2026.01.26 CC Packet - Goal Setting Workshop

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Single-Family regulations. With the market trending toward higher housing prices, and requests for smaller lots, the Planning Commission has initiated a discussion on zoning standards for single-family development. This discussion is running parallel with the apartment discussion and will be completed this year. Development Review. Ongoing review of developments in 2026 will include a multitude of residential projects, with many of them occurring along the 165th Street Corridor. The staff has received an application for development of much of the land along County Road 8. 2050 Comprehensive Plan. This plan must be complete by 2028, and the City will likely not begin this formal planning process until late in 2026. Prior to that, the City has identified urgent needs related to land use and infrastructure planning due to recent events along Hwy 61, 165th Street, and Elmcrest Ave that might cause us to begin planning work on small area studies. The ongoing review of apartments and single-family uses will affect the comp plan, as will new Met Council requirements for residential development density. The White Bear Lake Work Group recommendations may also have consequential impacts to the long-range development of the city. Unlike the 2040 plan, which was a simple plan update, the 2050 plan is lining up to be a major undertaking. Administration and Finance: Staffing. The City budget includes a vacant position for Deputy Clerk or something similar that could fulfill needs in a variety of areas including improved coordination of City-wide communications, website management, social media efforts, and room rental coordination. There are likely to be needs within the Finance Dept for additional help. The Fire Chief is evaluating the Fire Marshal’s job duties, and the Public Works Director has identified a need for help to assist the Public Works Mechanic. Personnel Policies. Council has recently adopted the new City Personnel Policy, which was a major staff project in 2025, and includes changes as required by the many new State and Federal mandates concerning employment and benefits. The policies are being implemented starting January, 2026. Fiscal Policies and Bond Rating. These policies have served the City well. Over the next year or two, the Finance staff will consider supplementing these policies with new measures that could improve the City’s bond rating. Software & Technology. The City uses some aging software packages that help manage all Finance and Building Department operations. These old platforms will not be supported by the software vendors beyond 2026. The City needs to upgrade these software packages. Funds have been budgeted for software upgrades this year, and staff anticipates choosing a vendor and implementing new software this year. Software changes of this type are typically time-consuming and disruptive. Hopkins Schoolhouse. The Hopkins Heritage Center has formed into a 501c3 to manage the restoration of the schoolhouse. The Council will discuss whether to assist the non-profit to accelerate the completion of the project.