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Home My WebLink About20180912 - CC Workshop Minutes Hastings, Minnesota City Council Minutes September 12, 2018 The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a Council Workshop on Wednesday September 12, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Volunteer Room at the Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4th Street, Hastings, Minnesota. Members Present: Mayor Hicks, Councilmembers Balsanek, Braucks, Folch, Leifeld, Lund, and Vaughan. Staff Present: City Administrator Melanie Mesko Lee Community Development Director John Hinzman The Council met to discuss their near term (defined as within the next two years) strategic goals. Goal: Housing Discussed  Desire to have more single family homes ($150-280k)—both new and rehabilitated  The Governor’s Housing Task Force Recommendations  Desire to increase communication with residential developers, both local and those not currently building in Hastings. What are the barriers to building and what is City’s role?  The desire for an increased City role, although that can take many formats and needs to be discussed further  The ability to create new programs, including pilot programs, to work through the most effective role for the City.  The opportunity to rezone properties to residential Near Term Objectives  Evaluate what properties could be rezoned to residential  Examine an increased City role in achieving housing goals, including pilot programs  See an increase in quality housing across a variety of price points  Review the Governor’s Housing Task Force for possible action items Goal: Transportation Discussed  Value of Transit Taxing District  Evolving nature of transportation modes  Economic impact of lack of transit options  Changing demographics and views on vehicle ownership  Our resident’s transit needs are top priority  Our ability to increase connectivity increases the quality of life in Hastings IV  Transit needs are best met with partnerships (Met Council, MVTA, Dakota County, local education institutions as examples) Near Term Objectives  Work with Met Council to evaluate options for Transit Taxing District and pilot program for transit  With results of the Eastern Dakota County study, consider work with the consultant on expanding their work to focus exclusively on Hastings  Reach out to other transportation providers on possible partnerships (public, private, non-profit) Goal: Community Image Discussed  Promoting our historic nature; unique  Continue work on the Inclusivity initiative  How do we effectively message and market the community to those not familiar with Hastings  Hastings is a good place to live and a good place to visit  This is a helping and caring community  Epitomizes “Home”  Need to dispel the myth that we are too far away from Twin Cities  Work more closely with Tourism Bureau (including financially)  We are family friendly  Quality and aesthetics matter to us—we care about taking care of what we have  Sharing our story of the many community amenities  “Plant your Roots & Grow” in Hastings  Near Term Objectives:  Continue to be a leader with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity initiative  Grow our targeted messaging and marketing  Demonstrate continued pursuit of excellence and evolution Goal: Economic Development Discussed  Desire to increase jobs and workforce  Should the City be “courting” new businesses  City should support existing and small businesses  Role of HEDRA—should follow broad City Council direction while being given latitude to work  Decrease blight around the community  Focus on implementing the Vermillion Street Corridor recommendations  Increased coordination and partnership with Tourism Bureau  Increase image of being “business friendly”  Increase perception of transparency Near Term Objectives: IV  Implement the Vermillion Street Corridor recommendations  Increase efforts to help our small businesses succeed and thrive o Review our ordinances to see where streamlining can occur o Review our processes to see where streamlining can occur o Develop a messaging strategy focusing on the Value of doing business in Hastings  Increase coordination and cooperation among community partners (Chamber, DBA, etc.) Staff will review and report back to Council on any additional recommendations for consideration. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. IV