City Council Meeting Date: April 11, 2017
To: Mayor and City Council
Economic Development Authority
Planning Commission
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Chris Heineman, Community Development Director
Scott Tempel, City Planner
Nate Carlson, Economic Development Coordinator
Title
Strategic Planning Session - City Council, Planning Commission, EDA
Body
At the last EDA meeting, they requested to include some background demographic information in preparation of the strategic planning session. Staff has included some information for your information. The data provided largely draws upon the 2008 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Northfield. Staff advises members to review the 2008 Comprehensive Plan prior to the meeting. The plan can be found on the City Website (<http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/286/Comprehensive-Plan>).
Additionally, strategic Planning Consultant Craig Rapp also requested to include the following information to you in advance:
On Tuesday, April 11 the City Council, Planning Commission and EDA will meet in joint session as part of the City’s strategic planning process. The meeting will follow a focus group format. The desired outcome is a candid discussion of your opinions, beliefs and attitudes about Northfield generally, but with a special focus on growth and development. The information gathered will be used by the City Council at their strategic planning retreat as they chart a course for the next 3-years.
The session will focus on a limited number of questions, meant to elicit your opinions, and stimulate dialogue amongst the group. The following are questions that you should be prepared to address:
1. How would you describe Northfield to a stranger or someone who doesn’t live or work here?
2. If you left Northfield and did not see or encounter anyone from the City for 20 years, what do you think you’ll see, and what do you hope you’ll see, when you return?
3. What do you like best about Northfield? Related to that, what are the strengths/greatest assets of Northfield?
4. What areas or (non-growth/development) issues need attention or improvement? Related to that, what are the weaknesses/greatest needs in Northfield? Challenges?
5. With respect to growth and development, what are the City’s greatest assets (beyond what may have been mentioned already)? What are its greatest challenges? Do the City Council, EDA and Planning Commission have a common vision for growth and development? If yes, what is it? If no, why not?
What about (prompts-not meant as the primary/only issues):
i. Commercial/Industrial Development (infill, redevelopment, NW annexed area).
ii. Residential Development (affordable, single-family, multi-family, senior)
iii. Tourism (Cannon River, Downtown, Arts & Culture, Amateur Sports)
iv. Transportation - availability/modes (complete streets, transit, regional highway connections, etc.)
v. Availability of workforce
6. Do you see any changes or shifts in the local, regional or national environment in the next 5-7 years that the City should plan for? (e.g., economy, technology or demographics?) If yes, what should the City do?
7. What are/should be the top priorities for the City over the next 3-5 years?