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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20070305 - VIII-C-3VIII-C-3 MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Dave Osberg, City Administrator DATE: March 1, 2007 SUBJECT: Council-Staff Goals Report and Schedule Special City Council Meeting for Monday April 30, 2007 Recommended City Council Action While Staff will provide a brief report on the Council-Staff Goals established in November, 2005 the only action requested of the City Council is to schedule a special meeting for Monday Apri130, 2007 at 7:00 PM. BACKGROUND In November 2005 the City Council and City Staff conducted a two day workshop, facilitated by Jim and Lisa Lynn. During the two day session, the City Council and City Staff established two years goals as identified on the attachment, further describing certain elements of the seven primary goals. One of the conclusions reached during the sessions in November 2005 results in the expectation that when there is a fifth Monday in a particular month, the City Council will schedule a special workshop type meeting to review the status of the goals. Thus, the request to schedule a special meeting on Monday Apri130, 2007 at 7:00 PM. Staff recently reviewed the goals during a Staff meeting, and would offer the following brief status report on certain elements of each of the seven goals. #1 Manage and promote redevelopment while maintaining the character of existing neighborhoods. While the Vermillion Street master plan draft document is essentially complete, it has been met with considerable resistance from the property and business owners. A subcommittee of the EDC and a Committee of the Chamber of Commerce will be reviewing report during the next several months. The Staff has conducted a meeting with local bankers promoting the Twin City Community Capital Fund. Certain infill and redevelopment criteria have been established with the neighborhood design standards, with additional work yet to be completed as part of the comprehensive planning process, and pending the final outcome of the Vermillion Street master plan, in particular those elements of the plan relating to land use and zoning. Code enforcement staff intend to more actively target certain areas of the community for code enforcement violations this spring; which will lead to additional steps relating to opportunities for more promotion of redevelopment and infill development of blighted, vacant and underused properties. #2 Market and Promote Hastings as a Tourism Destination Certainly a success under this section would be the car shows that were conducted in 2006 in downtown Hastings. Shannon Rausch and Councilmember Tony Alongi remain active with the Tourism Board. In addition, the newly hired Recreation Coordinator will assist with reaching out to the various athletic organizations in the City, to better promote the amenities available in our City, and foster the relationships with various organizations. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is conducting its annual conference in Minnesota this year, and Hastings may be a stop for one of its tours. Other portions of this goal require additional attention and work by the City Staff and City Council. #3 To Effectively market and promote Hastings to the business community to increase commercial and industrial tax base. #4 Preserve the historic life in Hastings by Managing the growth rate within acceptable limits. For reporting sake only, each of these two goals are combined, as much of the effort needed to achieve the task identified in each will be addressed during the process of preparing and adopting the 2008 Comprehensive Plan. However, one element included in Goal #3 that is somewhat independent from the comprehensive plan relates to the need to establish a better marketing plan to attract commercial and industrial businesses. This can be a task addressed by the Economic Development Commission. Conducting a citizen's survey to measure perceived deficiencies, as well as desired commercial and industrial businesses is also a project that can be addressed by the City in 2007 and into 2008. Most of the other elements of each of these two goals will be discussed during the comprehensive planning process, and will also be addressed further with the City Council at the Apri130 meeting, and various points throughout 2007 and into 2008. #S Foster a work environment that establishes common goals, teamwork and cooperation within departments, and throughout all City departments. The employee survey as referenced under this goal was completed in 2006. Since the Council-Staff workshop in November, 2005 each of the Departments have been informed of the established goals by the City Administrator. The orientation process for new employees is a priority for 2007. Finally, Staff is attempting to find and create ways for interaction between Departments to foster better team work and camaraderie #6 Develop Operational efficiencies and effectiveness for both Council and staff through training and professional development. Each of the Departments have been reminded of the support the City Council has over the years regarding training opportunities, and that is reflected in this goal. Staff will be asked to implement the second item under this goal, relating to the bring back "one good thing" comment. Continuing with the periodic updates to the City Council such as this report, along with the special workshop meetings, as proposed for April 30, 2007 will remain a priority for the City Council and City Staff throughout the balance of 2007 and again in 2008. #7 Continue to manage the City with a sense of fiscal responsibility This work has essentially been completed, and/or it remains an ongoing task of the City Council and City Staff. All are very cognizant of the need to constantly monitor the City's tax rate and tax levy trends. Furthermore, proper fund balance levels must be retained by the City, while at the same time careful consideration of their usage during each budget cycle is a main action step of this goal. While there will be more discussion of these goals at the special meeting on Monday Apri130, 2007' another topic will include the assignment City Councilmembers to serve as a liaison to each of the Committees. You will note in the attachment, each of the seven goals has a member of the City Council and City Staff members assigned to the goals, to assist with their implementation. With Paul Hicks now serving as Mayor, combined with Barb Hollenbeck and Mike Slavik as City Councilmembers, and other members perhaps wishing to assist with a different goal, there should be clarity on each of the assignments for the seven members of the City Council. Should you have any questions prior to the City Council meeting on Monday March 5, 2007 regarding any of this information please do not hesitate to contact me. Again, the only action requested is the scheduling of a special meeting for Monday Apri130, 2007 at 7:00 PM. David M. City Adm -• , r , City of Hastings 2006 Goats Goat #7 To manage and promote redevelopment while maintaining the character of existing neighborhoods Objectives • Promoting commercial development/redevebpment within the existing City boundaries • Promoting residential intilt devebpment 8~ redevelopment Goal Contacts: Council: Lynn Moratzka Staff: John Hinzman John Grossman Action Steps individuals Target Date to involved Redevelopment plan for Vermillion Street includi Com lete , ng design guidelines - 4 quarter John H_ 2006 Working with lot;al banks, promote loan pool for John H Start 1 ~` _ commercial rehabilitation John G quarter 2006 Promote gap financing funds available to businesses Dave O_ {TCCCF) Start t~` quarter 2006 Establish infill and redevelopment criteria John H Start 2"d . John G. quarter 2006 Proactive Code Enforcement of blighted conditions and Tom g_ properties by area Start 1 ~` Quarter Dawn West 2006 Promote rehabilitation loan programs for residential John G_ Start 1 ~' Quart property -rental and owner occupied Shannon er 2006 Promote Redevelopment and infiil development of John H. blighted, vacant and underused properties Start t ~ Quarter John G 2006 Shannon Key Outcome Indicators to be Measured • Measure existing commercial vacancy rate • Measure new (2006) commercial development pemaits • Determine baseline of gap financin loa f d g n un • Measure number of loans approved in 2006. • Measure existing commerdal vacant Land 'inventory within Hastings City limits • Measure existing vacant residential land inventory • Determine current code enforcement contacts • Determine current rehab loan requests • Annual inventory of blighted residentia~nr~n~tiP by~, ~ ra hic e ~ __ _ p - rgs • Compare number of COAlHRA rehab bans with past year _ • Survey resale values of residential properties by geographic area • Emphasize existing vacant residential land development rate to "newly platted° residential Land use rate • Compare infilUrehab permit values to community permit values Approved by City CoundL February 21, 2006 City of Hastings 2006 Goats Goal #2 Market and Promote Hastings as a tourism destination Objective-To have more people visit Hastings and enjoy its character, charm and beauty as part of the Twin Cities near the Vermillion River, the Mississippi River, and the St. Croix River Objective Owner: Oanna Eping Schultz Staff: Barry Bernstein Shannon Rausch Action Steps to Complete this Objective Individuals Target Date to Partner with Chamber of Commerce and others to reduce ........~~.. ~.v~u ~e~e vacanc rates throw h increased tourism Partner with Dakota County Historical Society to increase visibili and use of LeDuc Mansion Increase use of public faclities (LeDuc, City Hall, Civic Barry Bernstein Arena, Parks, etc. Shannon Rausch Partner with other communities and organizations to increase the number of day trip tours (leaf tours, senior tours Market Hastings through regional media outlets Shannon Rausch Promote Hastings history and amenities by partnering Shannon Rausch with historical row s Partner with local Chamber of Commerce to more Shannon Rausch actively market Hastings as a tourism destination (river, antiques, history) Outcome Indicators to be Measured • Decrease average vacancy rates in hotels/B&Bs by 2%/year • Decrease average vacancy rates to hotels/68~Bs by 2%lyear • Increase funding of tounsm fund by 2q°Iyear • Increase number of v~s~tors to LeDuc Mansion by 5%lyear • lncrease use of public facdittes (LeDuc City Hatl Arena etc) by 5%/year Approved by City Coundl: Fetxuary 21, 2006 City of Hastings 2006 Goats Goal #3 To effectively market and promote Hastings to the business community to increase commercial and industrial tax base Objective To increase business and industry consistent with Growth Plan Goal Contacts: Council: Turney Hazlet Action Steps Staff: John Hinzman Jahn Grossman Mark Holmes Shannon Rausch Individuals Target Oate to • Develop a commercial and industrial tax basline • Measure the types and the demographics of current employee pool working in Hastings • Measure the types of businesses currently located ~n Hastin s Approved by Gty CoundL- February 2i, 2006 Key Outcome Indicators to be Measured City of Hastings 2006 Goals Goal #4 Preserve the historic life in Hastings by managing the growth rate within acceptable limits Objective • Identify and plan around areas where the City wants to encourage commercial and residential development • Identify and plan around areas where the City wants to encourage commercial and residential redevebpment Goal Contacts: Council: Tony Afongi Action Steps to Complete this Objective Staff: John Hinzman John Grossman Shawn Moynihan Identify residential and commercial areas in need of redevelopment to assist in the developing philosophy on where and the quantity of new development ought to occur Provide opportunity for public feedback on areas identified for development and redevelopment as part of the City's growth plan redevelopment policy for each area identified Conduct a review of existing ordinances to determine what performance standards may need to be changed for both commercial and residential development oals to be met Comprehensive Plan review and adoption #o reflect the goals of the City's adopted rowth plan Search for opportunities to promote and work with other entities on development and redevelopment options consistent with adopted rowth plan Establish annexation policy consistent with adopted growth Establish land use pol~c~es and ordinances that support Red Rock Corridor develonment Key Outcome Indicators to be Measured Individuals Target Date to Involved Cmm~lntn Economic Development Commission Economic Development Commission Planning Economic Development Commission Planning City Clerk Planning Planning Planning i Council Planning APP~o~ed by City CoundL- February 21, 2006 City of Hastings 2006 Goats Goal # 5 Foster a work environment that establishes common goals, team work and cooperation within departments and throughout all City departments_ Objectives; • Establish and promote common dty goals and management across departments. • Improve employee knowledge of all city functions, to improve departmental and interdepartmental team work and cooperation _ • Improve response to citizens, as a result of completing above objectives Goal Contacts: Council: Ed Riveness Staff: Mike McMenomy Melanie Mesko Lee Stephanie Nomes Action Steps Individuals Involved Target Date • Measure the number of requests for information that are not resolved at first contact • Measure the response t+me to requests for tnfomnat~on (i a RequestPartners) • Measure the level of employee satisfaction with cooperation and teamwork efforts Approved by Gty Couna7_ February 21, 2006 Key Outcome Indicators to be Measured City ofi Hastings 2006 Goals Goal #6 Develop operational efficiencies and effectiveness for both Council and staff through training and professional development Objective To continue improvement of CounctUStaff relationships, thereby improving efficiency and effectiveness of service to the public Goal Contacts: Council: Mayor Wemer Staff: t3arry Bernstein Melanie Mesko Lee Action Steps Approved by City Cour-dt February 21, 2006 Individuals Target Date Key Outcome Indicators to be Measured • Record the number of times an enda Item ~ tabled/sent to committee • Record number of annual trainin hours and staff individual develo ment ans . ~ City of Hastings 2006 Goats Goal #7 Continue to manage the City with the sense of fiscal responsibility Objective • The tax rate shall be within 0-3°,6 of prior year • Maintain proper level of reserve funds m conformance with the City's established debt policy Goal Contacts: Council= Paui Hicks Staff: Char Stark Action Steps Individuals Involved Analyze annual tax capacity and tax levy (which Char Stark establishes tax rate) back to 2001 Based on above histoncal analysis, protect tax rate for Char Stark years 2007-2012 Analyze past use of fund reserves Char Stark Finance Cmtee. Set policy on how future reserve funds may be spent of the Council Finance Cmtee. of the Council Key Outcome Indicators to be Measured Target Date to Approved by City Counal= February 21.2006