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HomeMy WebLinkAbout15.F.2. Short Term, Medium Term Goals lS.~. J, CITY OF SHAKOPEE Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council PROM: Mark MeN e~ll, C~iy Adm~n~siraior SUBJECT: Short Term, Medium Term Goals DATE: January 16, 2003 INTRODUCTION: The Council is asked to affirm the goals, which were discussed for short term (up to 24 months), and medium term (2 to 5 years) durations for the City of Shakopee, BACKGROUND: On January 13th, the CouncIl met in a workshop setting to discuss goals and objectives, both short range and medium range for the City of Shakopee. Each Councilmember was asked to identify five goals and objectives for each of those time frames. Some Councilmembers had more than five suggestions. I have tried to consolidate where possible, and have identified the following goals and objectives as those of the City Council. They are ranked in descending order of number of references: Short Term Goals (up to 24 months) 1. Items tied for first with 4 votes: . Complete infrastructure improvements in Huber Park (River District sanitary Sewer reconstruction, and undergrounding overhead power lines)/Develop Huber Park. Status: Public Works Director Bruce Loney anticipates a Fall, 2003 project, if appropriate permits are issued by that time. The cost associated with the undergrounding of the overhead power lines is an item that I anticipate Shako pee Public Utilities will want to discuss. Whatever is determined will need to be consistent with what is required of other utilities throughout the community, . Do Public Works building remodeling upon Police vacating to the new building. Status: $175,000 is budgeted in 2003 for this work. That is to come from the Building Fund. An interfund loan has already been scheduled to complete the financing of the library and police buildings, but it is unknown at this time as to whether there will be a positive balance in the Building Fund at the end of 2003. If there is not, any work on the Public Works project this year will put the Building PundJurther into defidt. llowever, we believe the $175,000 is manageable. Public Works Director Loney is currently drafting a Request For Proposals for architects for the project. It will be important to have a professional look at this early, as there is a question now regarding how much "retro fitting" to meet current building and handicap accessibility codes will be triggered by substantial remodeling. If this 1975 structure is required to be brought up to today's standards, the $175,000 will not go far. This is in spite of using the talents of the Public Works employees as much as possible for construction. . Continue to work on construction of east-west roadway extensions - 17th Avenue and Vierling Drive. Status: The Vierling Drive extension between Adams Street and the Orchard Park Development has previously been ordered, and plans and specifications are being prepared. However, the fire station site needs to be determined - one neighbor appeared at a City Council who was concerned about the proximity of his home. Improving the buffering at the neighbor's property line would more less costly than relocating the fire station. Other alternative fire station locations might be on the Cal Haskins property (added cost), or on the west end of Lions Park, adjacent to Adams Street. 4. Item with 3 votes: . Continue code enforcement efforts Status: These efforts are currently continuing with the 70 hours per week scheduled for two CSO's; Code enforcement naturally decreases during cold weather months. Unless there is directive otherwise, staff will continue at the same efforts as last summer. 5. Items tied for fifth with 2 votes: . Rebuild Fourth A venue between Marschall Road and Shenandoah Drive. Status: The location of Shako pee Public Utilities headquarters building would minimally require improvements to only Viking Steel Road; however, sewer and water are needed to come from the west along Fourth Avenue. Therefore, it is more efficient to build Fourth Avenue at the same time, at least as far east as Sarazin Street, Given that, Fourth Avenue reconstruction would be most cost effective to continue all the way to Shenandoah Drive under s single contract. Assessments should be an issue; by law cities cannot assess cemeteries (meaning that there are more project costs to be distributed, or absorbed by the City). There do also exist deferred assessments from the Shenandoah Drive construction nearly 20 years ago against the Silver llawk property. Adding the Pourth Avenue proj~d Mst oj Sarazin will either generate development interest in the Silver Hawk property, or it could create some additional deferred assessments. . Review and improve architectural and development standards. Status: A public hearing for this issue has been set for the February 6th Planning Commission meeting. Staff has checked with other cities for model statutes,' however, there does not appear to be anything that might be used. Some of the issues that will be discussed by the Planning Commission are the same ones that have been discussed in Shako pee before, such as street widths, densities, and building materials. Anticipating action by the Planning Commission on February 6th, this could come to the City Council as early as March. . Affordable housing issues (with concerns about creating future problems). Status: This is an issue with which cities nationally have struggled. In areas where land costs are significant (as in Shakopee), an important element of affordable housing can be increased densities, as well as a relaxation of other development standards--some of those which are the same issues that will be discussed under the architectural and development standards issue listed previously. As this is being investigated, other involved parties should be invited to meetings to gather their input - builders/developers, school district personnel (to gauge impacts on school capital expenditures), Scott County HRA, etc. . Implement NAC's First Avenue corridor study. Status: The final report from the Northwest Associated Consultants is due back in February. This is a continuation of efforts in what has been, and will need to be a long-term commitment to improving the Downtown and First Avenue areas. . Fire Station referendum/construct Vierling Drive Fire Station. Status: Members of the Fire Department will need to start discussing soon the feasibility of a referendum to be held November 2003, if there is to be construction in 2004. It will also depend upon the extension of the Vierling Drive. Again, a location needs to be designated. The following issues received a single reference: . Adopt tree ordinance. Status: A woodland preservation (tree) ordinance will be heard by the Planning Commission on February 6th. It may come to the City Council as early as February 18th. . Construct Valley View Road from eastern terminus of pavement, to C.R. 83. Status: In order to minimize the chance of assessments being green-acred (deferred, so that the City has to pick up interim bond payments), this should be developer driven. The north side of Valley View Road is being sold for development; the south side is outside of the MUSA line. The City will also need to determine a storm water management plan for the area, including addressing the 593-acre parcel owner by the SMSC . Storm water management plan, including SMSC property, Status: See above; a comprehensive storm water management plan is necessary for development both east and west of C.R. 83. . Improve and maintain existing park properties. Status: Funding will be an issue - there has been concern expressed that the City may currently be devoting too many resources to recreation, and park maintenance activities. Some park improvements are to be funded through the Park Reserve Fund; as such, given the demands on that Fund, a referendum may need to be considered. An alternative would be a reprioritization of existing expenditures, or a change in policy permitting the acceleration of the collection of park fees (perhaps at time of platting). . Construct entrance monument signs at highway approaches to the City. Status: $25,000 had been proposed for each of two years to provide funding, beginning in 2002. However, that money was eliminated in the final budget as adopted. At least one local service club, and the Chamber of Commerce are also interested in seeing this completed. . Ensure financial integrity without tax increases. Status: Rather than a goal, I see that this is an ongoing expectation of the City of Shako pee. For that reason, I would propose not to have a separate general financial performance issue as a goal. . Update the City's comprehensive plan, including Jackson Township ~tatus: Jackson Township was included in the NAC study, which will be completed in February. Any changes in the Comprehensive Plan will be thenforthcoming to the Planning Commission, and City Council. Medium Range Goals (2 years - 5 years) 1. Items tied for first with 3 votes: . Expand and promote Downtown/First Avenue corridor Status: Again, this will be a long-range goal of the City. It won't all be completed in five years. . Construct a New City Hall Status: Funding will be the key to this, as there are other more immediate demands on the Building Fund. A new City Hall was determined to be the lowest priority of the four major building projects, after the library and police buildings, and a public works expansion. If the SJP A vacates the downstairs of City Hall, there will be sufficient space for a while, but by the end of five years, planning for a new building should be well underway. 3. Items tied for third with 2 votes: . Address SMSC partnership Status: The City, Scott County, and the SMSC will need to workjointly to address many issues, ranging from shared tree trimming activities in the burial mound area of Memorial Park, developing stormwater management and transportation plans, to Fee to Trust issues. It should be an ongoing goal to cultivate and maintain positive relationships with these Shako pee neighbors. . Park land purchases Status: $1 million is budgeted in 2003 for major land purchase, and negotiations are underway, The City will also work with neighboring Townships for potential locations. Given the demands on the Park Reserve Fund, it is possible that a referendum will be needed in the future. This is also an ongoing project, for as the City grows, so will the need for parkland. The earlier that sites can be determined and purchases made, the less expensive that land will likely be. . Tax Issues - keep increases under control, and reduce the subsidy of Park and Recreation Fund Status: Tax levels are somethingfor which there is an annual review (through the budget process). Subsidies to the Park and Recreation Fund will be a part of that; the policy issue for the City Council to decide is how much of park and recreation activities should be subsidized, vs. self-supporting. . 17th Avenue extension between C.R. 83, and Old Brick Yard Road Status: It is unlikely that this will be completed at the end of jive years. There are many annexation issues to be addressed on the west end. Regarding affordability, construction is most feasible if it is development driven. The following issues received a single vote each: . Construct Public Works salt storage building. Status: $95,000 is the amount identified in the CIF in 2003 for this project. A location will need to be established on the Public Works storage yard. The City will need to proceed soon with this, as the MPCA now requires salt piles to be covered by a tarp, . Provide for bigger facilities for Park and Recreation Status: If the focus is on expanding the Community Center, it is likely going to need a referendum. That is something that the P RAB is examining now. . Build partnerships with other cities and counties. Status: This is something that the City constantly looks to do for greater efficiencies, whether through such things as mutual aid agreements for police and jire, through the SJP A, or shared computer maintenance personnel. . Construct new fire station in Lions Park vicinity. Status: This is also listed under the short-term goals (up to 2 years). However, a third station in the Southbridge area will also be needed within jive years. That will require a referendum, and a resolution of the ongoing problem of MnDOT land acquisition. . Complete construction of Valley View Road east to C.R. 83. Status: See the comments in the short-term section regardingfunding of this project through either assessments, or by it being development driven, . Do housing code enforcement. Status: First, the City would need to adopt a housing code; these are typically not common in suburban areas. Then, there would need to be a commitment of resources for both enforcement and follow up, as this could not be done with existing staff. The adoption of a strict housing code may also impact affordability issues. Given time and resources available, it is recommended that those items that received more than one reference be established as the priority goals and objectives for both short term, and medium term goals. Those would be as shown on the attached sheets. The single-issue items should be monitored and be returned to the Council for concurrence before major added steps are taken to try to attain. Staff will report on those issues as they come up, A long-range, strategic goal setting process would be the next logical step in the City's Vlslomng process. RECOMMENDATION: I recommend that the short term, and medium term goals as shown on the attached sheet be adopted by the City Council. ACTION REQUIRED: If the Council concurs, it should, by motion, adopt the short and medium term goals as described. V4L ,^^-cJU ~ Mark McNeill City Administrator MM:th City of Shakopee Short Term Goals (Up to 24 months to accomplish) 1. Infrastructure ImprovementslDevelopment of Huber Park 2. Remodel Public Works Building 3. Provide for East-West Roadway Construction 4. Continue Zoning Code Enforcement Efforts 5. Rebuild Fourth Avenue from CR 17 to Shenandoah 6. Review and Improve Architectural and Development Standards 7. Discuss Affordable Housing Issues, and a Response 8. Implement NAC's First Avenue Corridor Study 9. Fire Station Referendum/Construct Vierling Drive Fire Station As time and resources permits, the following issues should also be addressed: 1. Adopt Tree Ordinance 2. Construct Viking Steel Road from Eastern Terminus of Pavement, to CR 83 3. Storm Water Management Plan, including SMSC Property 4. Improve and Maintain Existing Park Properties 5. Construct Entrance Monument Signs on Highway Approaches to the City 6. Update Comprehensive Plan, including Jackson Township City of Shakopee Medium Term Goals (2 Years to 5 Years to complete) l. Expand and Promote Downtown/First Avenue Corridor 2. Construct New City Hall Building 3. Improve SMSC Partnership and Resolution of Issues 4. Conduct Park Land Purchases for Community Parks 5. Address Financial and Tax Issues - Maintain Stable Tax Rates, and Reduce Subsidy of Park and Recreation Fund 6. Construct 1 ih Avenue From Between C.R. 83 to Old Brick Yard Road As time and resources permits, the following issues should also be addressed: l. Construct Public Works Salt Storage Building 2. Provide for Bigger Facilities for Park and Recreation 3. Build Partnerships with Other Cities and Counties. 4. Construct New Fire Stations as Warranted. 5. Complete Construction of Valley View Road East to C.R. 83. 6. Establish Housing Code Enforcement Activities