Lisa Cortese

The Strategic Plan Committee meeting agenda included an introduction led by the Mayor, a discussion regarding the Comprehensive Plan Update led by the Community and Economic Development Director, and a session dedicated to Public Safety Strategic Recommendations. The meeting concluded with a review of next steps.

The meeting agenda included the consideration of the Consent Agenda, featuring the minutes from the November 6, 2025, and December 4, 2025, Planning & Zoning Board meetings. New Business involved recommendations for approval on two ordinances related to the Phelps Street area: Ordinance 2026-1, a Small Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment, and Ordinance 2026-2, a Rezoning request, both associated with marketing the property for commercial development. Supporting documents detailed the staff's recommendation for approval of both ordinances, outlining consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and urban sprawl analysis for the Comprehensive Plan Amendment.

The meeting agenda included several key items. Under General Information, procedures for public comment and consent agenda items were outlined. The main agenda covered announcements, including a community garage sale and recognition for a committee member, and a proclamation for Black History Month. Old Business involved the renewal of the Florida Department of Transportation Highway Maintenance Memorandum of Agreement for State Road 50 maintenance and a discussion regarding Palisades & Conservation Properties. New Business included consideration for accepting a LiveWell Foundation Grant to install Safe Haven Baby Boxes, transferring remaining property at South Lake Regional Park to the LiveWell Foundation, and establishing an ordinance for registered voters to require Council reconsideration of certain ordinances and resolutions. The workshop portion of the document detailed extensive discussions on a new City website design, the proposal for a community survey platform using FlashVote, discussions regarding future City Hall location options within the downtown area, a potential new pediatric doctor's office, planning for a first annual community gala, scheduling community huddles, and options for Council office space, along with City Manager goals.

The meeting featured several key discussions and actions across multiple segments. Opening ceremonies included the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation. Guest speakers provided announcements regarding the Adelante Learning Series, prompted by Kroger layoffs, and a reminder about the upcoming Menorah Lighting Ceremony. The City Attorney announced the deferral of the Palisades Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Rezoning, and Special Exception Use items. The Consent Agenda involved approving various minutes from prior dates (excluding October 6, 2025 minutes, which were moved to New Business) and approving a resolution related to the extension of an FDEP SRF Loan Agreement for stormwater capital projects. Further consent actions included approving a CRA Roll Forward Budget Amendment and ordinances related to the Gadson Street Annexation, Small Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Rezoning (changing land use to Light Industrial), and the MBSI Headquarters Small Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Rezoning. Under New Business, the Council amended the October 6, 2025 meeting minutes to exclude attachment 2, which had not been presented. The meeting concluded with the initial discussion regarding appointments to the Recreation Advisory Committee.

Key discussions included the process for making public comments, how consent agenda items are handled, and procedural requirements for addressing the board. Old business centered on the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) 101 Overview Presentation, where the board requested staff develop a workshop to review and prioritize items in the CRA Plan, especially concerning the potential amendment of the CRA boundary. The board also discussed the establishment of a CRA Advisory Board, reaching consensus on Option 4 for bringing forth an ordinance. New business involved the Michell's Tropical Treats request for reimbursement under the Anchor Tenant Program and Business Façade Grant, which was deferred pending submission of documentation by the proposer. The board also reviewed and approved the FY 2025-2026 CRA Roll Forward Budget Amendment and sought consensus on the potential use of CRA Project Attribution Signage for transparency on future projects. Finally, a presentation was given on the Realignment Ready Plan for State Road 50, and the scope for a study regarding the recruitment and site requirements for medical facilities was discussed.