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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes EDOC 0318040 • • Economic Development Advisory Board PALM BEACH GARDENS A Signature City Economic Development Oversight Committee Minutes March 18, 2004 Meeting was called to order at 8:30 am on March 18, 2004. Members present: Casey Steinbacher Neil Merin Ed Sabin Jim Griffin Frank Compiani Kelly Fanelli Kenneth Kahn Barbara Cottrell Lou Gaeta Staff present: Dolores Key Ron Ferris Janice Massie Melisa Burey Guests: Larry Pelton ■ Minutes were reviewed. The date of the meeting is amended to January 22, 2004 (not February 26, 2004). Minutes were approved as amended. ■ Staff Report Presented by Dolores Key • Vision Statement discussed for the DRI application for Eastern section of Science Village under contract with the EDRI. Staff used this as a guiding force to move forward. This is a working vision statement. • Economic Development and Marketing stationery was presented. • Trade show booth is being constructed. Staff will attend Bio 2004 trade show in June. • Honda Classic. City advertisement was displayed. City Manager Update o County Commission did not vote on annexation. The matter was discussed, three commissioners concurred, three opposed, and one was absent from the meeting. o Annexation issues to be resolved by 2007 when Scripps is complete. o One municipality to manage. o Protect investment of Palm Beach County — monetary issues, other revenues. o If annexation occurs, services will not be duplicated. If services purchased from Palm Beach County - $2 million annually for fire rescue /police. Palm Beach Gardens would offset their loss of revenues. o A force exists behind the Joint Planning Agreement — trying to accomplish annexation. o Diversify City of Palm Beach Gardens tax base. Future of City — keep taxes low. o Continuous discussion is occurring. Dolores Key, Economic Development & Marketing Administrator .. 1� u • • Economic Development Advisory Board PALM BEACH GARDENS A Signature City ■ Open Discussion — The Scripps Research Institute o Discussed Palm Beach Post article regarding permitting and "Gardens Science and Technology Community ". Waiting for Master Developer. o Issues arose at PGA Corridor meeting 1. Large amount of impact fees due to development. 2. Will there be a description of the impact fees? 3. How will the impact fees stay here and benefit Palm Beach Gardens? 4. Will there be a Regional Transportation Authority impact fee? 5. Impact fees have to reflect costs of a particular development. 6. Impact fee collection data is protected. 7. These issues are being discussed by the County, BDB and City, and are changing and moving daily. 8. Concerns arose regarding the City's day -to -day approval process, i.e. balancing between developers and the Scripps project. • Only one senior planner has been dedicated to the Scripps project. • Another planner is working on the City software conversion. • Not aware of any specific matters. Any specific matter should be brought to the attention of the City Manager /Economic Development Administrator. • May only be a perception. • Council has approved the hiring of additional Staff if necessary. o Who will maintain control and manage the properties? Who is an appropriate fit? Who will maintain the philosophy, integrity and vision of the project and of the clusters and like businesses. o Transportation issues are of great concern. Discussion is continuing to occur regarding this matter. o In the selection of a Master Developer, a joint venture partnership with the EDRI is planned. Business Development Board needs to know what the City wants now so it can be discussed with the developer. o Impact not limited to Palm Beach Gardens — far reaching. o BDB - inter - regional economic development programs is possible solution — regional clusters. Orlando is interested in participating. o Formula is being discussed regarding how the non - profit corporation will determine how sites will be distributed — making sure that the appropriate companies purchase the property. o Housing for future employees was discussed. Don't want housing to be absorbed before employees arrive. Developers don't want to hold land for future — time is money. Can land be released on a time table? o The market will determine how many units are built. Absorption vs. Affordability. o In La Jolla, the strongest and the weakest point is the workforce. No place to house them. They don't hire anyone without a four year degree. Starting salary at entry level positions is approximately $35,000 — who become future scientists. All of these issues are being addressed by County consultants and the DRI team. o Interviewing of scientists in La Jolla also revealed that many of their spouses are also scientists with PhD's. Spousal employment is key. o It is a balance — one village — based on market dynamics. Dolores Key, Economic Development & Marketing Administrator 45 • • Economic Development Advisory Board PALM BEACH GARDENS A Signature City • Certain newspaper articles have been misleading. Could represent that the companies going into the property are non - profit companies, rather than being overseen by a non - profit corporation. Should be made clear. • Discussion of EDOC Recommendations to Council . Letter prepared by Staff to Council reflecting four recommendations of the EDOC was reviewed. 1. Number one: Zoning overlay. The following language should replace the language in the letter: "Review the City's current zoning overlay to ensure that appropriate zoning and land use designations are put in place for the purpose of encouraging and facilitating commercial development for the spin -offs that will result ". 2. Number two. Offer municipal services for the entire project, either by inter - local agreement or annexation. There are no changes to this language. The Committee supports looking at one project — rather than two jurisdictions. 3. Number three. Maintain non - profit control of entire project. . The following language should replace the language in the letter: "Require that a non - profit board with broad - based, regional representation have oversight of the non- residential and non - retail components of the entire research park ". 4. Number four. Review land use agreements of the entire area (exceeding Palm Beach County) to maximize the opportunities presented by Scripps - Florida. No change to this language. The Chair of the committee and as many board members as possible should be in attendance at the Council Meeting to present the recommendations. The April 1, 2004, Council Meeting was discussed as a possibility. This will be confirmed. May meeting topic: Updates of land development and the marketing position of the City. Future EDOC meetings will occur bi- monthly; however, after the May meeting, meetings will be suspended until the Fall. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m. Note: The next meeting is scheduled for May 20, 2004 of 8:30 a.m., City Hall, Council Chambers. Dolores Key, Economic Development & Marketing Administrator .-