Minutes - Council Work Session - 03/24/2015

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Mayor Strommen stated that may not be a financial stability or economic development piece but, perhaps, should be under Citizen Focused Government, of which Public Works is a huge part. Councilmember Shryock suggested it be moved or taken out as it is contained in the CIP. She also suggested revising the initiatives in this section to set a broader base /foundation for things that will occur. City Administrator Ulrich agreed with the suggestion to move the Public Works facility to Citizen Focused Government. He noted that the Strategic Initiative to Develop and Plan for Key Infrastructure Improvements could be broadened to include areas beyond The COR and TIF District #14. City Administrator Ulrich stated staff will do an analysis of where economic development can occur as a result of infrastructure improvements. The Council offered no additional suggestions on that section of the Strategic Action Plan. Councilmember Riley referenced Tactic 7 and asked if other agencies are also showing it as a top priority. City Administrator Ulrich stated it is a top priority for Anoka County. Councilmember Riley asked if the Strategic Action Plan should mention that Ramsey is working with Anoka County, noting three of the projects mentioned are County initiatives. He also asked if the City needs its own communication plan if it is working with Anoka County and the City of Anoka. City Administrator Ulrich stated the City will have a communication plan regardless of working with Anoka County and Mn/DOT. With regard to the Thurston Avenue interchange, it is included in Tactic 10 so it may not need to be individually named in Tactic 7. He supported retaining the rail separation project as a separate. tactic. The Council agreed with the suggestion of Mayor Strommen to reorganize the initiatives to show Tactic 10 as the main tactic with Tactics 8 and 9 listed as sub - bullets. City Administrator Ulrich reviewed the Strategic Initiative to Develop a Comprehensive Recreation Plan and related Tactics 12, 13, and 14. Mayor Strommen stated the initiative is to Develop a Comprehensive Recreation Plan and asked what is the Recreation Plan. City Administrator Ulrich explained that Plan includes physical facilities as well as programming offerings. Mayor Strommen asked where it states the City creates the Recreation Plan. She felt staffing was part of the Recreation Plan so it did not need to be listed separately. City Council Work Session / March 24, 2015 Page 4 of 9