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10/25/1999ENTERPRISE ZONE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER October 25, 1999 Present: John Connelly Chair Bob Kinney Vice-Chair – arrived 10:05 a.m. Ralph Linn Board Member Rick Rosa Board Member/Community Response Team Rev. Mack Sigmon Board Member Cheryl Wade Board Member Absent: Steve Bell Board Member Lt. Don Hall Board Member/Police Department Denise Jefferson Board Member Also Present: Miles Ballogg Economic Development Programs Manager Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. at the Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce building, followed by the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM 4 – Introductions Members and guest speakers introduced themselves. ITEM 5 – Minutes of Previous Meetings – None. ITEM 6 – Staff Reports Guide to the Sunshine Amendments Assistant City Attorney Leslie Dougall-Sides explained how the Sunshine Law applies to EZDA (Enterprise Zone Development Agency) board members. In response to a question, she said board members should only discuss pending and present issues with each other during advertised EZDA meetings. They can address issues with staff and citizens not represented on the board. City policy prohibits remote attendance and proxies. She requested members inform Economic Development Programs Manager Miles Ballogg regarding planned absences. Should more than one EZDA member attend another meeting, comments are permitted during public comment, but issues cannot be discussed nor debated. Mr. Ballogg said he cannot relay a member’s opinion to other board members. In response to a question, Ms. Dougall-Sides said the State Attorney can file misdemeanor charges for Sunshine Law violations. B. Financial Disclosure Forms Ms. Dougall-Sides requested EZDA members complete the financial disclosure forms and submit them to the Supervisor of Elections. In response to a question, she said EZDA members should report income derived from their primary work place/occupation. It is not necessary to list all income from other activities or businesses. She recommended further questions be directed to the City Clerk. Once filed, financial disclosure forms are public record. C. Enterprise Zone Development Agency – Draft Rules of Procedure Ms. Dougall-Sides reviewed a draft of board Rules of Procedure. Discussion ensued. Consensus was to schedule quarterly 2-hour meetings unless otherwise indicated. Ms. Dougall-Sides said a 24-hour meeting notice is required. Five members constitute a quorum. The Chair can discuss and vote on items but cannot make or second a motion. Board members must report all conflicts of interest, complete the appropriate form, and abstain from voting. A conflict of interest would occur should any board member stand to gain or lose by any board action. The board may establish committees for the purpose of reporting. Should a member recuse herself/himself due to a conflict of interest, a quorum will be based upon members present. Mr. Ballogg suggested EZDA members review Brownfields information. He said contamination may exist at 217 regulatory listed sites in the Brownfields area. The goal is to convert those sites into viable uses that further economic development. The enterprise zone encompasses the Brownfields area and the area west. Burt Von Hoff, Executive Office of the Governor, Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development does not envision this board experiencing conflicts of interest regarding on tax credit decisions. Mr. Ballogg said Diane Hufford, Economic Development, will review applications, submit them to EZDA, and provide quarterly summaries. EZDA will not review the QTI (Qualified Tax Incentive) program. Member Kinney moved to approve the Rules of Procedure, amending the frequency of meetings from 6 a year to quarterly. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. D. Review of Materials Mr. Ballogg reviewed materials distributed to members. Clearwater does not offer the sales tax exemption for electrical energy. He requested members contact him with suggested changes. In response to a question, Ms. Dougall-Sides said changes to the strategic plan requires Commission approval. Mr. Ballogg anticipates significant activity related to jobs tax credits and community contribution credits. In response to a question, he said EZDA’s role is to help educate the community about the enterprise zone and available programs, provide input regarding incentives, and make recommendations to the Commission. The EAB (Environmental Advisory Board and Brownfields boards have requested liaisons attend each others’ meetings. He referred to restrictions on discussion related to the Sunshine Law. ITEM 7 – Action Items Approval – Signature Authorization Forms for City Officials Member Sigmon moved to approve the Signature Authorization forms as presented. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. B. Approval – Next Meeting – January 18, 2000 – 10:00 a.m. at Clearwater Chamber of Commerce Member Linn moved to schedule the next meeting on January 18, 2000, at the Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce building at 10:00 a.m The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The meeting recessed from 10:49 to 10:58 a.m. ITEM 8 – Other Business Presentation – Enterprise Zone Overview – Burt Von Hoff – Executive Office of the Governor Mr. Von Hoff thanked members for volunteering to serve on EZDA. He has administered the Enterprise Zone program for 5 years. He reviewed handouts: 1) Enterprise Zone Program; 2) Tax Incentive Fact Sheets; 3) Florida Enterprise Zones; 4) Statutes governing incentives; and 5) Section 290.0056 regarding the Enterprise Zone Development Agency. The State designates enterprise zones. Financial incentives are offered to businesses and property owners to encourage private investment and the creation of jobs for zone residents. Enterprise Zones are designated for economic revitalization. The program is authorized until December 31, 2005. The federal government has designated empowerment zones and enterprise communities. Generally, Florida’s Enterprise Zones range from 3 to 20 square miles in size. The State offers 5 tax incentives to businesses located in the zone. The program is site specific, requiring businesses to be physically in the zone to be eligible for incentives. Mr. Ballogg said all property adjacent to or abutting the City’s Enterprise Zone boundary lines are eligible for incentives. Mr. Von Hoff reported in 1998, approximately $13 million in incentives were awarded to Enterprise Zone businesses in Florida. Local incentives outpaced State incentives. The Community Contribution Tax Credit Program approved more than $3 million in tax credits were approved. Mr. Von Hoff reviewed: 1) Jobs tax credits: 2) business eligibility; 3) employee eligibility; 4) processing time, paperwork, and mailing requirements; 5) Business Equipment Sales Tax Refund; 6) Building Materials Sales Tax Refund; 7) Property Tax Credit; 8) Electrical Energy Sales Tax Exemption; 9) Community Contribution Tax Credit Program; and 10) Enterprise Zone Development Agency responsibilities. In response to a question, he said the Building Materials Sales Tax Refund applies on a parcel basis, even if the parcel contains multifamily units. He requested EZDA members contact him with questions regarding Enterprise Zone Programs. ITEM 9 – Public Comment Period – None. ITEM 10 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 11:54 a.m.