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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.01.22 CC Packet - Goal Setting AGENDA City Council Goal Setting Workshop City Hall Council Chambers Monday, January 22, 2023 6:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order and Roll Call 2. Overview  Highlights of 2023  2024 Objectives 3. Selection of 2024 City Goals 4. Direction to Staff 5. Adjournment TO: City Council FROM: Bryan Bear, City Administrator SUBJECT: 2024 Goals DATE: January 17, 2024 for the City Council workshop of January 22, 2024 BACKGROUND: Attached to this memo is a copy of the 2023 Goals approved by the City Council last year, as well as the 2024 goals that were discussed in recent weeks by the Parks Commission, Planning Commission, Economic Development Authority and Historical Commission. I’d encourage you to review this information as you prepare the City’s goals for 2024. As you know, staff uses the goals developed by the Commissions and City Council to direct our work priorities in addition to our daily work assignments. As you consider setting the City’s goals, below is a review of projects the staff anticipates spending time on in 2023 based on prior Council direction and upcoming topics: Infrastructure: Pavement management program: The condition of city streets worsened substantially during the 2022/2023 winter. The severe winter accelerated the deterioration of streets and led to the Council’s decision to add an additional $500,000 of the annual property tax levy to fund the streets CIP starting in 2024. Staff is anticipating rating all city streets in the spring, which could lead to a re-prioritization of street improvements for the next 5-year CIP. The 2024 street project will include the streets within the Dellwood Ridge neighborhood and 125th Street. Bridges: The Engineering staff has prioritized replacement or repair of two bridges. The Forest Road bridge north of 175th Street and the Fable Hill Parkway bridge. The City is currently seeking bridge bonding funds from the state. Infrastructure Planning: 165th Street is primarily gravel between Hwy 61 and Elmcrest. The road will need improvements, including paving due to development pressures, anticipated increases in traffic volumes, and the need for traffic to the south to have better connection to a collector street. Improvements for this road are not budgeted. With Council direction, staff would like to prepare a construction and funding plan for this project. CITY OF HUGO MEMORANDUM Otter Lake Road. The City of Lino Lakes is planning to extend Otter Lake Road as early as 2025. The road would extend north from CSAH 14 and will join Elmcrest near the main entrance to Heritage Ponds at the Hugo border. Then, the road would continue north along the Elmcrest route to Forest Lake and Coumbus. Coordination of this project involves 4 cities and both Anoka and Washington Counties. Elmcrest is gravel north of 158th Street. If the first phase of the Otter Lake Road project terminates in this vicinity, it will dump large volumes of traffic onto a gravel road. For this reason, Hugo and Lino Lakes must begin planning for either temporary paving or permanent improvements to Elmcrest from 158th Street north to 170th Street. Hwy 61 is undergoing a visioning study, which will likely be complete in 2024. We are anticipating the removal of transit from this transportation corridor, which changes right-of-way needs, removes access controls and will impact future land use planning along the corridor. Following completion of the study, we anticipate a discussion surrounding a “turnback” of the road to Washington County, and a discussion on needed corridor improvements in connection with a turnback. Turn Lanes on Hwy 61 between 140th and Frenchman Road are scheduled to be lengthened in 2025, along with modifications to traffic signals. Staff is involved in the planning and implementation of this improvement with Washington County and MnDOT. Ditches. The Rice Creek Watershed District plans to finish a significant maintenance project along Judicial Ditch #3 this winter. The ditch runs through multiple neighborhoods and work has been very noticeable. City & RCWD staff are preparing for a project to complete the last major section of Judicial Ditch #2. The goal (weather permitting) is to complete all major ditch maintenance work in the City. Following that will be ongoing minor maintenance. City staff will be working with the RCWD on an agreement concerning how to do this, who does it, and how the work is funded. Water: White Bear Lake Lawsuit. We expect a decision from the Administrative Law Judge concerning our water appropriation permits this spring. Following this decision, the City may have several action steps to take. In January, work begins on the White Bear lake Comprehensive Plan Work Group, which is looking for solutions to the lake problem. The Group includes Council member Phil Klein as a key member. Stormwater re-use. The City is working toward a goal of 100 million gallons of storm water re-used through this program on an annual basis. Construction is ongoing on several new projects that will be privately managed by Homeowners Associations. Staff continues to seek outside funds and project ideas for other re-use projects. Staff is working on a project this year with the Rice Creek Watershed District to evaluate the successes and failures of these projects, with a hope to improve processes that lead to their construction. We also hope to identify possible enhancements to existing projects. Water Conservation. We will continue to seek new ways to lead in this area, but work has been hampered by the White Bear lake lawsuit. Regional water studies that impact Hugo continue to be developed and updated. Staff reviews this data, participates on many task forces and committees and is involved in regional discussions involving water use. Phil Klein remains as a member of MAWSAC. Fire Department: Administration. The City has hired a full-time Fire Chief, who is now developing a work plan that incorporates Council’s objectives. The Chief has been collecting feedback from direct interviews with firefighters, with the next step being to consider implementation of changes to the organizational structure, along with some operational adjustments. The Chief also intends to focus on new firefighter recruitment, as well as maintaining the proper culture and work environment within the department. Parks: Trails. City staff is partnering with Washington County to find funding for the construction last section of the Hardwood Creek Trail. Funds are being requested from the State’s 2024 bonding bill. Planning for the Glacial Hills Regional Trail through northern Hugo will continue in 2024. Construction plans are being created for trails through the Bernin Property. If conditions allow, the Public Works staff will clear land for informal nature trails in the Oneka Place and Hugo Meadows areas. Trails in Clearwater Creek Preserve will be discussed more fully following completion of the other trail projects. Trail Maintenance. Many sections of Existing Trails are in need of maintenance, and staff has been creating a trail ratings program similar to the system that is used to rate streets. Once those ratings are finalized, staff will discuss with Council the need for a more formalized trail maintenance program to be considered for approval within the City budget. The city needs to develop a better strategy for dealing with “willow-pops.” Veteran’s Memorial at Lion’s Volunteer Park. Space for such a memorial is provided within the park, and Council has expressed some support for it, but it has not been built. Staff would like to begin to find partners for this possible future project. Bernin Property. All buildings have now been demolished. In 2024, the Parks Commission would like to complete the construction planning and survey process, and apply for a DNR grant to fund improvements, which could begin in 2025. North Star Wetland Bank. Is a project behind the new elementary school that would involve creation of a wetland bank and addition of a trails network. Staff intends to continue through the design and permitting process in 2024. Neighborhood Parks. For 2024 and 2025, the Parks Commission plans to replace playgrounds and make site improvements in Oneka Ponds Park and Diamond Point Park. Programs. Since Covid, many of the community programming options that were previously provided through our many community partnerships, are no longer available for a variety of reasons. Staff will begin to develop a strategy to increase programs and special events available to our residents. Planning: Downtown Hugo and city-owned property. With the developer cancelling plans for this project, the EDA will determine what the next steps are with the project. Local Affordable Housing Aid. The City will now be receiving funds from the State that must be spent to support affordable housing. Staff will either need to develop its own program for use of these funds or contract with Washington County CDA. Staff will prepare information for a workshop to discuss this program with Council. City’s Shoreland Ordinance. Will need to be evaluated following DNR resistance to the City’s downtown planning efforts. Elsewhere in the City, the shoreland rules do not make sense in the context of development applications, and the rules are inconsistent with conservation goals. Highway 61. Connected to the Highway 61 visioning study, changes to this corridor may trigger the need to update other sections of the City’s Comprehensive Plan Apartments. Reacting to recent development approvals and new concept plans showing apartments, the Planning Commission adopted a goal to evaluate whether higher density residential development should be encouraged in more areas of the City. This is a significant question that could impact sections of the City’s zoning ordinances and Comprehensive Plans. Discussion of High-Density Residential projects has involved land guided for commercial or mixed-use. In those circumstances, it would be prudent to also review the mixed-use areas, and commercial zoning districts. City staff may seek help from consultants for this significant task. Single-Family regulations. With the market trending toward higher housing prices, and requests for smaller lots, the Planning Commission would like to consider whether the standards for single-family zoning should be changed. Commercial and Industrial Design Guidelines. The City approved construction of 3 buildings near 130th and Fenway with architectural metal as an exterior finish. The approval required a variance, since metal is prohibited as a primary building material. The Planning Commission is expected to evaluate and recommend whether to allow alternatives such as this in our allowed construction standards. Cannabis. Use of Cannabis is now legal, and sale of it will be legal in early 2025. Before then, the City will need to update its zoning rules and must decide how and where and to what extent cannabis will be sold and/or manufactured in the City of Hugo. Development Review. While there are multiple development projects that have been approved or are proceeding through the review process, staff is anticipating a slower year in construction and permitting activity in 2024 due to prevailing economic conditions. Administration and Finance: Election. 2024 is an election year, including a primary in March. A presidential election is a significant work effort for the City Clerk, who will likely request staffing assistance with either a new intern, or the hiring of a permanent administrative position, which is currently budgeted and unfilled. A Deputy Clerk, or similar position could serve in a variety of roles including improved coordination of City-wide communications, website management, social media efforts, and meeting room management. City website. A new website is in the process of being designed and will be launched in 2024. Administrative Policies. There are several updates staff intends to evaluate in 2024 to the personnel policy. Staff also anticipates modifications to human resources practices, and payroll processes. The State has made substantial changes to statutes in 2023, which affect the City in several ways. The City will now begin preparing for the State’s new Paid Family Medical Leave Program. Tax Rates. The City has both an “Urban” and a “Rural” tax rate. Council has requested additional information on this topic. Staff will address with Council at a workshop in 2024. 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. Technology. The staff continues implementation of a document imaging system. Much of this conversion to electronic files has been complete, which is improving the way that service is delivered. Staff has also gone live with new software that allows for acceptance of on-line building permit applications and payments. Staff is discussing a new plan review system and is preparing to scan all old commercial building plans. As a result, much of the transactional business that used to occur at the front counter, occurs on-line instead. New A/V equipment was recently installed within the Council Chambers, Oneka Room and Peter Pedersen Pavilion. The City is now capable of performing hybrid meetings, and has expanded the ways in which the public can view and participate in meetings. Facilities. Staff intends to perform an in-house evaluation of all facilities to determine whether they continue to meet the needs of the citizens, and the working staff. We do not expect any immediate need for substantial improvements, however minor updates and upgrades might be advisable. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends council use the information provided to discuss and prepare a list of goals for 2024. 2024 Goals Economic Development Authority (EDA) •Stay engaged with the Highway 61 Visioning Study •Discuss and encourage small area planning in the area of 165th Street and Highway 61 •Evaluate commerically-zoned property in regards to uses, including residential. •Assist and encourage redevelopment and beautification of properties in downtown •Determine the future of the city-owned property on Egg Lake •Stay informed on Cannabis related laws and City Code revisions Development and Downtown Redevelopment •Continue low development costs •Continue business visits and the BR&E Program •Provide resource lists for business •Promote Washington County CDA grant and Open to Business Program •Discuss the future of cannabis businesses and their relationship with the City Maintain a Business Friendly Environment •Continue memberships of economic development associations •Stay informed with the progress of the Technology Corridor (I35E) planning •Continue to encourage and monitor infrastructure improvements to promote economic development Marketing / Promotion of the City •Continue partnering with local businesses and the HBA •Continue to partner with Washington County on its Economic Development Strategic Plan •Meet with property owners with property for sale to see if there is any way the City can help Partnerships 2024 Goals Planning Commission Approved by the Planning Commission at its Thursday, _______________, 2024 meeting. •Discuss zoning language and geographic considerations for high density residential apartment projects in the City •Evaluate and consider adoption of a mixed use zoning district •Evaluate and consider revisions to residenital zoning distirct regulations. •Discuss zoning regulations for cannabis. •Review and consider revisions to the Commercial and Industrial Design Guidleines related to new trends for building materials •Schedule regular Ordinance Review Committee (ORC) meetings Land Use and Design Topics •Monitor trends in planning and developments •Keep updated on land use related topics •Develop methods of communicating planning related issues to the public •Use the City's website to keep the public informed of projects completed and in development Training/Presentation Topics •Implementation of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan •Update ordinances/policies to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan •Stay informed of the Highway 61 Vsioning Study •Discuss small area planning on 165th Street and Highway 61 2040 Comprehensive Plan 2024 Goals Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission Approved by the Parks Commission at their December 20, 2023 meeting •Address trail and greenway connectivity with new developments •Pursue North Star Wetland Bank and trail construction •Construct passive trails near Oneka Place and Hugo Meadows •Support Washington County in completing the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail •Support Washington County in Master Planning the Glacial Hills Regional Trail Develop a network of multi-purpose TRAILS connecting neighborhoods to parks and open space •Provide for the changing recreation needs of our diverse population through partnerships •Seek partnerships with emphasis on the teens and youth to utilize park facilities •Evaluate recreation programs and plan new events and programs Utilize facilities to provide active and passive RECREATION options for all Hugo residents •Continually inspect existing parks and trails and maintain and enhance as necessary •Draft a park sign and landscaping replacement plan •Evaluate neighborhood parks and replace one playground as needed Manage and optimize all EXISTING PARKS AND TRAILS •Plan for construction of improvements to the Bernin properties and seek funding •Prepare constructions plans for Clearwater Creek Preserve trail improvements •Evaluate recognition opportunities at Lions Volunteer ParkExpand COMMUNITY PARKS •Actively utilize the Comprehensive Plan as a planning tool •Respond to resident input •Review development applications with respect to the Parks, Trails, and Open Space Plan and Park Dedication Policy Administer the Parks, Trails, and Open Space PLAN and POLICIES