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09-01-1999 CITY OF EDGEWATER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD REGULAR MEETING September 1, 1999 8:00 a.m. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Thomas Alcorn called to order a regular meeting of the Economic Development Board at 8:07 a.m., Wednesday, September 1, 1999, in the Community Center. ROLL CALL: Members present were Chairman Thomas Alcorn, Adelaide Carter, Nora Aly, Edward Keenan, Donald Gillispe and Roland Bazin. Also present were Planning Director Lynne Plaskett; Arvin Lewis, Director of Integration for Bert Fish Medical Center; Dr. Charles Gebelein, Mayoral candidate and Board Coordinator Liz McBride. Michael Wilson was excused and John Browning was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes for August 4, 1999, were presented to the Board for approval. There being no corrections or changes, Mr. Bazin moved to approve the minutes as presented, second by Ms. Carter. Motion CARRIED 6 -0. AGENCY AND CITY REPORTS: 1. Volusia County Business Development Corporation (VCBDC) - Chairman Alcorn said VCBDC had been working diligently to bring new businesses to Southeast Volusia. The Chairman said VCBDC kept a data base of manufacturing space, and that a new business could be set -up with a contact person for the information they may need. The Chairman said the press had been reporting VCBDC negatively, but that the County Council was happy with the organization. 2. Port Authority - Chairman Alcorn said there were a few big issues going on that concern Edgewater. He said one issue was the marine industrial park, and where they (County) are going with it. He discussed costs associated with developing the site. The Chairman said the County was looking for dockage for commercial boats, in case of bad weather. He said local activist, fisher person and long time member of the community Bill Feger was trying to get that dockage in place. Chairman Alcorn said million dollar boats travel the intercostal and there is no place for them to stop, spend the night, refuel, etc. Locations along the water front were mentioned where boats could possibly dock. Mr. Bazin asked about the "Lion Fish." The Chairman said the boat should be gone the end of 1999. Now '.r Economic Development Board September 1, 1999 - Minutes Page -2- 3. Atlantic Center for the Arts (ACA) - Chairman Alcorn said the suggestion of having the arts and economic development put together a symposium on how they can aid each other had not been acted on yet. 4. Bert Fish Medical Center - Arvin Lewis, Director of Integration, referred to the discussion at the last meeting of the EDB in regard to opening a 3,200 sq. ft. facility on S. Ridgewood Avenue. He said the facility will house a lab draw, mammography, rehabilitation, and space for a primary care physician. Mr. Lewis said Bert Fish would be working with the YMCA to do some joint projects. Mr. Lewis reported BFMC had three successful kidney transplant operations so far. He said they (BFMC) also had some patients who were experiencing difficulties with transplants done at different hospitals or who had other problems, transfered into Bert Fish from other hospitals. He announced the nurse mid -wife program in Pelican Plaza had been temporarily closed pending obtaining a new OB /GYN physician. Mr. Lewis said the hospital was on schedule for Y2K and that all equipment had been checked, some being replaced and some scheduled to be replaced by October 1. Mr. Lewis reported BFMC was replacing and adding a new nuclear camera at its main facility which would reduce the test time of bone scans by about 40 minutes. He said the new camera will also help with the increased usage of stress tests. As an economic development plug from BFMC, Mr. Lewis said the hospital's board of directors were very intent on aiding economic development anyway they could, and they were all interested in expanding the community. He said although BFMC serves New Smyrna, Edgewater and Oak Hill, BFMC wanted to continue to add services in the growing Edgewater area, and also wanted to provide high levels of services. Chairman Alcorn felt the EDB's primary job was to be able to tell people about our community, what we have to offer, why their business should be located here, and if their business had a problem, who to direct them to. He discussed why health care was an important factor in locating to a certain area. Mr. Lewis answered Ms. Aly why the new nuclear camera was to be located at the main facility. Ms. Aly felt having it in Edgewater would draw more doctors to the area. She said with computers being used for health care, maybe the EDB should concentrate bringing in this type of economic growth. Mr. Lewis said Bert Fish had been actively recruiting physicians and felt there were adequate primary physicians. 5. Daytona Beach Community College (DBCC) South Campus - Nothing to report. 6. City of Edgewater - Lynne Plaskett, Planning Director, reported August 31, 1999, was the last day to submit applications to beat not having to pay additional Volusia County road impact fees. Her department received numerous applications but the one largest economic development project was Scott Porta's proposed buildings on Dale Street. She said Mr. Porta would be expanding his business across the street from his current location. Ms. Plaskett said the Planning and Zoning Board approved Mr. Porta's request for a height variance to allow up to 45 feet, pending FAA approval, because his new project is in line with Massey's runway. Ms. Plaskett said Edgewater had several commercial projects that had come in recently. She said Dr. Hole's office had made formal application for the medical facility on US 1 and Florida Health Care had broken ground for its • Economic Development Board September 1, 1999 - Minutes Page -3- facility on US 1. Ms. Plaskett said two small annexations (the furniture store on US 1 and Roberts Road and the Nice Place Restaurant on US 1) had recently been approved. Mr. Lewis referred to a rumor, and asked if construction was delayed on the Florida Health Care facility (on US 1) due to any issues with the City. Ms. Plaskett said it could be a Building Division issue, because FHC didn't have their St. John's Water Management District permit or a FDOT permit for the driveway. She suggested after the meeting to stop in the Building Division. CONTINUED BUSINESS: 1. F.I.N.D. Update - Lynne Plaskett, Planning Director, said there really wasn't anything to update since the last meeting other then they are moving forward with the design of the infrastructure. 2. EDB Web -Site Update - Chairman Alcorn said Edgewater's Web -site through CET was no longer available. He said he spoke to Mary Crawford at Crawford Productions and Jack Corder, Director of Parks & Recreation/Maintenance, and asked them to get together on adding the City's information to the EDB's Web -site. Different ways of accessing and updating information on the Internet were discussed. Ms. Plaskett said she received a memo from Susan Wadsworth, City Clerk, saying the City of Edgewater Web -site was up and the Board may want to contact her to have the Economic Development Board information under the City of Edgewater's Web -site. The Chairman said he would call Ms. Wadsworth and Mr. Corder. Ms. Plaskett said those stopping in her office did not want the EDB's brochure as it contained outdated information. Ms. Plaskett suggested putting this item on the next agenda to give everyone time to talk to who they needed to and gather information. 3. Radio Station Update - Chairman Alcorn reported the radio station was up and running. He thought the station (dial 1640 am) only had a test pattern on it so far, and could be heard up to 25 miles away. 4. Review By -Laws - Chairman Alcorn said the Board had reviewed the By -laws about a year ago and since there were many new members, wanted to give them an opportunity to make possible changes, amendments or updates. There were no changes. 5. Discuss Tax Increment Financing (TIF) - Chairman Alcorn said he spoke to City Council at their last meeting about benefits to the City by setting up a financing district. He felt Council liked the idea, and said City Manager Ken Hooper would prepare cost implications to present to Council for their decision. The Chairman said Councilwoman Lichter wanted to do something with the businesses along US 1. 6. Discuss Annexation - Chairman Alcorn said he asked the City Council to take some action. He said the City's around Edgewater are marching forward with annexation. He felt Edgewater had a tremendous opportunity to bring people into the "fold " and provide them the benefits of the City. Lynne Plaskett, Planning Director, informed the Board the Commissioners of Oak Hill asked for a joint workshop with City Council to discuss a possible Interlocal Agreement regarding annexation and expansion of each City's respective boundaries. %we veer Economic Development Board September 1, 1999 - Minutes Page -4- NEW BUSINESS: Chairman Alcorn said although nothing was listed on the agenda, he said he wanted to hold a workshop off site to talk about what's going on with economic development, where are we and where we want to go. He said he discussed this with the Atlantic Center of the Arts (ACR) as the place for the retreat, and discussed this with City Manager Ken Hooper. The Chairman said Mr. Hooper felt it was an excellent idea but to wait until the new Council was seated. Chairman Alcorn said he would like to hold the retreat as soon as possible after the election, and it would be either a half day or full day presentation, with lunch and perhaps dinner. Chairman Alcorn said this would be the EDB's recommendation if someone would like to put it in the form of a motion. Ms. Aly moved to hold the retreat, second by Mr. Bazin. Motion CARRIED 6 -0. CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS: Ms. Aly said the date of the Industrial Appreciation Luncheon needed to be changed from September 23` to the 21s because of another event honoring businesses. She said she would be sending invitations. Ms. Aly said VCBDC Vice President Jerry Fox came up with the idea of an "On The Grow" award. She said she would like to name the award "Edgewater on the Grow ", and present plaques to those businesses who had shown growth and expansion. Ms. Aly said she would also like to have "Edgewater On The Grow" buttons to distribute at the luncheon. She said Mr. Fox helped provide some business names for consideration of the award. After discussion, the Board selected Accurate Fiberglass, Parts Unlimited and Porta Products for the award. A guest list was discussed, whether to charge for the lunches and if it should be advertised. The Chairman asked if the public would be invited. Mr. Keenan said the lunch would be held at the Sea Treasure, which holds up to 50 people, from 11:15 a.m. to about 1:00 p.m. It was decided that the City would pay for those being honored and their guests, and all others would be charged $10. Since there would be limited seating, it would be on a first come basis. Ms. Aly asked again about getting the buttons as handouts. The Chairman agreed. Ms. Carter asked if everyone saw the "New Comers Guide" which was in the News Journal Sunday, August 22n She felt it was well done and would be good for the City to have to hand out. Mr. Keenan read a letter from Marpe International Enterprises Inc., licensed importers and exporters, who specialize in manufactured homes, metal buildings, water treatment and wastewater treatment systems, etc., who were trying to sell their "pitch" to various countries in Africa. He read the firm was accepting applications from foreign and domestic concerns interested in participating in the large U.S. market. Mr. Keenan discussed Canadian firms wanting to bring their businesses to the U.S. Mr. Keenan discussed the water and wasterwater capacity of the County and Edgewater and funding for a road paving project for an emergency escape route. Ms. Carter said the Recreation and Cultural Services Board was progressing. "ter+ 'vow Economic Development Board September 1, 1999 - Minutes Page -5- ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion was made and approved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 a.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Elizabeth J. McBride, Board Coordinator Economic Development Board c: \edb\minutes \090199.reg