Red Wing City Council Workshop Red Wing Strategic City Hall Council Chambers Council Members present: Council President Dean Hove; Council Members Peggy Rehder, Dan Munson, Lisa Bayley, Ralph Rauterkus ( arrived at 5: 15 p. m.) Council Members absent: Council Member Dustin Schulenberg was absent. Others present: Kay Kuhlmann, Council Administrator; Marshall Hallock, Finance Director; Roger Pohlman, Police Chief; Brian Peterson, ning Director; Ron Rosenthal, Engineering Director; Rick Moskwa, Public Works Director; Laura Blair, IT Director; Stacie Hawkins, Interim Employee Services Director; Jessica McGee, Library Director, Andy Speltz, Interim Fire Chief; Evan Brown, Sustainability Commission; Colleen Clark, HRA; Sharon McCord, Harbor Commission; Gary Stone, Sustainability Commission; Kent Laugen, Charter Commission; Rich Huelskamp, Sustainability Commission; Michelle Leise, Live Healthy Red Wing; Kim Beise, City Council Candidate Call to Order Council President Dean Hove called the workshop to order at 5: 01 p. m. Review Draft Strategic Council Administrator Kuhlmann reviewed the purpose of the workshop and provided background information regarding the Strategic. She discussed how the Strategic tool is utilized by the City Council, staff, and boards and commissions. She referenced the four major strategies, which have not changed. She reported that since the Strategic was originally adopted in 2012, approximately 70 percent of the original goals have been accomplished and that the working theme of the new draft includes many new projects. Recent revisions to the draft plan were highlighted. Administrator Kuhlmann also discussed improvements to the communication process for boards and commissions. The four core strategies along with goals and action steps were reviewed: I. Regional Center. A. Develop a new vision for future growth. Execute a Community Report Card and monitor quality of life issues. Update the City' s Comprehensive. ning Commission involvement was discussed. Input from Downtown Main Street and other community organizations was discussed. Priorities, areas of focus, resources, and costs will be determined. B. C. Collaborate on a community- based branding and marketing initiative. Participate in the Red Wing Forward Committee. Work with the Red Wing Forward Committee to raise funds. Support initiatives that strengthen Red Wing as a premier arts, cultural, and recreational hub for residents and visitors. Page 1 of 6
Collaborate with local partners on projects. This action step was Council Member Peggy Rehder discussed collaboration between the Port Authority and Downtown Main Street on community events. The holiday market project was discussed, which will involve coordination by several groups. discussed. Partner with local arts and historical organizations on projects and events. D. The Barn Bluff project was discussed. Develop public safety initiatives. Create Rail Disaster Protocol. Construct West Public Safety Station. This action step was discussed. Council Member Peggy Rehder suggested rewording this action step: for West Public Safety Station." Conduct active assailant training in schools. Analyze feasibility of residential fire inspection program. Council Member Dan Munson requested more information. Administrator Kuhlmann discussed allocation of resources and clarified that the inspection program would be voluntary. Council President Dean Hove provided additional comments. Consider Fire Districts within Townships. 6. Update Emergency Management for staff. Maintenance of utilities and other City services will be included as part of this plan. 7. Research implementation of Code Red program. 8. Implement Park Ranger program. 9. Collaborate to create safety protocol guidelines. Develop a Community Resiliency. Council Member Lisa Bayley requested more information. Sustainability Commission 10. Chair Evan Brown provided additional information. He stated that part of the planning process is to identify risk factors and develop procedures to address these risks. ning Director Peterson commented that this could be incorporated into the Comprehensive update process. Council Member Lisa Bayley suggested rewording this action step: Develop a Community Resiliency to identify and prepare a plan to adapt to potential impacts of climate change." II. Community Connections. Strengthen the culture of community with individuals, families, and A. organizations. Improve procedures for engaging and gathering feedback from the community. Council Member Peggy Rehder discussed the need to improve communication. Council Member Lisa Bayley discussed process improvements that have been made but agreed that more progress is needed. Council President Dean Hove discussed potentially bringing back the City newsletter. Administrator Kuhlmann commented that survey results have indicated that most people now Page 2 of 6
obtain their information from online sources. Council President Dean Hove suggested posting this information on the City' s website. Council Member Lisa Bayley commented that information posted online is similar to information that was previously provided by the monthly Current newsletter. Council Member Peggy Rehder commented regarding a suggestion that department heads and other City leaders contribute articles. Council President Ralph Rauterkus commented that communication is a two- way process. Council President Dean Hove suggested periodic surveys via Facebook. IT Director Blair commented with regard to challenges related to compiling content for the website. She added that as part of the administrative reorganization process discussion has been held with regard to the potential creation of a public relations position. Council Member Lisa Bayley commented with regard to the need to gather feedback and also develop ways to utilize this feedback. Director Blair commented regarding the pros and cons of social media discussions. Council Member Peggy Rehder commented regarding the benefits of being proactive as opposed to reactive. Create a process for recruiting, training, and mentoring residents. Seek out ways to make City programs, policies, and procedures more inclusive. Develop a plan that welcomes and integrates newcomers to Red Wing. Support efforts that communicate how to volunteer in the community. Council Member Ralph Rauterkus provided comments related to this action step. 6. B. Improve communication with residents. Maintain and strengthen relationships and partnerships with community Council Members suggested rewording this goal: Maintain and strengthen relationships and partnerships with community organizations. organizations and local government agencies." connections were discussed. School district Revisions to action steps were suggested: Create a system of connecting routinely with community organizations, foundations, and agencies. III. Explore future partnerships with these groups. Community Vitality. Work with the Red Wing Port Authority and other local partners. Support the Red Wing Port Authority. Develop a superior customer service process. A. Create a concierge -like service for businesses. Work with Red Wing Ignite to create an innovative culture. Work with the Sustainability Commission to identify and target next generation energy, food production, and environmental businesses and technology. B. Partner with the HRA to ensure proper housing. Raise awareness of current housing issues. Page 3 of 6
Invest in better than code new construction for senior housing. Invest in new apartment units for the general population. This action step was discussed. Workforce housing was discussed. suggested to reword this action step: It was Invest in new apartment units for the general population and workforce housing." Convert empty spaces into housing. Council President Dean Hove recommended discussion of potential incentives in this regard. Director Peterson provided additional comments. Parking considerations were discussed. 6. 7. 8. 9. Rehabilitate existing housing. Collaborate on and further refine the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Create a plan for increasing new construction. Maximize funding opportunities with State leaders. Work with the City ning Department, the HRA, landlords, realtors, and developers to determine short- and long- range action steps. C. Upgrade transportation connections. Implement and/ or complete infrastructure projects. Projects were discussed. D. a. Highway 61 / Main Street reconstruction project. b. River Renaissance project. c. Mississippi Bridge project. d. Spring Creek Road Highway 61 intersection project. e. Pioneer Road Twin Bluff Road intersection project. f. Transient Dock project. Develop a Red Wing Transportation. Continue supporting walking and biking connections. Explore rail and tour boat opportunities. Continue planning for the future of the Prairie Island Nuclear Power t. Create a Task Force to identify and monitor future impacts. Nuclear waste storage was discussed. An additional action step was suggested. E. F. Reinvigorate core areas. Downtown. Old West Main. Riverfront. Barn Bluff. A. P. Anderson Park. Create plans and funding sources to reinvest in the City' s infrastructure. Complete Solid Waste Campus plan. Waste water and stormwater management planning was discussed. Cooperate with the Goodhue County Historical Society to explore reuse of the old City Hospital. Council Member Peggy Rehder expressed concerns regarding the deteriorating condition of this building and suggested establishing a time frame and/ or exploring other options. Page 4 of 6
Complete the Red Wing Regional Airport rezoning process. Develop renewable energy guidelines. Set aside 25 percent of annual savings for (change to from) City solar garden subscription for Sustainability Development Fund. Council Member Lisa Bayley suggested including more information and/ or rewording this action step as a goal. Council Member Peggy Rehder commented that there is not enough information to establish the percentage at this point. Council President Dean Hove provided rationale for including a percentage. He stated that future recommendations could be requested from the Sustainability Commission, HRA, and/ or the ning Commission. G. Support efforts to offer educational opportunities to residents. Work with the Red Wing School District, Southeast Technical College, and others to explore potential partnerships. Continue to work with local stakeholders in recruiting a four-year college. Direction from the Council was requested. Council Member Peggy Rehder expressed concerns related to this action step. Council Members commented with regard to past discussions regarding this possibility. Continued collaboration with and support of Southeast Technical College was recommended. H. Implement community -wide energy efficiency and renewable energy goals. Implement Partners in Energy plan. Work with the Sustainability Commission to develop a long- range energy efficiency and renewable energy action plan. Incorporate updated energy efficiency and renewable energy goals into the City' s Comprehensive. Council Member Lisa Bayley recommended examining and further defining the role of the Sustainability Commission and discussing ways to support this work. Council Member Ralph Rauterkus suggested encouraging the Sustainability Commission to create a work plan. Council President Dean Hove recommended discussing allocation of resources, including staff time, commenting that this investment would pay for itself in a short amount of time. Establishment of priorities and responsibilities related to policy decisions were discussed. Council Members recommended further discussion in this regard. Sustainability Commission Chair Evan Brown commented that the Sustainability Commission will be reviewing the renewable energy ordinance and making recommendations. Council Member Peggy Rehder inquired whether a workshop should be scheduled for further discussion of this topic. Council President Dean Hove commented with regard to changing mindsets related to the process. Administrator Kuhlmann added that a matrix tool is being developed that will help facilitate board and commission involvement in the decision- making process. IV. Organizational Culture. Page 5 of 6
This portion of the Strategic was not discussed in detail during the workshop. Council Discussion and Direction Administrator Kuhlmann recommended making the suggested changes to the draft Strategic and adding this item to the agenda for discussion during a future Council meeting. Adjournment The workshop adjourned at 6:44 p. m. Dean Hove, Council President ATTEST: Kathy Seymour Johnson, City Clerk City Council Workshop Strategic Page 6 of 6