11-07-2001
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CITY OF EDGEWATER
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
November 7, 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, November 7,2001, in the Community Center.
ROLL CALL:
Members present were Chairman Thomas Alcorn, Thomas McKinley, Adelaide Carter, Nora Aly,
Michael Wilson, Roland Bazin and Douglas McGinnis. Also present were Steve Dennis, Executive
Director of the Southeast Chamber of Commerce; Shannon Lewis, New Smyrna Beach Business
Development Director; Councilman Jim Brown; City Manager Ken Hooper; News Journal staff
writer Jean Morgan; Planning Technician Pat Drosten and Board Coordinator Liz McBride.
Christopher Balmer and Edward Keenan were excused. (In error, the record reflects Mr. Keenan was
absent.)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes for October 3, 2001, were presented to the Board for approval. There being no
corrections or changes, Ms. Carter moved to approve the minutes as presented, second by Mr.
Wilson. Motion CARRIED 7-0.
CITY AND OTHER REPORTS:
With the Board's approval, Chairman Alcorn moved this item to later in the meeting.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
1. Edgewater & Southeast Volusia Chamber Business to Business Expo Follow-Up - Ms.
Aly said she had received a few phone calls from participants who were looking forward to next the
expo. She was hoping to work with the Chamber to hold an expo on a larger scale. Ms. Aly felt the
event was very successful and that the businesses made new contacts.
Steve Dennis, Executive Director for the Southeast V olusia Chamber of Commerce, stated the
greatest comment was to have the expo open to the public. He said it was a good idea but the only
problem would be finding a facility. The Elks Club was mentioned as desirable site and had ample
parking.
Shannon Lewis, New Smyrna Business Development Director, felt holding an expo jointly in about
six months could be considered. Mr. Dennis suggested using one of the hangers at Massey Airport
as a possible facility for the event.
Chairman Alcorn said he would come back to this item.
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Economic Development Board
Minutes - November 7, 200 I
Page 2
CITY AND OTHER REPORTS:
1. City of Edgewater Updates
a. Annexations - Planning Technician Pat Drosten reported that City Council recently
heard second readings on several annexations of property in the Washington Park subdivision (18
acres:t) adjacent to the Edgewater Lakes project, and vacant property abutting US 1 directly east of
Edgewater Lakes. Application had been made for acreage on both sides of Packwood located at the
southern end of the City, and property south of Godfrey Road. She said both would go before the
Planning and Zoning Board in January.
b. Comprehensive Plan - Ms. Drosten stated a meeting was scheduled with the City
to go over DCA's comments and the first submittal would be heard at the first Council meeting in
December, and that the Edgewater Lakes property should go to Council the second meeting in
December. She said by the end of the year, hopefully the comp plan would be codified.
c. Edgewater Lakes Golf Course - Ms. Drosten said once the comp plan was codified,
the City would accept a plat for the subdivision.
Ms. Drosten said a few small projects were going on but the main one was Boston Whaler's new
facility near the FIND property.
Chairman Alcorn acknowledged Councilman Brown's presence and congratulated him on his recent
reelection to City Council. Councilman Brown thanked the Board for their help, efforts and work,
and in making Council look good. He thanked Nora and Liz for their efforts in coordinating the
Business Expo and hoped participation would triple next year. Chairman Alcorn appreciated
Councilman Brown's suggestion to hold the expo.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
3. Existing facilities for sale/lease - With no objection from the Board, Chairman Alcorn
skipped to this item. The Chairman said a few sites coming up for sale/lease were the Homac plant
on Park A venue, smaller facilities on Guava and Hibiscus and a building with 22,000 square feet
near Scott Porta's project. He said he would try to keep everyone up-to-date on available facilities,
and he or Mr. Dennis could be called to answer questions.
Ms. Aly asked what happened to the exotic animal facility. Chairman Alcorn said land was found
in Edgewater that would work but an agreement on price could not be reached. They were also
looking in New Smyrna for land that would be zoned for such a facility. Ms. Aly asked if there was
anything the City could do to help the facility locate in Edgewater. Chairman Alcorn said the City
of Edgewater felt it fit into their plan, wanted to see them in the City and indicated an appropriate
site; the client needed to negotiate purchase of the property. Councilman Brown said perhaps the
City Manager could have the grant writer assist in locating funds.
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Economic Development Board
Minutes - November 7,2001
Page 3
2. Economic Development/City Retreat - discuss items for agenda - Chairman Alcorn said
he wanted to change the focus of the Board this year to be pro-active opposed to being reactive. He
felt a way to do this was for the Board to come up with what they want to do for the coming year.
He didn't think they could do this in one or more short meetings, but to talk with City Council. The
Chairman said he scheduled a retreat at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, February 16, 2002, to
discuss goals and strategy in bringing more businesses to Edgewater. The industrial park will be a
main focus once the project is finished and the Board would be looking at ways to fill the sites. Mr.
Dennis felt a regional concept should be kept in mind when developing goals. The Chairman
thought about asking the city managers of New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange what they are doing.
Mr. Dennis said to keep focused at the retreat and not make it a "reporting session."
Ms. Aly wanted to focus on medical facilities and wanted to see more festivals/events. Mr.
McGinnis would like to promote the City through its historical sites and felt the history of the City
was important.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Strategic Plan for 2002 - was discussed above.
CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS:
Ms. Carter reported that Councilwoman Lighter and Jo Anne Sikes suggested the Board consider
awards to businesses that have been in operation for 20 years, perhaps during Industrial Appreciation
Week next fall.
Mr. McGinnis mentioned the Volusia County Farm Tour on the 16th. He said Tropical Blossom
would be holding an open house from 2-3:30 p.m. which would bring in about 300-400 people.
Chairman Alcorn said he mentioned sending letters to those businesses who participated in the
Business to Business Expo. In those letters it would be asked for three things they liked about the
Expo and three things that could be improved on. Ms. Aly asked about the Business of the Year
award and that only a few suggestion were received. Ms. Aly suggested putting this on the next
agenda for discussion.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion was made and approved to
adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9: 10 a.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Elizabeth J. McBride, Board Coordinator
Economic Development Board
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