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Home My WebLink About08 15 2022 Focus Group Internal Survey Prior Lake Stakeholder Results Cory Poris Plasch Rapp Consulting Group August 15, 2022 1 Cory’s Background Almost 10 yrs. in local government, 6 as a 911 Dispatcher 4 yrs. VP at a mission-driven tech start up (Polco/National Research Center) Leadership roles in the Alliance for Innovation and the Wisconsin City/County Management Association Presents at conferences nationally on innovation, use of data, and engaging hard to reach populations 2 Internal Survey Results 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Of 77 total responses, 71 were Yes, 2 were No, and 4 were Maybe (92% positive) 12 Question 11 - Please add any additional information you think would help to inform the strategic planning process at the City of Prior Lake. 13 Questions? 14 Focus Group Results 15 Focus Group Overview As part of the City of Prior Lake’s strategic planning process, three focus groups were conducted on July 14th. Participants included members of the business community, civic organizations, and city advisory boards. 16 Focus Group Process A focus group is a small-group discussion guided by a trained facilitator. It is used to gather in-depth information about a community's thoughts and opinions about a designated topic. In the case of the City of Prior Lake’s focus groups, the subject was strengths and challenges for the city. The meetings ran for approximately 70-90 minutes and participants were recruited by city staff. 17 Focus Group Questions/Areas of Exploration 1. When you think of what you like best about the city, what comes to mind? 2. When you think about Prior Lake as compared to other nearby communities, what comes to mind about the challenges of this community? 3. What are the disadvantages of living in Prior Lake as compared to other places? 4. What are the advantages of living in Prior Lake as compared to other places? 5. If you could change things about Prior Lake what would they be? 6. When you think about all of the things the City does, what are the most important to you? 7. Of the important roles that the City plays in helping to create a good quality of life, what are the most important to maintaining or creating a high-quality future? 8. If you could choose three things for the City to focus efforts and resources on over the next five years, what would they be? 18 Summary of Major Themes Commercial Development Downtown Prior Lake The Lake Public Safety Small Town Feel/Community Connectedness Welcoming Atmosphere City Services Transportation Housing Open Space/Trails 19 Commercial Development Major theme for all focus groups Want increase ratio of commercial to housing Keep tax dollars in Prior Lake Restaurants and independently owned retail desired Targeted zoning Mixed use developments “Facelift” 20 Downtown Highway 13 a challenge with no easy solution Walking downtown near Hwy 13 seen as hazardous Parking Downtown vision needs to be comprehensive and well communicated Schism between uptown and downtown? 21 The Lake Major amenity/attribute Traffic from day visitors is a frustration for some Restaurants around the lake? Maintaining access through the last undeveloped tract of land a priority for some 22 Public Safety Police overall seen as positive by all groups “Warm, safe and dry” Community interactions are extremely positive Less visible today than in past? Are staffing issues at the police department an issue? Full time fire department a positive change Expectations that response times will decrease 23 Small Town Feel/Community Connectedness Participants value the “small town feel” in Prior Lake Restaurants stayed open during COVID because of community support Spirit of collaboration rather than competition Unique combination of small town feel and recreational amenities Acquaintances always seem to know people in common More multi-generational families Residents facing challenges are supported People know their neighbors 24 Welcoming to New Residents? 25 City Services Participants highly complimentary of city services and staff “It’s easy to get things done with the city” City is responsive, communicative, and transparent City is proactive and collaborative (CEO Roundtable, advocate to other governments) Community parks and trails are clean Road quality is improving but better maintenance should have been done in the past Snow removal is exceptional Streets and sidewalks cleaned sooner than in other communities City maintained flowers gorgeous and bought from local business Golf cart permit is appreciated Planning and infrastructure well thought out “Even if there are disagreements, the city figures out how to work it out.” City commission members should have better understanding of vision 26 Transportation Highway 13 a challenge with no easy solutions Considered a hazard to cross safely Bike and pedestrian crossing needed (tunnel or overpass) Speed limits on highways 13 and 21 should be reduced through town Information about upcoming road work was well communicated 27 Housing Ratio of housing and commercial needs to incorporate more commercial Housing affordability a concern for some Recent housing spike detrimental to seniors No temporary housing a concern for some High density housing? Impact of housing on schools, infrastructure and traffic 28 Open Space/Trails A trail or loop to connect everything is needed Some parks need updates Are all of the parks needed? Parking for youth sports can be a challenge A variety of recreational options is important Is a large soccer complex needed? 29 Three Priorities for Prior Lake? • Law enforcement fully staffed (8) • Vision for vibrant downtown (8) • Complete trail connections that connect parks and trails (7) • Facelift for downtown businesses (5) • More businesses (4) • Infrastructure (4) • Investing in youth through good school, playing fields, etc. (4) • Affordable housing (4) • Road improvements/Highway 13 crossing (4) 30 Three Priorities for Prior Lake? • Environmental sustainability (3) • Managing growth (3) • Downtown development with an arts component (2) • Businesses on the lake (2) • Parking for downtown (2) • Events such as Lakefront days/opportunities for connection (2) • One source communication for city, civic orgs and schools (2) • Supporting diverse populations (2) 31 Three Priorities for Prior Lake? • Support for vulnerable in community • Better connecting uptown and downtown • Attracting more small/unique businesses • Parks • Figure out community access to lake through the the last undeveloped tract • Less traffic • Branding of Prior Lake (what are our values? What do we stand for?; big picture what do we want to be?) • Encourage more involvement in city activities by residents 32 Questions? 33 Thank you! Cory Poris Plasch Rapp Consulting Group 34