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� <br />EN HILLS <br />MEMORANDUM <br />DATE: June 13, 2011 <br />TO: Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers <br />FROM: rill Huf�rnacher, Community Development Director �'� <br />SUBJECT: What is cammunity develapment? <br />At t�e May 2, 2011, City Council goal-setting meeting, Counci�membexs posed a question, <br />"What is community development?" The answex to �at questzon zs not simple �nd will likely <br />involve an an-going discussxon between the Co�cil and staff as cornrnunity developmeni goals <br />are farmed and pwrsued. It zx�ay be helpful to begin the dialogue with a description of what <br />community development is not. <br />Comtnunity d�velopment is r�ot. . . <br />• Easy, concrete, or tangible. There is no clear "r�ght" answer. You will not know when <br />you are "there." <br />• The same in every cornr�unity. Communities have different situations, challenges, and <br />goals. Each city's com�nunity development agenda reflects thai particular community's <br />needs. <br />• Following "best practices." Community develapment is nat governed by a list of best <br />practices, state or %deral mandates, or state stat�tes. Hausing and economic <br />d�velopment work plans are nearly entirely at the discretion of �ie City Council. <br />What specif cally co�c�.unity develop�nn.ent is, is rnore difficult to defix�e. <br />Cammunity development is. . . <br />• Establishing a community vision and achieving goals. <br />• Building pride in the community and a sense of belonging by residents and businesses. <br />• Managing change. �dea�ly, citxes evaluate trends and look forward to see how the <br />ct�mmunity may change in the next decade ar so. Cornrr�u�ity de�velopment is an <br />opportunity for a ciiy to proactively address change to mitigate challenges and capture <br />opportunities. <br />• Sizx�ilar ta ti�e "resea�rcl� and development" function in private industry. Cor�rnunity <br />developrz�ent is an in.vestment xn the future. <br />City of�irden Hills <br />Ciry Council Work Session Meeting June 13, 2011 <br />Page 1 of 1 <br />