HomeMy WebLinkAboutVIII-15 Strategic Initiatives Final Report, 2021 - 2023
City Council Memorandum
To: Mayor Fasbender & City Councilmembers
From: City Administrator Dan Wietecha
Date: February 21, 2023
Item: Strategic Initiatives – final report
Council Action Requested:
No action necessary. Final Report is presented for review, discussion, and feedback.
Background Information:
Over several months during spring and summer 2021, the City Council and Management Team
developed a set of Strategic Initiatives in order to maintain focus and progress, drive
accomplishment, and ensure regular tracking and reporting. The Strategic Initiatives were
approved by the City Council on September 7, 2021.
1. The approved plan includes eight Strategic Initiatives. These are the primary goals of the
plan, and we have reported their progress quarterly.
2. It also includes a Future Topics section (which we have affectionately nicknamed the
“parking lot”) to ensure other good ides (and potential future Initiatives) are not
forgotten. Where there has been progress in these areas, we have also reported it.
3. And the plan included an Additional Initiatives & Efforts section in recognition of other
significant projects planned the City. These need to be balanced in terms of time and
budget with decisions about other Initiatives. Their progress status is also reported.
The attached final report consolidates the progress reported over the past year-and-half.
I expect that we will begin a new cycle of strategic initiatives this spring. In the meantime, the
Management Team has developed a “Ninety Day World” action plan to focus on key priorities
and reporting over the next three months. This will help avoid a gap between the City Council’s
two cycles, identify the degree of operational detail for initiatives, and ensure that all
departments are working toward and reporting priorities.
VIII-15
Financial Impact:
n.a.
Committee Discussion:
n.a.
Attachments:
• City of Hastings Strategic Priorities 2021-2023 Executive Summary
• Executive Summary Appendix Feb 16, 2023
VIII-15
1. PEOPLE, PROCESSES, INFRASTRUCTURE & FINANCE
DEVELOPED A MULTI-YEAR
FINANCIAL MODEL TO IMPROVE
PLANNING AND LONG-TERM
STABILITY FOR THE CITY AND
USED THE NEW MODEL TO PLAN
THE 2023 BUDGET.
ENHANCED DIVERSITY, EQUITY
AND INCLUSION IN CITY
PROCESSES AND OPERATIONS
AND CONTINUED TO IMPROVE
HASTINGS AS A WELCOMING
COMMUNITY FOR ALL.
2. COMMUNITY IMAGE & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
DEVELOPED A STRATEGIC
COMMUNICATIONS PLAN TO SHARE
HASTINGS' STORY WITH MULTIPLE AND
DIVERSE AUDIENCES.
CITY OF HASTINGS STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
2021-2023 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
RESEARCHED NEW FUNDING
STREAMS AND LEVERAGED
PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE
TOURISM BUREAU/CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE, DOWNTOWN
BUSINESS ASOCIATION AND
OTHER PARTNERS TO GROW
TOURISM IN HASTINGS.
DEVELOPED A NEW
COMPENSATION AND
CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
TO ENSURE MARKET
WAGES AND
EQUITABLE
PAY.
ELEVATED ARTS AND CULTURE IN
HASTINGS THROUGH EXPANDED
LEVEE PARK PROGRAMMING AND
FORMATION OF AN ARTS AND
CULTURE COMMISSION.
VIII-15
EXPLORED THE FEASIBILITY OF A
SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT AS A
MECHANISM FOR ENHANCED SERVICES
IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
DELIBERATIONS ARE UNDERWAY BY
BUSINESS OWNERS.
3. PARKS & PUBLIC SPACES
4. HOUSING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
February 15, 2023
SEE SUMMARY APPENDIX AND QUARTERLY REPORTS ATWWW.HASTINGSMN.GOV/STRATEGICPLANNING
IMPROVED BEAUTIFICATION AND
MAINTENANCE OF PARKS AND PUBLIC
SPACES VIA A 5-YEAR PLAN,
ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE POSITIONS
AND ESTABLISHMENT OF A TRAIL HUB
WITH DAKOTA COUNTY.
ENGAGED WITH MNDOT AND THE
COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP
TRANSPORTATION CONCEPTS TO
IMPROVE THE HIGHWAY 61 CORRIDOR
IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE CITY'S
VERMILLION STREET CORRIDOR PLAN.
LAUNCHED A FACADE IMPROVEMENT
GRANT PROGRAM.
PURSUED AND RECEIVED
FUNDING FOR LAKE REBECCA AND
LAKE ISABEL PARKS' PROJECTS
TO REDESIGN THESE ASSETS
FOR RESIDENTS
AND VISITORS.
CITY OF HASTINGS STRATEGIC PRIORITIES - PAGE 2
2021-2023 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ADDED 200 JOBS IN THE CITY
THROUGH INDUSTRIAL PARK BUSINESS
EXPANSIONS AND A NEW BIG BOX
RETAILER.
EXPANDED LIFECYCLE HOUSING
THROUGHOUT THE CITY, THROUGH
THE APPROVAL OF 9
DEVELOPMENTS WITH A
TOTAL OF
500 HOUSING
UNITS.
VIII-15
1
CITY OF HASTINGS STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
2021-2023
Adopted by the Hastings City Council on September 6, 2021
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY APPENDIX
FEBRUARY 16, 2023
VISIT HASTINGSMN.GOV/STRATEGICPLANNING FOR PRIORITIES & QUARTERLY REPORTS
VIII-15
2
2021-2023 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Strategic
Priority
Initiative Accomplishments
People,
Processes,
Infrastructure,
and Finance
1.1 Multi-Year
Financial Model
✓ Analyzed preliminary budget
✓ Identified looming construction-related debt and advised council
✓ Identified inflationary assumptions and capital expenditures
✓ Continued to project revenue estimates
✓ Updated model with the final budget
✓ “Draft” model completed
✓ Finance Committee met 3/24 about options for Parks & Trails financial planning
✓ Presented overview at CC workshop 4/18.
✓ Using in development of 2023 Budget.
✓ Updated CIP/CEP through 2027.
✓ Used in development of 2023 Budget.
1.2 Diversity,
Equity, and
Inclusion
✓ Expanded job posting distribution to target diverse organizations for police
positions.
✓ Encouraged Council and management attendance at YMCA diversity sessions on
story development
✓ Organized and promoted events related to downtown mural about Hastings
diversity
✓ Several attended THRIVE’s “Creating a better story for Hastings” DEI sessions
✓ Expanded outreach to people who are not often heard from via online resources
o Online resources (such as presentations, design summary, assessment
information, project maps, online communications forms) during COVID to
reach more residents
o Encouraging 1-on-1 meetings via phone, Zoom, or in person with City Staff to
make comments and questions available and convenient to all
✓ Started using School District’s Peach Jar online tool to reach families.
✓ Hastings PD participated in the Polar Plunge with the Hastings Sharks
✓ The PD/IDEA participated in statewide events to showcase their successful
partnership; and the Communications Coordinator published and promoted a
story on the collaboration.
✓ The PD collaborated with Froth & Cork to host a Coffee with a Cop conversation
with neighbors who they don’t always hear from.
✓ The Community Engagement Officer and police focused on helping the
homeless population.
✓ The PD, Communications and United Way have partnered on programming and
outreach to people struggling with mental health, addiction and to warn of the
dangers of fentanyl in Hastings.
✓ The Community Engagement Officer, Recreation Coordinator and HPAAC
partnered to develop a new Art+Parks+Police series of events in city parks, to
engage with youth.
✓ New firefighter recruitment materials were developed to feature and attract
people of color and female applicants.
✓ Members of the management team will attend GARE sessions on DEI in April.
✓ Developed proclamations related to Black History Month and International
Women’s Month.
✓ Featured social media posts on Hastings’ Black History and LeDuc presentation
by James Curry.
✓ Submitted application to Dakota County for embedded social worker.
✓ Approve CIF funding for BR4R project.
✓ IDEA, Dakota County Social Services, 360 Communities, Ally Supportive, and
VIII-15
3
Hastings Ministerial Association involved in Police Chief interviews.
✓ City proclamation recognizing Pride Month.
✓ Pride Parade designated as special event.
✓ Assisted with funding and promotion of Drawn to the River, live painting public
art event.
✓ Planned and promoted new Rec + Art + Police event that reaches teens, tweens
and diverse populations through diverse programming.
✓ Administered employee engagement survey and initiated follow-up strategies to
improve engagement and belonging among employees.
✓ Updated Employee Handbook, ensured inclusive language throughout.
✓ Hearing Assist equipment in Council Chambers.
✓ CIF funding for BR4R project. Charette held 9/23. Presenting to City Council in
Nov.
✓ Comp & Class Study ensures compliance with pay equity.
✓ 2023 Budget includes employee engagement survey.
✓ Demoing new self-paced, online “Advancing Racial Equity in Government”
seminar from GARE.
✓ BR4R “Breaking the Silence: Remembering Brown’s Chapel AME” 10/23
✓ LMC “Exploring Race Equity” seminar 11/1
✓ Panel Discussion “Homelessness in Hastings” 11/16
✓ Embedded Social Worker starting 12/7
✓ Opened interest forms for new Arts & Culture Commission
Community
Image and
Public
Engagement
2.1 Strategic
Communications
Plan
✓ Identified 15 key stakeholders from various audiences to interview about the
City’s story
✓ Developed reporting plan, documents for communicating the City Council’s
Strategic Priorities
✓ Continued stakeholder meetings
✓ Expanded Rivertown News to a quarterly newsletter
✓ Met with 8 key stakeholders this quarter on listening sessions.
✓ Drafted summary findings for 4/18 work session
✓ Developed new weekly e-newsletter format to incorporate timely news and
Council action.
✓ Refined internal communications processes for Council and Staff; discussed new
approaches for employee communications
✓ Revised the City’s social media policy to follow the League of Minnesota Cities
✓ Refocused the State of the City and repurposed departmental interviews across
social media for greater visibility
✓ Secured news features on Hastings housing boom in Finance and Commerce,
Pioneer Press, and local media. Planned and aired interviews with John Hinzman
on housing development and produced an HCTV video on housing and
economic development in Hastings.
✓ Reviewed metrics and analytics for social channels, Google my Business,
Website, news announcements and new City Update e-letter. Established
benchmarks and goals.
✓ Participated in a table top lockdown exercise with PD, Fire, ISD 200, Dakota
County Sheriff’s to plan for communications in case of an emergency at one of
the schools and in the community.
✓ Revised plans and content strategies for reaching tourists, related to the Levee
Park event series (see tourism update section).
✓ Helped launch new Rec + Art + Police program with communications targeting
teens, tweens and diverse populations.
✓ Developed talking points and press releases for 2023 Budget and PFAS news.
✓ Developed key messages for key audiences
✓ Reviewed web, social media and e-newsletter analytics and developed report
VIII-15
4
✓ Attended MAGC conference and developed plan for enhanced social media
strategies for 2023.
✓ Built external communications strategies for reaching target audiences.
✓ Developed strategies for reaching underrepresented populations.
✓ Developed strategies for improving the user experience for website visitors, to
be implemented with the next web redesign.
✓ Developed a web governance strategy for web maintenance.
2.2 Tourism
Funding
✓ Applied for and received funding for a $5,000 grant from Explore Mn to increase
online marketing for winter and spring tourism campaigns.
✓ Reviewed metrics from Fall marketing campaign; currently developing Choose
Your Winter in Hastings campaign
✓ Updated the annual Visitor Guide in September
✓ Initiated conversations with O’Rourke Media Group to update printed trail
maps, including an expanded trail map that includes the Point Douglas Trail and
connection to the Greenway Trails that will highlight the top 10 trail attractions.
✓ Regularly review the U of M tourism study and use the suggested target
markets and other ideas for marketing plans
✓ Regularly update tourism attractions and events up-to-date with Explore MN to
take advantage of their robust email distribution list.
✓ Will send two chamber staff to the Explore Minnesota Annual Conference in
March.
✓ The "Choose Your Winter in Hastings" online campaign had a great reach with
364,000 impressions; however, the committee was hoping for a higher click
through rate. We believe this is because the campaign was focused on multiple
winter activities which made it hard to be specific with an audience. Will
continue to use Explore MN grant dollars for spring campaign focused on bike
trails and car shows using keywords.
✓ Chamber staff attended the Explore MN Conference in February. The Tourism
Industry is still struggling to recover with an estimated $12 billion loss since
2019.
✓ Experimented with using City advertising dollars on brand-building ads that
showcase the riverfront offerings, including large kiosk boards and social media
campaigns under the theme, “Plan your riverfront experience.” Attendance has
been up at all Levee Park summer events, and social media reach and
engagement has grown by double and often triple digits.
✓ Updated all events via Explore MN and used their email distribution lists, which
is ongoing.
✓ Presented annual marketing and lodging update to the City Council in October.
✓ Our visitors guide at the Minneapolis Airport & Mall of America attracts a lot of
attention based on the calls we receive.
✓ The new bike trail map has been wildly popular! We have distributed over 500
in less than 3 weeks.
✓ The board of advisors are proactively reaching out to Dakota County Parks to
keep communication open so we can actively promote the bison in Spring Lake
Park and the Greenway Trail connection once those both open.
✓ Rolled out Bird Scooters and promoted scooters as a new way to explore the
city.
✓ Collaborated on events with the Chamber, DBA, Carpenter Nature Center and
DNR related to tourism, such as an ice exploration event, ice fishing adventures,
and the show the love ice sculpture and valentine events. All brought visitors to
Hastings. the Ice fishing events were full with 160 and 145 participants in Jan
and Feb.
✓ New Community Investment Fund may help fund tourism-related initiatives.
✓ Chamber Tourism Board study of visitor demographics, PACER program.
VIII-15
5
✓ Chamber Tourism Board presented annual update to City Council 9/19.
✓ Levee Park Programming: 31 programs, over 8,300 attendees, increased
marketing
✓ Big Belly trash/recycle bins ordered for downtown with frames for poster ads
✓ CIF project: partnered with DBA for new holiday lights
✓ Launched Restaurant Week promotions
Parks and Public
Spaces
3.1 Parks and
Public Space
Beautification
✓ 1st maintenance season with team approach.
✓ Budgeted for Louis Lane Ponding Basin – FMR grant, pollinator friendly
✓ Budgeted and hired a Parkskeeper
✓ Posted for additional seasonal maintenance staff.
✓ Received donation from Tecla Karpen Estate to protect and enhance natural
habitats.
✓ Launched Community Investment Fund that could help pay for park and public
beautification projects.
✓ Green Corps member to help Forester.
✓ Approved plans to purchase Big Belly trash containers for the downtown and
Levee Park areas to alleviate already full garbage bins. Containers will allow for
custom marketing that could be used for educational trail and/or promotional
opportunities.
✓ Identified high-use / high-profile and underutilized locations.
✓ Installed new dumpster/porta-potty enclosure at Jaycee Park.
✓ Parks Commission working on Parks Five-Year Plan.
✓ 2023 Budget includes many park improvements across entire City.
✓ Parks Commission working on Parks Five-Year Plan.
✓ Parks Commission reviewing underutilized spaces.
✓ Partner with Dakota County for MRRT and VRGT
3.2 Vermillion
Street Corridor
Plan
✓ Conversations with various property owners near 5th and Vermillion of future
acquisition for redevelopment.
✓ MNDOT hiring HR Green
✓ Scope of study increased to be more comprehensive and technically sound
✓ HEDRA Block 28 acquisitions, focus on redevelopment for that area
✓ Façade grant program includes Vermillion
✓ Private projects – Jersey Mikes, Schlomkas, Pool & Spa - continued investment
✓ Two properties purchased by HEDRA near Vermillion and 5th for redevelopment.
✓ MN DOT beginning TH 61 planning for reconstruction
✓ $50,000 in façade grants have been fully expended for 2022.
✓ Hwy 61 Study – open house, surveys, follow-up meetings, DBA meeting, door
knocking to gather business comments along 61, pop-up tent schedule at
Rivertown Days.
✓ MNDOT presentation to City Council 7/5/22.
✓ MNDOT open houses with Chamber and with public 8/24/22.
✓ MNDOT online survey.
✓ HEDRA Façade Grant Program: $44K to 11 projects, leveraged $76K private
investment
✓ MNDOT and City outreach to businesses in corridor.
✓ Produced video with HCTV highlighting façade improvement grant project
results.
3.3 Lake
Rebecca/Lake
Isabel Parks
Renovations
✓ Submitted for and received DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant ($240k) for Lake
Isabel Park Redevelopment.
✓ Hired ISG Inc. to complete Design and Engineering for Lake Isabel Park
Redevelopment. 90% of plans just submitted to staff for review.
✓ Submitted grant application to LCCMR for $2m for Lake Rebecca Park
redevelopment/restoration.
VIII-15
6
✓ Held Corps of Engineers habitat management meeting in November to discuss
invasive species.
✓ Lake Isabel Grant-Received preliminary approval; awaiting final approval by
National Park Service
✓ New playground equipment ordered for Lake Isabel
✓ Design completed for Lake Isabel
✓ Secured $240K grant for Lake Isabel Park Redevelopment
✓ LCCMR awarded $1M to Lake Rebecca Park.
✓ Working on 13 step LCCMR work plan.
✓ Re-bid Lake Isabel Park.
✓ 14-acre land donation from Flint Hills.
✓ LCCMR approved action plan.
✓ Budget amendment and contract approved by City Council 7/18.
✓ Contractor Preconstruction meeting 8/29.
✓ Contractor coordinating undergrounding of powerlines.
✓ Lake Isabel Park construction started 10/19/2022, completion by 6/30/2023
Housing and
Economic
Development
4.1 Downtown
Special Service
District
✓ Met with DBA to determine potential activities for special service district
Met with City staff to determine costs and implications of services
✓ Met with downtown businesses.
✓ Estimated initial cost per property.
✓ Costs provided to Downtown Property owners to determine next steps.
✓ Continue to meet with downtown businesses.
✓ Awaiting further questions or petition to begin consideration from
business\property owners.
*Future Topics
People, Process,
Infrastructure
and Finance
Continue to
Improve
environmental
sustainability of
City operations.
✓ Approved idle reduction feature on new fire engine 8/16
✓ Purchased a hybrid squad, electric Zamboni
✓ Explored battery powered small equipment for parks and PW
✓ Installed solar lights at dog park
✓ Exploring federal funding
✓ Held House Capital Investment Committee tour to request funding for rooftop
solar panels on the arena.
✓ The Governor including the Hastings Civic Area improvements in the bonding bill.
Additional Senate presentations were made in the first quarter. If funded, these
would ensure a sustainable coolant option for the arena and solar heating
options.
✓ Initial discussions for private vendor installation of electric vehicle charging
stations at several public parking lots
✓ Contact with 2 companies for EV charging stations to install in 2023.
✓ Partner delaying potential EV stations until next year.
✓ HPD hybrid vehicle coming in Oct.
✓ HFD new engine has diesel idle reduction.
✓ Held an annual office cleanup day and diverted the following amounts from the
landfill by bringing them to the Recycling Zone in Eagan: 756 lbs. of electronics,
52 fluorescent light bulbs, and 61 lbs. of batteries.
Prepare for
likely health
advisory due to
PFAS.
✓ MDH presentation to City Council 9/6/22.
✓ Press release.
✓ Multiple meetings with co-trustees of 3M Settlement.
✓ MPCA hired Wood to analyze potential connection between Hastings water
supply and contamination.
✓ Meetings with state legislators.
✓ MPCA hired Wood for Phase One environmental review, completion due 1/6/23
✓ Meetings with state legislators
✓ WSB to provide quotes as consulting engineer
VIII-15
7
Community
Image and
Public
Engagement
Develop an
internal
communication
strategy focused
on council-staff
communication.
✓ Developed internal communications strategies for improved council/staff
communications, including scheduling a series of Council workshops, expanding
Council emails related to important topics, and more.
✓ Departmental work sessions with the City Council to gain deeper knowledge
✓ Developed 3-plus Thursday weekly emails to keep Council abreast of important
topics
✓ Expanded meetings with the Mayor and City Administrator
✓ City Administrator meeting with Councilmembers prior to each meeting.
✓ Started bi-weekly employee newsletter, The Bridge
Incorporate
elements of the
HPAAC Arts &
Culture Plan into
City goals and
initiatives.
✓ Sculpture project approved 9/7, installation 9/22
✓ Star Tribune article featured public art in Hastings on 9/26
✓ Renewed Arts Task Force and appointed 8 members in Jan 2022.
✓ An Arts Task Force has been formed and met multiple times. A Facebook post
was shared about their collaboration with BR4R.
✓ The Parks, Police and HPAAC collaborated to developed a series of events in
local parks this summer to reach youth.
✓ Task Force recommendations presented to CC 6/20/22. Referred to Planning
Committee.
✓ 2023 Budget includes public art project.
✓ 2022 Planning Committee meetings 7/13, 8/23, and 9/28.
✓ Recommendation for 2-year commission to City Council 10/17/22.
✓ City Council approved 2-year Arts & Culture Commission on 12/5/22.
✓ A call for new Commission members was promoted.
Install new
welcome sign
on Hwy 55
✓ Removed old sign by the library
✓ Engaged MnDOT to confirm the City is allowed one monument sign, and they
can help facilitate a limited use permit for this.
✓ 2023 Budget includes new welcome sign.
Parks and
Public Spaces
Hastings as a
trail hub.
✓ Dakota County RFP for planning Vermillion Greenway
✓ Partner with Dakota County on MRRT and VRRG trail corridors to transfer
ownership.
✓ Parks Commission discussion about wayfinding signs.
✓ 2023 Budget includes trail reconstruction by Roadside Park.
✓ Dakota County planning trail alongside Ravenna Road project.
Housing and
Economic
Development
Stimulate job
creation in
Hastings.
✓ Quality One expansion
✓ Fleet Farm to open and provide jobs
✓ Smaller retail and new businesses
✓ Sale of three industrial park lots
✓ Expansion of Quality One Woodwork
✓ Fleet Farm purchase of former Target
✓ Sponsored MN DEED Assistance Grants for the potential expansion of Intek
Plastics.
✓ Conversion of former Target Building into Fleet Farm. Addition of 150 jobs.
✓ Intek Plastics to create 46 jobs.
✓ HEDRA approved hiring Rokos Advisors for Industrial Park marketing. 7/14/22
Complete a full
housing
inventory
analysis to
guide
development
strategy.
✓ Housing continues to happen, develop
✓ CC workshop w/ CDA held 12/20
✓ Housing Needs Report Completed in 2020
VIII-15
8
Impact Studies
✓ Identified as a new initiative 10/2022
*Denotes ideas put forward by City Council members as important, but not yet added to the strategic
initiatives. As initiatives are completed, additional initiatives will move up as priority initiatives, based
on Council approval. See Page 16 of the City of Hastings Statement of Strategic Direction at
www.hastingsmn.gov/strategicplanning.
Additional City Initiatives and Efforts
The initiatives presented above should not be read in a vacuum. In many areas, the City is already undertaking aspects of the
initiatives. Looking forward 6 to 18 months, the City already has many initiatives that support each of the four Strategic
Priorities of this report. And these need to be balanced in terms of time and budget with decisions about new initiatives.
PEOPLE, PROCESSES, INFRASTRUCTURE, and FINANCE
Accounting Software – Current software is outdated, not user friendly, and has limited functionality in
remote-work environment. 2021 Budget includes funds to hire consultant to assist with vetting needs
and options. With budget amendment for new system, this could be implemented in Oct 2022.
Multi-Family Utility Billing – In summer/fall 2021, Finance Department will be updating process for
calculating utility bills on multi-family accounts.
2021 Audit – Annual independent financial audit monopolizes Finance Department time for several
weeks in February, April, and June 2022.
Update Personnel Policy – The last significant amendment to the City’s Employee Handbook was in 2012.
It needs to be updated to reflect policy and law changes since then as well as ensuring it meets
operations needs now and going forward.
Employee Engagement Survey – The City will be conducting a survey to gauge employee satisfaction,
performance, and perspective about the City as an organization. Information will provide insights into
areas for organization improvement and baseline data for future comparison.
Compensation & Classification Study – The City last conducted a comprehensive compensation and
classification study of all positions in 1999-2000. There have been periodic updates since then with the
last significant review in 2006-2007. Updating the study now would help with recruiting and retaining
employees as well as maintaining internal consistency. Hiring a consultant is estimated at $15-20K;
implementation may be phased in over a couple years.
Union Contracts – 5 collective bargaining agreements expire at the end of the year. Negotiation for
renewal contracts begins in late summer.
Photocopier/Printer Lease – Current lease expires at the end of the year and replacements need to be
decided by end of September. IT staff has asked for input from all departments before soliciting quotes.
City Hall Boilers – At 30+ years, the boilers have exceeded their lifespan and are requiring more frequent
repair. Replacing them with high-efficiency model is anticipated in 2022. This will be part of the City Hall
Dome Project (see Parks and Public Spaces priority).
LeDuc Security Cameras – DCHS has requested security cameras. MNHS requires a study prior to
approving camera installation. Staff has solicited quotes for study anticipating cost will be covered by a
grant.
Fire Department Study – The City has issued an RFP for a consultant to review staffing model, workload,
service calls and their impact on Department performance.
VIII-15
9
Ice Arena Refrigeration System – The CIP anticipates a $1.8M project in the next couple years to upgrade
the refrigeration system from R-22 to an ammonia-based system. We have requested state bonding
support for this project.
Police Hiring – Two long-tenured officers are retiring in Oct/Nov 2021. The hiring process for these
positions can easily take three months.
Plan for 2022 Neighborhood Project – Design and engineering work for the 2022 Neighborhood Project
actually begins in the summer of 2021, so it is ready to bid early in 2022.
COMMUNITY IMAGE and PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Administrative Citations – City Council has approved the concept of administrative citations as a
streamlined mechanism for responding to property maintenance and similar code violations. This would
require changes to the City Charter and City Code. We are presently seeking individuals to serve on the
Charter Commission to start the process.
State of the City – All City departments, particularly Communications, have considerable time in
preparing this annual presentation in February.
National Night Out – During National Night Out in August.
Fire Department Open House – During National Fire Prevention Week in October.
Machinery Hill – During Rivertown Days in July.
Police Week – During National Police Week in May.
Party in the Park – During National Parks & Recreation Month in July.
PARKS and PUBLIC SPACES
Mural – Contract with the artists and HFS has been extended for the mural to be painted in mid-August
to early September. Communications is planning a press release and other publicity.
City Hall Dome Project – The City has hired architects from Miller Dunwiddie for repair/renovation of
the City Hall dome, as well as HVAC and climate control systems. Updated cost estimates and
construction documents are anticipated in fall 2021, with construction planned for 2022. This project
has $2M in state bonding support.
No Wake Ordinance – Washington and Dakota County Sheriff Departments are studying appropriate
river speeds over the summer and expect to make recommendations to their respective boards in fall
2021.
Flint Hills Land Donation – The Parks Department is working with Flint Hills Pine Bend on a land
donation and conservation easement to add to open space of the Lake Rebecca and River Flats Parks
area.
VIII-15
10
EAB 2021 Implementation – Approximately 49 boulevard trees have been identified for removal and an
additional 90+ for mandatory treatment. The City adopted a hardship relief program to offset removal
costs for eligible residents.
EAB 2022 Survey – During winter 2021-2022, Forestry staff will continue inventory of boulevard trees
and identify additional ash trees for removal or treatment. This will be the second of a four-year survey.
HOUSING and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Review Zoning and Development Code- Review changes to ensure consistency with the Comprehensive
Plan and development standards of the market. Money approved for Zoning Code update to be
completed in 2023
Shoreland and Critical Areas Ordinance - Adopt changes to the Shoreland and Critical Areas Ordinance
consistent with MN DNR regulations. To be completed by Spring of 2023.
Architectural Assessment of Downtown Buildings - Hire a consultant to complete an inventory of the
architectural and structural conditions of historic downtown buildings. Assessment not completed but
Façade Improvement Grant initiated in 2022 and will continue in 2023
Review Existing Incentive Programs - Review HEDRA loan, and land incentive programs to ensure they
meet current needs. To be completed by the end of 2022.
Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Visits - Conduct at least 12 visits annually and provide survey
report to HEDRA. Ongoing.
Business Drop-in Visits - Complete at least 100 unique business cop ins per year and provide semi-
annual updates to HEDRA. Ongoing.
Blight Identification - Proactively identify and pursue code enforcement violations. Review Revolving
Loan Fund to better target towards properties.
Improvements to Development Process - Meet with at least six commercial residential developers that
have completed projects in the last three years to determine any necessary improvements.
Descriptions
Completed
In Progress
Behind Schedule
Delayed, Not Started
VIII-15