04-16-07 Full Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Arden HiJls Council/Staff Retreat 2007 Notes Prepared by Barbara K, Strande!1 STRENGTHS. RANKED: All participants selected the tollowing "strengths". These characterize those attributes tound in Arden Hills that make it an attractive place to live or do business, and will help, if leveraged, achieve goals. PHYSICAL: 1. AH has an ideal location relative to the Twin Cities. 9 2. locaTIon (access to major highways), home to two colleges, home to several significant. high profile businesses. more people work here than live here (heips tax burden for residents), efficient City services (lots of partnerships such as public safety), small quiet safe neighborhoods. lakes, good schools, very sound financially; and parks 8 3. The TCAAP is a great resource that the City has the opportunity to develop and control" how" it develops. There is a great opportunity to create a community center or focal point and to add amenities to the City to draw it together. The TCAAP is also a great natural resource in the open space and it will be a great way to add tax base to the community (tax capaCity) to pay for services and help to keep the rate at a reasonable rate. yet be able to expand and provide more City services. Few cities have a chance like we have here. 3 4. The City has a number of nationally respected companies that are headquartered in Arden Hills (Boston Scientific, land 0' lakes. Country Insurance. etc.). 3 5. Excellent public school system 3 6. The City has a number of excellent recreational lakes and a very good housing stock. 2 7. Unique neighborhoods, each with their own character. 1 8. Neighborhoods and highly-educated residents. A community where people want to move to. Owner occupied property. Open space & parks. 1 9. Time to both downtowns <15 minutes 1 10. Stable and desirable housing stock 1 11. Multiple major (intellectual] corporaTIons 1 HUMAN: residents, leaders. community, demographic cohort, etc. 1. Dedicated. hard-working City staff 8 2. Nice residenTIal neighborhoods. 7 3. Residents are well educated and have skills and talents that can be used by the City on various committees. 7 4. Educated residents (lots of talent in the community), increased professionalism on staff. many educated and talented people on commissions/committees. 5 5. Adequate distribution of parks (still lacking in connection) 4 OTHER: . The current City Administrator has assembled a very professional staff and we are capable of handling most problems and challenges that come are way. . In general, the residents of this community treat each other and City staff with respect and professionalism. They appreciate what the City provides to them in terms ot services. . location, location, location! AH is centrally located belween both downtowns along a major north/south and a major east/west interstate. 9