City Council Goals & Strategic Plan

The City Council, at its September 2, 2008 meeting, formally adopted their goals and strategic plan for the remainder of 2008 and for 2009. One of the unique aspects to this particular plan is a focus on building upon Hopkins' strengths as a community. In addition to striving to provide high quality services on a daily basis, the City needs to stretch further and envision a better Hopkins. Building on what the City does well is the best way to take the community to the next level.

Summary

Goal I – Build on the Small Town Feel of Hopkins

Background: A small-town feel is a major part of the identity of Hopkins. Surveys have demonstrated that it is also one of the primary reasons people like living in Hopkins. Efforts in the future need to capitalize on and enhance this important city asset.  

Goal II – Enhance and Promote Smart Urban Design and Walkability

Background:  Hopkins has been recognized as a city that encourages smart urban design. This includes the ability to walk to stores and other amenities. Advancing these goals also improves the small town feel.

Goal III – Take It to Them

Background:  Hopkins has a reputation for strong citizen involvement and engagement.  The City needs to build upon that strength by reaching out to deliver our messages and hear from our stakeholders.

Goal 1—Build on the Small Town Feel of Hopkins

Background: A small-town feel is a major part of the identity of Hopkins. Surveys have demonstrated that it is also one of the primary reasons people like living in Hopkins. Efforts in the future need to capitalize on and enhance this important city asset.  

Strategy 1- Create a More Vibrant Business Community

artwork in downtown Hopkins
  1. Explore methods with the HBCA to better connect the business community to the City. 
  2. Pursue state support and participation in allowing direct TH 169 access to Mainstreet.
  3. Explore ways to enhance the sense of place in commercial centers including banners, public art, and directional signage.
  4. Research the development of design guidelines and standards for Mainstreet from 12th to Shady Oak Road. (Current downtown design guidelines)

Strategy 2- Promote and Enhance City Events

Raspberry Festival Grande Day parade Mainstreet Days banner
  1. Identify at least three new ways to promote and enhance city events such as Mainstreet Days and the Raspberry Festival.
    1. Meet with city event organizers to discuss the long range plans for all city events.
  2. Explore the viability of a new city event potentially featuring city trails and facilities.

Strategy 3- Provide Accessible and Friendly City Services

  1. Develop new methods to become more responsive to citizens and customers.
    1. Track response rates to citizens and their requests.
    2. Provide maximum decision-making capability at the customer point-of-contact.
  2. Establish an employee training program to include quality   customer service, teamwork and decision-making.

Goal 2—Enhance and Promote Smart Urban Design & Walkability

Background:  Hopkins has been recognized as a city that encourages smart urban design. This includes the ability to walk to stores and other amenities. Advancing these goals also improves the small town feel.

Strategy 1- Improve Walkability and Physical Connections in  the City

parks & trails logo
  1. Assess pedestrian connections and pedestrian friendliness throughout the City with an emphasis on centers of employment and housing along with connections to transit and Mainstreet.
    1. Create a new sidewalk and trail-oriented master plan to connect each residential area to a regional trail, Mainstreet, and/or an LRT station.
  2. Explore instituting a local shuttle service.
  3. Partner with other agencies and governmental units (e.g., watershed districts and the park district) to enhance paths and trails in the community.
  4. Review and potentially revise city ordinances and policies to ensure that they fit the goals of smart urban design and walkability.
  5. Institute a policy or plan whereby all new developments are reviewed to ensure pedestrian-friendly design.
  6. Pursue walkablility designations/awards.
  7. Post suggested walking/running routes in city publications and on the city website.
    1. include distances between locations.
    2. delineate Landmarks and sites along routes.
    3. Walking Hopkins

Strategy 2- Go Green

  1. Research the development of a program for business incentives based on green development.
  2. Pursue potential “Green Star” City Designation based on a program to be designed by the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC).

Current "green" projects:

Strategy 3 – Healthy City Initiatives

  1. Continue to promote wellness activities among city employees and consider expanding initiatives to the entire Hopkins community.
    1. research conducting a city-wide health-related event.
  2. Provide two community forums promoting the National Recreation & Park Association’s (NRPA) Step Up To Health Initiative.
  3. Lobby state and federal government officials to find methods to reduce health care costs.    

Strategy 4 – Plan for LRT

  1. Develop mixed-use zoning classification requirements that support transit oriented development around proposed LRT stations. 
  2. Develop a strategy to Investigate ways to control land around proposed stations for future transit oriented development. 
  3. Maximize internal trip capture - those that walk or bike to the LRT station - by intentionally creating pedestrian friendly environments on & near the station site and safe pedestrian connectivity within 1/2 mile from the station. 
  4. Create a good pedestrian environment and pedestrian-scale interest from parking locations to the station platform, from the Central Business District to the station and from residential TOD areas to the station.
  5. Locate and plan for destination employment centers as close to the stations as possible - within 1000' preferably.
  6. Ensure that all Southwest Transitway impacts (noise, vibration, traffic, economic, parking, utilities, environment) are identified and documented in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for future Federal mitigation funding.   

Goal 3—Take it to Them

Background:  Hopkins has a reputation for strong citizen involvement and engagement.  The City needs to build upon that strength by reaching out to deliver our messages and hear from our stakeholders. The City will also strive to better educate the community on a variety of city issues, policies and programs. 

Strategy 1- Business Recruitment

  1. Identify target businesses for recruitment based on market  analysis and community feedback on what else is needed.
  2. Recruit one new target business to Mainstreet.

Strategy 2- Involve Minority Populations/Diversity

  1. Create a Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee (MAC).
  2. Conduct a New Americans Academy.
  3. Connect MAC to city employees, elected officials, city commissions and the community at large through information sharing.

Strategy 3- Engage the Rental Community of Hopkins

  1.  Conduct a pilot project at a specific location (rental community) focused on community building and citizen engagement
    1. Increase City committee involvement
    2. Increase distribution of city material/publications
    3. Increase voter turnout
    4. Reduce resident turnover

Strategy 4-  “Think Hopkins”- Marketing and Promoting the City of Hopkins

  1. Partner with the Hopkins Business and Civic Association (HBCA) to explore a staff position responsible for the marketing and promotion of the City.

Strategy 5- Citizen Engagement Initiatives

  1. Create, distribute, and promote a citizen engagement guide.
  2. Conduct City Council and Board and Commission meetings at off-site locations of interest.
  3. Conduct presentations with different groups throughout the community on city goals and initiatives.
  4. Explore methods to expand the scope and reach of the Citizens Academy.     
  5. Provide for more interaction through the use of technology and the city website.
    1. online surveys
    2. Topic or question of the month
    3. “Ask Harley Hopkins"