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11-13-1995 ,~;, ..... ,,~ '"'fi"':', ....., CITY OF EDGEWATER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD SPECIAL MEETING NOVEMBER 13, 1995 6:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Fong called to order a special meeting of the Economic Development Board at 6:30 p.m., Monday, November 13, 1995 in the Conference Room of the Department of Community Development. ROLL CALL: Members present were Chairman Philip Fong, Richard Jones, William Fair, Karl Gerwe and Dr. Charles Gebelein. Also present were the Honorable Mayor Hayman and Liz McBride, Board Coordinator. John Browning and Randolph Churchill were recorded absent. CONTINUED BUSINESS: Chairman Fong explained the purpose of the meeting was to review the merits of the National American Chemical Society Exposition (ACS) and the Economic Development Board's (EDB) participation in it. He said the Mayor was present to address the issue. Mayor Hayman said he and Dr. Gebelein had spoken about the EDB representing the City at the Expo, and the benefit it would have for the local economy. He made reference to Dick Clark's Business Climate Analysis & Natural Linkages Study, and mentioned the study's concept in regard to the Miami Boat Show. The Mayor said the question is whether the ACS Expo would be a suitable event to do in a similar fashion. He said he is generally supportive in anything that will build on the present business economy. The Mayor, after having listened to the discussion on the tapes of the EDB meeting of November 2, 1995, said what was discussed at the meeting was not exactly what Dr. Gebelein and he had been talking about. Mayor Hayman said one of the things he pointed out to Dr. Gebelein was that the City did not have money in its budget to pay for a booth (at the expo). He said he had suggested contacting Boston Whaler, Kayat, Coronado Paint and a caulking manufacturing company in New Smyrna, and networking through them in a similar fashion with what Dick Clark suggested in his study. The Mayor said they could also partner-up with the Volusia County Business Development Corporation (VCBDC) and the Chamber of Commerce. Chairman Fong said he hoped the Board could readdress some of the issues and come to a decision. Mr. Gerwe said he spoke to Steve Dennis of the Chamber who stated the Chamber appreciated the support they received from the City, and whatever course of action the City decided to take, they would help out with materials, and possibly with financial support. Mr. Gerwe then said that after the last EDB meeting, he had some reservations about his vote and gave his reasons. ...... ~ Economic Development Board Minutes - November 13, 1995 Page -2- Mr. Fair said he reviewed the list of the 1995 ACS expo exhibitors, and questioned whether they were the correct audience. He said chemists or engineers are not the people who make the decisions as to the possible relocation of their company. Mayor Hayman briefed Mr. Fair on Dick Clark and the consulting work he did for the City in developing the Business Climate Analysis & Natural Linkages Study. He summarized the report. If the City applied the Dick Clark process, the Mayor then said he is not sure if the expo is suitable. Chairman Fong reiterated recommendations supplied in the Study in regard to cost, and the use of networking with existing local industry/business because of limited resources. He distributed a Strategy Comparison Summary, which compared the proposed ACS expo with strategy of the Clark "Quick Start" Boston Whaler (boat show). Then Chairman Fong said he is not comfortable going before the Council because the EDB did not have all the planning or associated costs, and felt they would loose creditability. Mr. Jones said he was very enthusiastic about the ACS because he felt the Board hasn't done much since last year. He thought the idea was to go to the Council to see if they would approve the cost of the booth, and then the Board would go to local business, etc. to solicit their support. Mr. Jones said he is still in favor of seeking the Council's and Mayor's support. Chairman Fong said he respects Mr. Jones' opinion, but disagrees. He explained his views. Dr. Gebelein said the Board had been discussing the ACS since June or July, and he had to fight to get this item on the agenda the last few meetings. He said the Board was supposed to be talking about this on a continuing basis. Dr. Gebelein concluded the Chairman would never agree on this and therefore, never have unanimous support of the Board. In regard to cost, Dr. Gebelein said he was aiming at the funds put aside for the EDB for use upon Council's approval, and not newly created funds. He said he provided a list of linkages for chemistry related businesses which, he said, the Board discussed several times. Dr. Gebelein said he called Jerry Fox, ofVCBDC, who said they would not participate in the meeting or provide any funds, but would provide some promotional materials. He repeated Mr. Gerwe's earlier report on the Chambers positive support. Dr. Gebelein discussed the proposal from its inception, and said he couldn't see why the Board was voting on this agam. Chairman Fong said the question of unity had always been forefront in his mind in regard to working as a committee, but his first obligation was not to the Board, but to the City and Council. He said his purpose is not to divide the committee, but look for the merits. The Chairman said Dr. Gebelein misrepresented what the Mayor had said on his prospective on this matter. He said he would not go before the Council without having all the facts. He continued to rationalize his feelings on this matter. Discussion followed on the potential of possible linkages for chemistry related businesses. Mayor Hayman recounted how people were contacted at the Miami Boat Show, and gave a follow-up on the positive contacts that were made. ,.. ...... ...., Economic Development Board Minutes - November 13, 1995 Page -3- The question of whether it was ethical to promote the City at the expo without having acquired a booth arose. Discussion followed on this subject. Mr. Fair inteIjected that ifhe had been there to vote at the last meeting, he would have voted against going to the ACS expo, because there is not enough information saying the EDB should go. Mr. Gerwe explained he would not have voted favorably at the last meeting, ifhe had all the facts. Discussion follgwed on why to go to the expo, and why at this time. Chairman Fong read a memorandum to the Board from Mr. Browning listing reasons why he would not support the EDB sponsoring a booth at the ACS expo. The Chairman also read the previously mentioned memorandum from Jerry Fox for the record. After much discussion, Mr. Gerwe moved to have another vote on this issue in light of the additional information (from the Mayor, VCBDC and the Chamber); whether to proceed with attending the ACS show, seconded by Mr. Fair. Motion CARRIED not to attend 3-2. Dr. Gebelein and Mr. Jones voted to attend. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made and approved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Elizabeth 1. McBride, Board Coordinator Economic Development Board c:\edblminutes\111395.sm