City Council Minutes

Pursuant to due call and posted notice thereof, the Strategic Planning Meeting of the Victoria City Council was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Mayor Hershberger Thun in the Board Room at Holy Family Catholic High School

Present: Mayor: Mary Hershberger Thun; Councilmembers: Tim Amundsen, Tom O’Connor, Jim Paulsen and Kim Roden.

Absent: None.

Staff Present: Don Uram, City Administrator and Jennifer Kretsch, City Clerk

Others Present: None.
 

(1) STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE

Mr. Uram provided an update to the 2009 Strategic Plan as noted below.

1.  Develop long-term financial plan (LTP) to demonstrate the city's financial stability.

a. LTP has been prepared and presented to the Finance Committee for review and comment. Council review expected in February.
b. Summary of results

i. Financially stable in the short term.
ii. Without new development, expected to run out of lots within 3-5 years.
iii. New PW building and City Hall not feasible without significant new development (tax base) or a substantial increase in taxes.

2. Prepare cost estimates and schedule based on priority, years needed, and opportunities; incorporating the "Big Ideas".

a. 2010 – 14 CIP approved by Council on December 14^th.
b. Possible to fund all projects with current revenue sources except PW building and City Hall.

3. Seek new revenue sources/expense reductions to help offset future tax increases.

a. Fee schedule adopted by Council on December 14^th. No major modifications to the fee structure.
b. Outsourcing of "targeted" city services to considered.
c. Few other new revenue sources:

i. Franchise Fee
ii. Municipal Liquor

1. Improve Human Resources infrastructure and systems.

a. Employee benefits committee established.

i. Review of health care benefits
ii. Wellness program

b. PTO program developed and draft presented to the council in the 1^st qtr.

2. Align staff roles, responsibilities, and organizational structure to support the operations of the City of Victoria.

a. Reorganized PW Department.

i. Promoted Ann Mahnke to full-time PW Director
ii. Position dedicated to utilities
iii. Interviewing for PW Superintendent

b. Completed RFQ process for City Engineer

3. Implement appropriate training opportunities and resources for all Victoria staff.

a. Partnered with West Carver Regional Safety Group and MMUA for mandatory safety training. 2010 schedule has been established.
b. "Effective" writing seminar completed. Next seminar will be on "Effective" public speaking and presentations.
c. Individual Development Plans (IDP’s) need to be completed for all staff.

1. Develop and implement a Business Recruitment Strategy

a. List of potential businesses has been developed.

2. Create and launch a marketing plan for Victoria

a. Marketing brochure complete and will be mailed with January newsletter.
b. E-newsletters will start in February of 2010 after print brochure is mailed.
c. Destinations page "Discover Victoria" completed on website.
d. Completed preliminary cost analysis of extending utilities to 94 acre site. Estimated cost of $1.5 to $2.5 is prohibitive.
e. MOU signed with Marsh Lake Hunt Club to do master plan of the area as part of our grant from 1000 Friends.

3. Develop and implement a Land Trust Program

a. Carver County CDA and Kerber are working on a plan for two units in the Madelyn Creek project.
b. Met with representatives from D.R. Horton about land trust lots in Krey Lakes development.  Due to adjacent home prices and almost full build out of phase 1, CDA recommended that additional lots be negotiated with a future phase.
c. Met with representatives from Lennar about land trust lots in Rhapsody.  Lennar may be interested since they have purchased additional lots within the subdivision.

4. Construct a market rate senior housing project

a. CDA senior housing project tied to new City Hall facility not feasible at this time.
b. Staff continues to meet with providers of senior housing. Most recently with Sand Companies.

5. Ensure Victoria businesses remain viable

a. Goals from BR&E Report.

1. Coordinate transportation efforts with State, Regional, County and Local Agencies.

a. Quarterly meetings continue with MNDOT
b. TH 5 safety improvements scheduled for FY 2011. May be delayed due to timing of bridge reconstruction.
c. CSAH 18 working group established.
d. SRF preparing CSAH 18 scoping document. No city financial contribution at this time. Initial kickoff meeting was held on January 5^th.
e. SW Metro transit discontinued service to Victoria on December 14^th. Service will be restarted once demand dictates.

2. Monitor Government Legislation to determine impacts of mandates on the City.

a. Continue monitoring once legislature is in session.
b. Evaluate level of city participation on various policy committees.

1. Complete space needs analysis for new City Hall and Public Works Facility

a. Delayed due to financial constraints identified in the LTP.

2. Determine location of future City Hall and Public Works Facility

a. Delayed due to financial constraints identified in the LTP.

1. Complete Regional Trail Connections

a. Chaska/Victoria loop trail location determined
b. Preliminary cost estimate completed

2. Connection to Arboretum

3. Facilitate Bayfront Park Construction

a. Project tied to construction of Lakeside development expected Spring 2010.
b. MCWD grant of $18,207 awarded to city for project.

4. Create Amenities Tab with Website Links

a. Website updated

5. Develop and fund a trail and park maintenance program

a. CIP adopted by Council on December 14^th.

6. Develop/Implement Plan with funding sources for trails in neighborhoods

7. Design Programs to utilize facilities in the surrounding communities

a. Initial discussions underway with Waconia for pool use by Victoria residents.
b. Partnered with Deer Run Golf club to host a "Hook a Kid on Golf" program.

2010 INITIATIVES: In addition to the 2009 initiatives the City Council request the followings goals be considered in the 2010 Plan.

• Formalize financial policies and have new policies adopted by the City Council.

• Research a wind farm as a possibility of a new revenue source.

• Compile a list of homes that have access to water/sewer but are not connected. Evaluate the financial implications and present to the Finance Committee

• Solicit Request for Qualifications for City Attorney.

• Prepare Pay Equity Report for submittal to State of Minnesota in January 2011.

• Monitor Public Works staffing.

• Review and implement structural changes to Committees and Commissions.

• Focus the City Council on large scale items.

• Invest in technology for development (fiber/broadband).

• Develop marketing plan to attract technological businesses.

• Initiate discussions with corporations such as Cargill to see what amenities Victoria needs to attract companies like theirs.

• Initiate discussions with the Arboretum to see if 94 acres used for their vineyards.

• 94 acres

• Monitor lot inventory. In 2009 there was 200 lots available and 50 new building permits have been issued. Research development options for a multi-family structure.

• Review Design Standards for CDA homes.

• Continue to meet with senior housing developers.

• Research offering incentives for light manufacturing businesses that relocate to Victoria.

• Research pay for performance development marketing groups.

• Review growth guidelines and possible annexation of land.

• Create Linked in Network for City of Victoria.

• Create list of businesses or manufacturing that have sustainability, have BDC solicit small businesses.

• Incent private development.

• Expand MN Landscape Arboretum partnership.

• Research various leadership roles on Committees and Commissions that impact Victoria.

• Research publicity opportunities.

• LMCC – Broadband opportunity.

• A new City Hall and Public Works facility shall remain delayed.

• Review shared space opportunities for public facilities.

• Create an amenities list for items in a new City hall.

• Environmental study of Public Works site.

• Continue to move forward on Kirsch property.

• Include trail connection/construction at same time County Road 18 is constructed.

• Create a large scale trails connectivity map.

Mr. Uram stated the next step will be for staff to review the items for inclusion in the 2010 goals and consolidate them into the appropriate sub-goals. Once categorized, they will be presented to the City Council for approval and then the plan will be updated.

Mr. Uram discussed the council/staff effectiveness in certain situations. Mr. Uram requested direction from the City Council on how to responding to City Council requests, how much staff time and money to put into the responses. The City Council stated that Mr. Uram has the should make the decision on the timeliness, cost and staff time put into responding to City Council requests.

The workshop adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Vote: 5 ayes, 0 nays. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Kretsch
City Clerk