Joint Planning Between CRAs and Cities
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Palma Ceia 3-4
Joint Planning Agreements have been done between cities and counties but how do they work between a CRA and the municipality? This is a discussion that shows the pros and cons of having a Joint Planning Agreement between the CRA and municipality. Joint Planning Agreements create cohesion for vision. Add funding issues, and it can help all stakeholders understand the CRA’s role within the city. Learn how a Joint Planning Agreement can set the tone of development for a CRA.
Speakers: Julie Fife, Planner III, Long Range Planning, Polk County Board of County Commissioners, and Amy Palmer, Community Development Director, City of Auburndale, AICP
CM I 1.0
Julie Fife Ms. Fife is a Long-Range Planner with the Polk County Board of County Commissioners. In this role she handles Comprehensive Plan Amendments, long range strategic projects and implementation, coordinates on County-wide Economic Development, and facilitates joint city/county growth management. Her pervious role with the County was serving as the Community Redevelopment Coordinator over three CRA’s. Julie has a combined 15 years of professional experience as a Disaster Community Redevelopment Manager, after Hurricane Katrina, served as a Business and Economic Consultant for the Department of Economic Opportunity and a Family Mental Health therapist.
She is a graduate of the Southeastern University in Lakeland, with a B.S in Psychology. She also holds a Master’s in Leadership. She is finishing up at the University of Florida completing a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning. Julie is a current member of the American Planning Association and is graduating with her FRA-P Certification at the 2019 FRA Annual Conference. Julie resides in Lakeland with her husband and four amazing kids, is a coffee enthusiast, loves yoga and hiking and her happy place is in a hammock on the beach with a good book.
Amy Palmer Ms. Palmer is the Community Development Director for the City of Auburndale, a position she has held since 2012. The Community Development Department issues building permits, works with developers and property owners on land development issues, and oversees the City’s economic development activities. Prior to working for the City of Auburndale, she practiced economic development with the Central Florida Development Council, Polk County’s economic development agency. Amy obtained her undergraduate degree with a double major in Political Science and Sociology from Catawba College in Salisbury, NC. She has a Master of Science Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University. She has been a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners since 2005. She is also past-chair for the Heart of Florida Section of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association. Amy and her husband Andy live in Winter Haven where she enjoys entertaining family and friends, swimming, cooking, and trying to keep up with her active daughter.