10-03-2001
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CITY OF EDGEWATER
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
October 3, 2001
8:00 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Thomas Alcorn called to order a regular meeting of the Economic Development Board
at 8:02 a.m., Wednesday, October 3,2001, in the Community Center.
ROLL CALL:
Members present were Chairman Thomas Alcorn, Thomas McKinley, Adelaide Carter, Nora Aly,
Edward Keenan, Michael Wilson (arrived just after roll call), Roland Bazin and Douglas McGinnis.
Also present were Boston Whaler Commercial and Government Products Director and Business
Manager Eric Caplin and Betsi Dinitrenko; Bert Fish Medical Center representative Kathy Vaughn;
Councilman Jim Brown; New Journal staff writer Jean Morgan; Observer staff writer Russell
Gulick; Planning Director Lynne Plaskett and Board Coordinator Liz McBride. Christopher Balmer
was excused.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes for September 5, 2001, 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 7-0.
Chairman Alcorn welcomed Tom McKinley to the Board and thanked him for his willingness to
serve.
CITY AND OTHER REPORTS:
1. Boston Whaler - Eric Caplin, Director and Business Manager for the Commercial and
Government Products Division, appreciated being able to speak about Boston Whaler's new
company. Mr. Caplin said the corporation split to allow focus on the new business at the Edgewater
facility. They chose to stay in Volusia County because of the experienced workers. Their main
business is to supply the Boston Whaler product to the Federal government, state and local agencies
throughout the United States and international clientele (military, fire/rescue, law enforcement).
Chairman Alcorn mentioned, due to the economy slowing down, Boston Whaler was laying off
employees (at the other location). Having government contracts makes things a little different and
the Chairman asked what affect the September 11 bombing had on the business. Mr. Caplin stated
that the commercial business is not affected the same way the recreational business is when the
economy changes. It is affected by needs rather than wants. They were seeing an increase in
fire/rescue boats with a focus on homeland security. He said Boston Whaler had vessels shipped to
Boston Harbor right after the attack. Last year FEMA started allocating additional funds for
emergency activities and they had started to see an increase in emergency management programs.
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Economic Development Board
October 15, 2001
Page 2
Planning Director Lynne Plaskett informed those present that the City had received a site plan
application for the new Boston Whaler building.
Ms. Aly explained the Business to Business Expo to Mr. Caplin. He said they would participate and
support the City of Edgewater however they could.
Chairman Alcorn thanked Councilman Brown for the idea of holding an Expo. He asked Mr. Caplin
if there was one thing that the City of Edgewater could do better to help you, what would that be, and
if there was one thing the County of V olusia could do better, what would that be? Mr. Caplin felt
there were no issues at this time and they were happy to be here. He said they were currently
working with the County on an Opportunity Fund application to assist in training.
2. Bert Fish Medical Center - Kathy Vaughn reported that Blue Cross-Blue Shield's contract
with the hospital would run out the end of January 2002 and they would also be pulling out of
Halifax Medical Center. (Ms. Aly again plugged the Business to Business Expo.) Mr. McGinnis
asked if there would be updates in the press about any negotiations and its timing. He said all of
those effected would have to make plans as far in advance of that to make sure they are covered.
3. City of Edgewater
a. Annexations - Planning Director Lynne Plaskett reported the City would be annexing
some property in Washington Park and had received an application to annex approximately seven
(7) acres along US 1 south of Omni Circle. She said the City would be working on a joint planning
area agreement with the County regarding annexation, land use and designations. The City of
Edgewater and Oak Hill met to discuss annexation boundaries, and Ariel Road was the decided
imaginary line. Ms. Plaskett hoped there would be an interlocal agreement concerning annexation
areas.
b. Comprehensive Plan - nothing reported.
c. FIND: clearing, construction, offer from School Board - Ms. Plaskett announced
the site had been renamed ParkTowne Industrial Center. Considerable land clearing has taken place
and hopefully infrastructure improvements would be in and completed for Phase I (spoiled site and
Megan A venue) probably by March 2002. The City is working with the School Board to locate a
site. A negative on the FIND site would be they don't pay taxes but a positive would be the location
to DBCC which was the same area they were looking at to build a technical center.
d. Edgewater Lakes Golf Course - The Comprehensive Plan had been submitted to
the State (amendment for annexation, land use and zoning) and the City should receive an ORC
report (objections, recommendations and comments) from DCA in December.
e. Old Consolidated Pre-Stressed Plant Site - Ms. Plaskett said the County's legal
department determined that they had to declare the site surplus property and go out for bid. She said
the City of Edgewater was the only qualifying bid.
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Economic Development Board
October 15,2001
Page 3
In regard to the distribution center on SR 44211-95, Ms. Plaskett reported the City of Edgewater was
still in the running. In regard to industrial site plans, the only recent submittal was for a new hanger
on Skyway Drive.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
1. Edgewater & Southeast Volusia Chamber - Business to Business Expo (Oct. 25) - Ms.
Aly requested the member's help in distributing flyers to different businesses. Even if the tables are
all taken, the business owners can still network. Copies of the businesses that had signed up were
distributed. Mr. McGinnis inquired on door prizes. Ms. Aly would be sending a follow-up letter
to the businesses suggesting they have door prizes, which could be announced throughout the event.
She said the set-up time would be 2:30 p.m.
2. Update on Exotic Animal Adventure (Tim Gress) - Chairman Alcorn said Tim's ideal
location was on SR 44 and he was working with the City of New Smyrna Beach trying to find out
if they have a zoning that would work for him.
Mr. Bazin said he was assigned to work on compiling information for the Business CD last month
and felt he needed to turn it over to the City since the City would need to make the decision on the
profile. Statistics for the profile needed to be updated, so he gave the file to Ms. McBride.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Existing facilities for sale/Iease - Chairman Alcorn said since Enterprise V olusia no longer
existed, he would be providing the City a list of available sites for sale and/or lease. He would have
it ready for the next meeting.
2. Discuss holding a retreat - Chairman Alcorn felt because of the recent attacks, we were all
going to be effected by the economy. He recommended that after the elections, holding a mini-
retreat off site, perhaps at Sugar Mill, to discuss a program of work for the coming year and other
issues. Those to be invited were the Economic Development Board, City Council, City Manager and
staff, Steve Dennis, Cindy Coto, Shannon Lewis and the Planning and Zoning Board.
When asked by Chairman Alcorn how long it takes to get a permit for remodeling work, Ms. Plaskett
said as long as it was an existing building or the building already had site plan approval, it would
take about a week or two.
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Economic Development Board
October 15,2001
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CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS:
Ms. Carter reported the Recreation Cultural Services Board met to discuss Christmas banners to be
displayed mainly at intersections; the property next to Dustin's had been purchased by the City and
the Parks and Recreation Department would be housed in one of the buildings; the Board was getting
suggestions for their Beautification Award through the City's newsletter; and the City would be
holding a family fall festival on October 27, at Rotary Park.
Ms. Aly asked that all members participate in the Business to Business Expo.
Mr. McGinnis was excited that Tropical Blossom had a feature article in the October Florida
Department of Agriculture magazine. It was a two page article with colored photographs by Marie
Goodrich. He said it will be distributed at a food fair in Germany in a few weeks.
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
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