11/08/2005
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ENTERPRISE ZONE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 8, 2005
Present: Bob Kinney
Isay Gulley
Cheryl Wade
Rick Rosa
Ralph Emmanuelli
Bob Fernandez
Brian Schuh
Kristin Dailey
Chair
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member/Com. Response Team
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member - arrived 1: 11 p.m.
Board Member
Absent: Capt. Anthony Holloway
Board Member/Police Department
Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides
Geri Campos
Diane Hufford
Patricia O. Sullivan
Assistant City Attorney
Director of Economic Development/Housing
Economic Development Coordinator
Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 1 :07 p.m. at City Hall, 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
a) Approval of Minutes - July 28, 2005
Member Fernandez moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 28,
2005, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
b) Schedule meetings for 2006
Consensus was to schedule EZDA (Enterprise Zone Development Agency) meetings for
2006: February 28; May 23; August 22; and November 28, 2005.
4 Introduction of Geri CamDos
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5 Board discussion of re-desianation of zone and aoals
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6 Board aDDroval of SUDDort letter
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Director of Economic Development/Housing Geri Campos reviewed dramatic changes to
the City's EZDA (Enterprise Zone Development Agency) area, which now contains only one full
and one partial census track. Staff is working with the City's legislative delegation, lobbyists,
and City partners, such as the Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce, to amend the
regulations, which now exclude several City census tracks that have up to 29% poverty rates
and still require economic development. Poverty rates are based on the 2000 census. While
poverty rates decreased since 1990, levels remain high. Economic Development Coordinator
Diane Hufford reviewed the City's application package and discussed staff efforts to qualify a
portion of a downtown census track for the zone.
In response to questions, Ms. Hufford reported after December 31,2005, only the
stadium's parking lot, not Jack Russell Stadium, will remain in the Enterprise Zone. Original
legislation had included City Brownfields in the zone.
Member Gulley moved to approve the application package and support letter. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
7 Staff comments:
Ms. Hufford said only the Harbor Oaks project is close enough to completion to qualify
for the December 31, 2005, building materials sales tax credit deadline. Projects that are not
substantially complete by the end of the year will not qualify. Ms. Campos expressed concern
that EZDA rule changes would prevent the City from developing the Clearwater automotive site
as planned. That site, as well as the Gateway, no longer will be in the enterprise zone nor
qualify for EZDA benefits. Staff welcomes help lobbying to expand the City's EZDA area.
Discussion ensued regarding affordable housing, with comments that many low to
moderate income families are having to move to Pasco County due to high local housing prices.
The Regional Clearwater Chamber of Commerce has a meeting scheduled on workforce
housing at the Belleview Biltmore on November 15, 2005, at 7:30 a.m.
8 Public comment: None.
9 Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 1 :43 p.m.
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Chair
Enterprise Zone Development Agency
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Board Reporter ---
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