Minutes - Council Work Session - 04/24/2023 - Special Strategic Planning

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connecting the community through parks and trails capital improvements along with recreational programming. He stated that they have adopted the playground replacement plan which is funded by the gambling proceeds. He added that they will be creating new theme playgrounds in the neighborhoods and planning for two new regional parks is underway. He discussed the on-going action item of explaining the recreational programming opportunities and stated that these efforts have been drastic already. He added that they have gotten great feedback from Recreational Specialist Martinez-Flynn. He moved on to strategy #6 which was to spotlight sustainability and efficiency through public facilities and infrastructure investments. He shared the one action item for this strategy is the water treatment plant construction which will be beginning spring of 2023 and the water main improvements will be the secondary phase. He shared that strategy #7 was to strengthen and enhance the identity, brand and image. He explained that the completed item was focused on the annual holiday lights contest, with improvements such as expanding the voting period and having a better map established. He stated that as a result of these efforts there was a 40% increase in voter participation. He discussed the on-going item of creating a unique zip code for Ramsey. He shared that he met with USPS and that 2026 would be the next time that the City could formally request this. He stated that strategy #8 was to improve City communications. He noted the completed action item was quantifying savings of the Public Works facility and the on- going item of generally improving ways to communicate effectively with the community, provide regular updates to Council, and provide consistent and efficient internal processes for getting messages out to the public. He added that a majority of these messages have shifted to social media outlets. He said strategy #9 was to improve and sustain high organizational morale. He discussed the completed action item of continuing the year-end Employee Recognition event for Council, Boards, Commissions, and Staff. He added that they have also increased other events where Staff can interact with other departments. He stated that they are revitalizing the employee wellness program. He noted that they are still working through the general City policy review, which will include feedback from the employee survey that will help with overall morale and seeing suggestions being implemented. He stated that the bi-annual survey was completed in-house and the results were just received and they are in the process of reviewing them. He concluded by stating that great progress was made on all of the action plans and most of the in-progress items are close or boarder line on-going. He asked if Council had any questions for Staff. Councilmember Musgrove stated that some of the items discussed in strategy #2 aren’t listed in the packet and she asked if these were items for other years. City Administrator Hagen explained that this is recognized on the Strategic Plan under the progress sheet, this is rolled into the strategic infrastructure investments to prepare more shovel ready parcels. He stated that under the reconstruction improvements they noted the area west of Armstrong and west of Ferret as potential future industrial. Councilmember Musgrove found the area that discusses Riverdale Drive. City Administrator Hagen asked if any of the strategies seem to have been fully accomplished or if they want to keep the action plans in place and amend what else can be done under these items. He asked if they wanted to go through by individual strategies. City Council Special Work Session /April 24, 2023 Page 3 of 21