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Listening Session Council Led #1 Council Listening Session #1 Saturday, May 5, 2018 It’s the year 2028. The City of Elk River is being recognized as the state’s #1 community for various reasons, such as quality of life, core services, and great roads. What happened 10 years ago, in 2018, which led to this statewide recognition?  Decided to make community investment.  Reach outside community.  Growth in early childhood activity and community.  Consider whole community.  Organizations work together.  We as a city became proactive as to the long needs of Elk River.  Made broad investments in general committee amenities. (example) Parks trails general facilities.  We build a recreational center.  City recognized and built facilities to support youth activities.  A recreational water center.  Communicating with school and community service providers to provide relevant and non- duplicate services.  Recreational center.  Bigger, better parks.  Better trails/extend.  Bike track.  Skate Park.  Rink at park or dog park.  Make parks bigger.  Sport facility.  Improving and taking care of existing facilities.  Secure long-term funding strategy for servicing.  Another outside rink.  More parks.  Panda Express  Public hockey/ice skating rink  Voting for bond issues passed.  New recreational facilities.  Growth.  Good council and leadership.  Good communication.  Good location.  Voice of the people.  Get involved.  Invest in current buildings.  Improve infrastructure/roads, railroad tracks.  Family based community, all age groups and diversity, and housing, recreation.  Quality of life.  Pride in community.  Walking/biking trails.  Proactive on grants – Federal and State.  Bring back “where country and city meet”.  Become economic center between St. Cloud and Minneapolis.  Maintain housing values.  Foresight to improve/add schools.  Outdoor recreation for families.  Waste management landfill closes.  Elk River wins awards for fiscal responsibility.  Elk River recognized for returning hockey to outdoor sport.  New baseball, football, and hockey facilities.  Expansion down Highway 169.  Elk River grows.  Elk River high school suicide rate at zero.  New restaurants.  Amazon and Best Buy move to Elk River. What role might our entire community play in order to help create the best possible future for Elk River?  Try to educate as many people as possible as to things facing the city. To encourage the concerns and likes about things Elk River is facing in the community.  Be positive, not negative.  Leave a legacy for the future.  Get involved.  Ask questions.  Share your opinions.  Provide facilities, promote and encourage youth in sport and other activities.  Forecasting community growth.  Different organizations working together.  Sponsorship ↔ business involvement.  Creating space/facilities to bring families together for events, activities, etc.  Supporting everyone’s interests.  Cutting edge technology to support “energy city” designation.  New families moving to Elk River due to “energy city” designation.  Events to raise money.  Promote the communities.  Get people involved in local events.  Become educated on issues.  Volunteer services to the community.  Community police to reduce crime.  Get to know your local leaders.  Be open minded.  Learn from other communities.  Frugal with money/spend wisely.  Supporting initiatives to keep children and families active.  Anchor organizations that help build the community.  Mayor/council listens.  More volunteering from citizens.  Use of scientific surveys from community.  Use taxes to serve the entire community, not a select few.  Work collaboratively with city, schools, and county.  Community events to bring together.  Have families/communities adopt streets.  Take interest in all o City, schools, roads, parks, safety. o Contact city o Attend meetings  Engage! How can I help Elk River become front page news in ten years?  Sales tax, will shop other places.  Vote negative on referendum.  Keep open mind, thoughts, and concerns of others.  Encourage people to want.  Encourage people who want amenities to pay for them rather than force the entire community to pay.  Learn about our community and stay informed.  Keep perspective on features not considered.  Be considerate.  Get involved and teach children to do the same.  Learn the issues.  Attend council meetings.  Have a voice.  Be open to change.  Talk with neighbors.  Be informed.  Open minded.  Support local business ↔ local business support community.  Community participation; volunteers, promote community.  Listen to other people’s input.  Don’t sit around and do nothing.  Advocate for projects and get involved in a variety of community interests.  To be involved, ask questions, be informed and stay engaged.  Communicate and share need of city and volunteer in the community.  Have more “entry fee” based events and generate income.  Involve our youth in community decisions, engage all generations.  Make it a priority!  Volunteering your services.  Communicate directly to elected officials; our wants and needs.  Funding events. Example, a city gala.  Care about all age groups of citizens.  Support local businesses that support youth sports.  Vote for sales tax idea!  Be aware of what is happening; local and state wide.  Educate our peer group and promote involvement.  Give Elk River a good legacy that we can be proud of.  Know city leaders.  Energy cost savings.