04/08/2004
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ENTERPRISE ZONE DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 8, 2004
Present:
Bob Kinney
Rick Rosa
Capt. Anthony Holloway
Ralph Emmanuelli
Bob Fernandez
Cheryl Wade
Brian Schuh
Chair
Board Member/Com. Resp. Team
Board Member/Police Department - arrived 1 :05 p.m.
Board Member - arrived 1: 15 p.m.
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Absent:
Isay Gulley
Kristin Griffin
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides
Diane Hufford
Brenda Moses
Assistant City Attorney - arrived 1 :04 p.m.
Economic Development Coordinator
Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 1 :02 p.m. at the Clearwater Regional Chamber
of Commerce, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
3.
Action Items
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Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting - January 8, 2004
a.
Member Fernandez moved to approve the minutes of January 8, 2004, as submitted in
written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
4. Staff Report
Economic Development Coordinator Diane Hufford reported she received an e-mail
from Burt Von Hoff, State Director of Enterprise Zone Program stating the current Enterprise
Zone Program is set to expire on December 31, 2005, unless the Florida Legislature extends
the program during the 2005 Legislative Session. The Florida Legislature has requested the
OPPAGA (Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability) review the
program. Ms. Hufford said the OPPAGA is the research unit of the Legislature that previously
reviewed the Enterprise Zone Program in 1999. OPPAGA expects its current review will focus
on examining: 1) The use of enterprise zone incentives; 2) The types of businesses using
incentives; and 3) The factors affecting the program's outcomes. OPPAGA may contact zone
coordinators to arrange interviews, conduct site visitors, or request information on individual
zones.
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Discussion ensued regarding how the EZDA could proactively support the program.
Assistant City Attorney Leslie Dougall-Sides suggested the Board recommend to the City to
convey this Board's wishes to the City's lobbyist regarding keeping the Enterprise Zone
Program.
Member Fernandez moved this Board supports renewing the Enterprise Zone Program
for ten years, and recommends to the City Council that the City retain the services of its lobbyist
to proceed with the program. The motion was duly seconded.
Discussion ensued. Ms. Hufford said many housing components are related to the
material sales tax refunds. The Property Appraiser's office is analyzing the property in front of
the former Sunshine Mall on Missouri Avenue. She anticipates a developer will be submitting
an application on that site in the near future. Other housing projects also are anticipated on
Jasmine, Ewing Avenue, and Ft. Harrison Avenue. It was remarked this Board needs to convey
all enterprise zone information to the City's lobbyist, and emphasize that the Enterprise Zone is
an integral part of the housing market and a value to the community.
Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously.
5. Presentation - CNHS (Clearwater Neiqhborhood Housinq Services. Inc.)
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Ms. Hufford reported the week of June 9, 2004, is National NeighborWorks Week.
CNHS is a national partner and sponsor of the organization. During National NeighborWorks
Week, organizations such as CNHS, mobilize thousands of businesspeople, neighbors, friends,
and local and national political leaders in a week of neighborhood change and awareness by
rehabbing and repairing homes, painting and landscaping properties, conducting neighborhood
tours, recognizing successful partnerships, and hosting a number of events that educate,
training, and inform the public. The City is a partner with CNHS and is excited about the
upcoming events. Ms. Hufford said a property at 804-806 Pennsylvania Avenue that formerly
consisted of an unsafe house and junkyard. The City and the Brownfields funding involved in
the cleanup of this site was an integral part of the success of the single-family affordable
housing component.
Jennifer Smethers, CNHS, encouraged everyone to attend a NeighborWorks ribbon-
cutting ceremony sponsored by CNHS, at 804 Pennsylvania Avenue from 11 :00 a.m. to 1 :00
p.m. on June 10, 2004, to celebrate the completion of that project. Over 150 people are
expected to attend the event. The house will be open for viewing. After the ribbon-cutting
ceremony, various partners that participated in the program will give a short presentation and
present an award to the partners involved in the project. A luncheon buffet will be served. Ms.
Smethers said the City and the State put in over $150,000 for the two properties at 804 and 806
Pennsylvania Avenue. The lot on 806 Pennsylvania Avenue was sold in August 2003. The
new owner received financing through AmSouth Bank and plans to build a new home on the
property. It was requested that Ms. Hufford provide name tags for EZDA board members who
attend the event. Ms. Hufford said CHDO (Community Housing Development Organization)
funds were used to build the home at 804 Pennsylvania Avenue. Ms. Hufford and Ms.
Smethers reviewed how funds and downpayments apply to these housing projects.
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In response to a question, Ms. Hufford said no additional daycare providers were added
to the list of eligible providers for the new tax incentive available to daycare facilities located in
the Enterprise Zone, making them exempt from property taxes.
It was remarked that SHIP money is one of the housing programs being scrutinized by
the Legislature. Ms. Hufford said the City has been lobbying for more Brownfields clean-up
funds. It was suggested that Board Members write their legislators about SHIP funds, as the
funds were designated as a trust fund, but attempts are being made to use those funds for
other purposes.
6. Public Comment - None.
7. Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 1 :31 p.m.
C Ir
Enterprise Zone Development Agency
Attest:
i3M(ld(L7n~
Board Reporter
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