Minutes - Council Work Session - 06/06/2023 - Special Strategic Planning

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Councilmember Musgrove asked if there was a goal for business retention visits for 2023. She stated that in the past there have been numbers and goals associated with this. Economic Development Manager Sullivan stated that they do have a goal and this is outlined to the EDA. He stated that at a minimum they hope to hit 30 formal visits every year. He noted that they have done as many as high-40s in a year. He added that these can be hard to schedule. He said this is a big priority for him and his team and he works hard to get these scheduled. He stated that the priority this year is to meet with a lot of businesses along Highway 10 as they are going to be impacted in the next few years. He explained that if the businesses have questions about the Highway 10 project they will be able to connect them with Anoka County to get more specific answers. He stated last year’s visit priorities were from the businesses that received grants from the City. City Administrator Hagen continued by reviewing strategic infrastructure investments to prepare more shovel ready parcels, including the West Armstrong industrial area and the COR projects that have been authorized to go out for bids. He noted the new work that will be identified for the future now that the TIF legislation has passed. He reviewed the action item for the comprehensive City Code audit and update which is a carryover from past years but has been expanded. He noted that they have made good progress with the Zoning Code and they have a public hearing scheduled with the Planning Commission later in the month. He stated that after this they will go through the COR framework and subdivision regulations. Community Development Director Hanson noted that signs and a sign ordinance will also be a part of this action item. City Administrator Hagen reviewed the strategy of creating a positive image for residential neighborhoods, business districts, and key corridors and the action item of considering a proactive multifamily property management program and the crime free multifamily housing program. He noted that these items were separated last year as one has to do with Code Enforcement and the other with Police. He stated that in the next few months these will be finished up and this will be implemented in January 2024. Mayor Kuzma stated that they need to have the community prepared for this and suggested putting something in the Ramsey Resident. City Administrator Hagen stated that they can put something in the Ramsey Resident although he is not sure they are quite ready for that. He explained that one aspect of this that Community Development is looking at is how do they implement this within the City, if it will be all at once or in phases. He stated that this will be discussed with Staff and once this is finalized they can put an article in the Ramsey Resident. He reviewed the next strategy of improving the safety and mobility of transportation corridors. He noted that this is mainly a carry over with items like advancing the Ramsey gateway plan which is in process. He stated that this work will be seen this fall and will continue until the spring of 2026. He discussed the priority street light program and the pedestrian safety plan which is an ongoing item that will be looked at with all future road projects. City Council Special Work Session /June 6, 2023 Page 5 of 13