HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes EDOC 072403Economic Development Oversight Committee
Economic Development Oversight Committee
Minutes
July 24, 2003
Meeting was called to order at 8:35 am on July 24, 2003.
Members present
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I' BEACH GARDENS
Elaine Beers Casey Steinbacher
Frank Compiani Eric Habecker
Kelly Fanelli Ed Sabin
Barbara Cottrell
Members absent (Excused):
Joe Russo
Dan Clark
Neil Merin
Dave Haysmer
Lou Gaeta
Mark Nys
Kenneth Kahn
Jim Griffin
Staff present:
Ron Ferris
Dolores Key
Sheryl Stewart
Janice Massie
■ Minutes of the June 26, 2003 EDOC Meeting reviewed and approved.
•
0 Staff Report presented by Dolores Key
• Introduced new logo for the Economic Development and Marketing Department for
the City of Palm Beach Gardens
• North Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce Tradeshow, held on October 7, 2003, will
be partnering with The South Florida Business Journal. Currently, commitments
received from Jupiter, North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens. Sponsorships
from the EDOC of the event were requested. Flyer provided to committee with
additional information.
• City web site now offering Hot Link, which offers internet users access to a listing of
all companies having current occupational licenses within the City of Palm Beach
Gardens.
• Fast -track program (an expediting permitting program) is being researched. Staff
asked for EDOC guidance /input regarding the possibility of adopting a model
program in Palm Beach Gardens.
• Ed Sabin introduced Niesen Kasdin, Chairman of the Urban Development Group; Urban
Land Institute Southeast Florida /Caribbean District Council; and former Mayor (1997 -2001) of
the City of Miami Beach, Florida. Mr. Kasdin presented his Powerpoint presentation entitled
"Creating Urbanism from Suburb to City ".
o In the 1980's, Miami Beach was one of the poorest neighborhoods in Florida.
o Two types of suburban re- development: inner ring (developments prior to World War
11 and second ring (post -World War 11). How do we accommodate growth? Inner and
• second ring suburbs play significant role.
o Evolution of Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive in South Beach was discussed. Decline
of the area was followed by renovation - approximately 1988. $18 million used for
Dolores Key, Economic Development & Marketing Administrator
' Economic Development Oversight Committee 49W
PALM BEACH GARDENS
• public spaces on Lincoln Road. Special assessment contributed by City. Ocean
Drive revitalization by Preservation League: historic preservation; adaptive re -use of
structures (zoning changes); and public improvements — streetscape.
o Role of Public Policy
1. Zoning: Requiring new urbanist design; protecting historic neighborhoods;
change of use /adaptive re -use of buildings
2. Infrastructure investment
3. Transportation improvements - Miami Beach, Bethesda and Evanston all use
public transportation to improve transportation. Miami performed a rail
(streetcar) study to improve the movement of people from the City of Miami
to Miami Beach. Portland, San Diego and Salt Lake City all have rail or
street car systems to alleviate traffic
o Role of Neighborhood Based Organizations
1. Community based organizations
2. Business Improvement Districts
3. Neighborhood and Merchant Associations
o Building and Sustaining Community
1. Commercial property rehab grants
2. Residential building rehab grants
3. Property rehab grants
4. Cultural facilities initiative
5. First time home buyer program
• o Support for Culture
1. Miami Beach instituted an Art Center, Colony Theater, Cultural Campus.
Cultural Arts Council established ($10 million establishing endowment),
museum, Miami City Ballet, regional library.
2. Bethesda: art walk, public art
3. Evanston: university, art
o Public /Private Projects
1. A catalyst was needed. Convention industry, hotels needed. Loew's hotel
was built to provide accommodations for conventions. Led to development of
more hotels. Added parking — spurred re- development in more areas of
Miami Beach.
o Good Design
1. Creating and retaining value in a community, making it a desirable place to
live — public space.
2. If the quality of your community is not maintained or invested in, decline will
set in.
o Economic Council — effective planning to reform bureaucracy, support critical
industries, target economic development.
Critical elements to the long term viability and success, not only to economic sectors,
but also the City:
1. Preserving the character of the City.
2. Enhancing neighborhoods by providing improvements, public services and
is suitable mix of housing and commerce.
3. Empowering and supporting neighborhood organizations and business
improvement districts to promote effective and responsive delivery of
Dolores Key, Economic Development & Marketing Administrator
Economic Development Oversight Committee
PALM BEACH GARDENS
• services and resolution and , action on neighborhood issues and
opportunities.
4. Targeted economic development, supporting critical industries and
geographic areas with specifically focused programs.
5. Fair Share Housing. First time home buyers to redevelop neighborhoods.
o Reforming the Bureaucracy.
o Economic Impact Study — snapshot of community's best use of dollars.
o RECOGNIZE WHAT YOUR NICHE IS, identify key ingredients and preserve it,
strengthen and invest in it, and protect the essential character that makes it so
special.
• Discussion regarding the presentation
o Example of a second tier suburb that is "doing it right ":
1. The city of Plantation is the best local example of a second tier city with a
solid economic development and revitalization strategy — they didn't wait for
a decline - proactive.
o A clear leadership role of the City was recommended — specific recommendations on
public policy through elected public officials.
o Mr. Kasdin was asked what he did to attract businesses into the community.
• 1. To be successful, can't be seasonal — need to diversify. Created public
improvements. Office buildings, hotels and parking were added to
accommodate and add to the revitalization.
2. Put dollars where natural strengths were.
3. Economic Development Impact Study verified identified strengths by
citizen /business groups.
•
o Mr. Kasdin will research and provide the committee with additional examples. He
also welcomed everyone to participate in the Urban Land Institute.
The committee thanked Mr. Kasdin for his informative presentation.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• Protect the brand
• Market forces diversity
• Transportation: not roads alone - move people without the cars
• Preserve the character of the city
• Adapt use and zoning
• Invest in public improvements
Meeting adjourned at 9:45 am.
Note: Next meeting is scheduled for August 28 2003, at 8:30 am in the City Hall Council
Chambers.
Dolores Key, Economic Development & Marketing Administrator