HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 15 - 2015 City of Lake Elmo Plan of Work
2015 City of Lake Elmo 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 (Note: This Governing Principles May Change After the New Council
is Seated):
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.
Taxpayer Service
Mission Statement: To provide the citizens of Lake Elmo with the most informed, efficient and transparent
customer service experience possible.
2015 Goals & Objectives
1. Continue to develop a multi-platform information strategy that includes a relevant website, daily,
weekly and quarterly news updates, and pertinent mailings on key community issues;
More consistent posting of Council, Commission and Committee Minutes of 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 includes website polling,
citizen surveys, focus groups and neighborhood meetings
3. Improve utilization of cable access capabilities & web streaming to maximize technology and
inform the community via production of public affairs programming (ie Meet the Mayor, Policy
Issue Focuses etc).
4. Continue implementation of the Speak Your Peace civil dialogue project in cooperation with Lake
Elmo Elementary, Jaycees and Rotary and other community groups.
5. Continue development of Next Gen Leaders group for community building and leadership
development.
6. Hold Jan- August Monthly Update Resident Meetings on downtown street / redevelopment plan
Land Use Planning
Mission Statement: To thoughtfully review the relationship between the City of Lake Elmo Comprehensive
Plan and development to insure that the open space character of the City is maintained while provide
essential public services to our taxpayers
2015 Goals & Objectives
1. Adoption of the City Zoning Code
2. Complete functional master plan for the downtown based on economic metrics, infrastructure needs
and practical, taxpayer-driven input
3. Streamline & Improve Policies /Procedures 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 possibility 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 (3), 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 Metropolitan Airports Commission / MNDOT. Finalize Crossing
Strategy with Railroad.
7. Develop a transit oriented development plan for Hudson Boulevard to accommodate the Gateway
Corridor Bus Rapid Transit system.
8. Successfully manage development infrastructure construction to City specifications
Municipal Code / Recordkeeping
Mission Statement: To create a City Code that is based on the development of an orderly community,
reflects state-of the-art municipal governance, and can be fairly understood and applied to the matter
regulated. To create a record retention system that provides orderly access and transparency.
2015 Goals & Objectives
1. Convert paper files from years 2000-2012 to Laserfiche record retention.
2. Prioritize 12 Municipal Code Updates (1 / 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 & Ethics Seminar for all elected and
appointed officials.
Finance
Mission Statement: To efficiently steward the tax dollars and other resources of the City of Lake Elmo in a
manner that eliminates waste, maximizes the investment of our residents and maintains an affordable tax
rate that is in the bottom quartile of MN Cities.
2015 Goals & Objectives
1. Execute against Performance Based Budgeting for the 2015 Budget. Provide Quarterly Snapshot to
City Council in April, July, October and Year End.
2. Complete City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Review prior to 2015 Borrowing.
3. Complete Audit by May 15th / Maintain Moodys Aa2 Bond Rating & 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. This
includes escrow offsets of developer related operational expenses in 2015
6. Perform a global review of the existing Sewer Billing System. This shall include examining our fee
structure for consistency and equity along with making sure we are using water usage as the gauge
for sewer invoicing.
7. In concert with the Community Development Department, maintain the master development
summaries for WAC & 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.
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Public Safety / Quality of Life / Building Safety
Mission Statement: To provide the resources and manpower to sufficiently protect taxpayers and their
property values from harm.
2015 Goals & Objectives
1. To effectively deploy the new 78’ aerial/ engine and liquidate the old aerial for a fair price
2. Identify land, staffing and equipment needs for a single centralized fire station
3. To finish the first round of business fire inspections by the end of FY 2015
4. To develop a 10 year staffing & budget strategy with the Washington County Sheriffs to manage
growth
5. To reduce the number of chronic nuisance properties to more than 10 by the end of 2015
6. Improve permit review time to 5 working days or less.
7. Implement hearing appeal process for Code Enforcement and Animal Control Issues
8. To develop and implement a strict “completeness” acceptance policy on accepted development and
building plans
9. Based on available budget implement remote inspection/correction entry into initial phase
Streets & Utilities
Mission Statement: To construct and maintain efficient infrastructure (streets and utilities) for the purpose
of providing safe thoroughfares, potable drinking water, and the elimination of waste.
2015 Goals & Objectives:
1. Construct water main line on Inwood to I-94 corridor including the planning for a Water Tower #4
2. Complete Phase One of Downtown /Lake Elmo Ave. Reconstruction Partnership w/ Washington
County
3. Prepare Phase Two of the Downtown / Lake Elmo Avenue Reconstruction Partnership w/
Washington County
4. Acquire land for Old Village Storm water Management Plan
5. Supervise to City Specification the developer constructed 5th Street from Inwood to Keats
6. Complete 201 System Analysis and make recommendations for future use
7. Reconstruct Eagle Point Blvd (on request) and assess 100% to business community
8. Complete PASR Rating of All Streets / Update Beehive Street Inventory and Mapping
9. Update Street CIP and Adopt 2016-2020 Street CIP & 2016 Feasibility Reports
10. Prepare Phase 2 Olson Lake Trail Sewer Extension for 2016 Construction
11. Develop and standardize regular maintenance plans for water valves, lift stations, reducing valves
and other utility mechanicals.
Sustainable Growth
Mission Statement: To allow Lake Elmo to develop as a community in an environmentally sustainable
manner at a pace that reflects “open space” character and marketplace realities.
2015 Goals & Objectives:
1. Adopt Redevelopment and Economic District for the Old Village (overlayed on the VMX area) via EDA
2. Develop policies on the use of economic development incentives including TIF, tax abatement,
business improvement district
3. To develop (EDA & Planning Commission) a business park in the SE quadrant at the corner of
Manning & Hudson Blvd. to optimize use and broaden the tax base
Transportation
Mission Statement: To develop efficient and safe local transportation policy that allows for orderly, lawful
traffic flow.
2015 Goals & Objectives:
1. Complete and approve a Highway 36 corridor plan;
2. Actively participate in the design process for Phase II of reconstruction of Lake Elmo Avenue in 2015
including the development of a downtown streetscape improvement plan;
3. Train DPW Staff in the use of PASER road rating system, rate the roads, and develop the 2016-2020
CIP program for street maintenance, reconstruction and reclamation
4. Develop a “hybrid” urban-rural street design that handles drainage, but maintains open space feel
5. Develop formal shouldering program for rural road cross sections
6. Construct 5th
Mission Statement: To provide for an orderly process that allows for all Lake Elmo residents to exercise their
right to vote.
2015 Goals & Objectives: 2015 is a non-election year.
Park & Recreation
Mission Statement: To develop a comprehensive and fully accessible park, recreation and trail plan that
provides use opportunities for all citizens.
2015 Goals & Objectives:
1. Conduct feasibility study, be included in the Washington County Parks Commission Master Plan and
obtain grant funding for the construction of the Lake Elmo Regional Trail.
2. Complete 2015 Park Commission Strategic Plan of Work (see attached)
3. Complete Sun Fish Lake Park Utilization Plan
Council/Commissions/Committees
Groundwater / Storm water / Environmental
Mission Statement: To balance the monetary realities with the protection of natural resources of the City of
Lake Elmo through carefully policy development, deliberate advocacy for clean groundwater, drinking water
and surface water, and proper management of storm water.
2015 Goals & Objectives:
1. Work with Continue to Pursue Economic Remedies of 3M Contamination;
2. Actively participate in the Washington County Groundwater Coalition to protect our water resources
and monitor policy being developed by the Met Council on groundwater allocation
3. Develop and implement a storm water pond and facilities maintenance plan consistent with the MS4
permit
4. Participate in the (5) lake coalition with the Valley Branch Watershed District to control Eurasian
Milfoil
Process / Procedure
Mission Statement: To create a lean and efficient government that properly stewards taxpayer dollars and
resources.
2015 Goals & Objectives:
1. Complete 37 standard operating procedure protocols in the DPW to standardize operations and qualify
expectations;
2. Design a functional decision making tree that allows Council & Staff to prioritize day to day functions of
departments to improve workflow & efficiency
Mission Statement: To establish the public trust in policy-making by creating a productive, trust-base
meeting process that is relevant to the issues at hand and civil in dialogue.
2015 Goals & Objectives:
1. Complete 24 policy-focused meetings & 10 technically-based workshops;
2. Complete a full departmental orientation for Council Members Elect Fliflet and Lundgren to
seamless transition to new Council
3. Continue the creation of a citizen based Committee structure utilizing the expertise of the
community;
4. Complete an error free, sound record-keeping and technically sound broadcast of all affected
Planning Commission and City Council meetings.
Human Resources
Mission Statement: To establish best practices in the recruitment, performance management, and overall
welfare of the employees of the City of Lake Elmo
2015 Goals & Objectives
1. Streamline and contemporize the City of Lake Elmo Employee Handbook;
2. Develop new annual review process for technical & management staff;
3. Conduct 6 (1 / 2 month) team building and morale enhancing functions with all staff
4. Continue to work on wellness and proper utilization of health / dental insurances to keep the
premiums affordable for taxpayers
Library
Mission Statement: The mission of the Lake Elmo Public Library volunteer program is to give community
members fulfilling opportunities to use their skills to enhance the lifelong learning of residents; to assist the
library staff in providing services and service enhancements that otherwise could not be achieved; and to
further the relationship between the public library and the community it serves.
2015 Goals & Objectives
1. Finalize Joint Powers Agreement between Library and Washington County so Lake Elmo residents
are spared the inconvenience of out of pocket expenses for Washington County Library access.
2. Work towards normalizing relations between the Lake Elmo Public Library and other libraries
throughout Minnesota, particularly Washington County, with the intention of inter-library loan
(including convenient e book access)
3. Establish more consistent and expanded evening and weekend hours.
4. Have paid staff person at the library during virtually all of the Library’s open hours.