HomeMy WebLinkAboutJAN 2020_MinutesCEC Committee
Meeting Minutes
January 16, 2020
Present: Sarah Watters, Patrick Heaney, Marcia Diers, Annette Thompson, Brad
McCarter, Jessica Weber, Dick Felch, Andrea Nelson
Staff: Lori Olson, Dave Elbon, Jason Wedel, Andy Brotzler
Excused:
Unexcused:
Kim Churchill
none
Next Meeting: Feb. 20, 4:45 p.m., City Hall
I Welcome & Introductions
Called to order at 4:45 PM. All present introduced themselves.
II Review of Bylaws/Selection of Officers
Lori reviewed the role of the Community Engagement Committee and asked if any of the
returning members has comments. Marcia really liked the education part of this committee.
Sarah feels there is lots of opportunity to engage other residents. Jessica said being on this
committee gives her a voice out in the community. Patrick was curious if the bylaws were
based on a template.
Sarah Waters and Jessica Weber were elected as Chair and Vice Chair respectively with a
unanimous vote
III. Overview of Staff Traffic Safety Review Group
(Andy Brotzler, Public Works Director/City Engineer)
Andy explained the new staff committee will be comprised of city staff and is expected to
meet monthly to review concerns from residents. A report will be provided annually to the
City Council and the Community Engagement Committee. Some topics may be brought to
the CEC for discussion. Andy discussed the many ways that traffic laws and signs are
implemented.
IV. Street Fees Legislation and Lobbying Contract
(Jason Wedel, City Manager)
Jason explained the fees process for new development and that a recent MN Supreme Court
decision no longer allowed cities to collect street fees for future improvements. Cities and
legislators have been working together to get the law changed through legislation.
CEC Committee
Meeting Minutes, January 16, 2020
Page 2
City Council along with the support of Scott County Association for Leadership & Efficiency
(SCALE) approved hiring a lobbyist to help push through legislation during 2020 session.
Jessica asked why wouldn’t the State want to put this language in. Jason explained there is a
big push from developers and housing associations about affordable housing and further
explained that only 3.8% of new home development costs are city fees. Jason suggesting
calling legislators to show support.
V. Website Redesign
(Dave Elbon, Communications Coordinator)
Dave gave a little bit of history of the current website and its outdated structure. He talked
about the RFP process and dates for completion. He discussed the advantages of switching
from HTML software to a content management system. Dave shared the six different
vendors the RFP was sent to in addition to the Prior Lake American. A sheet was handed out
that had many different websites representing the different vendors.
HOMEWORK: Dave asked the committee to review some of the websites and provide
feedback on what they like/don’t like about other cities sites. Lori also asked the group to
share what are the most commonly used topics on the city’s current website. Comments can
be emailed to Dave or Lori.
VI. City Mural at Nuvera Update
Lori Olson explained one of goals of the Economic Development Authority (EDA) is to
improve the look of downtown. It has been suggested art would help make downtown more
attractive. The EDA commissioned a local artist to create some rendering from which one
was selected. Donations were solicited and the $12,000 was raised by residents and
businesses to make the mural a reality.
VII. Draft Calendar and Topics of Interested
Some topics of interest included the SMSC, SCALE and a presentation on the lakes, perhaps
from the DNR, Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed and our own Water Resources Engineer.
They could talk about some of the regulations and what is being done about water quality.
Next meeting is February 20 – Public Safety with Chief Frazer