2017.01.17 CC Minutes - Goal Setting Workshop

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Hugo City Council Goal Setting Workshop Minutes for January 17,2017 Page 2 of 3 to consider were to establish a building maintenance and replacement fund, conduct a space needs study, consider technology upgrades now, and possibly purchase new tables for the Oneka Room at City Hall. Infrastructure, Parks, Amenities: Bear talked about infrastructure including parks and a new water tower. He said he felt it was important to not fall behind on trails and playground maintenance. Also to consider was paving gravel roads and constructing a garage for City vehicles. Bear recommend preparing for construction of the south water tower, and suggested using the Comprehensive Plan process to determine the community's wants. Staffing: Bear talked about the need for succession planning for retiring employees, possibly new divisions of the Public Works Department, and review of employee benefits. Staffing needs will be dependent on what the Council would like to accomplish. Other Projects and Activities: Updates to the Comprehensive Plan was going to be a top priority. Other things to consider were maintenance of stormwater ponds and reuse operations, water rate study, downtown redevelopment, and the next industrial park. The City could explore beautification efforts, plowing of sidewalks, expansion of compost options, single garbage haulers, fiber to City Hall, electronic business transactions, and determine the best way to communicate with residents in an ever changing technical environment. Bear recommendations included continuing with the Comprehensive Plan update and to think about ways the City communicates and conducts business. Council Discussion: Bear asked Council to consider the proper amount of service it wished to provide residents, and where the tax rate needed to be to accomplish that. He explained there may be additional revenue next year due to higher valuation on homes and new construction, so the pressure to increase the tax rate next year may not be there. Haas talked about resiliency, basing it on maintaining our independence and self-reliance. Some things to consider were water, computer access, and electricity needs. The City also relies heavily on the Public Works Department and could explore putting solar panels on the roof to help pay for things that need to be done. Petryk agreed solar panels for the Public Works building was a good idea to explore. She also thought the old schoolhouse could be a potential site for a new community theater if it was larger. Options needed to be evaluated. Klein talked about the maintenance of buildings and things that could be done such as LED lights, energy efficient windows, and maintaining the exteriors of City buildings.