01-09-2002
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CITY OF EDGEWATER
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
January 9, 2002
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 9, 2002, in the Community Center.
ROLL CALL:
Members present were Chairman Thomas Alcorn, Thomas McKinley, Adelaide Carter, Nora Aly,
Edward Keenan (arrived at 8 :04, after election of officers), Michael Wilson, and Douglas McGinnis.
Also present were Chief Planner Darren Lear, Councilman Jim Brown, City Manager Ken Hooper,
Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Steve Dennis, News Journal staff
writer Jean Morgan and Board Coordinator Liz McBride. Christopher Balmer was excused and
Roland Bazin was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes for December 5,2001, 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.
McKinley. Motion CARRIED 6-0.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
A. Nomination and Election of Chairman - Ms. Carter nominated Tom Alcorn, second by Mr.
McKinley. Mr. Wilson moved to elect Mr. Alcorn Chairman, second by Mr. McKinley. Motion
CARRIED 6-0.
B. Nomination and Election of Vice-Chairman - Mr. McGinnis nominated Nora Aly, second
by Mr. McKinley. Mr. Wilson moved to elect Ms. Aly Vice-Chairman, second by Mr. McGinnis.
Motion CARRIED 6-0.
CITY AND OTHER REPORTS:
A. City of Edgewater
1) Site for new highschool- Chairman Alcorn referred to a News Journal article which
reported the new highschool was to be located on loth Street at the site of the Christian Life Center.
He felt it was a wonderful location. Councilman Brown said this would release 60 acres that had
been reserved for the possible location of the school at the City's Industrial Park.
2) Update on ParkTowne Industrial Center - Chairman Alcorn stated he had received
three calls expressing interest in the industrial park. Nothing new was reported. Councilman Brown
said the construction of a spec building on the site had been discussed to set the standards of the
types and quality of buildings. Chairman Alcorn asked if fiber optic lines would be available.
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Economic Development Board
January 9, 2002
Page 2
3) Seashore Marina Center (previously Marine Commerce Park) - Chairman Alcorn
said the County had a contract from Challenger Enterprises for the purchase of the property. Ms.
McBride distributed plans showing the proposal use of the land.
Mr. Lear commented that at the Monday night City Council meeting, a request for a 97 unit
subdivision of single-family homes was discussed. The location is just south of the Silver Ridge
subdivision. He said since there was a Court Order on the property, it had to go to Council for their
blessing then would go through the regular subdivision process.
Councilman Brown stated that at a work session last night (January 8) for noise and special events,
it was mentioned that if businesses build in an area where no one is around them at the time, they
will be protected from noise limitations. That is to say, if homes are built in the area of an
established business, the residents cannot force that business to be quieter.
Lot sizes of the subdivision south of Silver Ridge and property values of Florida Shores lots were
discussed.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
A. Business Expo 2001 - Attendee's Responses to Questionnaire - Chairman Alcorn read the
things most liked about the event and things to enhance future expos. Most of the responses were
very positive. Mr. McGinnis interjected that if the expo were to expand to include the public, the
location would have to handle the parking.
B. Economic Development! City Council Work Session Agenda (replacing Retreat) - It was
discussed when to hold the workshop. Ms. McBride said she would poll Council for a date.
C. Discuss Business A ward and Luncheon - Ms. McBride distributed a list of some older
businesses in Edgewater. Ms. Aly said Loveland Groves and Tropical Blossom Honey were two
complimenting businesses that work together. The A-I Barbershop was mentioned as a one-man
operation.
Ms. Aly moved to honor Tropical Blossom, Loveland Groves and Coastal Tire. After discussion,
it was the consensus of the Board to change Coastal Tire to A - J Barbershop, second by Ms. Carter.
Motion CARRIED 7-0.
Ms. Aly suggested holding the luncheon Thursday, March 14,2002, and would make the necessary
arrangements.
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Economic Development Board
January 9, 2002
Page 3
D. Statues of Edgewater's Web-Site - Mr. Lear said a new MIS employee (Tim Sopko) had
been hired about a month ago and he was currently checking City computers for viruses. The fire
department would be handing over the function of maintaining the Web-site to Mr. Sopko shortly.
Chairman Alcorn asked Steve Dennis, Southeast V olusia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director,
if he had anything to add. The Chairman announced the Chamber will hold an Economic
Development meeting on Wednesday, January 23, at 8:30 a.m., at the New Smyrna Beach Library.
He said Rich Michael, V olusia County Economic Development Director, would be in attendance to
discuss plans for the year. Mr. Dennis said they would be meeting quarterly with different meeting
locations.
Mr. Dennis spoke of the Chamber' s Web-site and said their newsletter would be published on the
Web-site along with news stories. He mentioned they were getting approximately 200,000 hits a
month, with a large portion being consultants and some tourism traffic. He said it was important to
keep information current and eventually it would eliminate printed material.
Chairman Alcorn asked City Manager Hooper if he wanted to comment on anything. The City
Manager said underground utilities were underway at the Industrial Park site with closeout of
construction being June or July. He felt we would own the property in approximately 45 days. He
said City Council authorized sending a CRA application to the County covering this area.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Recommendations for Renaming Industrial Park - Chairman Alcorn relayed he received
telephone calls at home from people who said there was a contest and the name should remain the
same (ParkTowne Industrial Center). The Chairman felt the name was not reflective in that it did
not mention Edgewater or Southeast V olusia, and it should identify the area or the City of
Edgewater. Councilman Brown agreed the name needed to reflect Edgewater somewhat and
recommended it should be called Edgewater's ParkTowne Industrial Center. Councilman Brown
stated it would be up to the Board to make a recommendation to add the word Edgewater somewhere
in the current name.
Mr. Keenan said if any correspondence is sent concerning the Industrial Park, the word Edgewater
would be on the letterhead. Mr. Keenan said the majority of Council voted on the current name, that
it was a "done deal". Discussion continued on the name. Ms. Aly felt the current name could remain
the site's formal name, but when it is advertised/marketed, to include Edgewater in the name. Mr.
McKinley likewise didn't like the current name. He said the City of Edgewater already had its logo
as being the "Hospitality City" which would have provided some consistency.
Mr. McGinnis felt they all agreed that when marketing the site, Edgewater would be on the material.
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Economic Development Board
January 9, 2002
Page 4
CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS:
Chairman - discuss relocating meetings for February, March and April 2002 - Chairman Alcorn
said the IRS would be using the Community Center for those months and asked for
recommendations for other sites. Those mentioned were the Florida Shores Club House, YMCA,
Edgewater Library and Florida Health Care Center. After discussion, Ms. McBride said she would
call around to see what was available and let the Board know.
Ms. Carter reported that last month the Historical Preservation Committee (part of the Recreation
and Cultural Services Board) was being set up; there were positive comments on the banners put up
at Christmas and hopes for more the next year; and the Edgewater Cemetery was given the
beautification award.
A list of new occupational licenses issued was passed to the members.
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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