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ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 18, 2011
WORKSHOP NOTES
ALBERTVILLE CITY HALL 7:40 PM
PRESENT: Mayor Mark Meehan, Council members Jillian Schommer, Dan Wagner, John
Vetsch, and Larry Sorensen
OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT: City Administrator Larry Kruse, City Attorney Mike Couri,
City Planner Alan Brixius, City Engineer Adam Nafstad, Finance Director Tina Lannes, City
Clerk Bridget Miller, Building Official Jon Sutherland, Public Works Supervisor Tim Guimont,
and Utilities Department Superintendent John Middendorf
Brief overview of goal setting by City Administrator Larry Kruse
Mayor Meehan called the workshop to order. City Administrator Larry Kruse started the
workshop by saying the purpose of the workshop was to get direction from the Council on how
they want to go about a strategic planning process setting 2011 goals.
Kruse said goal setting can be as simple as the Council hosting a discussion amongst themselves
or can involve commissions, committees, and residents. Kruse introduced Peter Leatherman of
Decision Resources, Inc. to give a brief overview and estimated cost to complete a community
survey and City Planner Brixius reviewed a proposal to update the 1996 Comprehensive Plan.
Both the community survey and the Comprehensive Plan update projects can be valuable tools in
setting long term goals.
Peter Leatherman of Decision Resources, Inc. shared a sample community survey proposal.
Phone interviews would take approximately 25 minutes per call with a typical survey having
between 100 and 130 questions. A 400 phone call survey would give 4% accuracy and a 300
phone call survey 6% accuracy. Typically, the response rate goal is approximately 95 %.
Surveyors make appointments at times convenient for residents. The cost of a survey is $10,000
to $20,000 depending on the number of questions and number of phone calls desired.
The Council discussed the accuracy of the results when many residents have veered away from
`land- lines' and use cell phones with multiple prefixes. Mr. Leatherman acknowledged that
homeowners have done away with `land- lines'; therefore, the company would randomly search for
phone numbers with an area code of 763. Council member Vetsch question Leatherman at length
about the accuracy of a survey, and that the results could be skewed.
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City of Albertville
City Council Workshop Notes
January 18, 2011
Page 2 of 3
City Planner Brixius presented the Council with a proposal to update the 1996 Comprehensive
Plan. Brixius stated the Zoning District map was updated in 2007 -2008 and Bolton & Menk, Inc.
had a plethora of transportation and infrastructure maps and material, which can all be used to
keep the update of the Comprehensive Plan cost low. Brixius emphasized that updating the
Comprehensive Plan would be beneficial in re- evaluating the land that has not yet been developed,
and possible opportunities for redevelopment. Brixius outlined the public input and tactical
interview process and schedule. Typically, a Comprehensive Plan update can take 10 months;
however, a more compressed schedule and focused process could yield savings.
City Planner Brixius reviewed the modified scope of the $11,766 Live Wright Grant the City
received. Brixius stated this inventory and public information process will complement the
Comprehensive Plan update and the setting of Council goals related to sidewalks, trails, and park
connections. Brixius reported the deadline to complete the Live Wright Grant is June 2011 and
staff has already begun working on it.
Other issues Kruse briefly reviewed included the STMA Arena expansion, Lodging Tax, Prairie
Run Development Housing initiative, and Economic Development — Initiate Industrial Business
Retention Survey. Kruse noted these are a few topics staff thought would be good areas for more
in -depth discussion between the Council and staff.
Scott Beming spoke about the need for a second sheet of ice detailing that Youth Hockey parents
are traveling to Buffalo, Monticello, Rogers, Princeton, and Elk River for secure ice time. He
encouraged the City to pursue a second sheet of ice.
John Darkenwald spoke in favor of the I -94 Project saying it is imperative this project go forward.
Review of current goals
City Administrator Kruse reviewed 2010 goals and said that unless re- directed staff would
continue with the following as priorities: Make good service to residents job one!; Complete 1 -94
(Phase 1); Seek continuum of care living facility; Increase utility e -bill and e -pay participation;
Negotiate sewer plant re- permitting - .06 Phosphorous; Settle Prairie Run Development issues;
Host a Spring Town Hall meeting; Complete Towne Lakes Trail segmen; Complete construction
of Kalland Avenue NE sidewalk; develop 5 years storm water maintenance plan; complete
infrastructure (streets, sidewalks, water, and sewer) inventory and develop maintenance 5 -year
plan; Implement single -sort recycling and expand to small business; Implement electric franchise
program and be frugal and progressive.
Kruse asked the Council if they saw or heard anything that they did not agree with or would want
changed. The Council agreed with the current priorities.
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City of Albertville
City Council Workshop Notes
January 18, 2011
Page 3 of 3
The Council concluded by saying they needed more time to think about what goal setting process
they want to pursue and to think more about the investment in the community survey and
Comprehensive Plan update. The Council requested staff schedule another workshop following
the February 7 th regular Council meeting.
Council member Sorensen wanted to look at the pros and cons at the potential of hiring a part-time
or full -time Fire Chief for Albertville.
ADJOURNMENT
CMs Wagner /Sorensen motioned to adjourn the Tuesday, January 18, 2011 workshop session at
9:30 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Larry K61se, City Administ r /Recorder
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