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adaptability and continuous learning. He read aloud the vision statement of Ramsey which states,
<br />“Ramsey will be a secure, citizen-driven, collaborative community that respects the balance and
<br />connectivity between its unique suburban, rural, and natural environments” and the mission
<br />statement which states, “To work together to responsibly grow our community and to provide
<br />quality, cost-effective and efficient government services.” He noted that these two statements are
<br />what dictates what goes into the strategic plan as these are long term focuses of the City for future
<br />goals. He reviewed the objectives of financial stability, a balance of rural character and suburban
<br />growth, an active and connected community, smart citizen-focused government, and an effective
<br />organization. He shared the nine strategies which go along with the objectives, which are, identify
<br />and implement operational efficiencies, cost savings and additional funding sources while
<br />maintaining and increasing transparency and accountability, promote economic growth and
<br />development, create a positive image for residential neighborhoods, business districts and key
<br />corridors, improve the safety and mobility of transportation corridors, connect the community
<br />through Parks and Trails Capital Improvements along with Recreational Programming, spotlight
<br />sustainability and efficiency through public facilities and infrastructure investments, strengthen
<br />and enhance our identity, brand and image, improve the City’s communication, and strive for high
<br />organizational morale and employee retention. He added that each strategy received a few action
<br />items. He stated that there are 25 total action items, and Staff deemed 10 of these items as
<br />completed, one was deemed partially completed, eight were deemed as in-progress, and six were
<br />deemed as on-going. He reviewed strategy #1, which currently is to, identify and implement
<br />operational efficiencies, cost savings and additional funding sources while maintaining and
<br />increasing transparency and accountability. He stated that this is wordy and difficult to follow. He
<br />recommended finding a way to break this down. He stated that discussing cost savings and
<br />additional funding sources is more linked to financial stability, and increasing transparency and
<br />accountability is more related to communications efforts. He continued by discussing the five
<br />action plans within this first strategy and shared the completed items were, an updated website
<br />design and making the website easier to navigate, adjustment of the development review process
<br />to provide a better result to the developers, Planning Commission, and Council, a review of turf
<br />maintenance of City properties, and communicate cost savings and productivity from the new
<br />Public Works facility. He added that the item still in process is soliciting support from Anoka
<br />County on DMV operations. He reviewed strategy #2, of promoting economic growth and
<br />development. He stated that one of these four action items was deemed completed, which
<br />contained many accomplishments, such as, the Riverdale Drive extension, creating a shovel ready
<br />site north of Affinity Apartments, completing the Highway 10 infrastructure cost analysis, COR
<br />updates to infrastructure, and the digital billboard ordinance and a lease executed for this. He
<br />shared the action items that are in-progress, which are, the comprehensive City Code update and
<br />soliciting input from the community on zoning. He stated that the on-going item is business
<br />retention and expansion efforts, including business visits and networking activities. He stated that
<br />strategy #3 is to create a positive image for residential neighborhoods, business districts and key
<br />corridors, and one action item was completed, which was supporting and recognizing community
<br />volunteer efforts. He mentioned that a local business planted a number of trees including an oak
<br />tree along one of the City roadways. He stated that the in-progress items are proactive, multi-
<br />family property management program and crime-free, multi-family housing. He reviewed strategy
<br />#4 of improving safety and mobility of transportation corridors. He stated that the completed action
<br />item was the County Road 5 corridor study. He reviewed the two on-going items of the Ramsey
<br />Gateway project and street light and pedestrian safety improvements. He discussed strategy #5 of
<br />City Council Special Work Session /April 24, 2023
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