.Environmental Ongoing Action Steps Tasks B1 Independent review of communication practices Communication Coordinator is working with individual departments to assist on their practices B2 Statistically significant survey to compare against benchmark established by 2010 survey and drill into specific areas (See also A1)Administration Budget discussion, 2015. Moved to 2016/Cost $15,000 - 25,000. Removed by Council. B3 Shifting more talking to online. Engineering blog for street assessments excellent example, evaluate website Communication Moving towards eliminating Parks & Rec Guide and city newsletter and utilizing website and social media more. B4 City Day at Schools, Community Education: walking tours, history, water quality, city stuff Administration, Environmental StCloud State walking tour: HPC B5 Celebrate/ promote national and state wide professional weeks. (e.g. Public Power week, National Planning month…)All Streets plans to have annual event during Natl Public Works Week. ERMU will recognize Public Power Week in Oct. B6 Define/ establish a program and policies to support/ administer special events hosted by others Parks and Recreation B7 Expand and enhance events (downtown) Parks/ Econ Development Approved downtown festive lighting and lighting infrastructure B8 Explore History Day, art promotion Environmental Art project B9 Recognize community successes (internally and externally)All Added frequency of press releases; Administrator blog. Ongoing B10 Engage younger populations Parks Skate park advisory committee B11 Develop tree ordinance CODD B12 Inject/ preserve nature in visible ways CODD Twin Lakes Road Beautification projects B13 Promote interaction with rivers Parks Bailey Point Park, Houtlon propoerty B14 Increase volunteerism Implement Volunteer program: Seek opportunities within each department Parks Volunteer coordinator Action Steps Tasks C1 Prepare plans to improve primary intersections with landscaping, lighting, and hardscaping CODD Ongoing, implementation pending state funding C2 Renovate Orono Park Parks C3 Improve visual impact into King Avenue Parking lot, Planters downtown CODD Plans being prepared, downtown tree replacement started C4 Introduce public art; Destination-type amenities Econ Development Ongoing, EDA brand scultpure C5 Implement median and streetscape design and maintenance standards Streets Ongoing, budget permitting C6 Increase maintenance of Hwy 10/ 169 Code Enforcement Ongoing C7 Actively enforce zoning and signage standards on primary corridors Code Enforcement Ongoing C8 Review design standards for all development types Planning 2016 Project C9 Improve water quality When employing BMP, consider aesthetic component CODD aesthetics w/b encouraged in BMP guidelines along w/recommendations C10 Provide consistent and expanded signage Review all public signs, make improvements as necessary Communications Comprehensive sign plan, RFP advertised. Wayfinding. Wil be long- term program over 20+ years Action Steps Tasks D1 Position land for development Complete mining area study Planning D2 ID opportunities to expand Industry/ jobs, in particular data centers. Develop a business recruitment strategy plan Econ Development Stratigic plan being updated D3 Explore Fiber Optic expansion via incentives: NEBC, Business parks Econ Development Fiber Optic loop installed for government. D4 Conservation improvement programs: Technology, rebates, audits, design assistance Environmental Energy City Action plan D5 Evaluate objects of Project Conserve; utilize existing programs or redirect funds to other opportunities Environmental Reviewing D6 Implement findings and recommendations of 2012 housing study Econ Development Developing Housing TIF protocol D7 Review opportunities for historic, culturally significant districts; establish programs to assist low income/ work force housing reinvestment Planning Action Steps Tasks E1 Complete the Comprehensive Plan update Planning May 2014 approval E2 Complete the Park Master Plan Parks Started in January 2014 E3 Complete a communication plan Administration/Comm unications Developing a template for staff to follow to undertand tools and target audience. Not developing a strategic plan at this time. E4 Implement FAST zoning Planning Late 2014, moved up in priority, tabled E5 Acquire parcels necessary for the implementation of approved plans and studies. Economic Development Projects being actively pursued E6 Adhere to plans and studies All Benefits of Planning Workshop E7 Frequent review of pending/ new legislation. Develop policy to comment on said legislation Adminstration Ongoing E8 Yearly legislative goals meeting with legislators Administration & Communications E9 Participate in industry agencies. E.g. MMUA, APPA, MRWA, MCFOA, LMNC, APA, MFSCA, MPWA, MNAPA…All Ongoing E10 Preservation of assets Complete facility feasibility study/studies to maximize utilization of assets Parks/Finance/Admini stration Approved study in December 2015 E11 Establish an employee development program Directors/HR Leadership training through Parks Department E12 Encourage growth in Leadership ER CODD EDD 2014 particpant E13 Expand city services to provide uniform electric utilities service to all residents of city through organized electric service territory acquisition ERMU Positive progress w/Connexus. Collaborative reintegration study complete. Orderly area acquisition E14 Seek partnerships and collaboration to acquire Houlton property Parks E15 Improve terms and/or supplier for wholesale power contract ERMU Contract signed. Transition in 2018. E16 Promote and highlight successful programs and efforts by employees and employee teams that reflect positively on Elk River and on public servants Administration Ongoing: HDM, Pavement management plan, franchise fee, micro/ forgivable loans, Streets employees assisting domestic situation Percent complete Complete comprehensive plans Legislative advocacy Employee development and retention Positioning to improve services and value to community Improve, revitalize, and invest in streetscaping along primary corridors and entrances Goal: Opportunities- Foster a pro-business atmosphere that provides incentives and other opportunities for new and existing business growth Facilitate development and redevelopment to support rapidly changing technological advances Promote and amend existing programs and services Address the housing needs of current and future Elk River residents Goal: Planning and Positioning. Employ resources toward long range benefit to the community. Goal: Community Development- Enhance and Expand community involvement and public participation through a variety of innovative outlets Evaluate, Enhance and expand communication Enhance and Expand and diversify public education and outreach Build Community Spirit Promote community brand Goal: Beautification- Have attractive, welcoming streetscapes at City entrances and primary corridors. Enforce Zoning Ordinances 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 Foster collaborative opportunities Enhance communication Explore and develop new programs and services