12-07-1995
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CITY OF EDGEWATER
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
December 7, 1995
6:30 P.M
CALL TO ORDER:
Chainnan Fong called to order a regular meeting of the Economic Development Board at 6:37p.m.,
Thursday, December 7, 1995 in the Conference Room of the Department of Community
Development.
ROLL CALL:
Members present were Chairman Philip Fong, Richard Jones, William Fair, and Karl Gerwe. John
Browning arrived at 6:40 p.rn. Also present were Dominick Fazzone, ex-officio member of the EDB
and Liz McBride, Board Coordinator. Randolph Churchill and Dr. Charles Gebelein were recorded
absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the November 2, 1995 regular meeting were presented to the Board for approval.
Mr. Jones referred to page 2, paragraph 5, referencing Industrial Bonds for funding. Since he didn't
understand the relationship of the question and the answer given, he wanted a qualifying sentence
added. Mr. Fair suggested adding that Industrial Bonds are an inducement for any industrial or
commercial development to locate in Edgewater. Chairman Fong then approved the minutes of
November 2, 1995 as corrected.
There being no changes, Chairman Fong approved the minutes of the November 13, 1995 special
meeting as presented.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
1. Quarterly Newsletter Insert
Chainnan Fong said the Newsletter looked good. The members reviewed the EDB article and agreed
to submit articles quarterly for publication.
Mr. Fair referred to the special meeting of November 13, 1995, in which Mayor Hayman was present.
He said he was astounded to hear the amount of information the Mayor had relative to businesses
who were considering Edgewater for location, and that the EDB knew nothing about. He felt the
Board should be apprised of the information as it happens, so they could contact the businesses for
follow-up.
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Economic Development Board
Minutes - December 7,1995
Page -2-
Discussion followed on the content of the next newsletter article. The Overall Economic
Development Plan (OEDP), Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND), development of the EDB
pamphlet, and local companies who are expanding, were a few mentioned. It was decided the
members would work on an outline for the article at the next meeting.
2. Marketing Material
a. Wal-Mart Grant - Chairman Fong referenced a DeLand brochure received from an
advertising company. He said someone had pointed out that technical support for the brochure was
provide by Wal-Mart Corporation, in the amount of $3,000. Chairman Fong said no grant application
was completed, only that management was approached. He said he contacted Wal-Mart and spoke
to the assistant manager who would have the manager contact him. Mr. Fair said they should also
contact K-Mart.
b. Review Content/Format - Chairman Fong said he wanted to move toward a final
product. Mr. Jones said a lead-in type could be used for headings, i.e. bold the first few words of the
paragraph, which would take less space than separate headings and bulleted information.
Mr. Fair showed a Natural Wildlife brochure edited for Edgewater Landing which also could be used
for Edgewater. He said Edgewater Landing has aerial photos he could get at no cost. He said he
could also get photographs from the Kennedy Space Center if needed. Discussion followed on the
cover design and inside information. Mr. Fair reiterated seeking funds from K-Mart, Eckerds, and
Walgreens. He suggested the Chairman appoint himself or a Board member to call on these
companies for a financial commitment. Discussion followed on what sample information should be
shown to potential fund grantors.
Mr. Jones intetjected that the original plan was to go with a flyer (drafted by Dr. Gebelein) then go
with a larger brochure. He asked if this was going to be put on "the back burner" until resources for
funds are investigated. Chairman Fong said members could individually refine the flyer, as far as
content and format, and then together compare them, and at the same time solicit companies for
funds.
Mr. Fair said he spoke with the City Manager who suggested the EDB meet with the newly created
V olusia County department specifically involved with economic/business development. Mr. Fair
thought that County funding might be available. Mr. Gerwe said the County would direct the EDB
to the V olusia County Business Development Corporation (VCBDC) for funding requests. The
Chairman agreed, and said the VCBDC is strapped for funding.
After further discussion, Chairman Fong asked Mr. Fair if he would be willing to contact companies,
other than Wal-Mart. Mr. Fair said yes, but that the Board needed a formal plan, i.e., a list of
potential supporters and the dollar amount to be requested from them. Mr. Fazzone suggested
contacting the City Attorney before anything is started for legal advise.
c. Recommendation to Council- Chairman Fong said he would contact the City Attorney,
and hold off on the recommendation to the Council until a later date.
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Economic Development Board
Minutes - December 7,1995
Page -3-
3. Proclamation of Excellence
a. Boston Whaler - Chairman Fong remarked that January would be a good time to
recognize them. He also mentioned celebrating Maglev, through the EDB by having the Council send
a letter of recognition. Since Mr. Jones is the Board's contact person with Boston Whaler, it was
suggested he get them to update their profile. The Chairman thought it would benefit Mr. Fair ifhe
accompanied Mr. Jones on his visit to Boston Whaler, since he was not on the Board when they were
originally interviewed. Chairman Fong asked Mr. Jones to contact the City Attorney to make sure
they will not be breaking Sunshine rules.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Compo Plan Amendment for the Hibiscus & Guava Drive Corridors
a. History - Chairman Fong asked Mr. Fazzone, ex-officio member and Chairman of the
Land Development and Regulatory Agency (LDRA), to give the Board a brief history. Mr. Fazzone
told the Board the B-2 Neighborhood Business district allows manufacturing, with up to three
employees per shift. (The change to I-I Light Industrial district would eliminate the maximum of
three employees per shift.) He said this matter was brought before the LDRA, and went through
months of public hearings.
Chairman Fong called a recess at 7:45 p.m. and resumed the meeting at 7:58 p.m.
Mr. Browning said at the November 6, 1995 City Council meeting, there were three residence who
objected to the zoning change. He said the residences felt there would be no buffer between them
and the industrial area, causing a decline in the property value. He said the amendment did not pass,
but was continued for further review.
b. Economic Development Issues/Problems - Chairman Fong said he would like to identify
the economic issues and problems caused by the amendment not going through, the negative impact
of what would be done with the businesses affected. He said, up until the recent Council meeting,
all parties involved thought this would be a positive step toward economic development. The Board
continued to review the history and discuss the buffering issue.
c. Staff's Position
d. EDB's Position
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Mr. Fair commented that tp( EDB does not have a technical position in this decision, and should be
deferred to the LDRA."ehairman Fong said this is also an economic issue, and explained his point.
Chairman Fong said<l~~~;needed to support the compo plan amendment as a formal position. Mr.
Fazzone said it would be bad if the EDB did not support the comprehensive amendment for that area
because the EDB started the issue.
Chairman F ong said he would like to establish an official position and work toward having a
workshop in regard to this matter, and perhaps bring this issue back to Council along with staff's and
LDRA's position. Mr. Fazzone thought staff would be bringing it back to Council. Chairman Fong
wanted to know when, so the EDB could present supporting information.
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Economic Development Board
Minutes - December 7,1995
Page -4-
Mr. Fair moved that the EDB support the Zoning Board and all the technical features involved in the
land use change, and EDB would be happy to assist the LDRA if required, seconded by Mr. Jones.
Motion CARRIED 5-0.
2. Schedule Joint Meeting with the Beautification & Tree Committee (BTC)
Chairman Fong referred to a memorandum from Felicia VerWay, Chairman of the BTC. Mr. Fair
commented he thought the ideas were good. Indian River Boulevard as a "main street" and planting
trees and shrubs along the Ridgewood median were a few ideas discussed.
Chairman Fong said that the BTC revealed to him a number of barriers, i.g., irrigation along the
medians and DOT plant restrictions due to liability. Discussion followed on areas in need of
beautification and fund support.
Chairman Fong asked the Board when would it be a good time to have a joint meeting with the BTC.
It was agreed to invite the BTC to the January 4, 1996 EDB regular meeting.
3. Review & Update 1995 Program of Work
Chairman Fong said he would like to defer this item until the January or February meeting due to the
time.
CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS:
Mr. Fair reported that Industrial Bonds are very complicated, and are controlled by State Statue.
He said the City Manager and the Finance Director were not very optimistic with respect to the use
of industrial bonds, but did point out there was a resolution for tax abatement for industrial and
business use. Mr. Fair requested a copy of that resolution.
Mr. Gerwe said he is Chairman of the Chamber's Economic Development Task Force. He reported
that for the past two meetings and two workshops, the committee was reviewing Frank Roberts', City
Manager for New Smyrna Beach, preliminary proposals for economic development for the City of
New Smyrna. Mr. Gerwe said since tax abatement did not pass in New Smyrna, they needed some
other innovative ways to assist economic development. He discussed a few.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion was made and approved to
adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Elizabeth 1. McBride, Board Coordinator
Economic Development Board
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