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Council
adopts Envision Savage plan for the future
The
Savage City Council approved six guiding principles and 64 action steps for
the community's future June 20. The Envision Savage plan was recommended by a
21-member task force that spent months reviewing and analyzing public
comments about what type of city Savage should be by the year 2020.
The following guiding principles and action steps will be reviewed and
updated annually, and will become part of the City's regular work plan.
Citizens are encouraged to watch their mailboxes for more information
regarding the Envision Savage plan. Envision
Savage plan
VISION STATEMENTS &
ACTION STEPS
Approved
June 20, 2005
OVERALL
VISION
Savage, with its rich
past, natural amenities and diverse population, will provide the most
effective and efficient form of government possible.
1.
Savage will preserve and enhance our natural amenities and maximize
recreational opportunities for our Community
To guarantee the continued enjoyment for current and future generations, the
City of
Savage
will protect, maintain and improve the
quality of environmental features, including wetlands, which are admired by
the public. The City also will offer to the fullest extent possible,
activities, programs, facilities and resources that promote family, fun,
relaxation, fitness and improved health and wellness for all constituents
located within the city.
Action Steps 1-5 years
-
Create a concept plan for development of a river front park and public
access on the Minnesota River
utilizing the natural amenities.
-
Create a trail development task force
to evaluate existing trail plan and
explore enhancement opportunities.
-
Complete a comprehensive long
term recreational facility plan.
-
Create a plan for the
expansion of
Community
Park.
-
Identify and secure park and
trail locations that will enhance the park and trail system.
-
Develop maintenance and
management plans for existing natural resources.
Action Steps 6-15 years
-
Seek funding opportunities to
construct pedestrian access across
Minnesota River
-
Complete construction of trail
connections to Mn River.
-
Complete expansion of
Community
Park
.
-
Develop and implement a park
and trail revitalization plan and facility maintenance plan.
-
Update Natural Resources
Inventory to coincide with potential annexation.
-
Establish a task force to
analyze recreation/community center financing options.
2.
Savage will foster a pride of place that capitalizes on the unique qualities
and history of our community.
The
City of
Savage
will actively work to bring about an
existence whereby constituents are proud of the city in which they live or
work. Financial, staffing, political and/or verbal support will be provided
to develop an awareness of and appreciation for the features that set us
apart from other communities. These features include our rich history of Dan
Patch and Marion W. Savage, Cargill Ship Building, and Japanese Language
Camp; convenient location to regional transportation routes and river
crossings, and environmental assets in the Savage Fen Wetland Complex,
Minnesota River, Eagle Creek and Credit River and Boiling Springs.
Action Steps 1-5 years
-
Develop
regional public relations focus
-
Develop
a communication plan to promote unique environmental assets, such as the
Savage Fen, Boiling Springs
-
Explore
the feasibility of developing events and facilities designed to bring the
community together. Examples of events include a History Day for the
communitys youth and a regularly occurring farmers market in downtown
Savage. Facilities might include a community center, ice arena, bandshell,
Savage Depot.
-
Explore
funding and design options for community arts projects and historic
sculptures.
-
Develop
official welcome packet for new residents.
-
Discuss
and, if appropriate, pursue activities designed to encourage open
communication between the City and its constituents. Examples include
coffee breaks with the City Administrator or breakfast with the Mayor; and
recognition of groups doing good within the community.
-
Install
signage, including entrance monuments and historical markers.
Action Steps 6-15 years
-
Explore
the feasibility of and, if deemed appropriate, provide public access to
environmental assets such as the
Minnesota River
, Savage Fen, Boiling Springs, and McColl
Pond.
-
Hold
events that celebrate the communitys unique qualities and history.
-
If
deemed feasible, develop events and facilities designed to bring the
community together. Examples of events include a History Day for the
communitys youth and a regularly occurring farmers market in downtown
Savage. Facilities might include a community center, ice arena, bandshell,
Savage Depot.
- Implement
community arts projects and historic sculptures.
3.
Savage will maintain and promote a high level of public safety to meet the
demands of a changing community.
The
City of
Savage
will continue to provide timely and
efficient police, fire, ambulance and emergency management services that give
residents peace of mind and a sense of well being, and meet or exceed their
satisfaction levels. In recognition of demographic and societal changes, the
City also will be actively engaged in delivering, communicating and advancing
current and future programs requested by the public and deemed by the City
Council to be in the best interest of all residents.
Action Steps 1-5 years
-
Review
and assess plans for an expansion of City Hall to address space needs for
police department including analysis of funding options.
-
Analyze
fire response times and short and long terms fire facility needs.
-
Create
a task force to analyze funding options to meet short terms needs for fire
facility and equipment needs.
-
Actively
promote and partner with
Scott
County
and other jurisdictions to complete
development of Regional Police and Fire Training Facility.
-
Develop
action plan to promote safe parks and reduction in speeding.
-
Develop
plan to inform and educate residents of Civil Defense and Weather siren
warning system.
-
Develop
action plan to promote reduction in speeding.
Action Steps 6-15 years
-
Establish
a committee to analyze fire and
EMS
service options.
-
Complete
review and analysis for construction of Fire Station in South Savage.
4.
Savage will facilitate the development of efficient and effective
transportation systems that provide for both local and regional needs.
The
City of Savage will be progressive and forthright in creating policies and
programs that publicly and/or privately bring about road, rail, river and air
transportation services deemed by the City Council to be in the best
interests of those within the Savage city limits as well as those within the
Metropolitan Area. Services will be delivered in a, timely and sustainable
manner that meets or exceeds consumers needs; and at costs equal to or
less than those provided by other governmental agencies.
Action
Steps 1-5 years
-
Develop
a transportation systems plan which defines the Citys needs at a local
and regional level.
-
Survey
local streets and develop a long term pavement preservation program.
-
Actively
participate with other units of government in the planning or
transportation system improvements.
-
Actively
seek external funding alternatives and evaluate use of lobbyist to assist
in securing funds.
-
Develop
a plan that will promote the increased use of public transportation
services.
Action Steps 6-15 years
-
Develop
a plan to expand connections to regional service centers.
-
Continue
to develop and promote public transportation service options.
-
Continue
to seek alternative funding methods to cover costs of needed
transportation improvements.
-
Continue
to be actively engaged with other jurisdictions and agencies that will
enhance our position for improving transportation systems.
5.
Savage will facilitate thoughtfully planned, balanced, and diverse
development.
The
City of
Savage
will progressively promote a mix of
housing types and business offerings that serve all current and potential
residents, regardless of age or income level. In addition, the City will
actively encourage South Savage to be developed in a manner that considers
the areas unique natural characteristics and the potential for growth
outside Savages current boundaries. Redevelopment of the original downtown
area will continue in order to spur economic growth, enhance aesthetics, and
create sense of place.
Action
Steps 1-5 years
-
Evaluate
opportunities for additional senior housing projects.
-
Partner
with public agencies and/or private entities to provide needed housing
types.
-
Seek
out innovative/effective models of mixed use residential development.
-
Reassess
comprehensive plan in light of housing needs and land use designations.
-
Meet
with
Credit
River
and
Scott
County
representatives to establish time line
and perimeters for annexation.
-
Leverage
existing studies and tools to establish policies/decision making.
-
Ensure,
through effective planning, that development does not outpace city's
ability to provide infrastructure.
-
Determine
continued viability of TIF.
-
Seek
out partnerships to facilitate redevelopment.
-
Reassess
Hamilton
Plan.
-
Reassess
infrastructure needs.
Action
Steps 6-15 years
-
Implement
housing maintenance ordinance.
-
Establish/implement
orderly annexation agreement.
6.
Savage will provide high quality, innovative City services to meet changing
needs.
The
City of
Savage
will deliver in an affordable, timely
and sustainable manner, creative and cost-effective services that meet or
exceed the needs and expectations of current residents as well as our
changing community.
Action
Steps 1-5 years
-
Identify
a sustainable solution to meet community water supply needs at full
development.
-
Develop
and annually review and update five year action plans in the areas of
staffing, equipment, facilities and infrastructure.
-
Identify
components of a program that will ensure open access for input from the
public.
-
Research
and analyze wireless communication options which will improve and enhance
the provision of City services.
-
Evaluate
options for capitalizing on enhanced utilization of Citys fiber
network.
-
Develop
financial programs and policies which will reduce reliance on building
permit revenue and address short and long term infrastructure needs.
-
Review
and assess plans for City Hall campus.
Action
Steps 6-15 years
-
Evaluate
options for providing City services to areas currently outside of City
limits.
-
Consider
options for enhancing terms set forth in Cable Franchise Agreement.
-
Evaluate
options for municipal liquor store expansion and/or privatization.
Background
Envision Savage is a long-term community planning
process that will guide Savage's path to the year 2020. The
success of the project relies on participation by the citizens of Savage,
including those who live or work here.
Led by a 20-member task force,
Envision Savage provides an opportunity for residents and business owners to
tell one another what they want their community to be like 15 years from now.
Community members may have their opinions and desires known through a variety
of ways:
Town
Meetings
Community
Survey
Focus
Groups
The
information collected through the above venues are being considered by the
Visioning Task Force as it develops recommendations that will be presented to
the City Council in July 2005. (Timeline)
Town
Meetings
Seven
town meetings were held throughout the city from Jan. 24 to Feb. 3. Attendees
saw a video about Savage's past, present and future, and were asked about
Savage's strengths and weaknesses. They also were invited to share what they
felt should be the City's priorities for the next 15 years. Once all desired
priorities were noted, participants were asked to select the ones on the list
they felt were most important. They did this by using three different colored
adhesive dots. The colors represented attendees' first, second and third
choices. Summary
of town meeting/focus groups
Community
Survey
Households throughout Savage
were contacted in February via telephone
to participate in a survey about the community's current and future state.
Responses from 400 randomly selected households were collected by independent
consultant Decision Resources, which has previously conducted surveys for
the City of Savage. Survey
results
Focus
Groups
Focus groups were conducted throughout February with existing
organizations and population segments. The hour-long sessions included an overview of the visioning process and a brief background on Savage. A
majority of the time, however, was spent gathering participants' thoughts and
feelings about the communitys past, present and future. Among the groups visited
were the Savage Chamber, Rotary, MOMs clubs, and school district
administrators. Summary
of town meeting/focus groups
Al McColl - City Council
Boyd
Anderson - At large
Craig
Chamberlain - City Council
Elisabeth
Trembath - Advisory Communications Commission
Greg
Lind - Planning Commission
Janet
Williams - City Council
Jon
Ulrich - Scott County Commissioner
Kevin
Lienau - City Council
Marc
Baer - Economic Development Commission
Marie
Johnson - CAP Agency
Michael
Turner - At large
Michael
Metz - Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission
Pam
Becker - Prior Lake-Savage Schools
Patrick
Stieg - Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission
Ray
Leathers - Chamber of Commerce
Robyne
Cline - Economic Development Commission
Ron
Hill - Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Schools
Sean
O'Malley - Planning Commission
Terry
Wilson - At large
Tom
Brennan - City Council
Tony
Hauschildt - Advisory Communications Commission
First
Task Force Meeting
6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 7 (overview of the visioning process, Task Forces role)
Department
Presentations to Task Force
6:30 p.m.
, Tuesday, Dec. 21
Survey
Development Dec. 1 to Jan. 1
Conduct
Survey Jan. 10-31 (per Decision
Resources schedule/recommendation)
Focus
Groups to existing organizations
Jan. 3 through March 8
Town
Meetings to precincts Jan. 24
through Feb. 3
Task
Force Meeting to categorize information
March 8, 2005
Task
Force Meetings to assign workgroups, parameters, and develop action plans
March 22, April 12, April 26
Task
Force finalizes recommendations
May 10, May 24, June 7 (or 14)
Presentation
of recommendations to the City Council
Special worksession in late June (June 27)
Adoption
of recommendations by the Council
Second City Council meeting in July (July 25)
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