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11-03-1983 Joint w/Council ~ (.) 0 City CITY OF EDGEWATER Council/Industrial Development Board Joint Meeting November 3, 1983 Minutes Chairman Massey called the regular meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. in the Shuffleboard Clubhouse. ROLL CALL Present: Councilman Spencer, Councilman Asting, Mrs. Massey, Mrs. Middleton, Messrs. Foleno, Schneider, Vazquez and Gnau. Excused: Councilwoman Benning- ton, Councilman Wargo and Mayor Ledbetter. Also excused: City Attorney Alvarez, ChiRtef Ear~ Baugh, Messrs. Poland and Sawyer. Absent: Mr. Faidley. #UL_.~' (J~ ~ _JJ ~J-. ,,1rW ) ::'0 ~ ~ ~ r -- -- .-. I APPROVAL OF M~ES Mr. Vazquez motioned to approve the minutes of the October 6, 1983 meeting. Mr. Gnau seconded the motion, which CARRIED 6-0. NEW BUSINESS Access to Industrial Zoned Land - Mrs. Massey explained the problem which exists off Park Avenue, in that Dale Street and John Street, which go across the F.E.C. railroad, have been blockaded by the railroad company, making that industrial property inaccessible. She stated that Dale Street has been used for ingress and egress since 1974 when Wickes purchased the land and built a truss plant. Taxes are paid for this property but they have no street access, no water service, no sewer service, no police or fire protection. The rail- road company advises that it is notan abandoned railway. Mrs. Massey stated that the railroad is in deplorable condition. She pointed out that in April of '83 the then City Clerk was asked to inquire about the blockades put up by the F.E.C. on Dale Street. Councilman Asting informed those present that he had looked into the barricade problem and had asked the Fire Chief to look at them and was advised that it would be impossible to get to that land if there is a fire. Florida East Coast Railroad was advised of this. They responded that they would give access but there would be an exorbitant annual fee. Mrs. Massey said that if there was access to the land for seven years they may have a right of eminent domain. Councilman Asting agreed that the railroad was in deplorable condition. The ties are rotted out. Board member Schneider felt the City did not have the right to deny services to that area. Mrs. Massey urged that the matter be brought to a conclusion: if they need dedicated streets, if they need to condemn it, if they have right of eminent domain, then the City should take action and let the Board help. Councilman Spencer remarked that he did not believe that it is the responsibility of the City to give services in all cases, but he agreed that it is desirable that the City do so. Councilman Asting thought perhaps condemnation action might be one route to go. Mr. Schneider pointed out that the property owners there could not build on the property as it is now because the City requires that there be access for police and fire protection before site plan approval is given. Councilman Spencer recommended that the Board, along with the Planning Com- mission, consider the possibility of annexation for additional industrial areas and for future needs of the City. Councilman Asting said that the Industrial .Board would be invaluable when the F.E.C. Park opens up. It is his feeling that anything going into the park should first come to the Industrial Board for their review. Mrs. Middleton brought out that the Board has considered the possibility of annexing. Councilman Asting assured the Board that the City Clerk will contact the City Attorney to get his opinion on condemnation of the spur, and a report will be made to the Industrial Board. Mr. Vazquez suggested that the City Attorney also look into the easement, in that it has been in use for over seven years. Councilman Asting suggested getting some photographs of the spur. ~ Q o , Tree Ordinance - Mr. Darwin Schneider spoke about the tree ordinance~ com- menting that he works in construction and is familiar with the situation. He favors a tree ordinance~ but did not believe a figure of 25 per cent tree coverage for all development is reasonable, and is too restrictive for in- dustrial and commercial uses. He pointed out that there needed to be water retention areas, setbacks, parking, and building areas. He recommended perhaps 10 per cent tree coverage and 30 per cent green area. Councilman Spencer said that the ordinance is based on ordinances of other cities. He explained that the Planning Commission recognizes that there are problems with the ordinance and Council is willing to consider modifications to make it a workable ordinance. Mr. Schneider said that buffer zones work well, as you already have a setback requirement, and there is nothing wrong with planting in the setback area, in most cases. Councilman Asting recommended the Board send a letter to Council and let them act on it. Mr. Gnau made a motion that a letter be prepared to go to Council explaining the Board's views on the tree ordinance. Mr. Foleno seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Mrs. Middleton suggested that a copy of the letter be sent to the Planning Commission. City Clerk Kinsey advised that a letter had just come in to the Planning Commission from the Business Association and if this is going to be on the next Planning Commission agenda, perhaps members from the Industrial Board should attend that meeting also. Flood Plain and Cost of Engineering - Mr. Darwin Schneider explained to those present the problem created by the need for additional engineering review by Briley, Wild for those projects located in the lOa-year floor plain. He pointed out that most of the industrial land is located in the flood plain. Councilman Asting indicated that the City is employing a City Engineer and this may be a project for him to undertake. Mr. Schneider explained that Waco Manufacturing Company had submitted all the elevation figures and did storm water calculations when they applied for site plan approval, but this had to be reviewed by the City's engineer, which added greatly to the cost. He said the applicant needs to know exactly what they are required to do; being held up for 45 days, as Waco was, could cost the company thousands of dollars. Mrs. Kinsey said that with the new City Engineer reviewing site plans, the problem should be eliminated. Mr. Schneider suggested that a set of guide lines be provided. Certified Development Corporation - Mr. John Vazquez gave a brief explanation of the function of the C.D.C., noting that the key word in this corporation, which serves the Southeast Volusia area, is community involvement. The pur- pose of the C.D.C. is to encourage economic growth by industrial development and specifically aid the small businessman, not only by bringing new businesses, but helping the existing businesses in the area to expand. One necessary result of a C.D.C. loan is that a job be created or a job be maintained. The person wishing to bring a business to the area or expand must put up 10 per cent. The local lending institution puts up 50 per cent and has the first mortgage. The C.D.C. provides 40 per cent. This signifies to those people wishing to come into the area that they are wanted. Mr. Vazquez explained that there are only seven other C.D.C's in the State. It is a non-profit corporation and municipal support is required. What municipal support means is a gray area and would be for the City Council to determine. Councilman Asting felt this should go to the attorney, as they would be dealing with public funds. Councilman Spencer congratulated Mrs. Massey and Mr. Vazquez on their appointments to the first Board of Directors for the Certified Development Corporation; Mrs. Massey is Secretary and Mr. Vazques is Trea- surer. Mr. Schneider commented that it would be advantageous for existing businesses to be approached and the function of the C.D.C. explained to them. They could perhaps have an industry awareness day. Industrial Park - Mr. Vazquez asked for the councilmen's opinions about having an industrial park owned by the City, comparable to the one in New Smyrna Beach. The subject of available land for industry was discussed. Annexation was also brought up. Councilman Spencer said there were a lot of things the City needed to plan for and this is one of them. It was noted by most members present that the City should act quickly or the avail- able land will be used up for residential. Councilman Asting said he favored a City owned industrial park. Councilman Spencer agreed that the City needs more industry, but was not ready to support a City owned park until he has City Council/Industrial Development Board Joint Meeting, November 3, 1983 - 2 - - .. (.) <J studied it further. He referred to the park in New Smyrna Beach, stating that theirs had not provided many new jobs. Mrs. Massey commented that the land in New Smyrna was free to the City, and they had gotten grants for paving the streets. Mr. Schneider stated that in New Smyrna's park, if you are in an aviation related field and require airport access for your business, you have to lease the property. Other sites are purchased. It was noted that there were several businesses ready to corne into that park. Mrs. Massey commented that it was more important to take care of the matter at hand, such as getting the streets opened to the existing industrial lands, rather than consider annexation at this time. Economic Development through the New Smyrna Beach/Edgewater Chamber of Commerce - Mr. John Vazquez said that in New Smyrna Beach the emphasis on economic development is to get it away from the City and put it in the hands of the Chamber. He asked if that is the avenue which is pursued how does the City of Edgewater feel about participating in a joint venture with the Chamber of Commerce? The Chamber, representing both cities, would also be the central focus of general economic development. He pointed out also that when someone comes in wanting information, they need to have someone to go to who had the answers, and can give confidentiality. He stated it needs to be a pro- fessional person to steer inquiries to, who could also go for grants. This is a full time job. Councilman Spencer said that one of the things the City needs is a professional staff planner; he would help in many of these areas. Councilman Asting said the position needs someone who can sell the City. Chairman Massey thanked the councilmen for corning to the meeting to discuss the needs of the City with the Board. Both Councilman Spencer and Councilman Asting complimented the Board members on their devotion to helping to indus- trialize the City. The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m. Minutes submitted by Joan Taylor City Council/Industrial Development Board Joint Meeting, November 3, 1983 - 3 - u CJ Date ~, ~ 1?3 ID(~/K3 r- '1 - -- r --- I I I r-~-- -----T -- -- j .. .. . ---- - ...,' - II _ i j n __~-_~n~~~~==- _=~~n__ ~:~~~_[_:-_ ... ..: nn _~f_=-~.l:::~._' __= _I_~ -- r----- J l I - . ... ...... __ --- - --1----- ----~ .. 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