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04-03-1997 ��aovZe� s ' CITY OF EDGEWATER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD REGULAR MEETING April3, 1997 6:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Richard Jones called to order a regular meeting of the Economic Development Board at 6:35 p.m., Thursda April 3, 1997 in the Community Center. ROLL CALL: Members present were Chairman Richard Jones, John Browning, Thomas Alcorn, Gary Roberts, Adelaide Carter, and John Moore. Also present were Sean Sullivan, Jiloty Communications; Mike Visconti, member of the Beautification and Tree Committee; George Butler, Realtor; Bill Lucas, Surveyor; and Liz McBride, Board Coordinator. Daniel Lewis was recorded absent. Randolph Churchill and Karl Gerwe were also absent, but by giving prior notice, were recorded excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes for March 6,1997 were presented to the Board for approval. After correcting the spelling of a word, Mr. Moore moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Browning. Motion CARRIED 6 -0. CONTINUED BUSINESS: 1. Marketing Brochure a. Review Final Draft Sean Sullivan presented the final draft brochure to the Board for review. The members requested some additions /changes in the text and photographs. Since the final product would be presented to the City Council on April 21, 1997, Chairman Jones set April 16, 1997, as the cut -off date for any additional changes. A cop of the brochure was shown to George Butler, since he took some of the photographs, and to Mike Visconti and Bill Lucas. b. Grant Solicitations The Board reviewed an update of the solicited contributions. The total committed amount was $8,500 and the amount received to date was $5,720. Mr. Browning said Edgewater Machine has committted to $250. No. rI Economic Development Board Minutes - April 3, 1997 Page -2- Chairman Jones reported he had asked jilot to submit a proposal for the development of a map. He then showed a map the Ma picked up while in the Tampa area. The Chairman said the Ma felt the map was a good "drawing card." He also showed a map of an artist's rendition of Da Beach, which he preferred, and asked Jilot to look at it from this prospective when developing the proposal. Mr. Alcorn said he would like communit involvement. Ms. Carter agreed, and felt she could get businesses to contribute to the cost if their businesses would be featured. The Chairman said he asked Jilot to cover from Cape Canaveral Seashore up to Ponce Inlet. Chairman Jones suggested speaking with the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authorit or the Chamber of Commerce to see if the wanted to participate. The Chairman then thanked Mr. Sullivan for his attendance. 2. Approval of Amended EDB By - Laws Mr. Alcorn suggested deferring this item until later in the meeting, after copies were made for the members. All were in agreement. 3. Overall Economic Development Plan (OEDP) Priorities Chairman Jones felt the Board was floundering, as far as the priorities were concerned. He said he reall never knew exactl where the stood and who was doing what. He indicated he would like to set those priorities, and work more on priorit one than priorit five. The Chairman said he listed the priorities he felt were in order on the agenda A. Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) & PID, B. Park Avenue Infrastructure, C. US 1 Streetscape, D. I - 95 Interchange Area Development, and E. Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Projects. He asked the Board for their concurrence or suggested changes. Mr. Alcorn felt the Board's priorit was to work toward the goals which would bring new businesses into the Cit that would create jobs, and be at or above minimum wage levels. Chairman Jones felt the priorit list facilitated the Board's overall objectives. He said infrastructure is a ke item. Mr. Alcorn asked if it would be possible or appropriate to jointl with the Edgewater Business Association (EBA), mail an invitation to Cit businesses to discuss their needs. Chairman Jones briefl explained a similar meeting, "What's Your Beef ", which produced a ver poor response. The Chairman indicated man people want to designate a "down town" area, and said Edgewater was not setup to do so, and felt this should not be pursued. Chairman Jones informed the Board Mike Visconti of the Beautification & Tree Committee video taped different areas of the Cit in conjunction with the recommendations of the "Dick Clark Stud Y• Nov Economic Development Board Minutes - April 3, 1997 Page -3- B. Park Avenue Infrastructure - Chairman Jones said he didn't have enough information on this subject. Mr. Moore said the majority of West Park Avenue didn't have City water or sewer. Mr. Roberts then suggested requesting from Terry Wadsworth, Director of Utilities, what sewer and water lines ran to the industrial and commercially zoned areas. Also, if the water lines were up -to- date as far as the size for fire hydrants, where the sewer lines run, and where they plan to extend them. He said a business person would want to know this information before building in the area. Mr. Roberts also thought Mark Karet, Director of Community Development, should supply the Board zoning maps. He also felt colored zoning maps should be available as a hand -out to potential businesses. Chairman Jones said the Board needed to be educated on the zoning of the City. Mr. Roberts felt the Communit Development office should also have available a small brochure of information listing the industrial areas and infrastructure. Mr. Browning the asked if the City had zoning books available at a price. Mr. Alcorn said the zoning book is $25, which includes updated subliments. Mr. Alcorn moved that the Board recommend each member of the Board be given a zoning map and a current zoning code book, seconded b Ms. Carter. Motion CARRIED 6 -0. Chairman Jones said the needed to look at the infrastructure along West Park Avenue because it would tie into the FIND project and the PID. Mr. Moore said as far as enticing industr and new businesses into the City, the Board should do anything and everything possible to develop the PID. He felt FIND & PID and Park Avenue infrastructure should be the Board's priority. Mr. Browning said another priority would be getting the Guava /Hibiscus area rezoned. Mr. Alcom felt it would be of interest to receive monthly reports of new businesses. Chairman Jones distributed information from a March 1997 Business Prospect Report supplied by VCBDC concerning new companies and existing industr expansions. The Board reviewed the memo. C. US 1 Streetscape The Board and Mr. Visconti discussed the proposed fountain to be placed at the intersection of US 1 & SR 442, and landscaping on the medians. Mr. Visconti said it had been suggested to ask businesses along US 1 to put flower boxes or tubs in front of their businesses. Ms. Carter referred to the Dick Clark Study where it mentioned planting memorial trees, and said there might be citizens interested in doing this. Chairman Jones asked Ms. Carter to be the EDB representative to work with the Beautification & Tree Committee on this. She agreed. D. I -95 Interchange Area Development Chairman Jones referred to a past presentation Mr. Alcorn gave to the Board regarding a golf course communit Mr. Alcorn said there was a dela due to acquisition of the land. w Economic Development Board Minutes - April 3, 1997 • Page -4- E. Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Projections Chairman Jones stated that about a y ear and a half ago, Philip Fong, past Chairman, requested information about the impact of taking certain areas of the Cit and freezing the tax level. He referred to New Sm Beach and what the had accomplished. He briefl explained how TIF works. The Chairman said he would follow up b contacting Fred Munoz, Director of Finance. 2. Approval of Amended EDB By - Laws Chairman Jones reviewed the changes in the By - laws. He said if there were no comments, he would approve the B -laws b signing the document. Ms. Carter so moved, seconded b Mr. Alcorn. Motion CARRIED 6 -0. 4. 1998 Fiscal Year Budget a. Status and Review Chairman Jones read the break down of budgeted items. He said, in the past the VCBDC and the Chamber of Commerce received funds directl from the Council, but some y ears ago, Ma Ha decided the should receive funds from the EDB budget. The Chairman said the EDB provides these organizations $8,500 each. He said the Ma indicated the EDB should press these organizations for more support. Chairman Jones then referred to various activities the Board ma be interested in attending, and told them to contact the Board Coordinator to register. He mentioned the upcoming Expo, and said the Police Department would host the booth this y ear. He said the Police Department would appreciate anyone interested in helping man the booth for a few hours. NEW BUSINESS: None at this time. CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS: Chairman Convenience Benches - Chairman Jones referred to information he received as the result of Mr. Moore's request. Mr. Roberts said the park benches with advertisements do not belong in residential areas, and they should be more decorative. Ms. Carter agreed and suggested having a contest with the elementar schools. Chairman Jones mentioned a few citizen's concerns about the benches being a gathering place for teenagers, etc., who drop trash and cigarette butts. Mr. Moore said he would like to see a copy of the contract the City has with Associated Marketing Incorporated to see if they have a business license to operate an advertising business in the City of Edgewater. He said the company charged advertisers $9,550 last y ear, which the City received fifteen percent (around $1,432). Mr. Moore said his idea was to have businesses in the communit adopt some of the benches. He said Mr. Visconti was working on a list of benches that would be most appropriate. Discussion continued on businesses advertising on the benches. Mr. Roberts said the EDB should Economic Development Board Minutes - April 3, 1997 Page -5- encourage Cit Council to take this type of advertising out of residential areas and keep it in commercial, and to replace the ads with colorful scenes. Mr. Roberts said this would tie into the Beautification & Tree Committee's plan to do something on the approach off of I -95 into the City. Chairman Jones suggested sending Mr. Robertses comments to the Beautification Committee, with a cop to Council, and that the EDB concurs with this activity. Mr. Roberts mentioned the widening of Indian River Boulevard may affect beautification efforts. He said the State had been talking about doing this for years. Chairman Jones said it wouldn't be until 1999. Since the Council had asked the EDB to work with the Beautification & Tree Committee, Mr. Moore said one of the key things to do to help them, would be to help generate some funds. He said Mr. Visconti had some good ideas. Advertising Committees - Chairman Jones said there were three advertising committees in Volusia Count He said it was proposed to consolidate these agencies. The Chairman referred to a letter from the Chamber of Commerce indicating they felt the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authorit (SVAA) would be more responsive to the needs of the southeast opposed to West Volusia County. Chairman Jones said the Chamber of Commerce wanted to get as much support as possibly. The Chairman indicated to Steve Dennis, Executive Vice President of the Chamber, he apposed the consolidation and wanted to retain the SVAA as a separate entity. He told Mr. Dennis he would ask for the EDB's support. He said this item would be on the City Council's agenda April 7, 1997. Mr. Moore felt the Board should advise the Council if the agencies are consolidated, the EDB would not want to fund it. Chairman Jones added the City had a problem every July 4 getting support from surrounding communities for the fireworks displa He felt this was a good public relations activity. He also felt the Cit should receive support from the SVAA in return for supporting them. The Chairman said the volunteer firefighters raised most of the funds for the fireworks. Chairman Jones said with the Board's concurrence, the Board would make a statement to the Council supporting the Chamber and would also seek support not onl for the fireworks displa but the boat parade. Members Mr. Browning said he was interested in the status of the rezoning of Hibiscus and Guava Drives. Mr. Moore said Tallahassee sent back their objections, recommendations, and comments (ORC Report). He said Cit staff was to compile another submission b the end of December 1996. Mr. Moore said he had asked Mr. Karet at the last Council meeting about the status, but did not receive an adequate answer. Discussion continued on the ORC Report. Mr. Moore said he would call Tallahassee to see where things stood. Chairman Jones agreed with Mr. Browning, and said the EDB should ask Mr. Karet to give them a presentation on the status, and what the Board could do to support it or help move it ahead. Mr. Browning said it should be done as soon as possible. The Chairman asked the members how the felt about setting up a special meeting. Economic Development Board Minutes - April 3, 1997 Page -6- Mr. Moore moved that the EDB hold a special meeting with Mr. Karet to find out where the comprehensive plan amendment stood, and an correspondence from Tallahassee, seconded b Mr. Roberts. Motion CARRIED 5 - 0. Mr. Alcorn was not present for the vote. It was requested to invite the Ma to the special meeting. Chairman Jones said he would like to amend the motion, and also request the Cit Manager attend. Chairman Jones said he had been interested since last fall of getting a page on the Internet as a wa of advertising. He said Susan Wadsworth, Cit Clerk, told him Jack Corder, Director of Parks & Recreation, and Mr. Karet had been assigned the responsibilit to develop a web page for the entire Cit The Chairman said he would coordinate with them to tr to get a page for the EDB. Chairman Jones said he was also interested in having a billboard on I -95 a few miles from the northern border and another a few miles north of exit 83, and ma one on the south side. He said it could draw people into the Cit The Chairman said with the Board's support, he would proceed to get some estimates on what the cost would be. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion was made and approved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Minutes respectfull submitted b Elizabeth J. McBride, Board Coordinator Economic Development Board c: \edb \minutes \040397.reg