05-18-2015 - Workshop City of Edgewater Ed N.Edgewater,
FL Drive
Edgewater,FL 32132
-,DGEWATER Meeting Minutes
City Council
Michael Ignasiak,Mayor
Christine Power,District 1
Gigi Bennington,District 2
Dan Blazi,District 3
Gary T. Conroy,District 4
Monday,May 18,2015 6:00 PM Council Chambers
Business Workshop
1. CALL TO ORDER
Present: 4- Mayor Mike Ignasiak,Councilwoman Christine Power,Councilwoman Gigi Bennington,
and Councilman Dan Blazi
Excused: 3- Councilman Gary T.Conroy,City Manager Tracey Barlow,and City Attorney Aaron
Wolfe
Also Present: 2- City Clerk Bonnie Wenzel,and Darren Lear
2. The City Council Business Workshop for current and prospective businesses regarding the
permitting process and regulatory codes.
Mayor Ignasiak welcomed everyone to the workshop, and discussed: reasons for holding a second
business workshop; the purpose of the workshop is to hear suggested changes from business owners
to the City's Code of Ordinances; the City ordinance development and the approval process is the
responsibility of the City Council, not staff; and encouraged those in attendance to voice their
concerns, and provide input for possible ordinance changes.
Mayor Ignasiak opened the meeting to public comment.
Milly Hoffman, 1517S. Ridgewood Avenue, Strokers, Billiards & Grille, stated that banners, flyers,
and flagpoles were discussed at the previous business workshop; she has driven around Edgewater
and New Smyrna Beach to observe and compare what other businesses are using for advertising and
marketing; daytime operations not being profitable due to the sign ordinance; flags and signs would
help daytime business; local competition and profits; growing the community; expectation of City to
help local businesses thrive; suggested an Edgewater local business owner committee; and discussed
looking like she is open for business.
Mayor Ignasiak discussed, a new endeavor that is in the organizational stage called the Edgewater
Business Hub, which is a network of local businesses with the purpose of facilitating local business
growth and to create synergy in the business community; and also summarized Ms. Hoffman's
request as being to allow banners, signs, and flags in the front of her business.
The Council, staff, and Ms. Hoffman discussed, her business demographics, and her establishment
blending in with other buildings; code restrictions concerning gaudy colors; looking at ways to
amend the code to allow advertising for special activities; community esthetics; having advertisement
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options to stimulate business growth; banners in New Smyrna Beach (NSB), and NSB not enforcing
their code; allowing flags, a happy medium, and not allowing flag use to get out of hand; signs being
put out for a certain time period for special events; businesses renting sign advertising space;
changing perceptions about Edgewater's business climate; change taking time to occur; business
turnover in NSB;getting local businesses involved, and seeing Edgewater flourish.
Mayor Ignasiak stated that he would have someone from the Edgewater Business Hub contact Ms.
Hoffman.
Karen Hansen, 103 N. Ridgewood Avenue, Red, White, & Blue Deli, discussed, making her business
visible; business signage; putting a sign on the side of her business facing Park Avenue; flags;
delivery trucks blocking, and parking in, her lot to provide service to the 7-11 store.
The Council, staff, and Ms. Hansen discussed, having the Chief of Police discuss delivery times and
procedure changes with the owner of the 7-11; possibly posting her lot as a "Tow Away" zone; the
owner of the 7-11 trying to remedy the situation after the plaza owner wrote a letter to 7-11
corporate offices; due to property constraints there is not much the 7-11 can do; using Park Avenue
to park and make deliveries; having all 3 businesses in the plaza listed on one sign on the side of the
building; other opportunities for signage at the location; and possibly entering into a sign
partnership with the adjacent business owner.
Amy Vogt, 201 S. Ridgewood Avenue, Shores Mower Repair, discussed, having a stand up flag out in
front of her business advertising the brand of mowers they sell; the business not having visibility to
the public; needing to catch customers attention; having the sign out in front of the business during
operations only, and taking it in at night; the Council being willing to experiment and try new ideas
to help promote business, without letting it get out of hand; landscaping not being maintained and
code enforcement; sandwich signs not being very helpful due to the stores location; using business to
business advertising; having a ribbon cutting; making use of the City's "Grand Opening" portion of
the ordinance; and coming in to discuss her options with Development Services Director Darren
Lear.
The Council and staff discussed, types of banner signs and trying to follow a theme for banners in the
City; developing a plan for signage that is both aesthetically pleasing, and still provide a clean look
that advertises businesses; look at allowing flag signs along US 1 to provide business exposure; and
US 1 being the property, and right of way of the Department of Transportation, and working on sign
ordinance changes that are within the City's domain.
Councilwoman Power discussed, word of mouth as a very effective, and huge way to market business
changes; using web based marketing like "Yelp"; attracting the local crowd to businesses; and using
eye catching, succinct signs.
Councilwoman Bennigton stated the Council realizes that there are some problems with the sign and
special permitting ordinance; discussed the new problem surfaced at the workshop concerning
delivery truck parking for servicing the 7-11; that the City will be busy working on the sign
ordinance; and encouraged businesses owners to contact Mr. Lear for assistance.
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Councilman Blazi stated that he is not adverse to some type of banners, as long as they are within
very strict boundaries; to have staff explore what other cities have done towards cleaner, more
permanent, incentive oriented signs, that are Edgewater oriented, and needing to facilitate exposure
for Edgewater businesses.
Mayor Ignasiak suggested that each Council person meet with City Manager Barlow, or put in
writing to the City Manager, their impression of what was discussed at both business workshops;
what they would like to see changed in the ordinance; and for the City Manager to put all of their
input together, and bring it back to the Council at a meeting so the Council can determine ways to
help businesses.
The Council discussed possible meeting dates to put the matter on an agenda for discussion.
Mayor Ignasiak thanked everyone for coming; stated that their input has been very helpful; and that
the Council will try to make some changes.
3. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Ignasiak adjourned the workshop at 6:52 p.m.
Minutes Submitted by:
Mitch Honaker
Deputy City Clerk
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