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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-05 Council Work Session Agenda Packet *Includes Materials - Materials relating to these agenda items can be found in the House Agenda Packet by Door. The complete Council Agenda Packet is available electronically on the website at www.ci.corcoran.mn.us. Corcoran City Council Goal Setting Work Session Agenda January 5, 2019 - 9:00am 1. Call to Order / Roll Call a. 9:00 am – 9:15 am – Section 1: Welcome/Overview i. What is the purpose of the goal setting work session ii. Overview of process and desired outcomes iii. What is a vision? Importance of a vision now iv. Discussion Corcoran’s opportunity b. 9:15 am – 10:00 am – Section 2: Successful Cities i. Attributes of successful cities c. 10:00 am – 10:40 am – Section 3: Future Corcoran i. Corcoran in 2040 ii. Corcoran in 2060 d. 10:40 am – 10:45 am - Break e. 10:45 am – 11:15 am – Section 4: What if? i. What would you change? ii. What amenities would you add? iii. What services would you add or improve? iv. What should we stop doing? v. What would you do with $10 million? f. 11:15 am – 11:45 am – Section 5: Core Values i. Core values discussion ii. Do our values need to be adjusted? g. 11:45 am – 12:30 pm – Break for lunch – box lunches provided h. 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Section 6: Core Focus/Vision i. Core focus discussion – mission statement ii. Vision statement i. 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm – Section 7: 10 Year Target i. What do we want to accomplish by 2029? j. 2:00 pm – 2:05 pm - Break k. 2:05 pm – 2:45 pm – Section 8: Short-term Priorities i. 3 year picture ii. 1 year plan l. 2:45 pm – 3:15 pm – Section 9: Clarity i. Recap of core values and core focus ii. Recap of 10 year target iii. Recap of 3 year picture and 1 year plan iv. Discussion on next steps 2. Adjournment The City Council met for a goal setting work session on Saturday, January 5, 2019. The following is a recap of that discussion. Section 1: Welcome/Overview The session began with an overview of the day including the process, logistics, and desired outcomes. This section also discussed the importance of a vision and specifically why a strong vision is so important at this time in Corcoran. Section 2: Successful Cities The Council discussed cities that come to mind that they enjoy spending time in. These included Grand Marais, Waukenabo, Baudette, Starbuck, Appleton, Rainly Lake, St. Anthony Village, Stillwater, San Jose CA in 1970’s, Flagler Beach FL, towns in Spain with central gathering spaces. The Council then discussed why these cities come to mind: Connected to the outdoors, community facilitates the wonder and natural beauty that exists, small, no stop lights, move slow, have what I need, people flock to these towns, go to other places to get things, shopping not a major attraction, comfortable, safe, neat/clean, opportunities for recreation/open space, jobs/business development, good education, access to things families want/need (shopping, exercise, recreation, employment, coffee), aesthetically pleasing, good shops, convenient and easy, quaint/friendly, nice landscaping, schools nearby, shop in town, work in the cities, revolve around natural landscapes, parks and trails, housing/roads that work with the natural landscapes, central gathering places, festivals, schools, job opportunities, shopping, parks/trails, recreation opportunities, connected by trails, have an identity, safe, well run city that is service oriented. Next the Council discussed which of the above items we are missing in Corcoran. Discussion led to the most important items we are missing being places to meet with people and jobs (industrial park, diversified tax base, etc.) Section 3: Future Corcoran The City Council discussed what Corcoran should look like in the year 2040. Answers included the following:  Connected, places downtown that don’t feel artificial, can ski, snowmobile, ice skate, smell fresh air, get away from the city  Still growing, more opportunities for recreation, shopping, education, etc.; east side developed with housing, a downtown, small businesses, and light industrial; destination park for recreation/open space, Jubert lake path; housing for all stages of life; established fire department; destination amenity (such as sport shooting facility); western Corcoran still ag/rural  Access to schools, shopping, and job opportunities; small scale version of cities with amenities of all types  Larger parcels of open space, multi-purpose trails, shops people can walk/bike/drive to, job opportunities, continued community events  Well-defined unique downtown with central square, extensive parks/trails, Rockford schools in Corcoran, diverse businesses for needs/employment, rural Corcoran has mix of hobby farms, clusters of homes, ag The Council next compared the above responses to the draft 2040 comprehensive plan and found it to generally match with the plan. The Council then discussed briefly what Corcoran could look like in the year 2060. Section 4: What if? The Council discussed answers to the following “what if?” questions:  What if you could change two things about Corcoran? o Clean up the city and make more attractive, make easier to get outdoors, stick to City Code on housing spacing, welcome area for businesses without handouts, roads paved, safer intersections, better town center, more commerce/increase commercial tax base, consolidate school districts  What if you could add any amenity?” o The River Inn, a meeting place, park at Jubert Lake, places to eat or have coffee, City water system, waterpark  What if you could add or change any service? o Forest management plan, fire service near City Hall, internet, code compliance, gravel roads paved and all roads adequately maintained  What if we could stop doing something? o Actively recruiting rooftops, worrying about signs, stop running the community like it’s 1950’s, stop holding back on code enforcement, mowing ditches in established communities  What if we had $10 million and needed to spend it in 2019? o Tax cut, buy land for outdoor recreation, bike paths, remove solar farms, fire station, water tower, pave roads, infrastructure, items that will spur new development, development of water system and business park west of existing downtown o Section 5: Core Values The Council discussed and re-affirmed the following City Values: Honesty, Ethics, Integrity We believe that honesty, ethics, and integrity are the foundation blocks of public trust and confidence. Community Pride and Partnership We believe in creating a strong sense of community through partnerships with civic organizations, school districts, and local businesses. Efficient and Effective Service Delivery We believe providing services to residents and businesses in an efficient and effective manner makes government easier to work with and creates a business friendly environment. Community Safety We will protect the community by maintaining or improving safety through police and fire protection and by investing and maintaining the infrastructure of the City. Fiscal Responsibility We believe that the prudent stewardship and opportunistic investment of public funds is essential for confidence in government and to position the City for future success. Transparency We believe that open an honest communication is essential for an informed and involved citizenry. Processes and decision making should include opportunities to educate citizens and receive feedback. Responsible Decision Making We believe it is the responsibility of the City to address difficult issues now in order to avoid larger more difficult issues in the future. Section 6: Core Focus/Vision The Council discussed the core focus or mission of the City and re-affirmed the following mission statement: Mission Statement The City of Corcoran will provide high quality public services in a cost effective, responsible, and professional manner in order to create a preferred environment to live, work, play, and conduct business. The Council next reviewed and re-affirmed the following vision statement for the City: Vision Statement The City of Corcoran will become a vibrant community focused around a thriving town center while preserving its natural character and agricultural roots. In order to achieve this vision, the City will seek to work with partners to accomplish the following outcomes:  A variety of housing options for all ages and stages of life existing in cohesion with the natural environment  A well connected parks and trails system with options for year-round recreation and opportunities for residents to connect with nature  A safe and clean community where residents can be proud to live, work, and play  A variety of high quality schools are available to residents and work in cohesion with the City’s vision  A variety of commercial and industrial businesses exist to provide for most services and jobs for the community Section 7: 10 Year Target The Council next discussed some of the items it would like to have completed by the year 2029:  City park development completed (not necessarily all the land developed but the project completed)  Fire station completed and operational  Downtown (town center) development started  Industrial park/commercial district established  Some gravel roads paved  Off-road trail system established  Developments connected to downtown  Formal snowmobile trails established  Sufficient space exists for public safety  City staffed City Planning  Corcoran water system or joint/regional system in place  Improved water quality (creeks, stormwater management, etc.)  Reduction in crime/drugs  Increased code compliance  Park at Jubert Lake  Incentives in place to protect/preserve natural resources through development  Compost site or option in place Section 8: Short-term Priorities The City Council next discussed the short-term action needed to complete those items and selected the following action steps for 2019:  Develop a master plan, finance plan, and select amenities for City Park  Develop a needs assessment, action plan, and finance plan for fire service  Complete the update to the southeast district and town center plan; complete a stormwater management plan for the town center  Decide on request for contribution to the Dayton Parkway Interchange project  Develop a low cost option to pave gravel roads; establish criteria to select roads for paving; push legislative priorities which includes street funding options  Identify all existing easements/right-of-way the City has obtained for trails, etc.  Complete a feasibility study for trails along selected County Roads  Identify preferred snowmobile routes  Evaluate staffing and space needs for public safety  Evaluate the need for a City Planner  Complete studies needed for water system options  Investigate options to reduce the use of salt/chloride; apply for funding to complete an additional subwatershed assessment  Provide an update on the existing crime/drug action plan; create a new plan for next steps  Execute code enforcement plan  Consider updates to the Open Space and Preservation ordinance and other ordinances to establish incentives for protecting/preserving the natural environment through development  Review compost site options Section 9: Clarity The Council reviewed the recommended action plan and requested staff present a work plan to complete the items at an upcoming meeting. Other Throughout the meeting a variety of other topics came up. It was requested that staff follow up with additional information on the below items:  Topography of Corcoran; affirm the belief that the City has rolling hills and elevation changes  Provide information on similar population and size (geographic) communities  Information on history of Lions park  Review ordinance updates to allow a taproom or distillery  Discussion on ditch mowing  Review of the firearms ordinance