Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBED Minutes -01-13-2013.pdfBUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD CAPE CANAVERAL LIBRARY MEETING ROOM 201 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida TUESDAY JANUARY 29, 2013 3:00 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: Todd Morley, Community and Economic Development Director called the Meeting to Order at 3:00 P.M. ROLL CALL: Susan Chapman, Board Secretary called the Roll. Board Members Present: Birch Brown Omar Capellan Melanie Evans Jim Massoni Shannon Roberts Andrew Serafin Board Members Absent: Bill Carroll Others Present: Susan Chapman Kate Latorre Todd Morley Barry Brown NEW BUSINESS: Board Secretary Assistant City Attorney Community & Economic Development Director Planning & Zoning Director The Board members introduced themselves and gave an overview of their professional background. 1. Election of Chairperson: Todd Morley opened the floor to Nominations for Chairperson. The following Board members were nominated for Chairperson: Birch Brown, Omar Capellan, Melanie Evans, and Andrew Serafin. There being no further nominations, the nominations were closed. By a show of hands, Board members voted for the nominees. The votes were tallied and the results were announced by the Board Secretary as follows: Birch Brown - 1 vote; Omar Capellan - 2 votes; Melanie Evans - 1 vote; and Andrew Serafin - 1 vote. Omar Capellan was elected Chairperson. 2. Election of Vice Chairperson: Omar Capellan opened the floor to Nominations for Vice Chairperson. The following Board members were nominated for Vice Chairperson: Birch Brown, Melanie Evans, and Jim Massoni. There being no further nominations, the nominations were closed. By a show of hands, Board members voted for nominees. The votes were tallied and the results were announced by the Board Secretary as follows: Birch Brown - 3 votes; Melanie Evans - 1 vote; and Jim Massoni - 2 votes. Birch Brown was elected Vice Chairperson. Business & Economic Development Board Meeting Minutes January 29, 2013 Page 2of4 OPEN DISCUSSION: 3. Florida in The Sunshine Overview: Kate Latorre, Assistant City Attorney gave a broad overview of the Florida in the Sunshine Law. Subjects included: Scope of the Sunshine Law, Agencies Covered by the Sunshine Law; Public Meetings; Discussions; Written Correspondence between Board Members; Telephone Conversations and Meetings; Notice and Procedural Requirements; and Consequences for Failure to Comply. She encouraged the Board members to convey information directly to Staff and not to other Board members. 4. Filing of Form 1, Statement of Financial Interests: Kate Latorre gave an overview of the requirement for Board members to file a Disclosure of Financial Interest Form. She advised that she had issued an opinion to Staff that the requirement for Board members to file the Form did apply to this Board, because of the scope of duties in the Ordinance that created the Board. She further advised that Board members must file the Form with the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections Office within 30 days of appointment, annually, and within 60 days from departure. 5. City Code Section 2-171 - Uniform Procedures and Requirements: Kate Latorre gave a broad overview of Public Records. Subjects Included: Definition of a Public Record; Agencies that are Subject to the Act; and Kinds of Agency Records that are Subject to the Act. Brief discussion was held regarding an outreach strategy for Board members to attend Economic Development Commission (EDC) meetings. Todd Morley advised that, as a Staff member, he represents the City at EDC investor update meetings, holds a seat on the EDC Board and is a member of the EDC AVT Council and will ensure that the B.E.D. Board receives pertinent EDC information. He stated that the City does not have a budget for Board members to attend EDC meetings, but encourages Board members to attend meetings at their own expense. 6. Meeting Selection Time and Date: Todd Morley introduced the framework for selecting a time and date for the Board to meet. He suggested that the meetings be scheduled quarterly, with additional meetings scheduled as needed. Following discussion, the Board members agreed that the Board should meet during regular business hours, the Board should initially meet more frequently than quarterly, the Board will not meet on Mondays or Fridays, and Staff will poll the Board members to select the next meeting date within the next four weeks at 3:00 PM. Further consideration of the meeting time and date will be held at the next meeting. 7. Existing Economic Development Review: Barry Brown, Planning & Zoning Director gave a brief overview of three programs that the City has accomplished resulting from the Visioning Program as follows: Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA); Brownfields; and A1A Economic Development Overlay District. 8. Role of the Board: Todd Morley outlined anticipated work items, goals and various methods of achievement such as: Ad Valorem Tax Abatements, creative community outreach incentives for potential new businesses, and recommendations to City Council for the betterment of the community. He advised that Staff works for the City Manager, and not the Board, but Staff would partner with the Board toward achieving goals. Discussion followed regarding a demographic of existing City businesses. Todd Morley will provide the Board a list of store front businesses derived from our business tax receipt database. Business & Economic Development Board Meeting Minutes January 29, 2013 Page 3 of 4 The Board held discussion regarding the City's vision to attract certain types of businesses, with consideration of its residents, proximity to the Port, various space exploration programs, high tech, office, restaurants, and general retail. Todd Morley suggested that the Board produce a glossy handout that talks about the City, its priorities, and celebrates its accomplishments. He will provide the Board with a sample glossy handout at the next meeting. 9. Projects/tasks: • Community Branding - Todd Morley advised that this could be a priority of the Board. He described Community Branding as the process of image communication to a target market that is related to the notion that places compete for people, resources and business. The competitive environment makes it important for places, no matter their size or composition, to clearly differentiate themselves and to convey why they are relevant and valuable options. He advised that City branding refers to all activities that are undertaken with the purpose of turning a City from a location into a destination. Successful branding can turn the City into a place where people want to live, work and visit. It creates a single brand for the City and extends it to all its offerings and interactions. From a customer point of view, this creates a unique picture of the City at every level of interaction. This helps in removing the need to present a case by case picture of the City for each of its offerings to customers. A city brand is its promise of value, a promise that needs to be kept. Good branding can assist in making cities desirable, just as bad branding can assist in making them undesirable. Discussion followed. Todd Morley respectfully requested that the Board make a recommendation for Staff to speak with consultants for Community Branding. Motion by Jim Massoni, seconded by Omar Capellan to have City Staff research engaging a consultant to work with Community Branding for the City of Cape Canaveral, and for Staff to bring the research and costs back to the Board for further consideration. Discussion followed regarding the City of Titusville and City of Miami Beach that already have branding. Shannon Roberts amended the motion to include that Staff research other cities experiences which are already branded such as the City of Titusville and the City of Miami Beach. Melanie Evans seconded the amendment. Vote on the motion, as amended, carried unanimously. • Foreign Trade Zone - Todd Morley described a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) as a geographical area, in or adjacent to a United States Port of Entry where commercial merchandise, both domestic and foreign, receive the same Customs treatment it would if it were outside the Commerce of the United States. Merchandise of every description may be landed, handled, manufactured or reconfigured, and re-exported without the intervention of the Customs authorities and without being subject to Customs duties and other ad valorem taxes within the FTZ. He advised that Brevard County, FTZ No. 136 (Port Canaveral) will be holding a Public meeting on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at Port Canaveral. Staff will be attending the FTZ meeting and will give the Board members a follow up briefing. The Board will continue discussion at the next meeting. • Enterprise Zone - Todd Morley advised that there is a misconception that there is allowed only one Enterprise Zone per county. Now, State law permits one Enterprise Zone in each City. Currently, the County has two Enterprise Zones - one in Palm Bay and the other in Cocoa. He described an Enterprise Zone as a specific geographic area targeted for economic revitalization. It encourages economic growth and investment in distressed areas by offering tax advantages and incentives to businesses locating within zone boundaries. As of March 1, 2011, Florida has 59 enterprise zones. Business & Economic Development Board Meeting Minutes January 29,2013 Page 40f4 The program offers businesses located iOaOEnterprise Zone corporate and sales tax credits for hiring ZODe residents. G8|eS tax refunds are offered to businesses that pVrCh8SH building rn8teri8|G and bUGiOeSS equipment for use in the zone. Corporate tax credits are available to new and expanding huSiO8SSHS that |OCaka or expand their facilities in B zone. There are a number Of tax incentives 8v8i|8b|H to attract new businesses as well as to help existing hU8iO8S3eS expand. He advised that it would be worthwhile to look into an Enterprise Zone for the City, because itopens Upavailable tools for additional incentives. Discussion followed. The Board will continue discussion mtthe next meeting. Omar C8p8U@O opened the floor to public C0DlDleO[ and VVe|Qo[Ded suggestions and FeCOnlDleOd8bDO3. Council MBnnb8[ PB|SOSt8Gk8d the B08n1 with creating and expanding good business incentives. Mark O'Mara, local investor, advised that he loves the City, and he sees a lot of large financial companies moving from Wall Street locating to Florida. [)iSCuSSiOn followed regarding establishing Board priorities, various types of large and small companies, the current ad valorem tax abatement incentives, attracting a business incubator firm and additional Board outreaches. Jim &YaSSVOirequested a|istiDg ofthe City's Economic Development assets, both tangible and intangible. Staff will forward the Board members a copy of the City's resolution pertaining to ad valorem tax abatement incentives, and provide the Board with a list of tangible and intangible City assets. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:04 p.m. � Approved Onthis day of Ft -rj chr 2013.