04-02-2014 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
April 2, 2014
8: 00 A.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
Present Bliss Jamison
Steve Harrell
Oscar Zeller
Jennifer Butera
Jeff Berner
Marcia Barnett
Donna Snow
Cecil Selman
William Wetherell
City Manager Tracey Barlow
Tabitha Russell
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular meeting of March 5, 2014
William Wetherell moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting
of March 5, 2014, second by Jeff Berner.
MOTION CARRIED 9-0
4 . CITY AND OTHER REPORTS:
A. Presentation - Jayne Fifer, CAE - President/CEO, VMA, Inc.
Jayne Fifer presented a powerpoint about the Volusia
Manufacturers Association and the state of manufacturing in
Volusia County.
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Economic Dev. Bd. Regular Mtg
April 2, 2014
5. CONTINUED BUSINESS:
A. Ecotourism Sub-Committee Report
Mr. Berner reported on the March 26th Ecotourism Sub-Committee
meeting. Janet distributed some maps of possible blue water trails
that would be worth checking out before meeting with the Florida
Paddling Association to discuss blue water community designation.
Mr. Berner received a report from Rob Pollack who is the new job
coordinator for the bridge project. He stated that the excessive
amount of rain that occurred this winter has put them behind
because the first phase of the project is underground and they
wanted to avoid having to dewater the area. However they have been
able to complete the pilings and foundational infrastructure and
the rest of the construction will be more visible as the bridge
comes up out of the ground. The Committee also discussed groups
that the City could solicit to promote the trails and wayfinding
signage. They scheduled a paddling trip for Wednesday, April 23rd
at 5:30 p.m.
B. Proposed Action Item for Goal 1, Objective 1 .2 :1 .2 .7 -
Develop a specific plan to guide the City in its efforts to
recruit the targeted industries and related businesses as
identified in Objective 1. 1 to be presented to the City
Council for approval.
MOTION by Mr. Harrell, SECOND by Mr. Wetherell to create an action
item for Goal 1 , Objective 1.2 : 1.2 .7 , to be presented to City
Council for approval.
MOTION CARRIED 9-0
Ms . Jamison asked that the City Manager and city staff work with
the Economic Development Board to identify a definite plan to
target industries and value added jobs.
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Economic Dev. Bd. Regular Mtg
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C. Review of Goal 1 (Expanding Business and Industry in
Edgewater) pages 43-46 of the EDB Organizational Manual.
Objective 1.3 Provide Outreach to Existing Business and Industry
1.3. 1 - Task the Economic Development Coordinator with networking
with existing businesses and industries to determine and help
address their concerns and needs for assistance, including (a)
technical and business planning assistance available through the
local Small Business Development Center, (b) employment and
workforce development assistance through Daytona State College and
other providers, (c) financial assistance through the U.S. Small
Business Administration, and (d) assistance from the City on
various code, permitting, land use and access issues . (ONGOING)
The City has partnered with the Chamber with
"Breakfast and Learn" seminars . The last one had a great turn out.
Janet was able to introduce the owner of Custom Tubes who needed
operators for their robotics machines to the teacher from the
Robotics Program at NSBHS to help facilitate an internship to help
these students apply real world experience through interning and
encourage them to become certified and possibly get hired back.
She has been working with the owner of World Housing Solutions to
help him get the resources to grow his business . She has also been
working with Team Volusia and Volusia County Economic Development
to help facilitate bringing in other types of businesses to fill
the vacant Coronado Paint Facility.
1.3.2 - Encourage and support privately-organized networking
activities and special marketing events, including as examples,
the B2B Expo at ParkTowne held in 11/09 and ParkTowne Expo "Spring
2010" held in 5/10 . (ONGOING)
City Manager Barlow stated that the Expo was very successful this
year. The Board voted and randomly picked a local business that
participated in the Expo and awarded them $500.00 as a
reimbursement that can be used to further market their business or
help an employee further their education. They are already
planning next year's Expo and there is talk about having another
B2B Expo.
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Economic Dev. Bd. Regular Mtg
April 2, 2014
1.3.3 - In conjunction with the Southeast Volusia Chamber of
Commerce, hold an annual industry appreciation day and awards
banquet to recognize the contribution of existing Southeast
Volusia industries to the local economy and community well-being.
(ANNUAL)
City Manager Barlow stated that this is something that the Board
should coordinate with the Chamber on. It was also noted that
maybe the City could recognize students from NSBHS and DSC for
their achievements .
1.3. 4 - Work with Daytona State College and others, including
GrowFL, to conduct meetings for local small businesses on subjects
of potential interest, including available workforce services and
the GrowFL concept of "economic gardening" for Florida-based firms
with 10-50 employees and $1-$25 million in revenues. (ONGOING)
City Manager Barlow stated that this goes back to partnering with
Daytona State College. He has been in contact with Clarence
McCloud who is trying to put together a program in Marine Science
for the Southeast campus. The City is working with Volusia County
Economic Development and Team Volusia to help local businesses to
expand. The tax abatement ordinance goes in front of City Council
next Monday for second reading which, if approved at the Council
meeting and the voters approve it in November, will allow select
businesses to expand and be able to abate their taxes for up to
ten years to help them.
1.3.5 - Coordinate with Business retention specialists with the
Volusia County Department of Economic Development on
identification and implementation of best practices for fostering
retention and growth of existing business and industry. (ONGOING)
The majority of the boat manufacturer' s in Edgewater are expanding
and new jobs are being created. The City is continuing to work
with Team Volusia to help retain and grow existing businesses.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Set a date for an EDB Budget Workshop in May 2014 as
provided in Resolution No. 97-R-05, Section 1.B.
There was a general consensus to have the budget workshop
on Wednesday, May 14 , at 8 :00 a.m.
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Economic Dev. Bd. Regular Mtg
April 2, 2014
7. CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBER REPORTS:
Donna Snow informed the Board that on April 22 d, UCF Coach
O' Leary will be guest speaker at a fundraising luncheon at Sugar
Mill Country Club.
8. CITY AND OTHER REPORTS:
A. City Manager Update
City Manager Tracey Barlow spoke to the Board in regards to the
following:
• SEV Coalition $600, 000 Grant for Brownfield Assessment.
• Status on the Tax Abatement Ordinance
• Retail Strategies Update
• The joint workshops that were held in March
• CRA Update
9. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9: 05 a.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Tabitha Russell / Board Coordinator
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Economic Dev. Bd. Regular Mtg
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