08-26-02 Community & Economic Development

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tommittire *port touts-unity autr Commit Vitiozlopment (ommtttoe The August 26, 2002 meeting of the Community and Economic Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Karl King at 4:38 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Varner, Aranowski, Pfeifer, King, Kelly, Kirsits, Coleman and White; Community & Economic Development Director Jon Hunt, City Attorney Charles Leone, Director of Public Works Gary Gilot, Citizen Member Isabele Gonzalez, Larry Magliozzi, Director of the Division of Community Development Pam Meyer, George Adler, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member King noted that the purpose of the meeting was to begin receiving information from the Department of Community&Economic Development on the 2000 census. Mr. Larry Magliozzi stated that approximately two(2) weeks ago he provided his first report on the census information. By the end of September much additional census data will be released and projections will then be able to be made to assist planning and development. All income information has yet to be released, however when it is it will be available on a block level. The Department will have interns provide analysis of the demographics and the Department will keep the"Council in the information loop". Planners will be going out to spend time with neighborhood groups and will report back their comments. Mr. Magliozzi stated that if there is particular data which a Council Member would like, that he or she should contact the Department. Council Member King noted that he is concerned that the data itself would become an end in itself. He inquired what the conceptual framework would be. He questioned what is the base information that we must know so that a through and complete job could be done. Mr. Magliozzi stated that certain trends will be tracked such as residents and housing. Council Member King inquired what the overall goal is, giving an example that it could be to develop a city or county development plan. He stressed that he is not interested in receiving information that is already available. Council Member King inquired what the key components would be with regard to the data which the Council would be receiving. He also inquired about what are the key questions which the City is trying to answer by this data. Mr. Magliozzi stated that they are currently working on a Table of Contents. Community and Economic Development Director Jon Hunt stated that certain assignments have been given out,and quality of life concerns are part of those assignments. Council Member Pfeifer noted that she agreed with Council Member King's comments. She inquired whether the City is trying to address these priorities in the city budget. She noted that City officials should be respectful of one another during this process, but goals and objectives must be tied to the budget if progress is to be made. She suggested that if dollars are not tied to goals and objectives that we should start doing so. She also suggested that in many instances programs have been successful and should be continued to be assisted by funds; but in other instances, programs have not been successful and the City has an obligation to review why they have not reached their goals and perhaps withhold funding; noting that all of these concerns must be carefully weighed against our priorities and goals for the betterment of our city.