7.1. SR 05-05-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Elk Elk River Comp ehensive Plan River Community Facilities and Services Plan The following expands on the implementation strategies outlined later in this chapter by further describing key concepts for maintaining and enhancing community facilities and services in Elk River. City Facilities and Services City Hall City Hall will continue to provide cost effective services that meet the needs of the residents, business owners, and property owners alike. The City will strive to make City Hall a showcase facility that simultaneously considers social, economic and environmental factors. Examples of this include continuing to make cost - effective improvements to City Hall that will conserve energy. The City will explore ways to enhance the City Hall site by implementing low impact design storm water management techniques, low maintenance native landscaping, and similar techniques that are cost - effective, visually attractive, and environmentally sound. Streets Division The Streets Division and associated facilities will continue to identify opportunities to provide cost - effective, safe, and environmentally sound City vehicles and equipment. The Streets Division will also continue to explore opportunities for alternative design, construction, and maintenance techniques for City streets and similar facilities. Police and Fire Department The City will continue to monitor the current and anticipated staffing, equipment, and facility needs of the Police and Fire Departments and will explore opportunities to address those needs in an efficient and cost effective manner. The City will also continue to work with neighboring and overlapping jurisdictions to explore the most appropriate ways to provide police, fire and emergency medical services to Elk River and the region. Energy Consumption The City will explore ways to reduce its energy consumption. For example, the City will strive to replace inefficient lighting in City facilities, replace inefficient City vehicles and equipment with more efficient vehicles and equipment, and to use green building techniques in new and renovated City buildings. The City will explore opportunities to partner with other public or private resources (such as the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), Renew Minnesota!, and the International Council on Local Environmental Issues (ICLEI)) to promote an awareness and understanding of energy conservation efforts and to seek grants to implement energy conservation measures. The City will strive to update its ordinances and policies to address energy conservation issues that affect community facilities as well as other types of development. Other Facilities and Services ISD 728 It is critical for the City of Elk River to continue to coordinate with the Independent School District (ISD) 728 Elk River Area School District on future land use needs or issues moving forward. Shared Community Facilities and Services The City of Elk River and neighboring and overlapping agencies and jurisdictions should continue to coordinate efforts to provide cost - effective services. Specifically those potential shared facilities that may be difficult for an individual jurisdiction to provide on its own, but may be feasible if shared with others. Telecommunications The City recognizes that high -speed information services are a critical component of Elk River's infrastructure and a critical component of economic development and quality of life. As such, the City will listen to the hopes and concerns of residents, business owners, and industries relating to telecommunications. As the City continues to grow and develop and implements plans to upgrade and extend municipal sewer and water lines, it will also consider opportunities to work with telecommunication providers and private utility companies to enhance telecommunication throughout the City where feasible. Chapter 1 1 : Community Facilities / 119