2014-2015 Winter Source - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Winter 2014-15 TAXPAYER SERVICE 1. Continue to develop a multi-platform in- formation strategy that includes a relevant website, daily, weekly and quarterly news up- dates, and pertinent mailings on key issues; More consistent posting of Council, Commis- sion and Committee Minutes on the website 2. Create standard operating guidelines and taxpayer interaction reports to insure a 24 hour turnaround response on all taxpayer issues including an established FAQ section of the website; Continue a consistent and transparent method for taxpayer input that in- cludes Website polling, citizen surveys, focus groups and neighborhood meetings 3. Improve utilization of cable access capabil- ities and web streaming to maximize technol- ogy and inform the community via production of public affairs programming 4. Continue implementation of the Speak Your Peace civil dialogue project in coop- eration with Lake Elmo Elementary, Jaycees, Rotary, and other community groups 5. Continue development of Next Gen Lead- ers group for community building and leader- ship development. 6. Hold January through August Monthly Update Resident Meetings on downtown street/redevelopment plan LAND USE PLANNING 1. Adop the City Zoning Code 2. Complete functional master plan for the downtown based on economic metrics, in- frastructure needs and practical, taxpayer- driven input 3. Streamline and improve policies/proce- dures for the handling of routine land matters including but not limited to variances, site plan review, setbacks et al 4. Reduce the population expectations to 18,000 by 2040 by careful negotiations with the Met Council prior to the adoption of the 2015 System Statements, including the pos- sibility of reducing density expectations in sewer served areas and re-designating high density areas in the SE to commercial 5. Efficiently process / approve final plats, Gonyea, Chase, Pratt, Inwood and Engstrom for future housing developments as prescribed by the Comprehensive Plan if directed by the City Council 6. Resolve zoning conflicts with the Metropol- itan Airports Commission / MNDOT. Finalize crossing strategy with railroad 7. Develop a transit oriented development plan for Hudson Blvd to accommodate the Gateway Corridor Bus Rapid Transit system 8. Successfully manage development infra- structure construction to City specifications MUNICIPAL CODE & RECORDKEEPING 1. Convert paper files from years 2000-2012 to Laserfiche record retention 2. Prioritize 12 municipal code updates (1 per Month) to bring Lake Elmo Code into 21st century 3. Establish public document destruction plan consistent with MN State Statutes 4. Conduct, in the Spring of 2015, an Open Meeting, Data Practices and Ethics Seminar for all elected and appointed officials FINANCE 1. Execute against performance based bud- geting for the 2015 budget. Provide quarterly snapshot to City Council in April, July, Octo- ber and year end 2. Complete City’s comprehensive annual fi- nancial review prior to 2015 borrowing 3. Complete audit by May 15th; Maintain Moodys Aa2 Bond Rating, and Standards & Poors AA+ Rating 4. Implement ACH – credit card electronic payment system for fees, utility bills, etc. 5. Timely reporting of all assessments to Washington County and collection of fees for service, including escrow offsets of developer related operational expenses in 2015 6. Perform a global review of the existing sewer billing system to include examining fee structure for consistency and equity and mak- ing sure water usage is used as the gauge for sewer invoicing 7. In concert with Community Development department, maintain master development summaries for WAC and SAC connections 8. Complete and maintain water and sanitary sewer cash flow models 9. Create and maintain a global cash flow model that incorporates our future revenues and costs 10. Complete Capital Improvement Plan by July 1, budget draft by August 14, and publish budget books by October 1 PUBLIC SAFETY / QUALITY OF LIFE / BUILDING SAFETY 1. Effectively deploy the new 78’ aerial / en- gine and liquidate the old aerial for a fair price 2. Identify land, staffing, and equipment needs for a single centralized fire station 3. Finish the first round of business fire inspections by the end of FY 2015 4. Develop a 10-year staffing and budget strategy with the Washington County Sheriffs Office to manage growth 5. Reduce the number of chronic nuisance properties to less than 10 by the end of 2015 6. Improve permit review time to five working days or less City Looks to Adopt 2015 Plan of Work The 2015 City of Lake Elmo Plan of Work has been developed to reflect the governing principles established by the 2014 Lake Elmo City Council, which are: 1. Efficient, low cost taxpayer serviced-based government; 2. Disciplined and balanced market driven growth; 3. Well-ordered, low regulatory burdened quality of life From an operational standpoint five core ideas of local government have been applied to reflect public trust and accountability. First, our work must be proactive and taxpayer-centered. Second, the program must add value to the community in all aspects. Third, our operations must be efficient, stable and consistently fair. Fourth, program must be cross-functional and team based. And Fifth, staff members must be allowed to demonstrate expertise in their individual fields thus building trust with the elected officials.