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04-14-1988 .' o o CITY OF EDGEWATER SCREENING COMMITTEE April 14, 1988 7:00 p.m. CITY HALL MINUTES The meeting of the Screening Committee was called to order by the Chairman, Thomas L. Sheridan, at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of City Hall ROLL CALL Members present were: Wallace Trickey, Dominick Fazzone, James W. Bonneville and Thomas L. Sheridan. Mr. William C. Hoffart was excused. Mr. Sheridan announced there were no minutes to be approved and no Old Business and under New Business, the Committee is to interview applicants for recommendation to Council to serve on the Industrial Board. The first applicant was called in to be interviewed. DANNY K. HATFIELD Mr. Sheridan asked Mr. Hatfield his reasons for wanting to serve on the Industrial Board and Mr. Hatfield replied he had seen the newspaper article where help was needed and he would like to do something constructive. He stated he has lived in New Smyrna and Edgewater since he was eight years old. He said he is available to attend meetings and has the time to do any research required. Mr. Sheridan stated Mr. Hatfield has a good work background, although it is not in business. Mr. Sheridan exp~ained the idea of the Industrial Board to Mr. Hatfield, saying the primary function was to bring in new businesses which would subsequently bring in new jobs, provide a wider tax base, which would take relief from individuals in the City, as businesses use the City's facilities and pay for this in impact fees. \ Mr. Sheridan asked the question of a pet project of the applicant being shot down by the Board or perhaps the Mayor and City Council, and how he would react. Mr. Hatfield said he would, of course, be a little upset but he is only part of a whole and other people have ideas. Mr. Hatfield continued the only conflict of interest he may have is, his front yard is zoned industrial but he doesn't believe there is enough there to ever cause a conflict. Mr. Sheridan then explained what Mr. Hatfield's duties would be as a member of the Industrial Board. Mr. Fazzone then asked Mr. Hatfield what type of background he has at the Wiltech Corporation where he is employed and Mr. Hatfield said he is a "Clean Room Mechanic", and explained they assemble valves and other parts under the strictest of conditions; that he works with his hands, he is not an assemblyman; these valves go on a shuttle and are brought into a very special area, very sanitized. Mr. Fazzone then asked Mr. Hatfield what he, as an individual, could do to help formulate plans for use and development of property around the City and Mr. Hatfield answered he believes we need to plan for any industry to come in; we have to have the kind of roads, etc. to support industry; he understands there will be around 37,000 people in this area, so we have to have industry in here for the future. Mr. Sheridan thanked Mr. Hatfield for coming in alld announced the next applicant was to have been John Scherz, but when notified by the secretary to come in for an interview stated he did not want to serve on the Board at this time, so the Committee has just four applioants .to. interview' evening. ROBERT W. RICHARDS Mr. Sheridan introduced Mr. Richards to the Committee and then asked Mr. Richards how long he had been a member of the Industrial Board, o o and Mr. Richards replied about one year, and he was elected Chairman about two months ago. Mr. Sheridan turned to Mr. Richards' resume and stated Mr. Richards has a very successful business, to which Mr. Richards replied yes, he employs about thirty people. In answer to Mr. Sheridan's next question, Mr. Richards stated the Industrial Board was not instrumental in getting his buiness into the city. Mr. Sheridan asked how Mr. Richards would react to a business being recommended to be brought into the City which would be in direct competition with Mr. Richards', and Mr. Richards said he believes competition is healthy. Mr. Sheridan told the Committee he believes Mr. Richards certainly has the qualifications as far as work experience and business associations. Mr. Sheridan asked Mr. Richards if the Industrial Board has made any plans as to annexing land into the City for industrial development, and Mr. Richards said these are some of the things the Board has been working on, but the Board seems to have gone down, as one member has served her term, one member has dropped out, and they could not meet the last time because of lack of a quorum. Mr. Richards did say the Board has tried to locate property for an industrial park; however, they feel at this point it should be a private sector thing, rather than the City trying to do it. Mr. Richards said the Board was trying to support the college and see if the City could supply them with water and sewer, but at their last meeting the Board tried to get a letter from the City Engineer stating his views but have not heard as yet, although he believes there is a letter somewhere. Further discussions continued as to the college coming in the future and the effect it will have on the City of Edgewater. Mr. Fazzone then asked Mr. Richards just what kind of people he would like to see on the Industrial Board and Mr. Richards said he would like to see people who are involved in industry in the City and the County. He stated the Board preferred City residents, lor County, as this Board does not require a member be a resident, but it is preferable. Mr. Richards suggested someone from Boston Whaler or someone from Southeast Bank, the new branch manager having expressed interest in being on this Board. A discussion followed as to the amount of land available for an industrial park, perhaps annex it in. Mr. Fazzone asked Mr. Richards' opinion as to this community having a high number of retirees, who may not want big industry and Mr. Richards said he believed good, clean industries would help. He also added his buisness is the repairing of outside telephone equipment and some of his best employees are people who are retired and want to work part time. Questioning continued by Mr. Sheridan with Mr. Richards saying he has the ability to be objective and welcomes competition. Mr. Sheridan asked the pet project question being shot down and what Mr. Richards' reaction would be, and Mr. Richards said he would have to go along with the Board and as to going to the Mayor or Council, he answered no, it would be in conflict with the Sunshine Law. He also stated he does not have a conflict of interest. Mr. Sheridan. continued the interview by saying the Committee will try to supply good people to serve on the Industrial Board. Mr. Richards said the Board is in favor of seminars with Oak Hill and New Smyrna Beach, orre_hav.ing-b~en held last year which was very successful. Mr. Sheridan brought up final questions as to professionals only being on the Board, as some come in who are not but have high standards and are willing to learn, to which Mr. Richards agreed. A discussion ensued as to the Advisory Boards of a city being the cog that turns the wheels of government. Mr. Richards did say he resented having to be interviewed but Mr. Sheridan then explained the purpose of the Screening Committee. Mr. Richards was thanked for coming in, and the next applicant was called. VINCENT E~~A~~ARELLO, JR. Mr. Sheridan explained to Mr. Azzarello that the Screening Committee is trying to find quality people to serve on this Industrial Board, explaining the Industrial Development Board was formed to bring new industry, non-polluting industry, into the City, to provide jobs for young people who wuld not have to go to Jacksonville, etc. He continued there are many problems in bringing industries, and it is up to the Board to lay the groundwork to make a place in the City for successful businesses. Mr. Azzarello said he wants to be involved in community action; he is not degreed but has been in business all his -2- Screening Committee Minutes of April 14, 1988 Meeting ~ o o life and has many business contacts. Mr. Sheridan asked what Mr. Azzarello's reaction would be about bringing someone who would be in direct competition with his business and Mr. Azzarello stated he welcomes competition and believes competition does not hurt but helps. In answer to Mr. Sheridan's question as to ability to get along with people, Mr. Azzarello said he has never had any problems; he has been in everything from hotels, campgrounds, service stations and restaurants. Mr. Sheridan questioned Mr. Azzarello's availability and the time factor involved in service on the Board and Mr. Azzarello said there would be no problem there. Mr. Sheridan then asked the question of a pet project being. shot down and Mr. Azzarello said if he thought it was a really good idea he would be disappointed but would make sure he had put his point across. He also said he would go with the Board's decision but would question why they did not go along with it. When asked if he would go to the Mayor or Council, he stated it would have to be an extreme circumstance as he does not believe you can create problems for a Board and if the majority disagree with you you have to abide by it. Mr. Azzarello also added he can see nooonflict of interest with his business as far as the Sunshine Law is concerned. Mr. Fazzone then asked Mr. Azzarello what he thinks he, as an individual, can contribute to(the Board and Mr. Azzarello answered he has been in the community long enough to see things which he believes would help the City such as a department store, another food store, and quite a few things he would like to see here. Mr. Sheridan thanked Mr. Azzarello for coming in and the Committee went on to the next applicant. GUY HANSON Mr. Hanson said he is a purchasing agent but he is now in the machine fabricating business. In answer to Mr. Trickey's question as to how long he has lived here, Mr. Hanson said he has been an Edgewater resident since 1964. Mr. Sheridan asked Mr. Hanson's reasons for wanting to serve on the Industrial Board, and Mr. Hanson said his primary reason would be to contribute to the community in some way, giving back the enjoyment he has had living here. He also stated he would like to have businesses for his children to work so they would not have to move away, and he would like to see Edgewater as a town we could be proud of. Mr. Sheridan stated this is very desirable; this is what the Committee would like to see. Mr. Sheridan stated there is a possibility of an influx of-highly trained people coming into Edgewater due to the southwestern branch of Daytona Community College being in walking distance and Mr. Hanson said the Community College helped train workers when Boston Whaler moved into the area. Mr. Sheridan continued questioning by asking if Mr. Hanson would be available to do research for the Board and Mr. Hansons said that would be no problem. In answer to the question of a pet project being shot down, Mr. Hanson replied he would be a little disappointed but the majority would have to rule, although he would be curious as to why. Mr. Hanson said he would be glad for competition as competition brings cheaper prices. He also said he would like to see government work brought in, as there is a bundle of labor here, the housing is easy to relocate and much cheaper here, and we do have the ocean and river, freight by barge, perhaps. Mr. Hanson was then thanked for coming in. The Committee, after discussion, agreed the four men interviewed this evening are the best and the secretary was asked,to submit their names to the Mayor and Council as recommendation to serve on the Industrial Board. The Committee discussed placing ads for future board vacancies. There being no further business before the Committee, Mr. Bonneville moved the meeting adjourn, seconded by Mr. Trickey. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.. -3- Minutes submitted by Dorothy C. Garrity, Secretary Screening Committee Minutes of April 14, 1988 Meeting.