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03-03-1994 u u ~~<::l-")\.~~ c..~t.&I..~\ INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD CITY OF EDGEWATER P.O. BOX 100 . EDGEWATER. FL 32032 CITY OF EDGEWATER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MARCH 3, 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, March 3, 1994 in the Conference Room of City Hall. ROLL CALL: Members present were Chairman Fong, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Jones, Mr. Porta and Dr. Gebelein. Mr. Browning and Ms. Rymsza were recorded absent. Also present were GiGi Bennington, Edgewater Area Council president-elect; Steve Dennis, Chamber of Commerce~xecutive Vice President; Joe Martin, former Economic Development Board Chairman and Liz McBride, Secretary . APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There being no changes or discrepancies, the minutes of May 6, 1993, August 11, 1993 and February 3, 1994 were approved by Chairman Fong. CONTINUED BUSINESS: 1) Goals and Objectives for 1994 and Beyond a) Stafrs Comments Chairman Fong reviewed written comments from Mark P. Karet, Director of Community Development and George McMahon, City Manager. Chairman Fong said he felt Mr. Karet's comments seemed supportive overall, but more detail was needed on some goals and objectives. Chairman Fong said Mr. McMahon's comments were in agreement with the preliminary outline for development of policies and goals, with the addition of a few recommendations. Discussion followed on the resources available to tap for information so that presentation to prospects is more professional and informative. Volusia County Business Development Corporation (VCBDC) was indicated as being an extremely valuable source of information in addition to the Board of Realtors. Mr. Porta felt that it would be easier to find what fits a particular need at the time of inquiry, then assemble and categorize the information over a period of time. Q o Continued Business: Chairman Fong reiterated to the Board the need for subcommittees because this will be an ongoing project. b) Presentation to City Council on March 7, 1994 Chairman Fong reviewed the presentation of the Economic Development Vision: 1994 and Beyond he will discuss at the Council's regular meeting. A sample of the presentation information was distributed to Board members. Chairman Fong asked if the Board was in agreement to present Economic Development Vision to the Council and stated he would like a motion. Dr. Gebelein so moved. Seconded by Mr. Byrd. Motion CARRIED 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: 1) Edgewater Area Council (EAC) - Gigi Bennington Ms. Bennington, representing the Edgewater Area Council, referenced a previously discussed "What's Your Beef" workshop and expressed the EAC's interest in working with the Board on this issue. Ms. Bennington asked the Board what they would want the EAC to do to facilitate this. Steve Dennis, Chamber of Commerce, stated that he believes this is a viable program. Mr. Dennis feels City staff thinks so too because of a seminar Mayor Jack Hayman has organized for March 9, 1994. At the meeting, City staff will discuss Edgewater's fiscal condition, plans for the immediate future and various thoughts and ideas about short and long range plans in Edgewater, and will give businesses an opportunity to speak. Mr. Dennis said that the Board would probably want to have several meetings with the businesses in the community, out of City environment, so that they would be more willing to speak up. Mr. Dennis feels there must be a process established to find bona fide problems that are repairable, and streamline the developmental process. Once the problems are identified, then they will be presented to Council. Chairman Fong said the Board needs to help remove any skepticism businesses may have and restore faith in the fact that the City does want to hear about genuine problems, and to work together to solve these problems. Discussion followed on how this process should be started. -2- () u New Business: ~'\:..~\ :) Chairman Fong saicyhe ;)cess he had envisioned is to find out what the "beeP' is, collect the information, ~ the information with the Board and other organizations, boil them down to simple recommendations/solutions and then present them to the Council. Mr. Jones asked if there are any guidelines on how a person goes into business in the City, what he needs to do in step-by-step order. Mr. Dennis answered that the Chamber goes to great lengths to provide information, i.e., how to get a tax identification number, maps, tax rates, community profiles, etc. Mr. Dennis said what we are trying to do here, is to identify problems so we can correct them for the future. After much discussion, Chairman Fong asked how to go about implementing the process. Chairman Fong asked Mr. Dennis how much the Chamber and the EAC can plan, organize, promote, and basically facilitate. Ms. Bennington replied that the Board of Director's of the EAC have determined that this is very important and are committed to doing it as far as Mr. Dennis will let their resources go. \. ~oc.>o'" '-.c--" X Mr. Dennis stated that organizationally he did not perceive this to be a very difficult thing to arrange. Mr. Dennis said that what he felt might be difficult to arrange would be: 1) getting the names of the people to direct mail, 2) what it is we actually want to write to them and 3) selecting the site and method of presentation. ~'I\c. Chairman Fong stated he would like thc-Board to come up with a mission statement and goals, forward ~Ms:-BellBingtun and have Mr. Dennis review and come up with an operational/action plan, and for all to meet and get ready to implement it. Mr. Dennis suggested having this done by June 1 or June 15, 1994, and that by the EDB's April 7, 1994 meeting, to have ready the occupational licensing list, the facilitators and maybe the prospective location. Chairman Fong extended his appreciation to Mr. Dennis and Ms. Bennington for all their help and effort. 2) Overall Economic Development Plan (OEDP), Volusia County Joe Martin, former EDB Chairman, referenced the Industrial Development's 1993 Report. Mr. Martin said the County Council wants updates and requests by April so they can be approved by Council and then forwarded to the Federal Department of Commerce for approval. Mr. Martin said that if there are infrastructure projects that the Board wants done and would like to have matching grants, these projects need to be defined and put in the OEDP. Mr. Martin said the -3- (.) o New Business: City has been invited to propose a prioritized list of projects, short and long term, and also indicate if some local funds may be committed as part of the matching portion. a) Current Projects Chairman Fong identified PID, Indian River Boulevard S.R. 442 industrial area, Ridgewood U.S.1 commercial corridor and West Park Avenue region which runs east/west and was recently widened as current proj ects. b) Infrastructure Projects to be Added 1-) West Park Avenue Corridor Chairman Fong stated that this area contains a mix of commercial and industrial uses and lacks a sufficient wastewater collection system and perhaps the Board can obtain some grants or matching grants to put in the wastewater system. 2-) South V.S.1 - Boston Whaler Chairman Fong said staff has some concerns about extending wastewater lines out to that area but this item will be discussed at the March 7, 1994 Council meeting. c) Presentation to Council for Endorsement on March 7, 1994 Chairman Fong said that along with the Economic Development Vision he will also present these key strategic locations to Council at Monday's meeting, with staffs help. 3) Explore Costs/Benefits of Tax Increment Districts a) Region 1 - VS1, North of Park Avenue Chairman Fong asked how we can spruce up the area and suggested something similar to what New Smyrna had done on Canal Street. b) Region 2 - Park Avenue Chairman Fong commented that if infrastructure was provided and also spruce it up, that this would be a dynamite area for commercial and industrial uses. Chairman Fong stated what he visions to do is define the area, prioritize in terms of what needs to be done, determine the cost and the benefits. Chairman Fong said to look at~ tax increment district as a financing tool. -4- u o New Business: Mr. Dennis interjected that there are three parts: 1) the plan, 2) the tax increment fund, and 3) the finding of the necessity. Mr. Dennis cautioned in determining the finding of necessity, not to draw the district too small because the tax increment funding depends on how rapidly the property appreciates in value. Mr. Dennis suggested the Board look at New Smyrna's tax increment district. Discussion followed on New Smyrna Beach projects. 4) Marketing - Strategic Planning Chairman Fong indicated this was already discussed. 5) Establish Subcommittees Chairman Fong referenced EDB short term goals from the presentation to the Council reflecting areas needing subcommittees, which will accomplish community participation and work capacity. Chairman Fong suggested forming a subcommittee which would keep track of the accumulated data, and manage this information, developing a financial resource subcommittee and establishing a community relations subcommittee. Chairman Fong asked Board members who would be interested, have time and the dedication to establish these subcommittees. Chairman Fong also asked the Board to submit their ideas in the form of a memorandum to Board Secretary by or before the next meeting, April 7, 1994. CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBER REPORTS: Chairman: 1) Sign Ordinance Chairman Fong reported things are moving along and progress is being made. 2) FIND - PID Appraisal Report \ Chairman Fong reported sending Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) a copy of the -f\r/""'/ appraisal of the j>roposea Industrial District (PID), complied two years ago, which might be r ~ -- helpful to FIND in their negations with Gran Central. 3) Snyder vs. Brevard County Chairman Fong recounted a recent VCARD seminar and distributed to Board members a summary of the synopsis of the rezoning case. Discussion followed. -5- u Q ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board a motion was made and approved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9: 15 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Elizabeth 1. McBride, Secretary Economic Development Board :eJm c: \edb \min utes\3 03 94 -6-