Afton sets its 2012 goals

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Afton has begun the process of setting its course for 2012.

Afton City Council discussed its 2012 goals during its Feb. 29 workshop.

During the workshop, City Council reviewed its goals from 2011 and identified which were completed and which are still ongoing.

Additionally, City Council identified what its goals are for 2012.

The 2012 goals identified by Afton City Council are:

• Seek ways to consolidate services, decrease costs and increase volunteerism

• Keep up proper road maintenance

• Work cooperatively together to promote the values outlined in the 2008 Comprehensive Plan

• Network with residents, legislators, surrounding communities, watersheds, county and state officials and school districts to keep abreast of concerns and issues.

• Move forward with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources grant and continue to evaluate options.

Another goal is to coordinate Old Village capital improvements – certified levee, stormwater management, road design, sewage treatment – in a way that: substantially reduces overall costs; meets or exceeds all applicable regulations; and provides for special taxing districts and assessments to benefitting property owners in order to minimize the impact on the tax levy and incorporates the design recommendations of the 2011 Old Village Task Force.

Council member Randy Nelson added two additional items to the goals list – review and possibly revise the open space ordinance and restructure the personnel committee.

In terms of the open space ordinance, Nelson said he would like to revise the current ordinance since he feels it will not be used.

The open space ordinance establishes standards for preserving open space in relation to potential developments by offering incentives.

“I think we need to just look at all the moving parts as a group,” Nelson said. “I think we need to do better.

“We need to protect our side of Manning Avenue.”

Nelson’s second goal addition dealt with the structure and purpose of the city’s Personnel Committee.

Last month Nelson raised concerns after the Personnel Committee – comprised of Council member Peg Nolz and Mayor Pat Snyder – negotiated an agreement to end the contract of former City Administrator Sara Irvine.

“I don’t think it could have been handled worse,” he said. “We weren’t represented.”

In addition to setting its 2012 goals, Afton City Council also established a list of its priority actions for 2012.

What takes priority in 2012?

The 2012 priority action items are:

• Update Personnel Policy

• Review city policies

• Revise Emergency Operations Plan

• Digitize records, research paperless concept

• Update city website

• Improve high-speed computer access, obtain highest technologies available

• Review and update Chapter 12 of city code

• Develop and evaluate strategies to address road construction

• Review fee schedule

• Develop and adopt minimal impact design standards ordinance

• Develop and adopt architectural guidelines for Old Village

• Define boundaries of agriculture overlay district

• Research Manning Avenue development options to safeguard against annexation from Woodbury

• Provide training opportunities and direction to Afton Planning Commission

• Update security at City Hall

• Create plan to address City Hall energy inefficiencies

• Update park and open space plan

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