09-05-2001
".
C1.. r-__;.'.:.....)..,J) "~I i.. "-"'\,
...
.....,
CITY OF EDGEWATER
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
September 5, 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, September 5, 2001, in the Community Center.
ROLL CALL:
Members present were Chairman Thomas Alcorn, Adelaide Carter, Christopher Balmer, Nora Aly,
Edward Keenan, Michael Wilson and Roland Bazin. Also present were Tim Gress, CEO of Exotic
Animal Adventure and Executive Director of Augusta Conservation Education Foundation; Shannon
Lewis, New Smyrna Beach Business Development Director; Steve Dennis, Executive Director,
Southeast V olusia Chamber of Commerce and Board Coordinator Liz McBride. Douglas McGinnis
was excused.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes for August 1, 2001, were presented to the Board for approval. There being no
corrections or changes, Mr. Wilson moved to approve the minutes as presented, second by Mr.
Bazin. Motion CARRIED 7-0.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
With the Board's approval, Chairman Alcorn changed the order of the Agenda.
1. Edgewater ISoutheast V olusia Chamber - Business to Business Expo (Oct. 25) - Ms. Aly
said the letters had been printed, Ms. Carter labeled the envelops and that she would stuff
approximately 880 envelops for mailing. She reported the Red & White would be catering the event.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Review Board Membership Applications & Recommend Appointment - The Board
reviewed and discussed three applications.
Mr. Bazin recommended Thomas McKinley for placement on the Board, second by Mr. Wilson.
Motion CARRIED 7-0.
Ms. McBride had pointed out to the Chairman after she had distributed the agenda, that Chris
Balmer's term had expired and she had received a letter from him stating he was interested in serving
another three-year term.
Mr. Bazin so moved that the Board recommend that City Council reappoint Chris Balmer for
another three-year term, second by Ms. Aly. Motion CARRIED 7-0.
...
""'"
Economic Development Board
September 5, 2001
Page 2
PRESENTATIONS:
1. "Exotic Animal Adventure" - Tim Gress with two 4-week old tiger cubs - Chairman
Alcorn introduced Mr. Gress who had been working for two years with other cities trying to open
an animal park and had not been successful. The Chairman felt the Southeast V olusia area would
be a winner.
Mr. Gress said he currently runs a non-profit organization, holds educational shows for children and
rescues exotic animals. He said they rehabilitate the animals and find proper placement for them.
Mr. Gress wanted to bring this non-profit organization to the area and also open a for-profit animal
park. They hoped to employee 60 full-time employees, have volunteer programs, summer camps
for children and have a wide array of activities for everyone. The tiger cubs were brought inside for
the group to see. Mr. Gress said he currently holds an USDA and USDI license needed for exotic
animal rescue and rehab. He has been in touch with Florida Fish and Game and has his letters of
recommendation to apply for his Florida license. Now he just needs a place to locate. He thanked
Pat Drosten and Bonnie Wenzel for their help at a private reception held the previous evening and
presented them each with a stuffed animal.
Chairman Alcorn said Mr. Gress was looking for 200 acres or more. Appropriate areas would be
at SR 442/ 1-95, SR 44, west of 1-95 and a site in Flagler County. The Chairman said the Board
gathers a great deal of information as a group, and needed to take the information out to prospects
as Mr. Wilson does when he visits Germany.
Ms. Aly asked what the next step would be to make this happen. Chairman Alcorn felt they could
support the project. Mr. Gress has backing from Georgia and would be looking for investors in the
Southeast V olusia area.
CITY AND OTHER REPORTS:
1. City of Edgewater Updates (Ms. Plaskett was not present.)
a. Annexations - nothing reported
b. FIND - Chairman Alcorn said the area was being cleared and the site now would give
a good idea how large 90 acres (for the spoil site) is. The School Board had asked for 60 acres
adjacent to DBCC which the Chairman felt would be a good idea.
Shannon Lewis, New Smyrna Beach Business Development Director, reported some of the things
going on in New Smyrna Beach. She relayed that a draft 5-year economic development plan had
recently been completed. Steve Dennis, Southeast Chamber Executive Director, reported on a few
of their activities. The business CD was mentioned and where Edgewater stood. Ms. Lewis said
there was no formal arrangement between Edgewater and New Smyrna for her to gather information
for Edgewater, but that the Board should be thinking about some type of theme to be used for its CD
flash introduction and list of pictures they would like to see. Mr. Dennis asked that it be transmitted
to him in an electronic format.
~
...,.
Economic Development Board
September 5, 2001
Page 3
CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS:
Chairman Alcorn asked the permission of the Board to purchase a coffee pot. Mr. Bazin so moved,
second by Ms. Carter. Motion CARRIED 7-0.
Ms. Aly asked the Chairman to assign someone or ask for a volunteer to assist with the business CD
information. Mr. Bazin volunteered to work with Mr. Dennis.
The Chairman went back to City and Other Reports.
c. Edgewater Lakes Golf Course - Ms. McBride reported the rezoning of the site
would be going to City Council September 10th for a second hearing.
d. Old Consolidated Pre-Stressed Plant Site - Mr. Bazin asked if the City was
definitely going to purchase it. Ms. McBride said the County would be going out for bid and the
City would respond.
Ms. Lewis said by V olusia County Environmental Management would be making a presentation
before the New Smyrna Beach Commissioners concerning marina siting plans which is in the draft
stage. The plan could effect future marinas. She encouraged the Board to review the plan and attend
the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion was made and approved to
adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 a.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Elizabeth J. McBride, Board Coordinator
Economic Development Board
F:\edb-minutes\09050 I.reg