01-03-2001
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CITY OF EDGEWATER
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
January 3, 2001
8:00 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Thomas Alcorn called to order a regular meeting of the Economic Development Board
at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 3,2001, in the Community Center.
ROLL CALL:
Members present were Chairman Thomas Alcorn, Rich Morin, Adelaide Carter (arrived at 8:05),
Christopher Balmer, Nora Aly (arrived at 8:07), Michael Wilson and Roland Bazin. Also present
were Kristin Bowles-Pierce, Career Connection Specialist (Flagler, V olusia, DBCC); Sandra Pettit,
Economic Development Assistant; City Manager Ken Hooper; Planning Director Lynne Plaskett and
Board Coordinator Liz McBride. Donald Gillispe was excused and Edward Keenan was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes for December 6, 2000, were presented to the Board for approval. There being no
corrections or changes, Mr. Bazin moved to approve the minutes as presented, second by Mr. Morin.
Motion CARRIED 5-0.
PRESENTATIONS:
1. Career Connection - Linking students' educations to their futures - Kristin Bowles-
Pierce distributed a packet of information. She said Career Connection was a department within
V olusia County schools and their goal for students at all levels (elementary, middle and high school)
was career awareness, career exploration and career planning. The program tries to link learning to
life, not only stressing academic success but would like them to have some idea of what they want
to do with their careers. Ms. Bowles-Pierce stated they had been trying to work more closely with
area businesses. Career Connection partners with Volusia and Flagler County schools, the
Workforce Development Board of V olusia and Flagler Counties and DBCC. Career Academies have
programs in several of the high schools to aid students in possible careers. New Smyrna Beach High
School has a medical and hospitality academies. Ms. Bowles-Pierce continued to explain the
program. She said each high school had a career counselor to work with students about career paths,
but they needed help from the business sector. Job shadowing, internships and part-time jobs were
sought after by the business community, and guest speakers were also needed. Ms. Bowles-Pierce
described a "Rockin Jobs" trade show to be held at the Ocean Center on May 1,2001, from 2 to 8
p.m. Vendors will be on hand talking about different career opportunities at their businesses. The
purpose of the trade show is to promote local economic development opportunities so students will
stay in the community. Seminars would also be included at the show regarding professional dress,
ethics, critiquing resumes, etc., and a few bands and food vendors would also be present. Ms.
Bowles-Pierce hoped to make the show an annual event.
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Economic Development Board
January 3, 2001 - Minutes
Page -2-
AGENCY AND CITY REPORTS:
1. Enterprise V olusia - Sandra Pettit, Economic Development Assistant, commented that
DBCC was relied on to setup training for businesses with specific skill needs. She said Frank
Mercer was the expert in getting training dollars. She felt the need to work closely with Career
Connection and felt the Advanced Technology Center would be a big plus for the area. Ms. Pettit
reported EV was successful in getting Heritage Lumber, a distributer of lumber products, to locate
in DeLand which would employ about 30. She indicated the owner of the Winn-Dixie Shopping
Center in New Smyrna Beach would be opened to have the shopping center turn into a call center,
although she did not know if fiber optics for communication lines were available in that area. Ms.
Pettit also had been working with Tom Alcorn and John Massey on a large transportation project
which would create jobs for 500 employees with a minimum annual salary of $30,000. Chairman
Alcorn spoke about available land around 1-95 and SR 442. Ms. Pettit reported that the Opportunity
Fund Grant for Edgewater Power Boats was approved by the Opportunity Fund Committee and EV
Board and had been sent on for County Council approval.
2. Port Authority - No report presented.
3. Atlantic Center for the Arts (ACA) - No report presented.
4. Bert Fish Medical Center - Arvin Lewis, Director of Integration, was unable to attend.
5. Daytona Beach Community College (DBCC) South Campus - No report presented.
6. City of Edgewater - Planning Director Lynne Plaskett, reported a golf course community
recently made formal application for annexation. She said a joint workshop would be held with City
Council and the Planning and Zoning Board on January 22, 2001, at 6:00 p.m., so they could present
their overall master plan. Mr. Bazin asked who the developer was and Ms. Plaskett answered, Tim
Howard. Ms. Plaskett said she spoke to McKim and Creed on the F.I.N.D. project and that the City
would be advertising for bids on January 14th with the award for construction of the water, sewer,
roads and spoil site on March 5, 2001. Chairman Alcorn asked when the roads would be completed
and Ms. Plaskett anticipated about a year. The Chairman said he had a client interested in an existing
site that would employ 100 employees and generate multi-million dollars a year. City Manager
Hooper said FIND was starting to sell and were willing to take options on some of the property with
the idea that construction would take six to twelve months.
The City was also working on establishing a CRA district which Ms. Plaskett said would be for
discussion at the Board's next meeting. She explained the Community Redevelopment Agency was
typically found in downtown areas in need of revitalization; however, there were other options to
establish the districts for. It could be a vacant piece of property that would be developed in the
future. The purpose of a CRA is to create a district where the taxes are frozen upon establishment
of the district. She said even though the tax increment goes up each year, the extra money
(difference between the frozen and the increased amounts) would go into a separate fund. The City
or Board could use the monies under established criteria. New Smyrna used their CRA funds for
the redevelopment of Canal Street and Flagler Avenue by giving grant money to local businesses to
fix up their property and street scaping. She said the district would be an incentive for businesses
to locate in or revitalize their existing buildings.
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Economic Development Board
January 3, 2001 - Minutes
Page -3-
Mr. Balmer asked Ms. Plaskett what the earliest would be to see development of the Edgewater
Lakes project. The developer was looking to at least move some dirt within the next four to six
months. She said it would be residential, consisting of condos, patio and single family homes, with
an eighteen hole golf course (front nine and a back nine). The home pricing was between $90,000-
$100,000. The developer had contacted several local builders for them to buy blocks/tracks of land.
City Manager Hooper said construction of water and sewer lines and some road paving was going
on along Parks A venue, Mango and through that area. FDOT should begin the widening of SR 442
December 2001. Access for a cross over at the Truck Stop was being discussed with FDOT.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
1. Trade Shows/Marketing Trips
a. Miami Boat Show, February 2001
b. IBEX, Fort Lauderdale, February 7, 8, 9, 2001
Chairman Alcorn spoke of promoting the City of Edgewater and reiterated the need for information
that could be handed out at the various trade shows. The Chairman asked the City Manager about
some sort of compensation for people going to trade shows promoting the City of Edgewater. City
Manager Hooper said he would think about it before bringing it back. Chairman Alcorn spoke about
a credit card CD of information, and having a drawing at the trade shows for a weekend stay at an
oceanfront condo. He felt once we get the people here, they're going to like it.
Chairman Alcorn mentioned the following attendance at various shows: Chairman Alcorn to the
Consumer Electronic show, City Manager Hooper may attend the Miami Boat show, Mr. Bazin to
a boat show in New York, Chairman Alcorn to the IBEX (suppliers of boat products). Ms. Aly said
she would be attending a printing trade show in Charlotte. Drawings for give-aways were discussed.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Discuss changing day or time of meetings for February, March & April (due to IRS tax
preparation services each Wednesday) - Ms. Aly moved to hold the meetings at Mama's Deli at
8:00 a.m., second by Mr. Balmer. Motion CARRIED 7-0.
Ms. Aly inquired about the Board holding another joint meeting with the Southeast V olusia
Economic Development Task Force. Since Chairman Alcorn was the Vice President of the Task
Force, he said we would have a joint meeting on March 28th at the Chamber.
Ms. Aly suggested handing out Career Connection information at the trade shows. She also
suggested have City data printed on the back of business cards for distribution.
2. Update on Distribution Company - already discussed
3. Update of Manufacturing Company - already discussed
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Economic Development Board
January 3, 2001 - Minutes
Page -4-
CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS:
Chairman Alcorn asked about the possible relocation site for the new City Hall. Mr. Balmer,
Chairman of the Site Selection Committee, said his Board did its job and its back to the City
Manager. City Manager Hooper said the area around US 1 /442 corridor was being looked at with
no real time frame.
Ms. Aly asked if the City could focus on getting hotels to come to the area; try to advertise to that
specific industry. Chairman Alcorn said that wasn't the Board's job, he knows it's important, but
if there is business and industry, the service industries will come along.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion was made and approved to
adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Elizabeth J. McBride, Board Coordinator
Economic Development Board
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