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02-03-1994 lIII"""'"" q ~\<>-= \. u u CITY OF EDGEW A TER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 3, 1994 6:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Fong called to order a regular meeting of the Economic Development Board at 6:35 p.m., Thursday, February 3, 1994, in the Conference Room of City Hall. ROLL CALL: Members present were Chairman Fong, Mr. Browning, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Jones, Mr. Porta, Ms. Rymsza and Dr. Gebelein. Also present were Joe Martin, former Chairman, and Liz McBride, Secretary . APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chairman Fong addressed agenda item 1), New Appointees to EDB under Chairman's reports, so that introductions could be made at this time. Ms. Rymsza, the only current member present at the May 6, 1993 meeting, moved to accept the minutes of May 6, 1993, pending discussion with Krista A. Storey, City Attorney, as to the legality of a one member vote. Ms. Rymsza moved to accept the minutes of July 8, 1993 with a correction of page 2, first paragraph to reflect, Ms. Rymsza also said she thought "Mr. Karet's" remarks were somewhat condescending, not Chairman Martin's remarks. Seconded by Mr. Browning. Motion CARRIED 4-0. Mr. Byrd did not vote because he was absent from the July 8, 1993 meeting. Mr. Jones and Dr. Gebelein did not vote because this was their first meeting. Mr. Byrd, the only current member present at the August 11, 1993 meeting, moved to accept the minutes of August 11, 1993, pending discussion with Krista A. Storey, City Attorney, as to the legality of a one member vote. Ms. Rymsza moved to accept the minutes of January 6, 1994. Seconded by Mr. Porta. Motion CARRIED 5-0. Mr. Jones and Dr. Gebelein did not vote because this was their first meeting. Mr. Byrd moved to accept the minutes of January 13, 1994. Seconded by Mr. Browning. Motion CARRIED 3-0. Mr. Porta did not vote because he was absent from the January 13, 1994 meeting. Mr. Jones and Dr. Gebelein did not vote because this was their first meeting. ......- u (.) CONTINUED BUSINESS: 1) By-laws Adopted by City Council Chairman Fong said Council's comments were mostly just clarification, with a revision regarding requests for budget fund spending to be approved by the City Manager. Chairman Fong said with this new language, the by-laws had been adopted by the Board as well as by Council. 2) Goals and Objectives for 1994 and Beyond a) Review Preliminary Outline Chairman Fong referenced the outline he prepared and asked the Board to review and discuss it. Chairman Fong said he provided a similar copy of the outline to the Mayor and several Council members to get their ideas and input. Chairman Fong said he felt it was imperative that the Council adopt a policy in regard to Economic Development so that the Board conforms and is consistent in terms of the policy set by Council, as well as staff, so that they can begin to work together in planning and implementing those policies. Chairman Fong opened the floor for discussion or clarification of the outline. Mr. Jones, in reference to establishing Economic Trust Fund, asked Chairman Fong to elaborate on the meaning of "Seed Money". Chairman Fong replied that the Trust Fund is basically a savings account and offered a brief explanation of the concept of the fund. Discussion followed concerning providing incentives for businesses. Mr. Jones asked the meaning of the 3-employee limit for the B2-lndustrial district. Chairman Fong explained that there are a good number of manufacturing businesses that need to have more than three employees per shift and since the B2 district restricts those businesses to only three, an amendment to the Comp Plan to change the land use is being worked on by staff to accommodate the needs of these businesses. Chairman Fong explained the need for a referral network for businesses for contacts, information or other questions so they can be directed to the proper source. Chairman Fong also said the referral network could incorporate the Chamber of Commerce activities or perhaps add to it. Mr. Martin, former Chairman, interjected that the Chamber has put together a Business Resource Team which assists new and existing businesses, and showed the Board a pamphlet which explained the service. 2 u () Continued Business: Discussion followed on the topic to explore annexation strategy. Chairman Fong said, with reference to the Preliminary Outline, that at some point he will probably have to make a presentation to Council and make a proposal in terms of the Board's visions and goals. Chairman Fong entertained a motion to continue to use the Preliminary Outline as a workable document. Mr. Byrd so moved. Seconded by Mr. Jones. Motion CARRIED 7-0. b) Prioritize Recommendations in Board's 1993 Report Chairman Fong said he tried to incorporate the twelve recommendations listed in the 1993 Report when compiling the Preliminary Outline. Ms. Rymsza questioned if these are just recommendations, why the Board would need Council's approval in advance. Chairman Fong responded that it is not prior approval but basically consent, to formally present the Board's vision. Chairman Fong said he thought that it is imperative that the Council adopt some policies to give direction for economic development. Chairman Fong entertained a motion that prioritizing will be consistent to the Preliminary Outline. Ms. Rymsza so moved. Seconded by Dr. Gebelein. Motion CARRIED 7-0. 3) Business Appreciation Week Chairman Fong reported that he spoke with Sandy Jones, Chamber of Commerce, who will be gathering information for the Board pertaining to business appreciation week, which will be held sometime in September. NEW BUSINESS: 1) Subcommittees Chairman Fong commented that no action needed to be taken at this time, only discussion. Chairman Fong said he feels if Council adopts policies, the Board will be extremely busy and an effective way to accomplish what would need to be done would be to get more involvement from the community. At this point, subcommittees could be set up to delegate some of the work load. 3 (.) <.) CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBER REPORTS: Chairman: 1) New Appointees to EDB Introductions were exchanged before roll call. 2) FIND Status Chairman Fong reported that the Mayor, Mr. Martin, himself and the property owners of PID who will be impacted by the FIND proposal met and discussed how to best use the spoils site and still salvage some industrial development land. Chairman Fong said everything is still positive, and encouraged Board members to attend the February 7 Council meeting regarding the FIND presentation. Mr. Martin pointed out the proposed and related areas on the map to the Board. Mr. Martin also summarized for the new Board members the idea behind the spoils area and future use, and why the boundaries were chosen. 3) Sign Ordinance Chairman Fong suggested Board members may want to attend February 7 Council meeting to hear Council's reports on the sign ordinance. Dr. Gebelein stated he feels the Sign Ordinance is too long and should be shorten to say exactly what is prohibited or what is allowed. Mr. Martin explained that the Ad Hoc Sign Committee researched the information for the Sign Ordinance, along with input from the LDRA Board, and the Economic Development Board was only asked to review it and make comments. Chairman Fong expressed that courtesy needs to be expended to the Ad Hoc Committee, and the need to work together on a professional level. 4) Council 100 Seminar Highlights Chairman Fong reported the Council had two well-known national economists and two state economists as speakers, and they all indicated signs of recovery, although moving slowly. 4 .... . u () Chariman and Board Member Reports: Member: Mr. Jones asked if the Economic Development Board had made any comments to Council regarding the street paving program in the Florida Shores area and made reference to an article in the News Journal about the number of unpaved miles of roads. Mr. Martin answered that it had basically been done in the 1993 Report under the section "Image of the City". ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board a motion was made and approved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Elizabeth J. McBride, Secretary Economic Development Board :eJm c:\edb\minutes\20394 5