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CASSELBERRY CITY COMMISSION <br />Minutes of April 12, 2013 — Strategic Planning Workshop <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />City Manager Randy Newlon gave an overview of the procedure that would be followed for the Workshop, <br />including a brief description of the information to be covered in each item. <br />Presentation: City Manager Randy Newlon gave a presentation documenting the City's current financial <br />status including results of an analysis of the City's fund balances as of the end of FY2012, and a 10 -year <br />General Fund Forecast including trending analyses for the General Fund (unrestricted) and Reserves, and <br />projected ad valorem tax levy and millage rates. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is attached to and <br />made a part of these minutes. <br />5. HOUSING TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS <br />Mayor Glancy recognized Commissioner Aramendia, Commissioner Fry, Planner Kyle Dudgeon, and all the <br />Housing Task Force members for their contributions. <br />Presentation: Kyle Dudgeon, Planner, gave a presentation which covered the creation of the Task Force and <br />establishment of its guiding principles, and outlined in detail its final recommendations, which were: 1) <br />Formulate an acquisition strategy for blighted residential properties; 2) Consider a financial incentive <br />rehabilitation program for home improvement projects; 3) Develop partnerships with local housing <br />organizations; 4) Invest in public amenity projects such as street art, gateway markers, and/or beautification <br />efforts; 5) Consider financially initiating a nonprofit housing organization; and 6) Development a community <br />visioning strategy for the future. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is attached to and made a part of <br />these minutes. <br />Discussion: A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the recommendations made by the Housing Task Force <br />and possible projects which could be undertaken to improve the City's neighborhoods and housing stock, <br />including: street art at various intersections; formation of a nonprofit community development corporation <br />(CDC); ornamental lighting, sidewalks and monument markers; rezoning options; creation of linear trails and a <br />linear park system; acquisition and/or refurbishing or demolition of distressed properties; prioritization of <br />projects; project funding options; strategies for providing notice to and obtaining buy -in from the public; <br />neighborhood entrance walls; landscaping and trees; community garden; partnering with Habitat for Humanity <br />on rehabilitation of properties in the City; strategies for encouraging interest from private entities for residential <br />redevelopment; design standards; gateway markers and branding; and the possibility of future implementation <br />of a curb appeal grant program for improvements to facades and landscaping. <br />CONSENSUS: Commission agreed by consensus to direct staff to research the cost of <br />designing and creating a linear park to be located in a two -block area <br />from Lilac Road to Jasmine Road, consisting of replacement of <br />pavement with grass and some trees or hedges, amenities such as <br />benches or picnic tables, and appropriate additional lighting as <br />needed. Commission consensus was also to include street art at the <br />two intersections on the north and south ends of the linear park. It <br />was further agreed that this would be a pilot program to see if <br />