01/27/2005
.
.
.
ENTERPRISE ZONE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 27, 2005
Present:
Bob Kinney
Isay Gulley
Rick Rosa'
Kristin Dailey
Bob Fernandez
Brian Schuh
Ralph Emmanuelli
Chair - arrived 1 :05 p.m.
Vice-Chair - arrived 1 :10 p.m.
Board Member/Community Response Team
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Absent:
Capt. Anthony Holloway
Cheryl Wade
Board Member/Police Department
Board Member
Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides
Diane Hufford
Patricia O. Sullivan
Assistant City Attorney
Economic Development Coordinator
Board Reporter
The meeting was called to order at 1 :03 p.m. at the Main Library.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
3 - Action Items
a) Approval of Minutes
Member Fernandez moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 7,
2004, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
b) Schedule next meeting - April 28, 2005
Economic Development Coordinator Diane Hufford said due to staff availability, quarterly
meetings will be scheduled on the fourth Thursday of every third month.
Discussion ensued regarding meeting locations, with recommendations that future
meetings be scheduled at City Hall to avoid parking shortages at the Main Library.
Consensus was to schedule the April 28, 2005, meeting at 1 :00 p.m. in the Economic
Development Office meeting room at City Hall.
4 - Library Tour
A library tour was scheduled to be available for member participation following the
meeting.
Enterprise Zone 2005-01-27
1
.
.
.
5 - Staff Report
Ms. Hufford distributed the EZDA Annual Incentive Worksheet for FY (Fiscal Year)
2003/04 for member review prior to April's meeting.
Ms. Hufford will forward members information from this year's EZDA (Enterprise Zone
Development Agency) annual incentive workshop. Other EZDAs reported problems similar to
staff difficulties in knowing when new businesses move into the zone and tracking employee
numbers. She reviewed techniques being used, including review of occupational license
applications, etc.
Ms. Hufford referenced an e-mail from St. Petersburg's Enterprise Zone Program
Coordinator Ken Jones, which stated that during their 2005 Legislative Session, the Florida
Legislature will consider the scheduled sunset of the Enterprise Zone Act on December 31 ,
2005. Mr. Jones recommended the EZ Act be reenacted and extended for 10 years with
several amendments. The Tampa Bay Partnership and Chambers of Commerce also sent
letters in support of extending the City's Enterprise Zone. The City has a lobbyist working in
Tallahassee in support of this.
Ms. Hufford said the Enterprise Zone designation could be renewed for a short time
while further review is underway. It is possible that Enterprise Zones can be recommended for
recertification. She said income demographic requirements could be of concern once the
proposed 1,000 residential units for the zone are inhabited. She said due to limited staff, more
short-term analysis is needed. Many developers want to take advantage of EZDA tax
reimbursements.
A summary of Florida Senate recommendations, "A review and evaluation of the Florida
Enterprise Zone Program," published in December 2004, has been released. Ms. Hufford will
provide copies to board members.
6 - Public Comment
Support was expressed for urban planning, the Mayor's initiatives regarding a Senior
Center, and helping with the Council's vision. Ms. Hufford invited members interested in joining
a task force to contact the City Council office.
Ms. Hufford reviewed the status of various Brownfield sites.
The meeting adjourned at 1 :45 p.m.
/+cl1 j Cha
Enterprise Zone Development ency Board
Enterprise Zone 2005-01-27
2