Minutes - Council Work Session - 02/15/2022 - Special

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IT Manager Fredrickson stated that like Mark, he is thinking in his own little box, but he was thinking smart city technology, such as sensors on light poles that can detect varying daylight cycles, monitor traffic and provide light when required or dim light when it’s not required. Barcelona is a good example and London who provides 3G throughout their city. Councilmember Riley stated he would like to see The COR developed to its full potential with restaurants and shopping. Mayor Kuzma stated he liked “Ramsey Get Away” or “Ramsey North” indicating a nice bedroom community where people want to be there. Deputy City Administrator/Community Dev. Director Hagen stated his is quite simple and very broad but can be interpreted many different ways: be a City others strive to model themselves after. Fire Chief Kohner stated his was focused on the residents of Ramsey, “Ramsey Where Residents Matter”. He explained the small town feel with big town attraction, maintaining the voices of the residents. Administrative Services Director Lasher stated she struggled between two. The first is: to be a City that has the healthiest and happiest people, a place to live and work through acceptance and inclusion of its people no matter their walk of life. The other was in the Ramsey Resident concept of to get help or to give help and to grow that concept. There is a lot going on with people that doesn’t meet the idea. There are some that can do more to help people and there are those of us who need help and are afraid to ask. City Engineer Westby stated his goal was simple, to have the safest and smoothest streets in America. Finance Director Lund stated she was going to focus on the finance side. Her goal is to have a triple A bond rating and it would be “A Little City with a Big Rate.” Public Work Supervisor Riemer stated his goal was on the public works side which is to actually finish the river crossing that has been talked about for 60 years. Communications and Events Coordinator Thorstad stated hers is about reaching in to the history to help establish an identify: honor our history to establish an identity as a Minnesota City. City Administrator Ulrich stated his was “Outdoor Capital of Minnesota and the Gateway to the Great North.” He stated in the past they have identified that this is one of the highest holders of fishing and hunting licenses and recreational equipment in the State. They have the Game Fair and plenty of open spaces so his focus was on the outdoors. He stated these were all wonderful ideas and asked if there were any commonalities or ideas that want to be moved forward. Councilmember Heineman commented that he liked Councilmember Woestehoff’s because he felt it is simple but implies that they have done a lot of things to incorporate that. We are the Best Place to Work from Home”, means they have good infrastructure, good restaurants, good retail City Council Special Work Session / February 15, 2022 Page 9 of 31