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04-07-1994 o ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD CITY OF EDGEWATER u G.~<:l~'t.~ ~ c...Crv\.~~ ~ P.O. BOX 100, EDGEWATER, FL 32132 CITY OF EDGEW A TER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD REGULAR MEETING APRIL 7, 1994 6:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Fong called to order a regular meeting of the Economic Development Board at 6:37 p.m., Thursday, April 7, 1994 in the Conference Room of City Hall. RO LL CALL: Members present were Chairman Fong" Mr. Jones and Dr. Gebelein. Mr. Browning arrived at 6:41 p.m. Mr. Byrd, Mr. Porta and Ms. Rymsza were recorded absent. Also present were Pam Mathis, Director of New Smyrna Beach Community Redevelopment Agency; Steve Dennis, Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President, Sandy Jones of the Chamber and Liz McBride, Secretary . APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There being no changes or discrepancies, the minutes of June 3, 1993, August 24, 1993 and October 12, 1993 were approved by Chairman Fong. The minutes of September 9, 1993, November 4, 1993 and March 3, 1994 were approved by Chairman Fong as corrected. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Presentation - Pam Mathis a) Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIFD) b) Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Chairman Fong introduced Pam Mathis, Director of Community Redevelopment Agency for New Smyrna Beach. Ms. Mathis distributed a packet which included Florida State Statute #163 on Community Development, report on Tax Increment Financing (TIF), CRA's and Special Districts completed in 1991 by the Senate Committee on Community Affairs and Redevelopment Financing in Florida Report by Holland & Knight. u u New Business: Ms. Mathis stated the report on tax increment financing, CRA's and other special districts is for information and background on their findings. Ms. Mathis thought the report by Holland & Knight would be valuable to the Board since they have done an enormous amount of work and research on the tax increment programming in Florida based on Florida State Statues. In briefly reviewing the Florida Statutes, Ms. Mathis said that basically you determine what your district boundaries are going to be. Ms. Mathis then distributed and reviewed for the Board an outline of the Community Redevelopment Process which included finding a necessity, creating a CRA, CRA preparing a "Redevelopment Plan" and establishing a Redevelopment Trust Fund which the tax increment revenues would flow into. Ms. Mathis also discussed the process for enlisting public support and how the City is placed in a very delicate rolN of trying to provide services with diminishing resources. ~ Mr. Jones asked if we freeze the figure or develop a threshold for the year 1995, it will be a few years before any funds are available to use. Ms. Mathis answered that was correct, and that is why it is very important when establishing the boundaries and what parcels are included in those boundaries so that you can begin to inject some dollars coming in that will accrue a little more rapidly. Discussion followed on a few successful CRA's within Florida. Mr. Dennis interjected that a CRA is there to make money to redevelop, to generated revenue to put into a fund to actively achieve its plan. Mr. Dennis said the State does not allow bank- rolling of funds, they must be used and accounted for each year. Discussion followed on citizens agreeing that this ~ an ~eptable program and how it will benefit them directly. Chairman Fong said that sacrifices will have to be made, but the end result will far exceed those sacrifices when revitalizing an area. Ms. Mathis stated that most CRA's have been initiated by some big project that has to be done that the City or municipality does not have the funds to do, and the consensus of the property owners is that they want it done and how are they going to do it. Chairman Fong stated the need for industries to fund the economic base, which would be along US 1 and Park Avenue. Ms. Mathis distributed a 1993 Work Plan Accomplishment Summary for New Smyrna's CRA to give the Board examples of some of the things that can be done as a CRA, e.g., to condemn land, take land, do your own bond and has every power that a City or municipality has except to levy tax. Discussion continued on accomplishments of New Smyrna's CRA. Ms. Mathis offered to put together a sample scope of work to outline what is needed to complete the analysis of finding the boundaries. -2- u u Chairman Fong asked what the time table would be from the point of identifying the boundaries, establishing resolutions, etc. Ms. Mathis answered it could be done in as little as three (3) months if a consultant was used. Selected parcels must be received by the property assessor by at least Mayor June to freeze the tax base for that year. Chairman Fong inquired if the consultants were considered planners and/or civil engineers. Ms. Mathis said there are multi-service firms which would have planners, design, architects and engineers within the same firm and there are some firms which are specifically planning firms. Chairman Fong asked what the cost of hiring a consultant would be. Mr. Dennis said that New Smyrna's CRA collected around $5,000 or $8,000 and suggested the City loan CRA $35,000 to pay for the necessary services to get the district in and then those finds would be taken out of the proceeds of the Trust Fund once the district was installed. (Established July 1985.) Ms. Mathis said they are currently updating their plan and it is costing around $60,000. Chairman Fong inquired ifit would make sense logistically, to map out the boundaries then phase it to concentrate on one area at a time with the highest priority first. Ms. Mathis answered yes, and you would have to strategize what projects to implement based on the amount of money available at the time. Chairman Fong thanked Ms. Mathis for her presentation and her offer of future assistance. CONTINUED BUSINESS: "What's Your Beef?" Workshop Proposal - Steve Dennis Mr. Dennis referenced Chairman Fong's letter dated March 23, 1994 regarding "What's Your Beef?" program which the Chamber offered to assist in. Mr. Dennis provided an overview of the preliminary plans to accomplish this program for review by the Board. Mr. Dennis suggested having two evening sessions and one Saturday morning session. Mr. Dennis said Indian River Elementary indicated that their facility is available for the week of June 6th through the 15th for the sessions. At the completion of the sessions, the Chamber would forward the results and any recommendations they might have to the Board for review. Mr. Dennis offered to accompany Chairman Fong when making presentation to Council in regard to the program. Mr. Dennis indicated that attendees would be by invitation, and also suggested selecting only one Board member to attend each of the sessions so that it would not be open to the public. Chairman Fong wanted to discuss the issue of cost before making a presentation to Council for their feedback and their "blessing" to move forward with this proposal. Mr. Dennis estimated the total at around $700 to $800, which would not include the survey discussed at the EDB May \ 3, 1994 meeting. 'tJ\00A.<:...\r...... -3- . . u u Chairman Fong indicated if Mr. Dennis' preliminary plans are favorable, they would be a good blueprint to follow in addressing future issues with the community. Mr. Dennis said the whole success of the program will hinge on how well the City response to it, depending on what the problem is, and how some type of solution is effective regarding the problem. Chairman Fong entertained a motion to present the proposal along with the cost to Council at the Council's April 18, 1994 meeting to get their consent to move forward. Mr. Browning so moved. Seconded by Dr. Gebelein. Motion CARRIED 4-0. Chairman Fong thanked Pam Mathis again and Mr. Dennis for their time. CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBER REPORTS: 1. April 14, 1994 Special Workshop - Subcommittees Chairman Fong suggested the meeting be held at 6.30 p.m. and asked if this was satisfactory with all in attendance. After discussion, the meeting date was set for April 21, 1994 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Chairman Fong asked the Board members to bring their list of prospects for a subcommittee. Chairman Fong indicated that the Board will nail down mission statements for various subcommittees. Chairman Fong said he received a letter from the Depart~ent of Commerce asking for interest in participating in a showcase type of operation during the 1994 World Cup in Orlando which would include Morocco, Belgium, Holland, Mexico and Ireland. Chairman Fong said City Manager George E. McMahon responded favorably and gave Chairman Fong's name as a contact person and also expressed interest in all of the countries. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board a motion was made and approved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8: 15 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Elizabeth J. McBride, Secretary Economic Development Board :eJm c: \edb\minutes\40794 -4-