Workshop items
Agenda items are a 2027 Street Improvement Project update for Lakeshore Drive and Hiawatha Avenue (item 4A) and a Big Lake Strategic Plan discussion (item 4B).
OFFICIAL COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Big Lake City Council Workshop Agenda (September 16, 2026)
City Council workshop packet
September 16, 2026
Published by City of Big Lake
IN PLAIN LANGUAGE
This packet is for a Big Lake City Council workshop on September 16, 2026. It has two main items. The first is an update on the planned 2027 street resurfacing project for Lakeshore Drive and Hiawatha Avenue. Staff held public open houses and will present resident feedback. Recent cost estimates for the street project are listed as $900,000 to $950,000; part of the project would be paid from the City’s State Aid Account (funded by the State gas tax) and by special assessments to benefitting properties. Staff will recommend the Council order a Preliminary Engineering Report at the regular Council meeting that evening. The second item is discussion of a Draft 2027–2031 Strategic Plan. Staff asks the Council to review the draft, give direction or clarification, and identify changes. The draft is based on a September 2 Council planning session and the Management Team’s September 8 review. The draft lists five core functions and many candidate initiatives; staff also suggests revised wording and additional initiatives. The draft intentionally omits implementation details and is not final. No financial impact is listed for the strategic plan in this packet.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
2027 street project scope and public outreach
The Lakeshore Drive and Hiawatha Avenue project is about 2.2 miles and will likely include concrete curb repairs and pavement resurfacing. Eight open house meetings were held in early September and staff received phone calls, emails, and questionnaires.
2027 street project cost estimate and funding
Recent cost estimates are reported as $900,000 to $950,000. A significant part would be paid from the City’s State Aid Account (funded by the State gas tax). Benefitting properties would contribute via special assessments per the Special Assessment Policy.
Preliminary Engineering Report recommendation
Staff indicates they will recommend the Council order the Preliminary Engineering Report for the street project during the Regular City Council meeting that evening.
Strategic Plan draft purpose
The Draft 2027–2031 Strategic Plan sets priorities the Council wants the organization to focus on over five years. The draft is based on Council direction from September 2 and was reviewed by the Management Team on September 8.
Strategic Plan content and staff suggestions
The draft is organized around five core functions: Administration; Finance; Public Safety; Infrastructure & Utilities; and Land Use & Development. Staff proposes modified language for some initiatives and recommends adding several specific initiatives (for example, cybersecurity policies, water/sewer studies, updates to emergency plans, permitting system improvements).
Implementation details not yet included
The draft intentionally does not identify lead personnel, timelines, milestones, or implementation details. Staff will prepare those after the Council approves initiatives.
DETAILS
2027 Street Improvement Project update presented to Council
update only (no direction requested in packet)
Staff will recommend ordering the Preliminary Engineering Report for the 2027 Street Project
staff will recommend during the Regular City Council meeting that evening (recommended, not decided in this packet)
Council to review Draft 2027–2031 Strategic Plan and provide direction
requested (draft not finalized)
Draft Strategic Plan to be finalized and returned for formal Council approval after Council provides direction
planned (not completed)
SOURCE TRANSPARENCY
Review the official record.
This information was published by City of Big Lake. Praveta keeps the source available when the organization provides a public link.