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10/09/2003ENTERPRISE ZONE DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER October 9, 2003 Present: Isay Gulley Vice-Chair Rick Rosa Board Member/Community Response Team Capt. Anthony Holloway Board Member/Police Department Cheryl Wade Board Member Bob Fernandez Board Member Ralph Emmanuelli Board Member Vacant Seat Board Member Vacant Seat Board Member Absent: Bob Kinney Chair Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney Diane Hufford Economic Development Coordinator Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Vice-Chair called the meeting to order at 4:06 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) Appointment of Vice Chair Member Gulley indicated she would accept her appointment as Vice-Chair. b) Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting – July 29, 2003 It was stated Member Holloway had been promoted to Captain. In reference to page two, it was stated paragraph two, sentence one should read, “Member Rosa moved to appoint Isay Gulley as Vice-Chair and Bob Kinney as Chair.” And paragraph three should read, “Ms. Hufford said she would check with Ms. Gulley to ensure she is interested in serving as Vice Chair.” Member Wade moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 29, 2003, as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. c) Schedule next meeting Discussion ensued regarding next year’s schedule, with recommendations that meeting locations be varied and held quarterly, on the second Thursday of the month at 1:00 p.m. Consensus was to schedule 2004 meetings at 1:00 p.m.: 1) January 8 at City Hall; 2) April 8 at the Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce building; 3) July 8 at Ross Norton Park Center; and 4) October 7 at Martin Luther King Center. 4 - Presentation Economic Development Coordinator Diane Hufford distributed a map identifying City of Clearwater Brownfields Area, Enterprise Zone, and HUB Zone and distributed and reviewed information regarding financial incentives available in the Enterprise Zone: 1) Jobs Tax Credit (Corporate Income Tax); 2) Jobs Tax Credit (Sales and Use Tax); 3) Property Tax Credit (Corporate Income Tax); 4) Sales tax refund for building materials used in rehabilitation of real property; 5) Sales tax refund for business machinery and equipment; and 6) Community Contribution Tax Credit Program. The HUB zone is historically underserved for small businesses. Funds remain available for Phase I site assessment in the Brownfields area for purchased property. Applications for the Jobs Tax Credit are required but simple to complete. Staff is working to provide information regarding these programs to contractors, CNHS (Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services), etc. Discussion ensued regarding the Business Materials Sales Tax Refund, with concerns expressed that homeowners be made aware of this available credit when negotiating remodeling contracts. In response to recommendations that the City market the programs, Ms. Hufford said her department has no money for advertisements but stated relevant information could be added to the City’s web page. She recommended against including the information in utility statements sent Citywide as the qualifying area is small. Suggestions were made to agenda a speaker to address these programs at Rotary meetings and before the DDB (Downtown Development Board). Ms. Hufford said she wants to attend more neighborhood meetings. Ms. Hufford reported funding for the Community Contribution Tax Credit, which allows non-profit agencies to recruit business contributions, was exhausted within two hours of the time when applications began to be accepted. Concern was expressed one large request can wipe out the account. Most non-profit agencies are unaware of the program. It was suggested the City work with USF (University of South Florida) for student help to market these programs, assemble materials, and target specific areas. Students could work as volunteers or for credit, if measurable achievements are identified. Member Holloway volunteered the services of NUCOPS members and offered to report further on this issue. Ms. Hufford said staff can train the students. It was recommended volunteers be provided a list of qualifying property addresses. The importance of educating the public about program benefits was reiterated. Ms. Hufford suggested an insert be developed for the City’s outdated brochure. It was recommended staff revise the text so that all relevant program information is reduced to a tri-fold 11X14 paper. Also frequently asked questions can be included. Staff will present a draft to the board in January. Staff also will consider additional ways to distribute this information to the public through City departments such as the Building Department and Economic Development. Ms. Hufford was complimented for her recent presentation to the Clearwater Merchants Association. 5 - Public Comment – None. 6 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:59 p.m.