Long Lake City Goals

• Project awareness and communications will remain a priority as the next phase of CR 112 improvements west of Long Lake begins in the future and as Highway 12 projects west of Long Lake in 2022 impact Long Lake commuters.
• Actively pursue the installation of pedestrian crossing signals at Wurzer Trail and at Heather Lane.

• In Nelson Lakeside Park, consider downward directional lighting on the walking trail from the parking lot to the fishing pier.
• Consider grading an area in Dexter Park for use as a soccer field.
• Explore options, funding sources, and grant opportunities for replacing or refinishing Dexter Park playground equipment.
• Consider upgrading the gravel trail at Holbrook Park and installing a paved asphalt trail.
• Consider adding a marked crosswalk on Orchard Lane to Dexter Park by May Street.
• Work to attract rink attendant staff for the Holbrook Park warming house to ensure the facility is staffed during winter skating seasons.  Continue to explore opportunities to partner with Orono Youth Hockey for rink usage, potentially including an exchange of rink use for staffing assistance, while recognizing that any arrangement should limit the impact on public open skate hours.
• Research and consider alternatives to improve upon the current flooding system for Holbrook Park rink facilities.  Repair ice rink boards and posts, machine grade the rink area, and repaint the Warming House.  Consider exploring opportunities to partner with Orono Youth Hockey on possible rink facility improvements.
• Consider using boulders excavated by Wayzata Boulevard W/CR 112 reconstruction project contractors for placement along the hillside from Hardin Park down to the trail, and in other City parks, to add a natural play amenity.
• If the Nelson Lakeside Park band stage concept moves forward for consideration, staff will need to review the prior approval that occurred; however, it is a priority that both new and previous homeowners in the immediate area are actively notified and provided an opportunity to comment on the proposal.  The park reservation and special event permit fee structures will also need to be revisited to address stage usage/rental.  
• Recognize that the development of new park and trail facilities is difficult for a fully developed community with limited funds available for park improvements.  Anticipated development/redevelopment projects may help contribute to funding availability for park projects and enhancements.  
• Work with the volunteer Long Lake Garden Club as they assist in maintaining City monument sign plantings and other plantings/gardens in Long Lake parks. Implement a Long Lake Garden Club page on the City's website.
• Replace refuse containers and add additional refuse containers in City parks and along trails where warranted.
• Repaint and replace faded and deteriorated signage and signposts in City parks. 
• Stain portable restroom enclosures in Nelson Lakeside Park and Hardin Park.  Remodel portable restroom enclosure in Dexter Park.
• Remount the electrical panel near the Nelson Lakeside Park shelter.

• Maintain awareness of Long Lake Rowing Crew (LLRC) operations on Long Lake.
• Explore grants and work on filtration and associated projects addressing drainage from Holbrook Park and potentially other contributing sources to nutrient loads in Long Lake.
• Maintain a commitment to working with the Cities of Medina and Orono, the Long Lake Waters Association, and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to improve the overall water quality and health of Long Lake.  Continue to support the work of the Long Lake Waters Association as they consider moving forward with carp removals and advocate for the improvement of water quality in Long Lake and the Long Lake Subwatershed through action and education. Reach out to the Long Lake Waters Association to learn the status of any potential carp removals or other water quality-related improvements for Long Lake in 2023.

• EDA to consider opportunities for acquisition of other MnDOT or privately owned sites for redevelopment as the opportunity arises.  
• At some point in the future (though not recommended as a priority at this time), consider that the EDA has taxing authority to bring in revenue from the City's tax base through taxation in order to implement a revolving loan fund and offer short-term grants to help businesses that may need gap financing for projects such as facade upgrades.
• Complete design, purchase, and installation of a marketing sign for the City-owned 1905 W Wayzata Boulevard property.  Sign design should include an attractive architectural rendering displaying a restaurant-type use with a focus on curb appeal and attractive streetscape.
• Respond to any land use inquiries or applications received for action for potential redevelopment projects, particularly for the City-owned 1905 W Wayzata Boulevard (former BP station) property.

• Actively pursue the installation of pedestrian crossing signals at Wurzer Trail and at Heather Lane.
• Obtain quotes and consider acquiring speed notification signage for Orchard Lane.  Continue to maintain awareness of the need for speed signage on streets as they are reconstructed. 
• Revisit the City's water and sewer billing rate schedule.  The sewer fund continues to operate at a significant loss, and staff recommends the establishment of new utility billing rates, along with a transition to a more traditional monthly billing cycle.  Communication of any changes will be imperative.
• Update the 20+ year old utility SCADA system.
• Work with the City's consulting engineer to develop GIS mapping of Long Lake utility infrastructure with cloud-based access to maps.
• Jet, clean, and televise Sewer District #1.
• Jet, clean, and televise Sewer District #3.
• Work with the City's consulting engineer towards implementing a 2023 pavement improvement project. Continue to utilize the Pavement Management Fund to undertake projects and improvements outlined in the City's Pavement Management Plan.  Consider retaining WSB for a Pavement Management Plan update in 2024.

• Complete Public Works building maintenance and repairs including window replacements, furnaces, and cooling equipment replacements.
• Obtain an assessment of the Public Works building roof condition.
• Repair exterior wall on sand/salt facility at Public Works (northeast corner has a significant wall crack.
• Regarding Public Works equipment, listed in priority order:
  Consider exploring the purchase of a sewer jetter, with or without televising capabilities.  Though the City has an agreement with the City of Wayzata that permits the use of their sewer jetter, jetter availability does not always coincide with the City's need for use. 
  Explore the purchase of a street sweeper (potentially used, either a broom or vacuum style) as the availability to contract out for street sweeping has become significantly more limited. Replace 2004 Sterling plow truck (18 years old). 
  Replace 1998 model New Holland backhoe equipment (24 years old, worn out).
• Evaluate City Hall as a potential location for implementation of solar technology, verifying roof structure and condition as a first step.  The roof may require structural improvement and/or a re-roof prior to installation of solar panels.

• Continue to review the City's current zoning map, zoning classifications, and individual sections of the Zoning Ordinance regulating the City's zoning districts to make updates where needed for compliance with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.  Also, review Zoning Ordinance sections pertaining to the Planning Commission and Park Board for corrections; and incorporate references to the Village Design Guidelines where appropriate in the Zoning Code.  Staff will work with the City's planning consultant on Zoning Ordinance updates where needed.  Note that updates generally require public notification, review, and public hearings at the Planning Commission level, and final action by the City Council.
• Work on Code of Ordinances changes and updates, starting with a focus on amendments to areas of water and sewer code that specifically state utility billing is conducted quarterly.  The second priority will be adding language in the City Code to address THC products, and to update tobacco sales/licensing provisions.  Other sections to be revisited include transient merchants (revisiting transient merchants and adding food truck language); traffic and vehicles; waterways (adding special event permit language); parks and recreation (adding special event permit language); and emergency management (update references to Orono Police Department to 'the City's Police Department).
• Consider engaging WSB more frequently for code enforcement activities, recognizing that code enforcement is currently conducted on a complaint basis to ensure enforcement is conducted in an equitable manner.  Discuss code enforcement policies, review example policies of other communities, and consider whether a change to the City's 'complaint basis only' code enforcement policy may be warranted.
• As redevelopment occurs, work proactively with the City’s Building Official and WSB (planning and engineering consultants) to ensure inspection and oversight are maintained throughout project construction.

• Continue to maintain awareness of expenses on consultant fees incurred by the City.  
• Consider implementing a surcharge for those properties in the industrial park that do not have the required paved drives/lots and are distributing a higher volume of sand and dirt in the street, thereby resulting in the City having to pay for additional sweeping/vacuuming of the street to remove added debris.
• Evaluate/renegotiate contractual terms for wireless carriers’ use of equipment sites in Long Lake.
• Continue to work on the development of a master utility agreement between Long Lake and Orono for Orono properties connecting to or currently being served by Long Lake water and/or sewer utilities.  As Orono continues to develop and seek additional connections from the City, it is a priority that a new agreement be drafted and executed between the parties to ensure that Orono flows are metered and billed appropriately.
• Orono’s position remains that they will be implementing a Fire Department under their leadership.  Long Lake must focus on determining a course of action regarding fire service contracts and the future of the Long Lake Fire Department while maintaining public safety and Long Lake's best interests at the forefront.  Continue to actively participate in discussions of implementing a fire service district with other local jurisdictions.  This goal will be an active priority throughout 2023.

• Continue to focus on City communications to the community through City services/technology available and newsletters.
• Implement a redesign/upgrade of the City’s website to a new, current format, to include using the correct City logo. 
• Explore whether the City's current web host provider service allows for documents posted on the City's website (agendas, minutes) to be file content searchable rather than title searchable only to better facilitate searches of online content by residents.
• Maintain mutually beneficial partnerships with surrounding jurisdictions for positive relationships between communities.
• As time permits, schedule an informal team-building event or get-together (potentially a 'happy hour' gathering) between the City Council and all City staff.
• Consider hosting budget-friendly events in City parks to create opportunities for the community to interact informally with the Mayor and Council, potentially similar to a former Mayor's "Meet the Mayor" gatherings.  
• Maintain an open line of communication with the City’s firefighters to ensure they are aware of any significant developments in Long Lake Fire Department and future fire service discussions, and welcome their comments and questions as the Fire Department may be facing significant changes.

• Consider revisiting the EDA's Bylaws and discuss changing the structure of the EDA to not include the full City Council as members on the Board.  Previous structures have included Planning Commission members and resident-at-large members.
• Work on updating the City Employee Handbook to include Family Medical Leave Act changes, social media and internet usage policies, and other appropriate content revisions.  As part of the Employee Handbook update, revisit the staff salary step schedule to determine whether changes should be made reflective of a more current format.  The current eight-step schedule has been in place for more than 20 years and may be outdated.
• City Clerk to complete training, equipment updates, inventory, and staffing for implementation of the March 2024 Presidential Nomination Primary Election.  Election preparation begins in the fourth quarter of 2023, absentee voting will begin in January 2024. 

City Council and staff recognize that while establishing goals is a priority, it's also important to reflect on what we've accomplished together.  Below are goals we're proud to say we can officially consider "accomplished".  Please note that these accomplishments are listed in no particular order or categorization.

• Implement elections in 2022, recognizing that changes are anticipated to occur to the election and early voting process that may have significant impacts on election budgeting and particularly on City Hall operations prior to each election date.  The City Clerk will need to be trained to implement new OmniBallot voter assist technology in preparation for training election judges.  Pollbooks will also be replaced and upgraded in 2022, requiring testing, training, and implementation.  DS200 tabulators will require routine testing and maintenance.  Election judge training materials and polling place signage/directions must be updated to be reflective of changes to the election process and equipment. The City Clerk will need to recruit and train election judges to prepare them for working on election day. The City Clerk will have absentee/early voting responsibilities for a 30-day period prior to each election day.
• Complete Zoning Ordinance updates pertinent to outdoor storage, screening, paving, and commercial vehicle parking requirements in the I-1 and I-2 Industrial zoning districts.  Communicate ordinance changes to property owners in these districts and begin compliance efforts.
• Remove split rail fencing in Nelson Lakeside Park. 
• Rename the ‘Carp Management Fund’ to a name more reflective of the intent to access the fund for both carp management and water quality improvement-related projects.
• Consider funding sources available for allocating a budgeted amount annually in ongoing support of the Long Lake Waters Association's activities and research.  Surface Water Management Fund revenue may be an appropriate source for this annual investment.
• Communicate regularly with developer Lifestyle Communities on the status of both ‘The Borough’ and the ‘Zvago Long Lake’ redevelopment projects.
• Complete the sale of a portion of the property behind the City's Public Works building to a private seller, as approved by the EDA and City Council in 2021.  Participate in land use applications for replanting of the property to reallocate the City’s and private party’s portions with their adjacent lots.  Respond to land use applications anticipated to be filed by the private party to permit an addition to their existing building.
• Purchase and install ‘stop for pedestrians’ vertical signage on bases in actively used crosswalks.
• Work with the City's consulting engineer towards implementing a 2022-2023 street improvement project to improve multiple neighborhood streets, thereby improving street conditions and impacting a more significant number of residents. 
• The City Code of Ordinances solid waste chapter was overhauled to add language requiring licensed residential refuse haulers to make organics collection available to their customers, consistent with Hennepin County's organics mandate.