By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
KANNAPOLIS ó For the first time in several years, Kannapolis City Council will hold a strategic planning retreat to prioritize everything from a new police station to curbside recycling.
The one- or two-day retreat will allow council members to explore new issues facing the city, as well as tackle “a number of lingering topics that need some level of City Council direction and closure,” City Manager Mike Legg said.
The council will meet in November and avoid costly travel by gathering at the N.C. Research Campus or Pity’s Sake Lodge, the home of Research Campus founder and Dole Food Co. owner David Murdock.
City staff put together a list of potential retreat topics, including ownership of the baseball stadium, energy efficiency and a spring music festival in 2010.Council could discuss the city’s economic development strategy, including the Concrescere Business Park, Orphanage Road at exit 55, Kannapolis Parkway and Southland Development.
The Research Campus and a life science recruitment strategy are potential topics.”Micro” economic development issues include facade grant programs, municipal service districts, tax-increment financing, retail recruitment and quality of life improvements.
Historic preservation made the list of potential topics, including a possible community tribute to the Cannon family.
How to spend proceeds from the sale of a pictorial history book and whether to enhance and preserve Veterans Park, or find another tribute to the community’s veterans, might come up.
Long-term, strategic planning is best done apart from budget discussions, Legg said.
“We don’t want to talk about the budget at this retreat,” he said.