HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.30.06 Work Session Minutes
Council Strategic Planning Workshop
Minutes
October 30, 2006
Mayor Soderberg called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Audience:
Soderberg, Fogarty, McKnight, Pritzlaff, Wilson
Peter Herlofsky, City Administrator; Lee Smick, City Planner; Cynthia Muller,
Executive Assistant
Joanne Payne, Nick Schultz
Present:
Also Present:
MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by McKnight to approve the agenda. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
City Planner Smick demonstrated Dakota County's Zoning and Flood Zone interactive map.
This map is part of the GIS agreement with Dakota County. It will be very helpful to the public,
especially realtors. Councilmember Wilson suggested as part of a long-range plan to invite
realtors, planning, community development, police and parks to an event to entice realtors to the
area. He suggested calling realtors directly to invite them. City Planner Smick could also
present this to the Chamber's Farmington Business Council. The map has many features
including showing the flood plain, number oflots platted, lots ready for development, size of
individual lots, etc. A link for this map will be sent to Council.
Stratel!ic Planninl!
A vision from Council would be very helpful to staff. After that Council should select 4-5 issues
and then set up goals, objectives, tasks, implementation, etc. Economic development was the
most important goal for Council. This would involve land use, the comp plan, how many
businesses do we expect to bring in per year, etc. Council had previously received a copy of
Lakeville's economic development plan. Developing priorities could start with the Council and
City Administrator. Everyone needs to agree to a process. It is good to set goals, but follow-up
is needed.
Councilmembers selected the following priority areas:
1. Finances
2. Economic Development
3. Transportation
4. City Council
5. Communication
6. Relationships
7. Parks
8. Engineering
Councilmember Wilson asked what we have to show someone who is deciding whether to move
here. Is there a community vision, or a 1 or 3-year plan? The community survey showed people
like the small town feel, quality schools, friendly neighbors, etc. Also, you have to know your
customer as each person would have different interests.
Council Workshop Minutes
October 30, 2006
Page 2
Councilmembers would like to have an orientation for new Councilmembers with staff, to make
them familiar with who people are, what they do, Council policies, procedures, etc.
Councilmember Pritzlaffs priority with engineering was whether the City should have its own
engineer or continue with Bonestroo. Councilmember McKnight would also like to know what
the options are, such as how much does it cost to have our own engineer, is it time to go for an
RFP, etc. City Administrator Herlofsky suggested bringing in Bonestroo representatives to
obtain their view as to how things are working.
Mayor Soderberg suggested establishing a regular time schedule to review goals, such as every 6
months to meet for 4-5 hours to see where we are.
Councilmember Wilson suggested informing residents sooner regarding street projects to allow
enough time for residents to put money aside for the assessment. Councilmembers were
concerned with notifying residents too far ahead as amounts, timelines, etc. cannot be finalized
too far in advance. Councilmember Wilson felt we needed to communicate with residents more.
Lakeville sends out electronic newsletters through a listserv which takes technology upgrades
and maintenance, however those communication updates are important. The City could try to
make better use of the cable TV. Councilmember Fogarty suggested creating a document and
have a set day each month for workshops. These dates should be set at the beginning of the year
and what topics will be covered. Councilmember Wilson felt the community survey could
provide guidance for this strategic planning along with Council's goals. One thing that stands
out for him from the survey is that residents have a hard time understanding where the City is
going with planning. These categories should address that.
City Administrator Herlofsky will share these categories with staff. Staff and Council should
add specific items under these categories by November 22, 2006. Another workshop will be
scheduled to discuss the results.
Councilmember Fogarty left at 6:33 p.m.
Councilmembers listed the following items under three of the categories:
City Council
- Policies - formalization (handbook)
- By-laws
- Practices
- New Councilmember orientation (open meetings)
- Administrator/Council communication
- Assessment policy
City Administrator Herlofsky noted every project that a City employee is working on should be
consistent with Council's overall objectives. Councilmember McKnight asked how City staff
will hear about this discussion. City Administrator Herlofsky replied tomorrow there is a
management staff meeting and department heads will be informed during that meeting to add any
items they have such as specific projects, or goals and objectives. Councilmember McKnight
then asked about line staff. City Administrator Herlofsky stated that will be the next step is to
encourage people to share it within their departments.
Council Workshop Minutes
October 30, 2006
Page 3
Transportation
- 195t Street
- 208th Street west of the industrial park and east ofthe Middle School
- TH3 joint powers agreement, keep reminding the state we need attention
- Spruce Street open at TH3
- 2l0th Street
- East-West and North-South corridors
- Engineering services options
- Road maintenance plans
- CIP
- Assessment policy
- 203rd Street/Diamond Path
- Pilot Knob Road safety
- Hwy 50 & 70
- Money
- Roundabouts
Finances
- Fund balance 35-40%
- Budget cycle (Aug-Sept)
- Develop financial plan - prioritization of City expenditures
- Organizational structure (Engineering) consultant
- Orientation - tax incentives, etc.
- Departments accountable (responsible)
- Sources of revenue
- Park improvements vs. park development
- Fees charged
- Fee explanation
Counci/member Fogarty returned at 7:12 p.m.
Councilmember Pritzlaff would like to have a meeting with Council, Bonestroo and City
Attorney J amnik regarding compensation for the mill and overlay proj ect. If Council would
have had all the information, the project would not have been approved. He would like to have
this meeting before the end of the year.
MOTION by Fogarty, second by McKnight to adjourn at 7:21 p.m. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
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Cynthia Muller
Executive Assistant