Loading...
08-02-2017 City of Edgewater 104 N.Riverside Drive Edgewater,FL 32132 Meeting Minutes Economic Development Board Wednesday,August 2,2017 8:00 AM Council Chambers 1. CALL TO ORDER-ROLL CALL Bliss Jamison, Chair of the Economic Development Board, called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Present 4- Bliss Jamison,Donna Snow,Clarence McCloud and Craig Bair Excused 1- Brandon Beck Also present was Economic Development Coordinator and Parks&Recreation Director, Samantha Bergeron. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Minutes for the Regular Meeting-March 1,2017 A motion was made by Marcia Barnett, second by Donna Snow, to approve minutes from the March 1, 2017 Economic Development Board Meeting. The MOTION was APPROVED unanimously. Yes: 4- Bliss Jamison,Marcia Barnett,Donna Snow,Clarence McCloud and Craig Bair Excused: 2- Cecil Selman and Brandon Beck b. Minutes for the Regular Meeting-April 5,2017 A motion was made by Craig Bair, second by Donna Snow, to approve minutes from the April 5, 2017 Economic Development Board Meeting. The MOTION was APPROVED unanimously. Yes: 4- Bliss Jamison,Marcia Barnett,Donna Snow,Clarence McCloud and Craig Bair Excused: 2- Cecil Selman and Brandon Beck C. Minutes from the Special Meeting - School Scholarship Sub Committee Meeting - April 14,2017 A motion was made by Craig Bair, second by Clarence McCloud, to approve minutes from the April 14, 2017 Special School Scholarship Sub Committee Meeting. The MOTION was APPROVED unanimously. Yes: 4- Bliss Jamison,Marcia Barnett,Donna Snow,Clarence McCloud and Craig Bair Excused: 2- Cecil Selman and Brandon Beck City of Edgewater page I Printed on 1012912021 Economic Development Board Meeting Minutes August 2,2017 3. PRESENTATION-None at this time 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS Bob Andrejkovics of 331 Admiralty Court, Edgewater, Florida mentioned that he is on the Planning and Zoning Board and they put forward to the Council, a the new Dollar General store to go just North of Park Avenue. Mr. Andrejkovics also mentioned they are working on an annexation of 63 acres North of Volco Road for a potential new subdivision. He thanked the Board for their service in putting a stamp on how we will be growing into the future. 5. REPORTS (CITY& OTHER) a. Planning &Zoning-None at this time b. SEVCC Donna Snow reported that as a trusted source for finding businesses, the Chamber of Commerce is launching an enhanced website with enhanced business listings. The new website allows small businesses to have a website presence easily and inexpensively. What used to be simply a text listing can now include business logos, photos, videos, coupons, a map to the business location and additional information. Ms. Snow also noted that new memberships are ahead of plan and budget for this year. There are new businesses in Edgewater and Oak Hill. Oak Hill has formed their Economic Development Board which rounds out what is trying to be accomplished with the Southeast Volusia Marketing Initiative. c. City Manager City Manager, Tracey Barlow, thanked the Board for the leadership they exhibit in representing our community in Economic Development. Mr. Barlow stated that Southeast Volusia is growing and "open for business" and reported that the annexation Mr. Andrejkovics spoke about, is a sign that people are proud to bring their property into the City of Edgewater. Edgewater is continuing to see some slow growth in commercial businesses as well. For example, the individual who owns Extreme Concrete is building a block plant in the Parktowne Industrial Center, creating about 9 more jobs. City Council has just gone through the annual budgeting process, which has been challenging as the City of Edgewater has not received FEMA reimbursements for the response to hurricane Matthew. Council has worked through the process of balancing the budget with PFRs - Post FEMA Reimbursements. Council will balance an initial budget without the expansion of any projects, before FEMA reimbursements. Once Edgewater receives (nearly $3,000,000 0fi reimbursements from FEMA, City Council will amend the budget to add programs and vacant positions that are currently frozen. Council seems very satisfied with the budget. We were able to maintain the 6.7 mils. Edgewater is doing extremely well. Preliminary taxes show Edgewater's existing tax base is one of the strongest in the county for percentage of increase. A good sign for Edgewater! City of Edgewater page 2 Printed on 1012912021 Economic Development Board Meeting Minutes August 2,2017 Coming up on the Council agenda, in addition to considering the first reading of the previously mentioned annexation, Council will be considering the annexation of about 600 acres, west of town and adjacent to the Deering Park. Mr. Barlow reported meeting with the planner in charge of the restoration project. That asset has been acquired by someone out of California who is ready to continue moving through the permitting process. Edgewater continues to work with the Deering Park Development. The Florida Department of Transportation has granted surplus property to Edgewater just west of the interchange and the Deering Park Group is about to begin beautification to the medians in that area. Ms. Snow asked Mr. Barlow if the restoration project plans have changed. Mr. Barlow replied that they are negotiating with the Army Corp regarding wetland areas where additional avoidance is wanted. As of now, the conceptual plans we have adopted in our comprehensive plan, sustainable community development, stay the same, about 8,500 residential homes and 1.4 million square feet of non-residential. Ms. Snow asked Mr. Barlow about increasing donations to the Local School Scholarship Fund. Mr. Barlow described some ways we are trying to get the word out including advertising the Scholarship fund in our weekly e-mail newsletter and quarterly newsletter, giving out post card advertisements/sign-up sheets at events, speaking on WSBB and having a table at events to promote the Scholarship fund. He offered to share promotional postcards with board members who want to help promote the program. Ms. Jamison asked Mr. Barlow about reimbursement from FEMA for hurricane Matthew. Mr. Barlow responded that every other state that was affected by hurricane Matthew has received FEMA reimbursements and distributed them to communities, with the exception of Florida. It appears that reimbursements are being held up at the State level. Edgewater had only about 15% of our general fund designated as reserve for a response, but expenses went well above that 15%. Most other communities have 30-40%of reserves to cover response costs. To balance the budget going forward, we are having to borrow about $1.9 million from our water/sewer fund. These dollars would be used to maintain water and sewer equipment. As maintenance projects are delayed, they become more costly to complete. Over time, reserve funds need to be increased to meet emergency needs. d. Economic Development Coordinator Samantha Bergeron reported that the group working with the former Cameron's Marina at 2001 S. Riverside Drive has received permitting from DEP and Army Corp to replace the seawall and dredge. A cable show, "Bar Rescue", came and filmed at No Name Saloon. No Name has a new sign and they are putting up a new fence, spiffing up that corner. City of Edgewater page 3 Printed on 1012912021 Economic Development Board Meeting Minutes August 2,2017 A company, related to the aviation industry, manufacturing gas tanks, is moving to Edgewater from New Jersey and the City is working closely with them. The old Pro-Edge building at 301 Mango, has been purchased and is being improved so it can be leased and potentially broken up for smaller operations. 1710Industrial is also being improved and brought up to code. This fills most of our empty industrial buildings. We look to developing Parktowne and west of town next. Mr. Barlow spoke to the Board regarding Brilliance. He stated that Dr. Alani is still getting plans engineered for about a $9 million, 72 bed facility. He expects Dr. Alani to begin construction within the next three months. He also shared with the Board that City Council foreclosed on a Code property, one parcel off US], across from the cemetery. Mr. Barlow stated that as Edgewater has the opportunity to acquire these properties, they can then be sold to the CRA so when we do redevelopment we have properties to assemble to use as an incentive or to accommodate stormwater for other development needs. Mr. Barlow noted that FPL is starting to remove all the double wood poles along US] and replace them with concrete poles which fare better in storms. At 8:35 a.m. Donna Snow departed the meeting. Ms. Bergeron presented the Southeast Volusia Marketing Initiative Strategic Marketing Plan first draft and spoke about the groups work developing marketing information. They were recently invited to attend the MRO America Show , which was an aviation show in Orlando. A group visited the show with marketing packets, data sheets, the Chamber's directory, information from ad the authority, list of vacant properties in Southeast Volusia. Additional data sheets are being developed as we plan to visit other shows in the future. 6. BOARD APPOINTMENTS a. Election of Economic Development Board Chair A motion to reappoint Bliss Jamison as the Chair of the Board, was made by Marcia Barnett and second by Craig Bair. The MOTION was APPROVED unanimously. Yes: 4- Bliss Jamison,Marcia Barnett,Donna Snow,Clarence McCloud and Craig Bair Excused: 2- Cecil Selman and Brandon Beck b. Election of Economic Development Board Vice Chair A motion was made by Marcia Barnett and second by Craig Bair to nominate Donna Snow for the position of Vice Chair. Ms. Snow agreed and the MOTION was APPROVED unanimously. Yes: 4- Bliss Jamison,Marcia Barnett,Donna Snow,Clarence McCloud and Craig Bair Excused: 2- Cecil Selman and Brandon Beck City of Edgewater page 4 Printed on 1012912021 Economic Development Board Meeting Minutes August 2,2017 C. Recommendation for Board Appointments A motion was made by Craig Bair, second by Marcia Barnett to recommend Debbie Dolbow to City Council for appointment to the Economic Development Board. The MOTION was APPROVED unanimously. Yes: 4- Bliss Jamison,Marcia Barnett,Donna Snow,Clarence McCloud and Craig Bair Excused: 2- Cecil Selman and Brandon Beck A motion was made by Craig Bair, second by Clarence McCloud to recommend Todd Perry to City Council for appointment to the Economic Development Board. The MOTION was APPROVED unanimously. Yes: 4- Bliss Jamison,Marcia Barnett,Donna Snow,Clarence McCloud and Craig Bair Excused: 2- Cecil Selman and Brandon Beck 7. OTHER BUSINESS a. Approval of EDB Proposed Budget for 2017-2018 This budget still requires revision. Some budget items for the Economic Development Board budget will be put on the Post FEMA reimbursement list, such as $10,000 for Southeast Volusia Marketing Initiative, $1,000 for SEVMI meeting hosting, administrative, printing and copying along with $5,000 for the Economic Development brochure. 8. BOARD REPORTS Marcia Barnett mentioned that the third Tuesday of each month is the Biz lunch. For a few months, there is an educational series on how to use your smartphone with business. Bliss Jamison gave an update on the widening of Park Avenue. They have completed surveying and have now moved to the design phase. Ms. Bergeron mentioned that the trail extension is moving along and should open around the holidays this year. 9. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:55 a.m. City of Edgewater page 5 Printed on 1012912021