2021-02-09 Council Work Session agenda packet - Goal SettingCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION AGENDA
February 9, 2021
3:15 pm
Virtual Meeting
Note that all of the members of the City Council will be participating remotely. Interested individuals may
access the meeting by using the meeting connection information below.
Public Attendance is available via calling: 1-312-535-8110 Access Code: 177 595 0972 # #
1. Call to Order
2. Discussion
A. Goals and Objectives for 2021-2022 (Facilitator Mark Nagel)
3. Adjourn
DATE: February 9, 2021
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Mark Nagel, Facilitator
SUBJECT: 2021-22 Mendota Heights Goal Setting Meeting
Comment:
Thanks to the City Council of Mendota Heights for the opportunity to facilitate a Goals Session for you
next Tuesday, February 9th. This will be held from 3:15 PM until approximately 5:00 PM at City
Hall. So that you know who I am, I’ve attached a brief bio of myself.
The agenda for the afternoon is as follows:
1. City Administrator – Set the Scene – Why are we here?
2. Facilitator – Process – Hybrid of Delphi, Nominal Group Technique and Brainstorming
3. City Administrator - Review 2019 and 2020 Goals
4. 2 Rounds + of Brainstorming…additional rounds if needed
5. Consolidate goals, if necessary
6. Explanation of Priority Goal Assignment – Group Determines Number of Priorities
7. Assign Priorities/Develop Grid of Results
8. BREAK TIME!
9. Return for Outcomes
10. Next Steps – City Administrator/Facilitator
11. Final Comments
12. Adjourn
However, this session is just the start of what needs to be done…once there is consensus on the goals,
City Staff will then develop “Action Plans” for the priority goals for further review by Council. Of course,
Strategic Planning encompasses 2 parts – Strategy Formulation and Strategy Implementation, so both
need to be in balance for the greatest chance of success.
As a Professor, I, of course, need to give you all some homework. Let’s start by addressing the definition
of a Goal, since that is the point of this process – to set goals. Based on research, and as you might
expect, there are wide variations in the definition, so I like to define it by saying what it isn’t. Therefore,
for the purposes of this Mendota Heights session, a goal is defined as a program/project that hasn’t
already been started, required by law, or approved by City Council and can be done by 12/31/22.
So…your assignment is to write down your list of FIVE goals that you’d like to see accomplished on or
before 12/31/22 given the parameters…and, bring it with you. Your prior prep will make the session go
smoothly and impress the Prof.
See you on Tuesday!
Mark Nagel
Facilitator
MARK NAGEL
Mark is an Adjunct Professor at Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN, where he
teaches Public/Nonprofit Finance. He has also previously taught at Normandale
Community College, University of Minnesota, Hamline University, and Anoka-Ramsey
Community College.
Previously a City Manager for over 20 years, mainly with the City of Anoka, MN, he
currently heads MN Consulting, which focuses on strategic planning, organizational
development, and temporary management services for local governments.
Mr. Nagel holds a B.A.A.S. in Sociology from the University of Delaware, Newark, DE;
a Master’s in Public Administration from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; a
Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Saint Thomas, St. Paul, MN;
and a Certificate in Community College Teaching from the University of St. Thomas, St.
Paul, MN.
DATE: February 9, 2021
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Mark McNeill, City Administrator
SUBJECT: Past Goals Status/ Staff Goals
Comment:
In preparation for the goal setting meeting on February 9th, and in response to a Council request for the
product of the previous two goal setting meetings, I have prepared the attached summary “Mendota
Heights Goals and Objectives 2019, 2020”.
Mark Nagel facilitated the 2019-2020 session which was held in April, 2019; that included staffs’ goals.
The Council did its own goal setting for 2020 last year in January.
So as to make the results easier to follow, I have consolidated the two years goals and progress on each,
and then sorted them into:
• Goals which have been accomplished
• Goals which are in progress, or are on-going
• Goals remaining to be addressed from the 2020 session
• Goals remaining from the 2019-2020 session
Note that some which are listed as being completed might have easily been in the “ongoing”; i.e., we took
specific actions to have regular communications with public and private partners, but those
communications have to be continued as time elapses, and participants change.
Also attached are goals which staff established for 2021. The ones listed by area are those which are
larger or will depend on several departments or agencies to accomplish. The “also suggested” category
are those which will still be pursued, but may be more focused on a single department. Any of these
goals, however, might be something that you see are being of interest to incorporate for the City
organization.
Mark McNeill
City Administrator
MENDOTA HEIGHTS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 2019, 2020
Completed Items from 2019-20, and-2020 Work Sessions
1. Update and implement Council rules to improve meeting efficiency and effectiveness
2. Increase civility at Planning and City Council Meetings
3. Develop and agree upon vision for key development/redevelopment areas--Village Lots
4. Research city participation in and designation as a Yellow Ribbon city/program
5. Plan regular communications with public and private partners
6. Conduct a formalized space needs assessment for the Police Department
7. Conduct a formalized space needs assessment for upstairs of City Hall
8. Examine Dodd, Wagon Wheel Trail and Pagel Intersection
9. Educate Residents About Airport Noise
10. Develop Fire Station Community room and City Hall meeting room reservation policy
11. Conduct a community wide survey
12. Update process for City Council interaction with Commissions
13. Develop new opportunities for residents to get together and congregate.
14. Develop process for citizen input in the PD activities, initiatives and goals
15. Find full funding for an Update of the Natural Resources Plan
16. Resolve Acquisition of available Valencour Property
On-Going/In Progress Issues
17. Implement Comp Plan 2040 Update local zoning and subdivision ordinances (In process)
18. Update the Natural Resource Plan. (Phase 1 completed, Phase 2 authorized)
19. Review annual mntc & improvement package for Skate park (Study group in progress)
20. Improve offerings of adult summer activities in the summer time.
21. Work with the newly formed Mendota Heights Foundation (MHCF is incorporating)
22. Protect Surface Water Quality
23. Improve Internal Technology
24. Audit personnel files; establish file checklist and order for records requirements
25. Preserve bluff area of HPK, including Old Sibley Memorial Highway
26. Work to keep Old Sibley Memorial Highway open to through traffic
27. Be prepared to regulate Small Cell Wireless
28. Engage Students in Parks and Recreation
Remaining from Issues Identified at 1/2/2020 Work Session Meeting
1. Resolve Bourn Property Development (also identified in 2019-20)
2. Resolve Establishment of having a Natural Resources Advisory Group (also in 2019-20)
3. Surface Water Quality—Identify and Implement Surface Water Mgmt Plan
4. Construct dugouts at Mendakota Pak baseball/softball fields
5. Update City’s Trail System--better mapping & signage, mile markers & emerg call boxes
6. Do local and regional planning to prepare for future traffic volumes, bicycle and
pedestrian movement on Dodd and Delaware. (also identified in 2019-20)
7. Identify and prepare for traffic impacts on Dodd to be caused by Viking Lakes
commercial development.
8. Negotiate a joint commercial plan and marketing for Village, and Mendota Plaza
Commercial area
Remaining from Issues Identified at 2019 (2 year) Work Session Meeting
1. Consider implementation of a hotel lodging tax for business development
2. Address lack of cell coverage in the City of Mendota Heights
3. Reimagine park space to maximize usage.
4. Create additional athletic fields
5. Explore establishment of a regional sporting venue—include green space
6. Join Green Steps cities and consider first requirements to achieve status
2021 City Staff Goals and Objectives
Personnel/Governing
Comprehensive Update Personnel Policies Admin
Public Safety Issues
Evaluate Police Calls for Service Response Police
Technology
Investigate Financial—Estimate for replacement of Financial Software
Package, including point of sale, and paperless permitting Finance
Start RFP for Website Redesign Admin
Improve Efficiency of Police Technology Police
Address Building Issues
City Hall
Space Needs Presentation and Direction Admin/Police
Improve Police Building Security Police
Development
Present Options for Bourne Site Comm Devel
Update and Adopt Final 2040 Comp Plan Update Comm Devel
Parks Improvement Needs
Identify and Prioritize CIP for Post-Par 3 Bond Payoff Parks/Finance
Research Volunteer Opportunities for Trails/Park Police
Discussed; will be done internally:
Orientation & Training for Boards and Commissions/ Council Admin
Improve Electronic Storage Admin
Determine Succession Planning Process with Council Admin
Increase Rate of Document Imaging City Clerk
Update Council Chambers AV (Depends on Space Needs Study) City Clerk
Improve Physical and Mental Employee Wellness Opportunities Police
Update Service Contracts with Neighboring Cities—Police and Fire Police/Fire
Automate Fire Attendance Sheets Fire
Develop and Utilize New Training Opportunities for EOC Fire
Make Permanent Dog Park Designation PW
Estimate PW Physical Improvements (Parking Lot, Salt Storage) PW
Research Green Step Cities PW/Nat Res