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I I I Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 1999 Page 3 1999 State of the City Address. continued IN GOVERNMENT SERVICES: · Updating of our Comprehensive Plan . Continued collaboration thru the 1-35W North Corridor Coalition . Rezoning and creation of the MX Zoning to implement our Old Highway 8 vision . Another national certificate for excellence in financial reporting · Lower insurance costs due to improved fire protection ratings These are but a few of the actions taken to fulfill our commitment to making New Brighton our preferred place to live, work and do business. Thanks to all who made it happen! As great as we have it today, and, as satisfied as we may be, there are still challenges ahead. As we go into our annual strategic planning session this weekend, we will be looking for things that we should or can no longer do so that we can free up resources to do different things. Unlike our colleagues in St.Paul and Washington, we don't have billions of your tax dollars to give back or to spend on new ventures. That's frustrating, but, that's okay, too. We just have to work harder to keep things going. This past weekend I attended a conference focusing on the problems of inner ring suburbs. The attendees came from across the country. There were researchers, urban designers, policy leaders, elected officials, media representatives - a strong cross section. Our 1-35W Corridor Coalition created to coordinate our efforts to provide a more livable community while we absorb the growth that we know is coming was held up as a model for others to follow. That suggests to me that we're on the right track with our long range planning. We are not proposing any major new programs or projects in New Brighton in 1999. Aside from the usual street work and spot redevelopments, we'll continue to see improvements at the Rice Creek Center, and the Ordway/Pratt development at Co.Rd.E2. There will be other projects as well, each helping to revitalize our built environment. Each will add places to work or to shop or to eat or to live. A lot of our energy this past year went into the MacGilIis and Gibbs cleanup, the new Donatelle's plant and getting the Ordway/Pratt project ready. It's time to look ahead. My main target for this year is to complete our strategic plan for redeveloping the area north of downtown, the "Northwest Quadrant." We have the vision, George's vision, now it's time to begin putting it in place. Our comprehensive planning process includes meetings with neighbors throughout the City. Last night we met with over 40 residents. These meetings are designed to get your ideas and dreams for improving our City during the coming years. If you can, please join us on Monday nights. Check with us or in the special edition of "In the Neighborhood" for the key date for your neighborhood. Later this summer, we expect to have recommendations for updating our parks and recreation programs. We will know what to expect and what we want to see happen on those sites where reinvestment is appropriate. We will know what resources will be needed, both in terms of skills and in hard cash, to provide the services you need. We may need to talk about a referendum on financing park improvements and expansion of our space for police and fire staff. These are critical issues. We ask that you participate whenever you can and we remind you that this year, the 22nd Annual Town Hall Meeting will be held at the Family Service Center on March 13. So far much of our discussion has dealt with the physical world around us and how we can improve on what we have now. Our more important challenge as we move to the 21st Century will be to solve our "people problems." For several years we've emphasized programs and services for our more mature citizens. We are proud of the housing choices that have been developed. We are proud of the facilities and programs, such as congregate dining and the Senior space at the Family Service Center. We will continue to support and nurture these efforts. But, I believe it is time that we focus our energy also on our youngest residents. Our work with the Coalition for Healthy Youth, our Dare officers, our Crime Free Housing partners, and, our