5-6-14 CPAC Kickoff Meeting Summary

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Community and Business Kick-Off Workshop Meetings Summary (May 6 & 7, 2014) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This document summarizes the input and comments received Comprehensive Plan Community and Business Kick-Off Public Workshops held on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday, May 7, 2014 from 9:00 10:30 a.m. at the Heman Park Community Center. Both meetings had the same content presented. The purpose of the meetings was to introduce and inform University City residents and business and commercial property owners about the purpose of the Comprehensive Plan Update and to begin a conversation as to what they believe are some of the most pressing and critical issues and/or allowed informal discussions throughout the session. Stakeholders in attendance had the opportunity to share with the the city and learn more about development process, schedule and upcoming outreach and engagement activities. In total, about 100 people attended the series of Kick-Off meetings. City of University City Mayor Shelly Welsch, members of the Plan Commission and its Comprehensive Plan Committee (CPC), the newly formed Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC), City Staff, and the Planning Consultant and Community Engagement Team were available to discuss the update process, explain the various components and key elements of the plan, answer questions and receive comments. Planning team members and city staff were available to talk with participants individually and answer any questions about the planning process. A questionnaire asking each recipient to identity at least five (5) issues or concerns confronting the City was distributed to meeting participants. Attendees were asked to complete the form on-site, share with the entire group during the workshop discussion and then encourage their neighbors and others to visit the website to participate in the online survey for residents and businesses and utilize the interactive mapping tool. Hard copies of the survey are available at the Public Library, Centennial Commons, and City Hall for completion. Attendees were also asked to sign up for issue-specific working groups that are to be formed. MEETING FORMAT AND WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS A workshop format was used to gather information from the public. This format allowed the planning consultants and community engagement team an opportunity to address the group as a whole and engage them in a brief prioritization exercise where each person in attendance was given the opportunity to express at least one concern to the entire group. These concerns were captured and recorded by a member of the planning consultant team and compiled into a list