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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes EDAB 091406Economic Development Advisory Board September 14, 2006 The Economic Development Advisory Board met on September 14, 2006. The meeting was called to order by the Chairperson, Kenneth Kahn, at 8:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex, located at 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. I. Roll Call Members Present Kenneth Kahn Chair Lou Gaeta Vice Chair Casey Steinbacher Mark Murnan James Kissel Members Absent Elaine Beers Steve Cohen 1 st Alternate Sandra Foland 2nd Alternate Also Present: Joseph Russo, Council Liaison Dolores Key, Economic Development Director and Staff Liaison Kara Irwin, Growth Management Administrator II. Approval of Minutes The Board approved the minutes from the August 10, 2006 meeting. III. Staff Report Dolores Key told the Board that the Agenda items concerning The Land Development Petition be withdrawn and postponed until a later date, tentatively next month. Dolores Key stated that representatives of the following organizations were confirmed as nominees to be forwarded to City Council for consideration for continued membership of the Economic Development Advisory Board: PGA Corridor Association nominated the re- appointment of Lou Gaeta, the Business Development Board re- appointment of Kenneth Kahn, and the North Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce re- appointment of Casey Steinbacher. Additionally, the re- appointment of Sandra Foland was also forwarded. An additional vacancy will need to be filled by the Council. Action will be taken by City Council at the October 5, 2006 City Council meeting. IV. New Business Land Development Petitions Northlake Village Petition has been withdrawn and postponed. Economic Development Advisory Board Minutes 091406 Page 1 V. Continued Business Community Development Division Kara Irwin gave a PowerPoint presentation to the Board members. It included a Business Plan, an organization chart, job descriptions, Community Development Proposed Budget, and Division Goals. A budget item of $25,000 was put into the budget for membership in the Housing Leadership Council. The remainder of the package was presented by Dolores Key. Financial Incentives Dolores Key pointed out that The Business Development Board needs 20% matching funds to continue attracting smaller business, and gave the Board a list of potential financial incentives and an implementation matrix. The list included (1) Wet Lab Grant Assistant Program, (2) City Impact Fee Rebate Program for Fire, Police, Roads and Art in Public Places, (3) City Reimbursement Program for Non- Impact Fees, (4) Infrastructure Impact Fee Rebate; Non City Fees, (5) Integration into our website, (6) Corporate Outreach Program, (7) Targeted Expedited Permitting Program (8) Scientific Mixed Use Land Development Regulations (9) Ad- Valorem Tax Exemption for Bio Science Industry Sector, (10) Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, (11) Public Transportation, (12) Grant Writing, Assistance Program, (13 Land Set -Aside for Wet Lab or Incubator, (14) City Sponsored Wet Lab or Incubator, (15) Innovator Grant Program, (16) City Transportation Infrastructure Program, (17) City Infrastructure Program, (18) Facilitate Development of a Research Park, and (19) Traffic Concurrency Exemption for Economic Development Projects. Dolores Key remarked that the items on the list involved a public process that is different from the private sector. If the Council were to look into these incentives they would need time to discuss these ideas and deliberate the merits of each program. Chairperson Kenneth Kahn opened up the Community Development Division for discussion. He stated he would like to set up a workshop with the Business Development Board. Casey Steinbacher congratulated the Council and the staff members for development of ways to make it work, and said the key is to have the right attitude and tools. Ms. Steinbacher noted that they had only received the package last week, and the $1.6 Million that is available for use will have to be studied. The job description portion describes multiple areas as growth, affordable housing and transportation. Lou Gaeta had some general comments about Affordable Housing and Transportation, stating he understands the City needs to look at these issues. The Industrial Revenue Bond was issued to help manufacturing however much has been used for housing needs. He is cautious to use the three -prong approach. He stated the single most important issue is the supply of land, and since the supply is low the costs are very high and affects the primary mission of economic development. Mark Murnan said that we need to get people engaged, and asked if the , Business Development Board would be interested in helping in this area. He stated that the Board needed more than one hour a month to work on this. Dolores Key stated that the staff anticipated having round table discussions in order to proceed. Ms. Key said what was presented today was only a starting point. Mr. Kissel asked Mayor Russo how the Board could provide sound advice to the Council. Economic Development Advisory Board Minutes 091406 Page 2 Mayor Russo said that the Council was concerned about how the money in the budget would be used. Mayor Russo feels we should put money into reserves, be committed to economic development, and amend the budget at a later time. The number one item will be land cost. Having a site is crucial and having the Economic Development Advisory Board involved is imperative, along with the implementation of incentive programs. Catalfumo said 400,000 square feet of Wet Lab would be developed. Mayor Russo said having our experts informed and readily available is important. Along those lines, Kenneth Kahn mentioned that the City of .Boca Raton worked with the Business Development Board by having their quick response team in place with members having authority to take action. Their Mayor gathered a team of heavy hitters in the business community and their Council reached agreement on what they could offer and what they could do quickly. Kenneth Kahn stated that Kelly Smallridge from the Business Development Board feels she has a good relationship with Mayor Russo as she does with Mayor Abrams. Kenneth Kahn said that was a big part of the comfort level he feels, but we need to get our internal network team together so we can have a streamlined process. Mayor Russo stated his relationship with the Business Development Board is good, but that Kelly Smallridge also has a good relationship with our City Manager and many times she goes directly to him to work on an issue. Mayor Russo thanked the staff for the great work they are doing. Kenneth Kahn said it is crucial to achieve a consensus and to work on things early -on so when the time comes we are all on the same page like Boca. Lou Gaeta said growth from existing industry is important to discuss, and he is glad that the program outlined public relations. Working with community and rallying them will have a major commitment and make a huge difference. He said anything we can do with our process so there is less debate should be worked out ahead of time. Kenneth Kahn stated that the Business Development Board is set up the way they are because of the Sunshine Law and they are technically different from the Commission, which translates that they keep things confidential because they do not want items discussed publicly. The Business Development Board is the only authorized entity to deal with certain grants according to state law. We need to conduct a workshop with Council and bring Kelly Smallridge in to get on the same page so we can all speak with one voice. Then the business community will be able to give financial support more readily. Mayor Russo agreed. There were no public comments. VI. Next Meeting Topic It was the consensus of the Board to have the next meeting on October 12, 2006 to continue discussion of the Community Development Division and the Financial Incentives. At this point, Casey Steinbacher and Mark Murnan had to leave the meeting early, so there was no longer a quorum. Economic Development Advisory Board Minutes 091406 Page 3 VII. Adiournment With no further business to discuss the meeting adjourn6d at 9:46 a.m. Approval: Kennetn Kann, Lnairperson V Lou Gaeta, Vice Chairperson Elaine Beers, Board Member mes Kissel, Board Member Mark Murnan, Board Member _4;1_� Casey Steinbacher, Board Member Steve Cohen, Alternate Board Member Sandra Foland, Alternate Board Member Attest: Tuesda Craig Municipal Service Coordinator Note: These summary minutes are prepared in compliance with 286.011 F.S. and are not verbatim transcripts of the meeting. A verbatim audio record is available from the Office of the City Clerk. Economic Development Advisory Board Minutes 091406 Page 4