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05-05-1994 P.O. BOX 100, EDGEWATER, FL 32132 G..~",,,~~ c...)" c... ""-".'i ~"-\ ~'" ... <.) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD CITY OF EDGE\\' A TER o CITY OF EDGEW A TER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MAY 5, 1994 6:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Fong called to order a regular meeting of the Economic Development Board at 6:34 p.m., Thursday, May 5, 1994 in the Conference Room of City Hall. ROLL CALL: Members present were Chairman Fong, Mr. Browning, Ms. Rymsza and Dr. Gebelein. Mr. Byrd, Mr. Jones and Mr. Porta were recorded absent. Also present were Mark P. Karet, Director of Community Development and Liz McBride, Secretary. Jerry Kenny, of unincorporated Volusia County, arrived at approximately 7:15 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There being no changes or discrepancies, the minutes of December 2, 1993 were approved by Chairman F ong. The minutes of April 7, 1994 were approved by Chairman Fong as corrected. CONTINUED BUSINESS: 1. "What's Your Beef?" Workshops Chairman Fong referred to an update letter from the Chamber, which was then distributed to the Board, showing a tentative schedule and a detailed cost estimate totaling $497. Chairman Fong said that the letter was presented to the Council and has been approved. Mr. Browning asked if the funds would be coming from the EDB budget. Chairman Fong answered yes. 2. Tax Increment Financing District(s) a) Park Ave (West) b) U.S. Highway 1 Chairman Fong said Mark P. Karet, Director of Community, was invited to give the Board some insight and help in terms of what are some of the needs of the two topic areas, and what direction u o Economic Development Board Regular Meeting, May 5, 1994 Page -2- the Board should take. Chairman Fong said that after discussion of the subject areas, he would like to come up with an outline in terms of identifying needs, how to go about accomplishing the needs and asking the question, "is tax increment financing the rightlbest answer for it?" Chairman Fong then turned the floor over to Mr. Karet. Mr. Karet said, in regard to the way the agenda item was titled, that the focus needs to be on a redevelopment district and establishing a CRA, if this is the Board's ultimate goal. Mr. Karet also said that one of the items available to the CRA would be tax increment financing. Mr. Karet stated that some portions of u.s. 1 are not in need of redevelopment and that there are portions that have not even been developed. Mr. Karet felt the area north of Park A venue to the City limits could benefit from some redevelopment, and could be included as part of the district. To the south, some decisions would have to be made as to where to draw the line. Mr. Karet felt that where the Board should initially look would be from Orange Avenue, near Turgot and Magnolia, north and try to decide where the limits should be, which could be determined with a quick visual inspection. Mr. Karet discussed looking at conditions of the area and looking at a few years tax history to review property values. Chairman Fong summarized that the concentration for discussion of the meeting would be on the needs and trends as Mr. Karet sees it, and things that the Board would be focusing on. Mr. Karet said that a very basic need is infrastructure which is lacking in portions of Park Avenue and U.S. 1, mainly wastewater on Park Avenue and water lines on portions of u.s. 1, which are undersized. Mr. Karet feels what ultimately needs to be addressed, and the Council and the Board needs to decide, is how involved it wants to get in dealing with the aesthetic issues of the u.s. 1 corridor and Park Avenue. Mr. Karet said that some decision needs to be made on what direction is U.S. 1 going to take; is it going to remain a stripcommercial, is there going to be some attempt to make it a "downtown area" or to move the downtown concept to Park Avenue. Mr. Karet said the details of how it is carried out would come from outside people who could do the design work, etc. Mr. Browning asked if the City had previously considered the possibly of a CRA district. Mr. Karet answered that there had been some discussion at the Council level, but that over the past few years, City Council has been dominated by very basic infrastructure issues, i.e., to build a new water plant, the sewer plant and the activity in Florida Shores. Mr. Karet felt that if the Board is interested in pursuing it and putting it on the table, it would be received well, but the benefits will have to be described and explained to the Council. Discussion followed on how the CRA Board would be set up. u o Economic Development Board Regular Meeting, May 5, 1994 Page -3- Mr. Karet asked how interested the Board was in pursuing a CRA. Chairman Fong answered that the Board must identify the needs and prioritize them, and an outside consultant would need to be hired for the mechanics, design, planning, etc. Mr. Karet recommended the Board prepare a budget for next fiscal year to allow for the cost of hiring an outside consultant. Mr. Karet said that Staff can begin working with the Board in terms of determining if conditions exist were it would be legally appropriate to establish a CRA. Mr. Karet suggested contacting a few consultants, letting them know the Board's interests and asking them to come speak to the Board. Mr. Karet recommended putting together a package that could be discussed at the same time as the Board's budget with the Council, then they can make a decision with a price tag attached to it. Discussion followed on examples of a CRA plan. Chairman Fong asked Mr. Karet the distance of the sewer line still needed and the distance of the undersized water line, and if he could identify the areas. Mr. Karet advised contacting Utilities for the information. Chairman Fong asked Mr. Karet how he would prioritize the previously mention needs. Mr. Karet responded to begin with the basic infrastructure, which is sewer and water. Mr. Karet said to make a real change that will be visible and make a big difference to the tax base, will be the aesthetic improvements to the area. Chairman Fong then asked Mr. Karet to rank them by cost. Mr. Karet answered that it would depend on what is done, and at this point it would be difficult to say. Chairman Fong thanked Mr. Karet for his time in joining the meeting and giving the Board some insight. Mr. Karet inquired if the Board had any other questions. Chairman Fong asked Mr. Karet to give a brief synopsis of maps that were distributed to the Board. Mr. Karet explained the maps are of Guava and Hibiscus Drives, the areas proposed for change to industrial and that it has not gone to Council yet. Mr. Karet then explained the process. Mr. Browning asked if property owners in the proposed area have any say as to whether they want the rezoning. Mr. Karet said Staff has yet to hear any objections from property owners who will be changed to industrial. Mr. Karet stated that notices were sent to the Chamber, information has been in the newspaper but no individual notices have been sent to property owners. Mr. Karet explained that if the Council decides to approved the change and one person with a one hundred (100') foot lot in the middle said they didn't want to change, they probably would not get a choice. <J o Economic Development Board Regular Meeting, May 5, 1994 Page -4- Mr. Browning then asked if there are provisions for buffers. Mr. Karet answered that there are buffers within the industrial zoning category and are more restricted then the B-2 area. Mr. Karet reiterated that if the Board has any real objections, they should be discussed because the whole thing started with the Economic Development Board. Mr. Browning inquired when staff would be ready to make a presentation to the Council. Mr. Karet stated sometime in June, and that if anyone wanted to talk about individual properties, they could make an appointment with him through the Board secretary. Chairman Fong again thanked Mr. Karet, and then stated he would like to reach some sort of consensus about a "game plan" in relation to redevelopment districts: establishing a number of objectives and outlining a strategic plan, preliminary researching of the districts and then finally making a proposal and recommendation to the Council along with a budget. Mr. Karet said the Board needs to determine, at a broad level, what direction it wants to pursue and does not have to decide if it is a "good idea", the Council does. Mr. Karet stated that it will require some time and effort on the part of the Board to put together a proposal for the Council. Chairman Fong clarified for the Board that he is not asking for a recommendation only a ",-consensus in terms of how to go about making a recommendation. If the Board does want to get involved with redevelopment, Mr. Karet offered to assign someone to work clos~'\vith the Board. Chairman Fong recommended looking at the problem areas before the next meeting. 3. Subcommittees Chairman Fong asked the Board if they wanted to discuss this item now or set up a special workshop. One Board member stated he would be on vacation, one member indicated May 19, 1994 as the preferred date and one member had to check his calendar. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Community Survey Input Chairman Fong informed the Board that at the Council's April 4, 1994 regular meeting they voted to have a community survey done and made reference to a memorandum from George E. McMahon, City Manager. In the memorandum, Mr. McMahon indicated he wanted the Board's input and responses returned to his office by May 9th. (.) Q Economic Development Board Regular Meeting, May 5, 1994 Page -5- Chairman Fong asked the Board for its input on key issues. After much discussion, the following topics were formulated: attitude of City staff or employees; actively pursue economic development; streamlining of the permitting process; how well or correctly are you informed by the City; effectiveness of services; should the east\west streets in Florida Shores be paved; is the Police Department doing adequate patrol; is the Fire Department providing adequate services; should there be only one trash pick-up day; and should business\industrial growth expand toward the south or west. Chairman Fong said he would submit the above in a question format to the City Manager May 9th and copy the Board members. 2. 1994 Industry Appreciation Week Chairman Fong referred to a letter from the Division of Economic Development Bureau of Industry Development requesting two nominations of industry /businesses in the City of Edge water for the 1994 Governor's Business Leadership Award. The award is to recognize outstanding economic and civil contributions made by Florida businesses. Chairman Fong stated that while speaking to the Mayor of possible considerations, they came up with: 1) Edgewater Machine & Fabricators, Inc. (EMF), 2) Coronado Paint, 3) Boston Whaler and 4) Kayat Engineering. Chairman Fong asked for volunteers to present nomination forms to those companies for completion by May 11 tho Chairman Fong said he would review the forms, with possible help from the Mayor, select and submit two nominees to the Chamber by May 13th. 3. Frazer Hanson Berner Advertising, Ineo's Interest in Assisting A letter from Frazer Hanson Berner Advertising was distributed. Chairman Fong said he met with the advertising firm to discuss supportive services which they provide. Chairman Fong asked the Board to read the letter, think about it and that they would discuss it at the next regular meeting. CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBER REPORTS: CHAIRMAN: Maglev Round Table Chairman Fong read a memo from Britt Bochiardy, Charles Wayne Properties, Inc., concerning the Maglev Test Track Project. Mr. Bochiardy requests support by attending the May 12th V olusia County Council meeting of letters of support addressed to County Council Chairman Phil, Giorno. Chairman Fong made mention of Park Square, Inc. trying to get something in the works with a Maglev project and that a site would be available to them. Chairman Fong said the Council will be asked for $600,000 in "seed monies". Chairman Fong asked if it would be appropriate for the Board to submit a letter to reiterate its support. (..) o Economic Development Board Regular Meeting, May 5, 1994 Page -6- Chairman Fong recognized Jerry Kenny, of unincorporated Volusia County, who was interested in the Maglev project: how it started, how everyone feels about it, etc. Mr. Kenny discussed his concerns and feelings on the proj ect. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board a motion was made and approved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Elizabeth 1. McBride, Secretary Economic Development Board :eJm c:\edb\minutes\50594