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07-02-1997 NNW CITY OF EDGEWATER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD REGULAR MEETING July. 2, 1997 6:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Richard Jones called to order a regular meeting of the Economic Development Board at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 2, 1997 in the Community Center. ROLL CALL: Members present were Chairman Richard Jones, Thomas Alcorn, Gary Roberts, Adelaide Carter, John Moore, and Daniel Lewis. John Browning arrived at 6:37 p.m. Also present were Steve Dennis, Executive Vice President, Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce; Sandy Jones, President of the Chamber; Jerry Fox, Vice President, Volusia County Business Development Corporation; Joe Martin, former Chairman, EDB, (then Industrial Development Board); and Liz McBride, Board Coordinator. Karl Gerwe was excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes for June 5, 1997 were presented to the Board for approval. Mr. Alcorn moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Roberts. Motion CARRIED 7 -0. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: 1. Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce - Steve Dennis, Executive Vice President Chairman Jones said Mr. Dennis and Mr. Fox were invited to the meeting to inform the Board what the Southeast Chamber of Commerce and the Volusia County Business Development Corporation (VCBDC) provided for the money the EDB contributes to both orginizations. Mr. Dennis said, between the Chamber and VCBDC, there were two levels of activity in economic development. He explained VCBDC was very interested in industrial development; trying to bring manufacturers into the area who have specific needs. He said the Chamber deals in all other types of development, which are those interested in starting a business or bringing a business to the area. Mr. Dennis distributed packets containing extensive information that are given to new prospects. He said the Chamber is considered the "largest reservoir" of community information. Mr. Dennis said the Chamber at times refers prospects to VCBDC, realtors, bankers, financial advisors, etc. He said it requires a great deal of money and time to maintain, collect, and send all the information in the packets. He said the Chamber works with, and acts as a channel for SCORE, the Department of Insurance, and various other organizations. Economic Development Board Minutes - July 2, 1997 Page -2- Chairman Jones asked Mr. Dennis to explain what the Chamber did specifically for the mone Edgewater funds them. Mr. Dennis said it would be difficult to say exactly how much time is spent only on Edgewater. He said when dealing with prospects, they are told about the whole area. Mr. Dennis said the Chamber visits specific locations and lines prospects up with businesses who share their same interest. He stated tourism is another area the Chamber deals with. He said almost 40,000 inquires would come through the Chamber for 1997. Mr. Dennis continued to explain other duties of the Chamber and some projects the were working on. Mr. Lewis asked if the EDB could get leads from the Chamber's inquiries. Mr. Dennis said the first thing a new prospect would request was that their conversation be confidential. Jerr Fox, Vice President VCBDC, said many times prospects alread had a specific area in mind, therefore, there would be no point in involving anyone else. On the other hand, he said sometimes the EDB Chairman should be invited to join the Chamber or VCBDC in showing a prospect the area. Mr. Fox then invited Chairman Jones to a meeting at the Chamber at 9:00 a.m., Jul 3, 1997. Mr. Fox answered Mr. Lewis's question, sa the EDB would have to trust them (the Chamber and VCBDC) to reflect the desires of the prospect. Mr. Dennis reminded the EDB any information put before the Board was public record, but not so with the Chamber or VCBDC, who are independent organizations. Mr. Dennis indicated the Chamber, VCBDC and the EDB needed to work together. He mentioned the past Miami Boat show was an aggressive way of working together. Mr. Dennis felt one job the EDB should undertake, was working on developing more product. Sand Jones, President of the Southeast Chamber of Commerce, mentioned the Chamber also has an office in Edgewater, staffed b volunteers. She said the Economic Development Committee of the Chamber sponsors a Job Fair for Industry Appreciation Week. Ms. Jones said the Chamber works strongl with the business community and the educational system. She said the Chamber works closely with the elementary school, helping facilitate the things needed for the school. 2. Volusia Count Business Development Corp. ( VCBDC) - Jerr Fox, Vice President Jerr Fox reported the total income in Southeast Volusia Count from all sources (salaries, wages, profits, etc.) is a little over $5 billion a y ear. The VCBDC's objective, working with all the chambers, is to increase the size of the "economic pie." He said VCBDC focuses primarily on manufacturing, distribution, and a growing services business (corporate headquarters, customer service, etc.) because the pay is better. Mr. Fox felt there are three types of jobs. The first type is a job that creates wealth, a product that can be marketed around the world and the revenue flows back where the product was created then goes out in wages, local purchases, bank deposits, interest earnings, etc. The second type is a job in a company that moves existing wealth around inside the community or count i.e., hairdressers, retail stores and needed services. The third type is government jobs that tend to consume wealth but are needed, e.g., roads, water, sewer, schools, fire and police protection, etc. Mr. Fox said Florida's tourism was an export. ''~ w Economic Development Board Minutes - July 2, 1997 Page -3- Mr. Fox distributed a packet and said it was used to ask cities to enter into a contract with VCBDC so the Count could plan its budget more than one year at a time. He said Edgewater had supported VCBDC for y ears. He said the major purpose of his organization was to create higher paying jobs and to increase the commercial/industrial tax base. Mr. Fax read to the Board the overall structure; what VCBDC does, recruiting methods, existing company growth assistance, developing incentive packages, publications, memberships, committees, 1997 revenue budget, 1997 expense budget, Volusia Count Opportunity Fund status, Opportunity Fund cases within the County, projects now underwa and what VCBDC needs from Edgewater. He said VCBDC would be receiving an industrial directory which will list all manufacturers and distributors in the County. Mr. Fox said VCBDC got the Count Economic Development Powers Act introduced and passed in 1995 which allowed counties to offer incentive programs. Mr. Lewis reminded the Board Mr. Fox said they (EDB) needed to make the area more marketable, and asked if Mr. Fox could list ten things to help the Board. Mr. Fox said he would supply a list. Infrastructure, the need for da care, and the need for existing buildings were discussed. Mr. Fox continued to explain the VCBDC's function. Joe Martin, past Board Chairman, referred to a report which was prepared while he was Chairman. He said there were 12 recommendations to Cit Council to change or establish policies and procedures, and improve communications. He said his Board recommended the zoning be changed from B -2 to I -1 along Hibiscus /Guava Drives which is now in the works. Mr. Fox stressed the need for existing buildings for manufacturers. He said an inventory of industrial zoned buildings should be done. Mr. Fox reiterated Edgewater was product poor. He also said the EDB should focus on making the City a more attractive place for doing business and for people to live in. Mr. Fox reviewed VCBDC's budget and explained where the money went. He said VCBDC manages the Opportunit Fund, and decides which companies receive help from it. He said from 1992 to date, the Count has put $2.6 million into the fund, and he named companies in Edgewater that had benefited from that fund. Mr. Fox reported on projects currently underwa He then read what VCBDC wanted from Edgewater. Mr. Fox said the EDB should try not to duplicate what the Chamber and VCBDC already does, and should focus on ever problem that keeps business awa from Edgewater. He said the should all work together, and the EDB would be invited to participate in many upcoming functions. Creation and updates to the Count Overall Economic Development Plan (OEDP) were discussed. Mr. Martin invited Chairman Jones to an OEDP Committee meeting on July 14, 1997, at 9:00 a.m. in the County Administration Building's training center in DeLand. Nra► Economic Development Board Minutes - July 2, 1997 Page -4- 3. FIND Project Update - Chairman Jones said Joe Martin would be reporting on the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) project as a part of Item 2c, under Members Reports. Mr. Martin recommended new Board members read a copy of the Industrial Development report prepared in 1993 which listed 12 action items he memtioned earlier in the meeting. Mr. Martin displayed drawings of the PID and related areas. He explained various boundaries and potential public access roads. He said Grand Central and FIND had reached an agreement for the purchase of the entire _ area, about 240 areas, 100 acres being used for the spoils site. He said FIND was waiting for a new surve before signing that agreement. Mr. Martin showed his conceptual plan of how the excess property could be subdivided for potential buyers, including a proposed DBCC expansion. Ms. Carter repeated an earlier discussion of the need for da care centers. She said it would be perfect to work in this area or attend classes at DBCC, and have a day care center at the same location. Zoning and land use to have industries and care facilities in the same area were discussed. Mr. Martin said the City would have to fund water and sewer to the area. He said there was a possibility FIND would make funds available to the Cit and the Cit could pa them back when parcels were sold. Grant funding was discussed. Mr. Martin said he would keep Chairman Jones informed of the progress. CONTINUED BUSINESS: 1. Request for Proposal (RFP) for Caricature Map of Edgewater Area Chairman Jones deferred this item until the next meeting since Mr. Lewis, who was to report on proposals, had left earlier. NEW BUSINESS: 1. National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), resource for new business Chairman Jones said at the recommendation of Jerry Fox, the EDB would take no action at this time. 2. Economic Development District (EDD) for East Central Florida Chairman Jones said Mr. Fox recommended putting this item on hold until the GAO finishes its audit. CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS: 1. Chairman and Vice Chairman - None at this time. `fie Economic Development Board Minutes - July 2, 1997 Page -5- 2. Members a. Beautification Committee -- Ms. Carter reported speaking with Mike Visconti, member of the Beautification Committee, who said the construction of the fountain base frames were to have been started. She said the ceremon dedicating the fountain in Dominick Fazzone's memor would hopefull be held the week of Jul 14. Ms. Carter said the EDB was invited to attend the ceremon She said Jean and Angela Conte, and Mr. Fazzone's famil had also been invited. b. Edgewater Business Association -- Mr. Moore had nothing to report. c. FIND Project Update -- Mr. Alcorn had nothing to report. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion was made and approved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Minutes respectfull submitted b Elizabeth J. McBride, Board Coordinator Economic Development Board c: \edb \minutes \070297.reg