5.2. SR 11-18-1996ty of
iver
MEMORANDUM
ITEM 5.2
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor & City Council
Paul T. Steinman, Director of Economic
Development
November 18, 1996
Update on Strategic Planning Process
The purpose of this memo is to provide an update to the City Council on the
strategic planning process.
Attached to this memo is an outline of the strategic planning process to this
point, including attachments which detail a number of the various activities
undertaken by the Strategic Planning Task Force.
If you have any questions on this information prior to the meeting, please feel
free to contact me at 441-4905.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Economic Development Strategic Planning Presentation Summary
II.
III.
IV.
The process of economic development strategic planning began in
October, 1996, with a group of approximately 16 citizen participants
representing numerous parties involved in economic development in
the City of Elk River. The process is being facilitated by Mr. Jim
Brimeyer and began with the presentation of several simple questions
for the purpose of framing the strategic planning process:
· Who are we?
· What are the basic social and political needs we exist to fill?
· ~rhat do we want to do to recognize and respond to these
needs?
· What should be our response to our stakeholders?
· What is our philosophy and core values?
· What makes us distinctive or unique?
Upon completion of this activity, the Task Force proceeded to
undertake a SWOT analysis (strength, weaknesses, opportunities,
threats). Strengths and Weaknesses are the internal resources, forces,
and directions that shape the organization. Conversely, Opportunities
and Threats are forces which are occurring or are expected to occur in
the organizations external environment.
At its next meeting, the Strategic Planning Task Force began to
discuss the central element of any organizational strategic planning
process - the Mission Statement. The Mission Statement represents
the basic values and philosophies which constitute the mission of a
governmental organization. This mission shapes the broad directions
of the organization and confirms the success of its policies and
programs.
Utilizing the SWOT analysis, the Task Force proceeded with
identification of strategic economic development issues.
Approximately 26 major issues were identified. Utilizing the nominal
group technique, the Task Force prioritized each of these major issues.
The four issues in order of priority are as follows:
2.
3.
4.
Industrial Base
Internal Business Retention/Growth
East Highway 10 - Development/Redevelopment
Downtown Redevelopment
It is important to note that establishing financing options to address
each of these issues rated as a high priority. Identifying these
Vie
financing options will become part of the action plan for each of the
prioritized issues.
The purpose of this current step in the process is to gather input from
the community's "stakeholders", as listed below, to assure the Task
Force has considered all of the significant factors related to economic
development in the City of Elk River.
At this time the Task Force is interested in obtaining input on the
information and discussions which have occurred to this point. Input
will be solicited from the following groups:
· City Council
· Economic Development Authority
· Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Utilities Commission
· Rivers Edge Downtown Development Corporation
· Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
The remainder of the strategic planning process includes completing a
specific action plan for each of the four final prioritized economic
development issues. Each of the four final issues will be identified
with a goal, and specific steps which will be taken in order to
accomplish the goal and address the issue.
Your Task Force representative will recognize all input provided at
this time and bring that input back to the Strategic Planning Task
Force for discussion and consideration. We look to conclude the
strategic planning process prior to the end of 1996 and begin
implementation of the plan in 1997.
Attached is the following information:
· List of Strategic Planning Task Force representatives
· SWOT Analysis
· Draft Mission Statement
· 26 Major Economic Development Issues as Identified by the
Task Force
STRATEGIC PLANNING TASK FORCE
Jeff Gongoll - EDA
13900 Riverview Drive
Ph: 428-4466 (w)
Dick Gongoll - Bank
First National Bank Elk River
729 Main Street
Ph: 441-2200 (w)
Jim Simpson - Bank
Bank of Elk River
630 Main Street
Ph: 441-1000 (w)
Rich Duggan - Chamber
Marketech Inc
18940 York Street
Ph: 441-8664 (w)
Jackie Schuelein - Chamber
Chamber of Commerce
509 Highway 10
Ph: 441-3110 (w)
Tom Bender - EDA
12516 Ridgewood Dr
Ph: 441-2121 (w)
Duane Kropuenske - HRA
First National Bank
729 Main Street
Ph: 241-3609 (w)
Larry Farber - Council
19404 Norfolk Ave NW
Ph: 572-3636 (w)
George Zabee - Utilities
329 Morton Ave NW
Ph: 441-1443 (h)
Hank Duitsman - Mayor
12354 Ridgewood Dr
Ph: 540-3520 (w)
Paul Anunerman - Chamber
P.O. Box 800
Ph: 241-2249(w)
Record/ng Secretary
Star News
Citizen
STAFF:
Paul Steinman, Director of Economic Development
441-4905
441-7425 Fax
Pat Klaers, City Administrator
Steve Ach, City Planner
441-4907
441-7425 Fax
441-4902
441-7425 Fax
Bryan Adam~, General Manager Elk River Utilities
FACILITATOR:
441-2020
441-8099 Fax
Jim Brimeyer, Brimeyer Group
904 Main Street
Suite 205
Hopkins, MN 55343
945-0246
945-0102 Fax
s:\eda\meetingsXspdist.doc
SWOT ANALYSIS
Stren,qths
-UPA
-location
-committed progressive leadership
-strong city government Iwetl-managed)
-source for construction materials
-sense of community, identity
-sense of volunteerism
-natural resources (river, woods, rural)
-schools
-current growth rate
-destination shopping
-non-metro metro
-downtown
-highways
-sewer capacity
-land availability and prices
-affordable housing (full cycle)
-recreational facility (Mn Sports Federation)?
-current tax rate
-metro phone
-updated comprehensive plan
-funding for education - employment transition
-energy city designation
Weaknesses
-lack of industrial land with water and sewer available
-train movement (55 per day)
-fragmented downtown
-lack of public transpodation (bus or cabs)
-youth activities
-perception of Elk River location (identification with St. Cloud)
-no spec buildings available for industrial
-lack of focus - no strategy
-lack of skills training
-commuter population
-labor availability
Oppodunities
-tourism
-energy city
-incubator industry
-Mn Sports Federation sports complex
-restaurants, hotels
-101 completion
-reputation of Minnesota (technical, educational)
-natural resource amenities
-society work habits - commuters (reverse)
-identify with metro area (airport, highways)
-population shift
-met council policies
-funding sources for business (Initiative Funding, Anoko County)
-river development
Threats
-Met Council MUSA line
-incentives from other jurisdictions Icities, states}
-inflation
-building locations
-fragmented school district
-unmanaged growth - City Council
-Excess retail
-utility companies/personal property tax issue
-landfills in gravel pits
-power lines
-electric deregulation
-county attitude
MAJOR ECONCOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AS IDENTIFIED BY
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
THE STRATEGIC PLANNING TASK FORCE
Develop political leadership
Develop realistic/achievable goals
Capitalize on Energy City potential
Increase industrial base lutility extension plan, land designation and purchase)
Implement incubator plan
Strong public/private coordination
Priorities/focus on economic development
Educate/communicate the citizens
Promote community events to foster sense of community
Redevelopment of downtown - use river as amenity
Develop river corridor through communify
Determine school funding priorities
East Highway 10 - development/redevelopment
Establish finance options for development
Explore local transit system (revised system)
Define, manage commercial expansion
Develop "how can we help" attitude
Market Elk River as part of metro area
Develop internal highway system
Develop new specialty area (hotels, restaurants, etc.)
Build community center (make decision)
How can we take advantage of mining industry
Encourage internal business retention/growth
Develop external focused marketing strategy
Improve cooperation/coordination with school district and county
Create quality jobs
stratpln\pressumm.doc
DRAFT
MISSION STATEMENT
The City of Elk River is an historic river community serving as a regional center and
strategically located in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area.
The community, takes pride in providing quality services and maintaining a favorable tax
rate. We promote an environment that results in the growth of industry and businesses
and provides job opportunities and housing options for all of our residents.
It is our mission to actively participate in the marketplace and to utilize our community
resources to leverage viable, sound investment in the community. This investment will
produce livable wages, full-cycle housing and a citizenry that sees Elk River as their
community in which to live and work.
List of Meetings to Present Strategic Planning Information
Chamber Board
Utilities Commission
Economic Development Authority
City Council
Rivers Edge Downtown Development Corp.
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
November 5
November 12
November 13
November 18
November 20
November 25