20/20 Cold Spring Vision Team

June, 2005

Cold Spring has been a very busy community since June 2004. We have incorporated many of the ideas that the Design Team provided and, with some, a different angle was taken. We are excited about taking you on a tour and filling you in on all the activities.

This is what we heard the community say:
1. Rezoning based on latest data for the community
2. Put together a team that will get things done
3. Launch into the next version of our Long Term plan given by the community
4. Inventory our natural resources
5. Enhancing and further the value of our natural resources
6. Tap into the volunteer gap in the community with Faith in Action
7. Celebrate creative element in community
8. Promote area through easy to obtain written information
9. Include township in all our activities
10. Put banners up around town

To address the above desires we formed seven task forces…Land Use, Design Standards, Arts/Culture, Social, Tourism/commerce, Natural Resources, and Administration

Land Use: We are purely defining boundaries in present city limits being culturally inclusive. The city and township are being encouraged to move more closely together and work co-operatively on appropriate projects.

Tourism: We are working with the Cold Spring Area Chamber to provide a brochure rack in the entrance of a new office building where they have an office. A Chain of Lakes magazine has been distributed telling the story of our area. Under discussion is sharing the services of an administrative assistant for services 20 hours per week. Signage on Hwy 23 pointing the way to the Visitors' Center will soon be a reality.

Social Action: We are approaching churches and other non-profits to get their support, solicit volunteers, etc. Their team is working with Assumption Campus and has space there to continue their work.

Arts/Culture: This team has formed a community band which has had its first concert. We are looking into forming a Historical Society and supporting other art projects in the community. Putting together a Home Video Festival is also on our to-do list.

Natural Resources: The city parks have been inventoried and information is on the website. The team has met with the Sauk River Chain of Lakes Board for inclusion in their water management plan. We are negotiating for the use of a sliding hill, obtained a grant to help fund the light and we hope it will be ready for next winter. We have reviewed Outlook Park and are anticipating teaming with Minnesota Conservation Corps to clean it up and re-establish its history. We are also anticipating "Parties in the Park" to encourage residents to become familiar with our parks and to use them.

Design Standards: We have been doing some public relations work because false information happened. The team is working with the Land Use Task Force and was very influential in getting the Lions Park Pavilion designed to better represent our community.

Administration: We have found that we need a 'structure' task force…one to maintain the integrity of the 20/20 Vision Team. We have a grant committee that will be tapping into that database. We have a process for all expenses to be approved by the "Steering Committee" as our oversight committee is called. To go forward we have a draft set of by-laws and articles. A member of this group has provided us with a website and blog to promote our program. We also had a celebration.

We still have some 'needs' that we are working on in the short run.

We have the need for financial assistance. We have a power-point presentation ready to take to our non-profits and businesses. Training for our presenters will be provided.

The Land Use team is working to update Cold Spring's Comprehensive Plan. A preliminary one will be completed this summer and is expected to cost $7,300. The full plan is expected to cost $40,000. A grant has been submitted for funds to pay for the preliminary plan.

We have the opportunity to contract with an artist to involve local talent is completing some mosaic tile artwork to display in our parks and other public places.

We are exploring the cost of developing an intercity trail system for bikes and walking. Area businesses will be encouraged to provide secure bike racks.

Developments will be required to have a stormwater runoff plan and rain gardens will be used in the parking lot of Lions Park to slow stormwaters' run to the river and to act as an example.

We are in this for the long haul. The presence of the 20/20 Vision Team will be a lasting one in Cold Spring. The success we hoped for last year has been buffered with the fact of reality. We had some successes we thought might take years to get; we had some sure fire ideas that didn't happen.

We'd like to thank you for all your efforts to help us get started. We hope we can be your "poster child".

# posted by Duane Kuss @ 11:48 AM