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01-27-09 Annual Citizens Roundtable MeetingANNUAL CITIZEN'S ROUNDTABLE JANUARY 27, 2009 The Annual Citizen's Roundtable Meeting of the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, was called to order by Mayor Rita Ellis in the Crest Theatre at Old School Square at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, January 27, 2009. Roll call showed: Present- Commissioner Gary Ehopoulos Commissioner Fred B. Fetzer Commissioner Woodie McDuffie Commissioner Mackenson Bernard Mayor Rita Ellis Also present were - David T. Harden, City Manager Susan Ruby, City Attorney Chevelle D. Nubin, City Clerk Mayor Ellis called the meeting to order and welcomed the public. She gave -a brief overview regarding the meeting speakers and format. In addition, she shared some thoughts regarding the importance of the public's participation. ROUNDTABLE AGENDA 1. Land Use Issues and Trends — Comprehensive Plan Report — Paul Zacks, Planning and Zoning Board Chairperson Paul Zacks, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board, highlighted the City's successes over the past year and the Board's annual report; and stated the Planning and Zoning Board's main focus is to guide the physical development of the city in a manner that will preserve its unique quality of life for present and future residents. The Comprehensive Plan serves as the City's long range planning document which contains policy guidelines for the control of growth and quality of life in the city. He stated the plan was created through the collected input of the citizens and contains the communities' priorities. The board reviews proposals for new developments to insure that they are consistent with the City's goals and objectives; and also reviews updates to the Comprehensive Plan to make sure that it is keeping pace with the changes in the City. Two and a half years ago, the city began the process for a major rewrite of the Comprehensive Plan with preparation of an Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR). This report required by Florida Statute afforded an opportunity to suggest changes or amendments that were needed including reformulated goals, objectives and policies. A series of five (5) community workshops were held to obtain citizen input on the plan. The completed EAR was adopted by the City Commission on October 17, 2006. A complete rewrite of the Comprehensive Plan based on the EAR was completed in 2008 and was adopted in December with a second amendment processed in 2008 to incorporate the City's 20 year Water Supply Plan into the comprehensive plan. Mr. Zacks stated this has been a dynamic and exciting year for the City and significant progress has been made towards achieving the goals and objectives outlined in Comprehensive Plan. He gave an overview of the projects that were accomplished; and those projects planned for 2009. 2. Community Redevelopment Agency Status Report — Frank Wheat, CRA Chairperson Frank Wheat, Chairman of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board, thanked the public for being in attendance. In addition, he recognized the members of the CRA Board and the CRA staff. Mr. Wheat stated 2008 was a challenging yet productive year for the CRA. With a budget of approximately $13 million, the CRA continued to carry out their projects and programs outlined in the Community Redevelopment Plan, the Downtown Master Plan and other area wide redevelopment plans. Economic development and transportation projects were major priorities as were redevelopment efforts along the Northwest/ Southwest 5`h Avenue corridor. The CRA also made significant investments in residential neighborhoods within their district; continued to find affordable and workplace housing initiatives throughout the district and supported the Community Land Trust (CLT). He reviewed the major accomplishments of the Community Redevelopment Agency for 2008 and discussed the goals (projects) for 2009. 3. State of the City Report — David T. Harden, City Manager David T. Harden, City Manager, stated Delray Beach is much more than a city. It is a community of people working together to create the best possible living environment for themselves and their fellow citizens. He stated the vision as developed by citizens and Commissions which continues to focus the City's efforts remains that Delray Beach will become a charming village by the sea, with a great world class beach, a vibrant downtown, a community of quality neighborhoods and schools, recreational and cultural opportunities abound, people embrace cultural diversity, and the city government provides exceptional city services. The Commission set goals for 2013 and targets for 2008 -2009 as we move toward this vision. Priorities change annually but our goals have remained the same for a number of years. He listed the 2013 goals in priority order. He informed the public that the national economic slowdown and credit crunch are huge obstacles for efforts to expand and diversify our local economy; and discussed projects affected by this in addition to plans regarding economic recovery. He continued to present the efforts, projects and accomplishments specific to each goal in detail. In addition, he gave information regarding communication efforts i.e. the City's website, emergency radio 1620 am, media coverage, News for Neighborhoods, utility bills, live streaming /archiving of City Commission meetings, hometown connection, and QAlert. He encouraged everyone to read the Annual Report. He stated the past two years have been difficult, however, 2010 will the most challenging year yet as we face a daunting drop in revenue; and we need the citizens input to decide where to focus our energy and limited resources for FY 2010. 2 JANUARY 27, 2009 Annual Citizen's Roundtable & Infrastructure Public Hearin The Annual Citizen's Roundtable & Infrastructure Public Heating was held in the Old School Square Gymnasium. The participants were presented with four questions regarding major issues in the city, suggestions to help improve issues in the city, infrastructure and ways to deliver city programs and services. The responses are attached hereto and made an official part of the record. Mayor Ellis adjourned the Roundtable at 10:00 p.m. City Clerk WN The undersigned is the City Clerk of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, and the information provided herein is the Minutes of the Annual Citizen's Roundtable Meeting of the City Commission held on Tuesday, January 27, 2009, which Minutes were formally approved and adopted by the City Commission on February 17, 2009. %- City Clerk NOTE TO READER: If the Minutes you have received are not completed as indicated above, this means they are not the official Minutes of the City Commission. They will become the official Minutes only after review and approval, which may involve amendments, additions or deletions to the Minutes as set forth above. JANUARY 27, 2009