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07-07-1999 Now Nod CITY OF EDGEWATER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD REGULAR MEETING Jul 7, 1999 8:00 A.M. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Thomas Alcorn called to order a regular meeting of the Economic Development Board at 8:06 a.m., Wednesda Jul 7, 1999, in the Communit Center. ROLL CALL: Members present were Chairman Thomas Alcorn, John Browning, Adelaide Carter, Nora Al Michael Wilson and Donald Gillispe. Also present were Doris Massey, Industr Appreciation Week Chairwoman Steven Dennis, Executive Director, Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce Jerr Fox, Vice President, Volusia Count Business Development Corporation Frankie Robert, Operations Manager, Atlantic Center for the Arts; Bill Hill, Assistant Bureau Chief, News Journal and Liz McBride, Board Coordinator. Nanc Ridner was recorded absent. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS: Chairman Alcorn asked new members Mr. Wilson, Primeline Products, and Mr. Gillispe, retired communications officer, to introduce themselves. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes for Februar 4, 1999, were presented to the Board for approval. After Ms. Carter pointed out that the words "would not" on page five, third paragraph from the bottom, should have read "would ", she moved to approve the minutes as corrected, second b Mr. Browning. Motion CARRIED 6 -0. AGENCY AND CITY REPORTS: Chairman Alcorn said he was tr to get more input from a wider variet of people that was wh he invited a number of people to update the Board on their organizations. 1. Cit of Edgewater - Due to recent surger Lynne Plaskett, Planning Director was unable to attend. 2. Volusia County Business Development Corporation (VCBDC) - Chairman Alcorn asked Jerr Fox, Vice President, VCBDC, to tell the Board about himself and his organization. Econo Development Board volov July 7, 1999 - Minutes • Page -2- Agency and City Reports (con't): Mr. Fox briefed the Board on his background. He said VCBDC looks at economic development as importing mone from outside of the count where as Edgewater should be looking at it from importing mone from outside the communit Mr. Fox said there were primaril three wa to import mone The first wa he said, was to have people who manufacture a product or provide a service sell it outside the area so that the revenue would come back to the communit get translated into salaries and wages, capital investment and local purchases. Secondl was to attract visitors to the area so that the would leave their mone behind. The third wa he said, was to attract retirees who would bring "transfer pa "with them, which that mone would also circulate in the communit Mr. Fox said from 1990 the Count had an income from all sources (salaries and wages interest, investment and profit and transfer pa of $5 billion, and now the income is $7.5 billion, which was a nice jump. He said but when y ou looked at the percentage of the total, salaries and wages were down profits, interest and dividends were down and transfer pa were up. Mr. Fox suggested the long term outlook for the communit needed to be on bringing in businesses that export products or services. Mr. Fox spoke briefl about proposed plans for an a project to be located at the Count Landfill and Count impact fees. He suggested the Board look at the fees, q uestion if the will adversel effect economic development, and make a recommendation to Cit Council. Mr. Fox said Oak Hill Council voted to formall oppose it. Mr. Fox mentioned the ongoing issue of the Public Records Act. He said since the majorit of VCBDC's revenue came from government (about 40 percent from the private sector and about 60 percent from the Count and thirteen cities), the News Journal felt VCBDC should be subject to the Sunshine Law. Mr. Fox said his corporation ma have to be divided into two companies, one where the opportunit fund and the industrial authorit are handled (which would be subject to sunshine act and public records), and the other where VCBDC does its prospecting and advertising to get companies to locate here (which would be setup as a business league, not subject to sunshine law). Mr. Fox said VCBDC has been in business since 1987 and has participated in the creation of 7,000 jobs and $3 million in capital investment. He said the have grown their manufacturing base to well above to what is was in 1990, and that was after loosing 2,000 jobs at General Electric in 1993. Mr. Fox said he had received fre interest in the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) industrial park, but can't interest an into committing to it. He said last y ear he asked Cit Council to do something to show some ph evidence the business park was going to happen. He suggested cutting trees and staking where a road would be placed to indicate the intent to develop the park. \,.. ` Economic Development Board July 7, 1999 - Minutes Page -3- Agency and City Reports (con't) : Doris Masse Industrial Appreciation Week Chairwoman, said there had been a problem with the Florida East Coast Railwa which had denied access across its used rail spur along Park Avenue. In 1998, FIND gained rights to an access, but Ms. Masse said the railwa recentl put new obstacles in the wa of developing the right-of-wa She said FEC had demanded FIND build a crossing gate at the Mango Tree Drive crossing before opening the access, and also demanded liabilit insurance be purchased to cover an train accidents along the unused rail spur. Mr. Fox said he had spoken to Cit Council about annexing the Masse Airpark, and in return the Cit should put in water and sewer. He said he had a builder interested in putting up a spec manufacturing building at this location but won't do it without water and sewer. 3. Port Authority - Joe Nolin was unable to attend. Jerr Fox said he would do the report. He said the VCBDC had tried to encourage the Port Authorit also known as the Count Council, to purchase the Consolidated Prestress Concrete site and turn it into a marine industrial park. He said now there had been changes in the rules, and it was uncertain whether the site would be leased or sold for development. Mr. Fox said there was a question on the planning and design as to how much land would be available for development. Chairman Alcorn remarked that Joe Nolin indicated the abandoned "Lionfish" vessel would be removed from the intercostal b the end of 1999. 4. Atlantic Center for the Arts (ACA) - Frankie Robert, Operation Manager of the arts center, said she has been with the center ten y ears and it had been a wonderful experience. She indicated ACA offers numerous programs throughout the count including adult and children workshops. Ms. Robert said since ACA located in New Sm Beach in 1977, the cit had gained worldwide attention as an arts communit She said in 1996, New Sm Beach was listed in John Villani Publications "The Best Small Art Towns in America". Ms. Robert said, "people don't consider the arts and how important the are to a communit when the think about economic development ". She encouraged the Board to bring prospects to the Atlantic Center in New Smyrna Beach for a tour of the facilit Ms. Robert felt this was an extra perk in bringing in new businesses and industr Chairman Alcorn suggested, with the help of the Chamber, arranging a program on the impact of the cultural arts in the communit and how ACA can be an instrument in economic development. 5. Bert Fish Medical Center - A representative was not present. Chairman Alcorn mentioned that Bert Fish serves all of Southeast Volusia Count He mentioned the center now had a kidne transplant facilit opening. , ftw Nary Economic Development Board July 7, 1999 - Minutes Page -4- Agency and City Reports (con't) : 6. Daytona Beach Community College (DBCC) South Campus - A representative was not present. Chairman Alcorn said DBCC had been a big supporter of economic development. He said on Jul 16, 1999, the college would be hosting a Venture Capital program, which matches businesses seeking funding with qualified investors. ELECTION OF OFFICER: 1. Nomination and election of Vice Chairman Chairman Alcorn entertained a motion to nominate John Brownin Ms. Al so moved, second b Mr. Gillispe. Motion CARRIED 6 -0. Mr. Alcorn said he would like to schedule a workshop with the board, Jerr Fox, a Count Council member, a Cit Council member from Oak Hill, Edgewater and New Sm Beach, and Steve Dennis as facilitator, to bring ever up to speed. He said since there were a few new members, he felt this would be a good opportunit to discuss current issues and the sunshine laws. The Chairman said he would advise the Board of the date, time and location. Mr. Dennis recommended planning a da activities and touring the area to get a view of what's going on in southeast Volusia. CONTINUED BUSINESS: 1. F.I.N.D. Update - Planning Director Lynne Plaskett was unable to attend. Chairman Alcorn explained the F.I.N.D. project to the new members. Ms. Al asked if information was available on the project, and if she could come in to talk with Ms. Plaskett. She was told yes. 2. Discuss Annexation - Chairman Alcorn mentioned a surve the Board had previousl conducted. He said on the q uestion of annexation, there were enough residents interested in at least knowing what was going on. Chairman Alcorn entertained a motion to ask Cit Council to have the proper person(s) schedule a workshop to discuss annexation within the corporate limits of the Cit and costs involved, cost benefits of bein annexed into the City of Edgewater. Mr. Wilson so moved, second b Ms. Al The Chairman felt the proper wa to handle the workshop would be to first have the "proper person" review the EDB surve discuss it with the Board, come up with an agenda and have it at one of the EDB meetings. Motion CARRIED 6 -0. 3. Discuss the Venture Capital Seminar - The Chairman said this was alread discussed. '�.► `w Economic Development Board July 7, 1999 - Minutes Page -5- Continued Business: 4. Analyses on EDB Web -Site - Chairman Alcorn said the page had been getting man Bits. He said he had used it fre when putting together information packets. The address was given as edgewaterfl.com and links to the site were discussed. 5. Radio Station Update - Steve Dennis, Executive Director, Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce, informed the new members that the radio station was a tourist information station, designed to provide 24 -hour service. He said it provides parking, traffic and activities information, tide conditions, etc. Mr. Dennis said the station also was designed to double as an emergenc radio s He said beside Da Beach Shores, this was the onl s that could provide direct emergenc information to the citizens in southeast Volusia. Mr. Dennis said the Chamber was working on an Emergenc Identification System for the Cit of New Sm Beach. He said the Chamber developed an ID s so that businesses would be granted entrance into their business if their area was effected b an emergenc Mr. Dennis said letters were first sent to NSB businesses with Chamber membership, who would be exempt from the cost of the card. He said other businesses would be able to take advantage of the s for a fee. Ms. Al felt Edgewater needed this s also. Mr. Dennis said this could be done when the NSB project was completed. Chairman Alcorn entertained a motion that the Board ask the Cit of Ed to look at an Emer Identification S and perhaps contact the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce to help implement the pro Ms. Carter so moved, seconded b Mr. Wilson. Motion CARRIED 6 -0. Mr. Dennis explained the role of the Chamber. Doris Masse explained past Industrial Appreciation Fairs where the businesses in the area were presented awards. She said the had prominent guest speakers with a reception for the participating firms. She said some companies setup displays of their products, and that bus tours to different industries in the surrounding area were offered. Since EDB member Nora Al had been asked to work with the Chamber to help plan the 1999 affair, Ms. Masse suggested to her about having John Evans as a speaker at a luncheon or dinner. Ms. Masse said this was a big project which needed the help and ideas of man She said the event was scheduled for September 23, 1999. Ms. Al said she would like to have an awards luncheon and show an exciting video, instead of ph touring different locations. Ms. Masse said John Evans, corporate communications director of Halifax Health s worked with television and perhaps could do the video. Chairman Alcorn thought the idea was good, and that the video could also be used to promote the area. Ms. Masse said financial support would be needed from the cities for a cost of the plaques and the making of the video. Discussion continued planning the event. %NW 4 i1110 • Econ omic Development Board July 7, 1999 - Minutes Page -6- NEW BUSINESS: 1. Need for Full Time Economic Development Manager - It was the opinion of Chairman Alcorn that the area needed a full time economic development manager. He said that person could be emplo and funded solel b the Cit of Edgewater or jointl with the Cit of New Sm with the funds being administered through the Chamber. The Chairman asked the members to think about this issue. 2. Resignation of Port Authority Board - The Chairman referred to articles in the newspapers. He felt the Count Council onl gave the Port Authorit Board the title, and used it for a validation for what the Count Council wanted. 3. Implementing Tax Increment Financing - Chairman Alcorn said if the Cit is going to expand, he would like to recommend implementing tax incremental financing (TIF). He said as an example, if the Cit took in Masse Park and the FIND project, that the Cit look at setting up TIF. Chairman Alcorn entertained a motion that the EDB ask the Cit Attorne to look at the possibilit of incremental tax financin for the area coverin the Industrial Park and an other industrial area that the Cit ma incorporate into the Cit of Ed Mr. Wilson so moved, second b Ms. Carter. Motion CARRIED 6 -0. 4. Budget for Coming Year - Chairman Alcorn deferred item until the next meeting. 5. Review By -Laws - Chairman Alcorn asked the members to review the b -laws. CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS: Chairman Alcorn said much had been covered at this meeting, but in the future he would keep the meeting to onl an hour. 1. New Prospects - The Chairman asked if an was working with new prospects in the Cit He said he was working with a compan who recentl moved to the area that had ties overseas. He said a foreign compan was thinking about setting up their whole distribution center in the Cit of Edgewater. 2. Expansion of Existing Businesses - The Chairman said he didn't know of an who was expanding at the present time. Ms. Carter mentioned the move of Mama's Deli into a larger building, and Fried Green Tomatoes into the former Primetimes building. Now ■Irio Economic Development Board. July 7, 1999 - Minutes Page -7- Chairman and. Board Members Reports (con't): 3. New Business - The Chairman said the land north of Ka and across from the marine industrial park looked as though it ma be developed into a small 16 acre industrial park. Talking previousl about taking a tour, Ms. Carter suggested touring down to River Breeze Park, and having a luncheon at Mama's Deli. At Ms. Carter's suggestion, the Board introduced themselves to the new members. Ms. Carter said the Recreation and Cultural Services Board was moving ahead and had developed ad hoc committees to help with projects. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion was made and approved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m. Minutes respectfull submitted b Elizabeth J. McBride, Board Coordinator Economic Development Board c : \eclb \minutes \0 70 799. re g