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5.1. SR 08-13-2007 Item # 5.1. MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Lori Johnson, City Administrator DATE: August 13, 2007 SUBJECT: Budget Discussions We have a full worksession agenda with budget discussions of the police, fIre, parks and recreation including library, Pinewood, and ice arena, fInance, and administration budgets. Again, for these preliminary budget meetings, department heads and some division managers will be present to discuss their requests for staff additions, capital outlay, and new programs they plan to initiate or signifIcant changes in their department's operation. I know there are also several other items in these department budgets that the Council may want to discuss. If so, feel free to bring those up during the budget discussions. Below is a list of highlights of each of the budgets to be discussed at the worksession. Police . Staff addition: Full-time patrol offIcer to fill internal transfer of offIcer to juvenile liaison position . Capital outlay: 3 squad cars and related equipment CSO vehicle LETG software repayment Upgrade to 800 MHz radio Complete offIces in second floor of public safety building for IT staff if third juvenile liaison is approved. F ire Department · There are no staff or capital outlay requests and no changes in operations that affect the budget. Emergency Preparedness · Capital outlay: Siren at Mississippi Road and Rawlins Street · Full scale emergency drill is scheduled at a cost of $5,000. Grant opportunities will be explored to cover this cost. Parks Maintenance · Capital outlay: Tractor/loader/ snow blower · Continue work with Lake Orono Homeowner's Association to fund water quality studies and improvements - $4,000. · Consulting services for park planning and related studies - $15,000. Recreation · Special events are becoming a focus of the recreation department. The budget for special community events is proposed to increase by $12,100. . Elk River Area Arts Alliance Contribution is proposed at $10,000 eliminating the extra $5,000 contribution for ArtSoup in 2007. . Concession policies are being reviewed and changes will be made to ensure that recreation concessions break even in 2008. Senior Center · Staff additions: Part-time fItness instructor Additional four hours per week for the senior citizen programmer . Increased operating and maintenance costs for operating in the former library building cause this budget to increase. Additional programming is planned now that more space is available. Ice Arena . Capital outlay: Ice resurfacer Pinewood · Capital outlay: Pond liner to eliminate costs associated with pumping high volumes of water into the pond to keep it operating Library . Capital outlay: Floor scrubber Automated checkout equipment was included in the proposed 2008 budget; however, since money is available in the Library fund, staff is requesting this equipment be purchased in 2007. Mick Stoffers is working with Great River Regional Library on this item and plans to have the details of the purchase to the Council for approval in the next few weeks. · Operating and maintenance costs are estimates; because this is a new building with energy effIcient features but a much larger size than the previous building, it is somewhat diffIcult to estimate what the actual costs will be. Finance . Capital outlay: Financial software for all fmancial applications - $70,000 ($40,000 of this was set aside several years ago in the capital outlay reserve in anticipation of this upcoming purchase.) . The payroll clerk position has been moved from the fmance department and is included in the human resource budget. Information Technology · Staff addition: Add a part-time IT support specialist instead of an intern. . Capital outlay: Microsoft licensing HP storage area network Spam/ fIrewall replacement Mayor and Council · The city newsletter is currently printed in-house; however, next year's proposed budget includes outsourcing the newsletter. Details are included in City Clerk Tina Allard's attached memo. The additional cost to outsource is $5,100. · The city's web site needs to be updated at a cost of $4,000. · The Heritage Preservation Commission requested $35,000 for investigating local historical neighborhood districts ($5,000), conducting a survey of the Brick Block ($20,000) and continuing archeological digs ($10,000). Administration · There are no staff or capital outlay requests and no changes in operations that affect the budget. Cable TV . There are no staff or capital outlay requests and no changes in operations that affect the budget. Elections '. 2008 Presidential election and primary costs are estimated at $40,850. Human Resources · The payroll clerk position has been moved from the fmance budget to this budget. Legal . Contractual services is the only item in this budget for general legal services ($60,000) and prosecuting ($174,000) Attached are updated Capital Outlay and Staff Addition pages with additional information on those items. Tina Allard will not be at the worksession so information on several of the administration budgets is also attached. This year each department head was asked to provide their department's goals for 2008 as part of the budget process. This helps ensure that funds are included in the budget so they can accomplish these goals. More importantly though, it gives the Council an opportunity to review and consider the goals before the department heads begin implementing them. Because there are so many departments being discussed at the worksession on Monday, instead of incorporating those goals into my memo as I did for the last worksession, the Department Goals for 2008 budget forms are attached for your review. Finally, the draft preliminary budget and tax levy information will be ready for distribution next week so the Council has time to review it before the next budget worksession. As you know, the maximum levy needs to be certifIed to the County Auditor before September 15. Although I have a very rough and preliminary estimate of net tax capacity (NTq growth, the actual estimate will not be available until late August. Once that information is available, we will have a much better idea of how much tax revenue will be available for the General Fund. We typically approve the maximum levy and a maximum, but often unbalanced, budget in September. Additional discussion takes place on the budget before the fInal budget is adopted in December. The maximum proposed levy and General and special revenue fund budgets will be discussed again at the September 4 and 10 Council meetings. A special meeting can also be called for August 27 if the Council feels more time is needed or wait until after the September 10 meeting and call a special meeting for that week so that the levy can be certifIed before September 15. 2008 CAPITAL OUTLAY (Administration, Finance, Fire, Police, and Park and Recreation) Department Item Requested Amount Funding Source General Other Capital Outlay Department Fund Fund Reserve Total Information Tech Microsoft Licensing HP Storage Area Network Barracuda SpamNirus Firewall Replacement 50,000 30,000 15,000 5,000 Finance Financial Software 70,000 * 70,000 HR Time Tracking Software 20,000 20,000 Police 3-Mobile video cameras Squad Cars (3) Upgrades to 800 MHZ radio Mobile Squad computers (3) Police software - LETG repayment 2nd Floor for IT CSO Vehicle 19,000 99,000 10,000 18,000 57,600 6,000 25,000 234,600 Emergency Mgmt Siren (Mississippi Rd and Rawlins St NW) 14,700 14,700 Cooling system condenser Controls 14,000 12,000 Sr. Citizens 26,000 Park Maintenance 80 HP Tractor/Loader/Snow Blower 6ft Rear Tiller 49,000 7,500 56,500 Subtotal General Fund Departments 471,800 Pinewood Pond Liner 16,000 16,000 Library Fund Electronic checkout Floor Scrubber 18,000 5,400 23,400 Ice Arena Electric Resurfacer Replace battery in Electric Resurfacer 100,000 9,500 109,500 Total $620,700 $0 $0 $0 $0 . = $40,000 was designated a few years ago in the Capital Outlay Reserve fund in anticipation of a financial system upgrade, :;--~ '" '" 'OC:'O ::J'- :=l uu..co .s ,6 ~ I l- ~ U) tV Z'Og'O 1- ::J 0 ::J 13....00 .sD.. 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'" c: '" " ~ .9 .0 :J (j) Department Goals for 2008 Department: Police Completed by: J,Beahen Date: July 5, 2007 Objective(s) Resources Required Other Comments Develop a comprehensive plan to utilize Potential training needs, software the Comp-Stat model of crime analysis integration, all very low cost. and crime reduction management to respond to the community needs of current, and to predict the crime trends for the community's future, Review and seek Council approval of joint $62,5 million available for 19- power aggreements, Participate in Central MN Counties, Unsure at selection, purchase and installation of this point prior to user agreements new 800 MHz equipment. Develop inter- being drafted what will be covered agency response plans to integrate PTAC in our allocation, and EMERG components to create interoperability during significant events. Goal Migrate from COP to Comp- stat for mission based service response to the community Work with the Central MN 800 MHZ Radio Board to transition to interoperable radio Add a third schoolliasion Assign third officer to the schools, officer to the Elk River Schools, Develop plan to have each officer assigned to each of the three primary secondary schools, (2-middle, 1-senior high) Complete the link between Sherburne County is preparing to Sherburne County Computer complete their final stages of computer Aided Dispatch Center and our system upgrades, and they are ready to Mobile Computer System push data out to our squad computers and our records system. This link will eliminate the need for us to enter the initial call data on over 20,000 records each year. If no additional officers are added We would like to start this position to the staff to replace this position, in fall of 2007, to insure that this the cost is approximately $2,700 plan/goal are in place for the in assignment pay, We have a entire school year, current office, squad and other equipment. There would be slight additional costs including communication devices and monthly recurring charges of $1,800, If a staff person is added to cover this assignment, the additional costs are $60,000 The County's records management provider will only provide the data link if we pay for them to create an export task ($12,500), a transfer task ($4,700) and yearly maintenance ($2,580) Total $19,780 We are in negotiations with the vendor over the pricing, Department Goals for 2008 Department: Fire Completed by: Bruce A. West Date: Mav 21, 2007 Goal Objective( s) Resources Required Other Comments Conduct Fire Inspections in all Conduct fire inspections in commercial Additional staff time will be We will evaluate the program and commercial and industrial and industrial buildings, Complete the needed to complete this task, We the hours need to complete all buildings in 2008. initial and follow-up inspections in all are working with the City of commercail and industrial buildings, Otsego on a part-time fire building inspections, inspector and Otsego paying for the inspectors time, Increase the Office Assistant's The work load for the office assistant is An additonal 5 hours per week Evaluate additional hours needed work hours, starting January 1, expanding and will continue to expand as has been added to the 2008 in future budgets, 2008 from 22,5 hours per week more duties are assigned to that position, budget. to 27,5 hours per week, Continue working with the City A joint effort between Elk River and funding in the 2009 budget would Continue discussion the Otsego, of Otsego during 2008, on the Otsego on the hiring of an additonal full- be needed. joint cooperative effort of a full time fire inspector. It would be a split of time fire inspector in 2009 the funding between the two cities. Conduct a full-scale The City of Elk River and its emergency funds have been budgeted for the An after action report will be emergency management drill management will conduct a full-scale drill spring 2008 drill in the 2008 written for lessons learned from in spring 2008 in the spring of 2008, The design team will budget. the drill. The drill will involve the start meeting in the fall of 2007 to set the EOC staff for the city, scenario and objectives of the drill Goal To keep hiking trails and ice rinks snow free, Department Goals for 2008 Park Maintenance Ter B e Ma 24, 2007 Objective( s) Now we wait until the Street Dept has a loader and blower available, We would like to improve the Our goal is to reduce the amount of maintenance and appearance complaints that we have about our Park of our Park System System, Resources Required Purchase a new 80 HP tractor with loader and snow blower. By purchasing a Tractor and Lift we hope to help accomplish our goal. Other Comments ----- ------------------------------ Department Goals for 2008 Department: Recreation Completed by: Michele Berah Date: Mav 29, 2007 Goal Objective( s) Resources Required Other Comments Add five summer Increase connection to individual Access to a city vehicle with neighborhood park programs, neighborhoods, towing capacity. Reduce transportation concerns for parents, Increase connection with Improve training program by increasing Staff time and training money, seasonal staff by adding two frequency of training opportunities, mid-season meetings/trainings, Increase communication by holding regular staff meetings with seasonal staff, Seasonal staff is similar to running a program for teens, It develops leadership skills as well as other life skills, Add softball and t-ball Increase use of the fields during down programs on Sunday nights times, with at least five teams in each league, Increase program revenue by offering additional opportunities, Have 80% (35) of the parks To improve the appearance of our parks Money for volunteer event in the adopted, at a minimal cost to the city, fall. To increase community involvement in our programs, Working with volunteers is similar to running a program, It builds emotional intelligence skills such as showing someone how they can make a difference and connecting them to something bigger than themselves. Increase community eventsby Provide more opportunities for community providing 5 months of members to gather in city parks to help programming at River's Edge foster a sense of community, Commons, Provide year-round (eight Increase opportunities for teens, Money for subsidizing intial costs, months) intramural programs, Department Goals for 2008 Department: Senior Center Completed by: Sue Kostanshek Date: May 25, 2007 Goal Remodel Library/Activity Center " 2 Offices " Exercise Room " Coffee Shop " Art room " Wood shop Restructure Staff "Change the current Program Assistant to Senior Center Administrative Assistant " Add Health & Fitness Coordinator " Wood Shop Supervisor Increase Programming Objective( s) Meet the needs of active older adults, Resources Required Funding for remodeling, Provide an inviting environment that active adults will want to come to, Increase efficiency of 2 sites Additional staff Meet the current needs of active older adults and programming trends, Balance & Fall Prevention Yoga Fitness classes Trained personnel required Market new Activity Center Plan special events to increase participants & awareness to the community, Implement "voluntary" Income for sustainability Membership Fee of $12 per year for participants. Develop Scholarship Program None required To help with costs of membership & Senior Center Advisory Council Program costs for low income participants approval to use Senior Center "Bingo" money for this project. Other Comments Researching for Grant money, Wood Shop depends on Grant and Bldg & Fire Inspection approvals, Only required if Wood Shop is developed, 2008 will be a voluntary membership to get people used to paying for these services, 2009 mandatory, Members will receive: " Newsletter mailed to home "Reduced Class Fees "Free coffee "Free use of computer lab & Paper. Department Goals for 2008 Department: Pinewood Completed by: Paul Anderson Date: May 31,2007 Goal Objective( s) Resources Required Other Comments Increase revenue Increase daily rounds Meet DNR well requirements Line pond to prevent infiltration $16,000 Resolve issues with To meet requirements of fire inspection Unknown costs at this time underground fuel tanks Department Goals for 2008 Department: Ice Arena Completed bv: Rich Czech Date: Mav 25, 2007 Goal Objective( s) Resources Required Other Comments To have two reliable resurfacers Replace propane resurfacer with new Purchase new Ice Resurfacer The propane resurfacer could be to minimize lost ice rentals due Electric machine. used for an outside sheet of ice, to not being able to resurface the ice, Place center groove on the This is the last phase of installing center Purchase material to complete the resurfacing room on the Barn groove in the Barn rink, project. side, Increase security inside the Manage employees, keep a closer eye on Security system With help from the I.T, building, inventory department, staff will install system Replace worn out light fixtures Update fixtures with energy efficeint with Support from the city council over the rink fixtures that will ave energy as well as money Have an Arcitect put together a Expand lobby and office and meeting area A plan and budget to present to plan for a new lobby for the front the Arena Commission and city of the Arena, council Department Goals for 2008 Department: Librarv Completed by: Mick Stoffers Date: June 29, 2007 Goal Objective( s) Resources Required Other Comments Customer Service Free up limited staff time to help the Self Checkout Machine public find information Increase Public Awareness Do outreach presentations at the schools GRRL Staff Time and offer online searching training to the public Offer Wireless Technology With the help of GRRL offer wireless Coordinate with GRRL technology to the public. Early Literacy Skills Present programs to ECFE, ESL and GRRL Staff Time single parent groups about the importance of early literacy skills Goal Implement GASB 43 & 45 (Other post employment benefits) Review the long-term use of the fund balance software program and start imaging accounts payable invoices and checks, Department Goals for 2008 Finance Tim Simon Ma 3, 2007 Objective( s) To implement new accounting standard successfully, E-government and E-commerce will be essential applications for the City in the near future and we need a software to support the change, Resources Required Actuarial calculation New software applications, Submit the 2009 budget to the To create a comprehensive budget for the Staff time, GFOA review committee for public to use and a resource tool for the budget presentation award, Council. Create a equipment and technology replacement fund, Continue to present finance management related policies for long-range financial planning, To finance the long-term needs for capital equipment internally and eliminate the reliance of equipment certificates, Start up funds from the capital outlay reserve fund to finance the creation of the Internal Service Fund, To have a long-term plan for financing the Staff and council commitment. needs of the City, Other Comments This will be on a bi-annual basis for a city our size after the first year of implementation, This will be financed through charge-backs to the departments in a similar fashion as depreciation expense, Goal Determine the need and advantages for upgrading to Microsoft Office 2007, Department Goals for 2008 Information Technolo Bob Pearson Ma 30, 2007 Objective( s) Have users working with current technology. This can be especially important if we start receiving documents from outside sources and are unable to open because of changes in formats, Determine if we would be Create a safe computing environment better served by outsourcing the spam virus email protection Planning and installation of phone equipment at Fire Station 1, Have Station 1 equipped to act as a backup site in case of need to temporarily relocate because of some type of disaster, Upgrade to SQL Server 2005 Get current data base technology as the on Laserfiche and Permitworks underpinning for two of our main server applications Upgrade to Exchange 2007 Implement current email server technology Resources Required No additional resources will be required outside of the requested part time IT Support Specialist. Might need to use some of the Professional Services budget for the conversions Might need to use some of the Professional Services budget for the conversions Other Comments I have included in the dollars to make the move in the 2008 budget. Our current spam/virus firewall will be four years old, They typically have a 3,5 year life cycle, Department Goals for 2008 Department: Mavor & Council Completed bv: Lori Johnson & Tina Allard Date: Mav 25, 2007 Goal Implement computers into Council dais for staff use Objective( s) Allow access to the network for quick response to questions or to look up information that may be needed by staff, Resources Required 2 laptop computers Change delivery and printing of Allow for more articles and more readable Additional cost of $5,100 for "Current" copy, Ensure delivery to all residents. outside service Continue working with SCSU on aracheaological digs - possibly the dam ruins in 2008 and 2009 Investigate local historic neighborhood districts Allow publiC participation in the planned $10,000 per year with matching excavation to increase awareness and funds from SCSU appreciation for archaeological sites and an understanding of the importance of integrating protection of these cultural resources in the city's planning efforts, To identify areas of the city that have local $5,000 to study local historic historic significance worth preserving neighborhood districts Conduct a survey of the Brick To identify the best method of preserving $20,000 to conduct a survey of Block this area of downtown Elk River the Brick Block Other Comments In the next few years we hope to have computers for all the Council in order to be more electronic and use less paper The location and the amount requested may change if we are not able to obtain permits and landowner permission to dig in this area The City would apply for grant funding from the state to help with the costs of the study, The City would apply for grant funding from the state to help with the costs of the study, Department Goals for 2008 Department: Administration Completed by: Lori Johnson & Tina Allard Date: May 25, 2007 Goal Objective( s) Resources Required Other Comments Expand records in our Make it more convenient for staff and Staff time electronic imaging system by public to search for city documents assisting staff in other without having to dig through hard copy departments with scanning files, needs, Improve licensing process To make it easier for citizens and staff to Staff time understand and follow-through with the application process, Department Goals for 2008 Department: Elections Completed by: Tina Allard Date: May 25, 2007 Goal Prepare for 2008 primary and general local, state, and national elections, Objective( s) Have organized election process for citizens and judges, Resources Required Election Judges Other Comments Department Goals for 2008 Department: Cable TV Completed by: Kristin Thomas - Cable Coordinator Date: May 21,2007 Goal Increase the amount of and timeliness of local productions Evaluate Annual Report Video from production To increase resident knowledge of ERtV12 and create a viewing relationship To involve interested council members in locally created productions Work with Elk River High School to assign projects that can be aired on the government access channel Objective( s) To increase viewership and consistently share with residents the quality of life Elk River provides. Resources Required Other Comments To focus on continual creation of local programming in efforts to maintain and add to viewership of the government access channel. The cost in staff time for this production is well over $8000. The final production is approximately 28 minutes in length, The cost is close to $300 per minute for this program, The production plays on the government access channel for approximately one month at different playback times, The creation of this program consumes the majority of production time for four to five months per year, Increase viewership, To create a positive relationship between viewers and council members by making them more available by their inclusion in shows, This will also positively highlight the collective impact the Council has on the community, To create a mutually beneficial relationship between students and the city cable division, The government access channel would receive free local programming, and in turn, critique productions and provide positive feedback and reinforcement to guide students in enhancing their skills. Cable staff will have to do most of the ground work. Establishing production parameters and providing topics for productions, Attempts in the past to work with staff at the High School have fallen flat. Staff assumes there is not the time available to the program coordinator to create these necessary foundational pieces, Time will also need to be spent monitoring progress to ensure the program continues to move forward. Department Goals for 2008 Goal Electronic timecard implementation Objective(s) Increase efficiency and accuracy of reporting hours and program accounting Resources Required Software and hardware Expand employee wellness program Maintain a healthy workforce and help control health insurance and workers compensation costs Staff time Develop employee recognition Recognize employees who have provided Rewards program on-going service to the City Other Comments Law change effective August 1, 2008 allows this, Law change effective August 1, 2008 allows employee recognition after a policy has been adopted by Council. MEMORANDUM TO: Lori johnson, City Administrator FROM: Tina Allard, City Clerk DATE: August I, 2007 SUBJECT: Mayor and Council Budget City Newsletter-$16,000 I would like Council to consider outsourcing the newsletter by hiring Prime Advertising and Design. Prime currently compiles and distributes the Elk River Community Resource and Resident's Guide. They also put together newsletters for the cities of Maple Grove and Champlin. Samples are attached. Prime is an independent publisher and can limit the content of advertisers more than the city would be allowed to do. Prime would cover half the printing costs in the beginning. The city would need to cover the other half, which would be $1,774 per issue ($7,096 for the year). Prime has stated they may be able to cover all this cost depending on the success of their ad campaign. If this is the case, the $16,000 in the budget may possibly drop to about $9,000. . Current Setup Two color 4 pages (hi-monthly 6 times a year) Inserted in Star News Staff time to create newsletter (approx. 1 week) Proposed Option . Full color 12 pages (quarterly with the change of seasons) Distributed directly to resident's mailboxes Designer would handle the preparation and bulk mail distribution . . . . . . Disadvantages of Current Setup · Staff articles have to be edited or cut completely out due to limited space · Newsletter can get lost in the paper with all the other inserts · May not be reaching all residents. (I have lived at my current Elk River reszaence for about eight years and onlY started getting the Star News this spring.) Advantages of Propos~d Option · Directly delivered to mailboxes of residents · Promote economic development of community due to advertising (some may also consider the ads a con) S:\Clerk\Budget\2008\Memo to Lori for CC,doc (f'J <<)1 -' I I ::s::: ..ci - >- U'l ,-I (:1'::' (II +-,' l.... 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C G ... ... j o CII G ... i'i.i CII lit G C C;; j al G ::is ~ 'ii > <( E w '1i U o ..J w ;; ~ :;; .5 Q: J: U ... 11II G UJ City of Elk River Newsletter Volume 16. No.4 luly/August 2007 City of Elk ,,--, River~-' un-en! The City Conducts Redevelopment Framework Study The City of Elk River is conducting the Mississippi Connections Redevelopment Framework study to develop a blueprint for future private investment in the 400-acre greater downtown area. The study would create an overall plan and vision for the greater downtown area to ensure its long-term health and vitality. The three purposes of the study are to: . Develop a framework to encourage the vitality, vibrancy and reinvestment of the study area that is consistent with the community's future vision; . Encourage reinvestment and assure the long-term stability of existing resi- dential neighborhoods; . Develop a plan to protect one of the major highway corridors through the city-Highway lO-from piecemeal and inappropriate development. The City Council created a 13-member task force to gain public participation in the redevelopment framework study. The Task Force consists of residents, business people, and members of city boards and commissions that deal directly with devel- opment. "As with other cities, Elk River's down- town is no longer a retail center partly due to the evolution of strip malls and big box retail along Highway 169. At the same time, we have the amazing asset of the Mississippi River through our downtown and we want to take advantage of it and ensure downtown is once again a destina- tion place for residents and visitors alike," said Mark Urista, Task Force Chair. "We called the study Mississippi Connections because the river is a natural focus point in which we want to connect the community." "Because of changes downtown and gen- eral development patterns, the Task Force extended its study, area beyond the core downtown to neighboring residential and commercial areas and the Highway 10 cor- ridor," said Urista. Urista adds, "We expect with the suc- cesses downtown, there will be additional redevelopment interest in the community. We want to ensure that the only type of development that takes place is consistent with community goals and achieves the community's long-term 20-year vision. We want to encourage the vitality of some of the community's oldest residential neigh- Framework Study continued on page 2 A hometown place for hometown people... February 2007 ,....... f~, ..... 'I';J" J,,';j\,'_' ~.--....:,::",: '~ \:tRI[ "'tfi....t':'W!IIIII.Il~~~A:~ii".. '<of""".". . ~;;""':':"'_1..~,,,:,,,.-,,:~ Irlf -.. Native Planting For Water Quality Announcing 2007 Speaker & Grants The popularity of the Environmental Resources Commission's (ERG's) program, initiated in 2006, to educate property owners about the benefits of rain gardens and native plants, has led to an expanded program in 2007. This year the ERC will be hosting Peter MacDonagh of The Kestrel Design Group, Inc., who will be speaking on landscaping with native plant species, installing a rain barrel to conserve water and creating a rain garden, A much sought after speaker, he was feamred on the nationally broadcast TV program, HOMETIME, in a three-part series on lakescaping, We are also pleased to announce the second year of grant funding to assist homeowners, homeowner .associations, business and community groups to create native landscapes and rain gardens. In 2006 grants were awarded to six property owners! homeowner associations, Grant amounts rangedftom $175 to $500 per project, The grant recipients in many cases expended their personal funds to supplement the total project cost. Three of the six projeCts are highlighted below, For a complete listing of grant recipients and additional pictures log onto the City's website using the direct link hup:!!www.ci.champlin.mn.us!ERC!erc.html 5021 Oxbow Place North This project is located on a single residential lot. There are three planting areas that are part of this project. Area 1- In creating this rain garden, the goal was to promote a healthy wetland, which is adjacent to this area, In addition, the aesthetics of the yard were improved for walkers that a=ss Oxbow Park through this trail corridor, Area 2 -In planting native plants in.this area, the goal was to increase the wildlife habitat adjacent to the wetland and to improve the aesthetics for people entering the Oxbow Heights development. In addition, the need to mow, water and use chemicals in this area, once the new plants are established, will be eliminated, '~~~;i.~- J _~~:Ii'.-- Area 3 - In planting native plants in the area of this wetland the goal was to increase the wildlife habitat of the wetland by eliminating noxious weeds (i.e. thistles and ragweed) and to improve the. aestheticsfor walkers that a=ss Oxbow Park through this trail corridor. NativePlanting Continued on Page 5 -- -"-'~~ --~~ Irene Koski Retires from City Council "Everyone goes through phases in life," Maple Grove Councilmember Irene Koski said. "It's just time for me to retire." Koski has watched the City change through the years. From her 6+ years employment with the City of Maple Grove in the 1980's to her 14 years on the City Council, which started in January 1993. "When we moved here there were only 20,000 people here, three gas stations and two grocery stores," she said. "My how it has changed." In the past 14 years Maple Grove has seen the construction of a government center, downtown area, community center and many popular shopping areas and restaurants. "We were one of the few places that actually built a downtown," Koski said. "So few places get to do that and I really think we did it right." Koski says one of her biggest accomplishments was working on the City's Community Center which welcomes over 750,000 visitors each year. It houses indoor and outdoor pools and children's play facilities, gym, ice arena, senior center, and meeting rooms. "We needed a place like that," Koski said. She was one of many who fought for the Community Center even after the voters rejected a bond issue that would pay for it. "Sometimes people will ask me, 'why did the City build that Community Center after the bond failed?' And I say, we did that for one very, very good reason: the kids of this community." Koski says she'll always be interested in city politics, but wants to take advantage of her retirement time. She plans to do some traveling with her husband. The City has accepted applications for the vacant Council position and plans to appoint a new person to finish Koski's term. Councilmember Koski is wished the very best in her retirement, and we thank her for her years of dedicated service as a City employee and Councilmember.