Prior Lake Mayor Kirt Briggs: 5 priorities in 2018

Prior Lake American

The past year was a busy one for Prior Lake on all fronts and the upcoming year doesn’t look like it will slow down.

For the city, 2018 will be full of projects and goals.

“(It’s a challenge to) pick the priorities because you can do anything you want, but you can’t do everything,” Prior Lake Mayor Kirt Briggs said. “That will remain one of the most significant challenges — doing more with less.”

Here are five city priorities for 2018, according to Briggs.

1. Building on past decisions

In 2017, the city approved a water treatment agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community to build a shared water treatment facility. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community also increased the funding the tribe provides to the city of Prior Lake in exchange for police services.

“This council has been very appreciative and very active in that regard with our collaborations with our neighbors,” Briggs said.

Additionally, the city will continue to work to engage residents in the Highway 13 and County Road 21 reconstruction project.

2. Establishing more communication with Prior Lake residents

In 2017, the Prior Lake City Council voted to hold town halls for important issues such as the budget and to move the council meetings in order for residents to have the opportunity to attend both the council meetings and the Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board meeting.

“That, to me, was a sign that our council was into communication and transparency and making it easier for citizens to come forward,” Briggs said. “Both of those things occurred in our very first meeting which to me, was a difference we wanted to make at the outset.”

As in the past, the city has used a community survey to guide many decisions. However, there has been difficulty in reaching residents and getting them engaged apart from that, Briggs said.

“I believe social media could be a piece of that,” Briggs said. “I’ve yet to figure it out, but we have to find new ways to reach our citizens. I’m hopeful in 2018 and on that more of the community becomes aware and gets engaged and involved.”

3. Working on roads

There will be many, many road projects going on in Prior Lake in 2018. Work will continue on the Highway 13 and County Road 21 project. Highway 13 will be resurfaced. A roundabout and turn lanes will be added to Duluth Avenue and Highway 13.

Many projects will start this year and continue into 2019 and 2020, Briggs said.

“Roadwork,” Briggs said. “A lot of road projects in 2018.”

4. Introducing new businesses

“We saw a lot of growth in 2017,” Briggs said. “We added over 300,000 square feet of commercial space, or permitted.”

That includes a new restaurant called PLate on Main and a new brewery in downtown Prior Lake, Boathouse Brothers Brewing. Residential projects will also finish up in 2018 including Trillium Cove, Haven’s Ridge and Summit Preserve.

“A lot of the seeds of growth from 2017 have germinated and are going to bring a fresh energy to our downtown,” Briggs said.

5. Finishing up the 2040 Vision

The 2040 vision will be completed in 2018.

“One of the huge things is taking all of the feedback,” Briggs said. “So, it was a community survey and we had upwards of 140 folks but we and the city council will be putting on the final touches on the 2040 Vision for the city of Prior Lake.

The document guides future endeavors for the city.

“There is a lot of positive momentum in the community,” Briggs said. “We’re looking forward to continuing to do our best to ensure that Prior Lake remains a wonderful place to live, work and play for a lifetime.”