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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5G 2040 Vision and Strategic Plan Priorities Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 / www.cityofpriorlake.com 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: APRIL 25, 2016 AGENDA #: 5G PREPARED BY: FRANK BOYLES, CITY MANAGER PRESENTED BY: FRANK BOYLES AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A REPORT CONFIRMING THE 2016 PRIORITIES FOR THE 2040 VISION AND STRATEGIC PLAN DISCUSSION: Introduction The purpose of this agenda item is to ask the City Council to establish their strategic plan priorities for 2016. History The City Council adopted the strategic plan in 2002. Since that time the document has been amended nine times with the assistance of 700 residents who attended planning meetings and 1200 residents who participated in community surveys conducted in 2005, 2011, and 2014 to inform the plan. The council adopted a practice of conducting surveys every third year which would be used as data for the community wide update meetings. In the intervening years the City Council would discuss the plan among themselves and prioritize one or more vision elements for that year. At the April 11th work session the City Council reviewed and discussed the plan and their priorities for the year 2016. Current Circumstances At the work session the City Council spent extensive time discussing the “Natural Resources” vision element. The primary focus was on surface water review and regulations, flood plan and taking requisite TMDL steps for removing Spring Lake and Lower Prior Lake from the impaired waters list. The discussion acknowledged that collaboration with the watershed would be an important element in achieving this objective. The second vision element discussed was “Economic and Community Development.” The council discussed some refinements to this vision element like separating commercial areas listed in objective six and considered comments on the downtown contained in objectives three, six, eight and nine. Finally the City Council discussed the “Community Assets” vision element. Discussion centered on moving forward with an amendment to the current water agreement and entering into a new agreement which would provide 2 for a joint water treatment plant. The condition of our streets was acknowledged as a high priority as well. A copy of the entire document is attached. ISSUES: The Mayor asked that I share my thoughts on this topic. I believe the priorities identified by the council are critically important and the staff will work toward their implementation if the council approves them at tonight’s meeting. I concur with the community assets vision element as a high priority. One of the primary responsibilities of city government is to provide for the public health. We do so by providing water in sufficient quality and quantity to meet public safety and water needs. Therefore, we must focus on wells and water treatment. This is a top priority. I also agree with economic and community development but with a much sharper focus. For decades two large parcels of land in the community (Vierling and Meadowview) have been considered our development future. It should be apparent at this point that the realization of the development of these parcels cannot be counted upon. But we are running out of already subdivided lots. Our development future is in the annexation area; therefore, one of our highest priorities should be to get the sewer and water pipes installed under New County Road 81 so the annexation area can open and our residential development can continue. I agree as well that we must continue our full court press on natural resources and particularly our lakes. We have some efforts underway (WSUM, Flood Planning) that will make inroads as desired by the council. I would suggest adding a fourth priority to the three identified by the city council. That is “Effective City Resources.” As the City Council saw at the work session earlier tonight, a five-year personnel plan has been prepared. Based upon that plan 4.2 new full time employee equivalents need to be added. Two positions each are needed in police and public works. The two departments represent public safety and public health which are the two fundamental reasons for local government. It will be difficult to accomplish this correction in one year. But we must focus on this area because only through city employees do we achieve community goals and objectives. The city council should decide which vision element are the highest priority for 2016. Once the council has made that decision, the staff will draft an 3 insert for the 2040 Vision and Strategic Plan Document for your consideration prior to sharing it with the general public. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Adoption of priority vision elements directs our resources within the financial guidelines established by the City Council. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Motion and second as part of the consent agenda to adopt natural resources, community and economic development and community assets as the highest priorities. 2. Remove this item from the consent agenda and adopt priorities other than those agreed upon by the City Council. RECOMMENDED MOTION: Alternative 1.