HomeMy WebLinkAboutBED Minutes 10-12-2016BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
October 12, 2016
A Meeting of the Business & Economic Development Board was held on October 12, 2016, at the
Cape Canaveral Public Library, 201 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida. Chairperson Omar
Capellan called the meeting to order at 3:10 pm due to recording difficulties. The Secretary called
the roll.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT
Omar Capellan
James Massoni
Shannon Roberts
Melanie Evans
MEMBERS ABSENT
Andrew Serafin
OTHERS PRESENT
Todd Morley
David Dickey
Patsy Huffman
NEW BUSINESS:
Chairperson
Vice Chairperson
Economic Development Director
Community Development Director
Board Secretary
See handwritten notes for beginning of meeting due to recording issues (3:10 pm — 3:23 pm)
Board Member Roberts challenged the validity of the approved meeting minutes from September
23, 2014.
Motion by Vice Chairperson Massoni, seconded by Chairperson Capellan to re -certify the Meeting
Minutes of September 23, 2014, as presented. The motion carried 3-1 with voting as follows: Board
Member Evans, For; Vice Chairperson Massoni, For; Chairperson Capellan, For and Board
Member Roberts, Against.
1. Recommendation to City Council for an Ad Valorem Tax Abatement Incentive —
Proiect Zeus.
Project Zeus is a medical services and management company considering relocation of its
corporate offices from Reston, Virginia to an existing 63,000+ SF building at 8600 Astronaut Blvd.
The company currently employs approximately 300 people in the City of Cape Canaveral and
plans to create 150 new jobs over 3 years with an average wage of $66,000 and invest $4,500,000
in new capital expenditures
Business & Economic Development Board
Meeting Minutes
October 12, 2016
Staff explained the criteria for EDC scoring and how the AVT Council came to its
recommendation. Board requested clarification of the timeline and process when EDC was
presented a proposal, when State QTI became involved and subsequent BED Board Meeting.
Motion by Board Member Roberts, seconded by Board Member Evans to approve
recommendation for an Ad Valorem Tax Abatement incentive for 10 years at 100%. Vote on the
motion carried unanimously.
REPORTS AND OPEN DISCUSSION:
Open discussion included Board Member Roberts questioning the actions recommended at the last
meeting and her desire for the Board to meet more frequently. Staff indicated the Board was
established to meet as needed and the need is no longer as great; the Board was created at a time
when the City did not have a full-time Economic Development Staff member, which is now 100%
fully staffed; there is now a reduced workload for the Board. Board Member Roberts reiterated her
desire for the Board to meet more frequently.
Board discussion indicated majority did not agree there was a need to meet more frequently. Staff
pointed out that the majority of the Board was not in support and discussed City Code Section 2-
172, which established a Code of Conduct that applied to all Board members. Specifically cited
was Sec. 2-172(o), which required Board Members to accept the will of the majority.
Board Member Roberts expressed displeasure with the role of the Board as it relates to the list of
actionable items in the governing ordinance; requested Board agree to have City Council review
the role of the Board and amend the Code as necessary. All other members disagreed. Staff again
pointed out the Code of Conduct, specifically cited in Sec. 2-172(o), required Board Members to
accept the will of the majority.
Discussion ensued to include Board Member Roberts' critical comments regarding length of time
she met with Staff at a previous meeting. Staff indicated support of the Board Member's liaison
roles in the Community.
Board Member Roberts stressed her recommendation to modify/update the Code regarding duties
and meeting schedules. Chairperson Capellan disagreed with this recommendation (as did the
majority). Board Member Roberts spoke of the need to fill current Board vacancies to include
business members in the community; she voiced displeasure with the Chairperson's leadership and
desire to have him replaced; other Members did not agree.
ACTION ITEM:
None
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Business & Economic Development Board
Meeting Minutes
October 12, 2016
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Chairperson Capellan, seconded by Vice Chairperson Massoni to adjourn the meeting
at 4:00 pm. The motion carried 3-0 with voting as follows: Board Member Evans, For; Vice
Chairperson Massoni, For; Chairperson Capellan, For and Board Member Roberts abstained from
voting.
I
Patsy Huffman, Board
day of A , 2017.
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