Agenda - Council - 05/22/2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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the City Council on overall approach to make steps moving forward more efficient and cost-effective. 2. Staff would like feedback on this exercise before moving forward. Currently, staff is working with WSB for a low-cost, high -impact project for signage that would likely cost 30% less than previously planned signage. The plan is working within the existing signage framework and marketing plan. Staff would like feedback as to whether the low-cost, high -impact signage is still desired. The City could spend more (approximately $40,000) on signage that would fit the Ramsey Brand and look simliar to COR signage. 1. Should staff direct WSB to eliminate low-cost options, or should WSB continue to develop low-cost, high -impact signage? There are other intermediary steps the Council could take for lower cost, shorter term policies. 1. More proactive enforcement along the corridor. For example, Staff does get multiple complaints about temporary signage along the corridor. Rather than waiting for a complaint, Staff could be directed to do a more regular, proactive, yet business friendly approach. Alternatives • Plan is Optional. This planning effort is not required by any statute and is not a required element of the City's Comprehensive Plan. However, this is a high priority for the City Council through its Strategic Plan. This planning project has been considered in the current budget. • Shorten Length of Project. The current schedule shows a one year effort. If desired, staff could shorten the project timeline to three (3) to six (6) months. In doing so, this project would be prioiritized above other projects, and the level of engagement and thoroughness would likely decrease. However, with Council's desire to have actionable steps and movement in the process, this may be a desired timeline. • Steering Committee. The City Council could establish an ad -hoc steering committee to guide this work. Given the scope of the project, Staff does not believe this is necessary unless the early stages of the process present the need. Staff believes the process can be administered within our existing structure of Council, Commissions, and Staff supplemented with three community workshops and one-on-one meetings as needed. Steering Committees are a valuable and transparent element of the planning process, however come with additional administrative overhead. Based on current Staffing levels and existing Commissions/Committees, the administration of another steering committee would be difficult. Staff recommends leaving this resource for Highway 10 Planning Efforts. • Traffic Study. The City Council could add a traffic study component to this. Staff has had this conversation with Anoka County. At this time, it is recommended that the City simply review applicable alternatives from the circa 2006/2007 Highway 47 Study. Not all alternatives are still viable; however, there is still applicable data and approaches. A new study would range between $50,000 and $100,000. Funding Source: This case is being handled as part of normal staff duties. No additional funding is being requested. Staff has intentionally left this work plan at a strategic level to allow flexibility in the approach as the process unfolds, while not requesting additional resources. Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the attached work plan. Action: Motion to approve the scope and work plan for the Highway 47 Corridor Improvement Program. Attachments Work Plan Proposal Schedule DRAFT Signage Manual