HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes EDAB 020807Economic Development Advisory Board
Minutes
February 8, 2007
The Economic Development Advisory Board met on February 8, 2007. The meeting was
called to order by Vice Chair Lou Gaeta, at 8:36 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.
1. Roll Call
Members Present
Lou Gaeta Vice Chair
Elaine Beers
Casey Steinbacher
James Kissel
Steve Cohen 1 st Alternate
Members Absent:
Kenneth Kahn Chair
Mark Murnan
Sandra Foland
Also Present:
Joseph Russo, Mayor and Council Liaison
Dolores Key, Economic Development Director and Staff Liaison
Kelly Smallridge, President of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County
Steven Mayer, Growth Management
David Levy, Council Member
2. Approval of Minutes
The Board approved the minutes from January 11, 2007.
3. Council Update:
Mayor Russo provided an update. A joint meeting between the City Council and the EDAB is
tentatively set for Thursday, April 5, 2007. Our Lobbyists (re: Source Group) are currently
working on setting up a meeting with the Governor to discuss the replenishing of the State's
Innovation Fund and this will possibly be scheduled for the end of February. Dr. Mehmet Oz,
founder of FACT, has selected Palm Beach Gardens as the location for the home of his
foundation; however, no final site has been chosen yet, the facility will be approximately
40,000 sq. ft. and is slated for construction within the next 2 -112 years. Dan Cataflumo will be
unveiling his plans for Parcel 5-A in three weeks and has informed Mayor Russo that a small
Biotech - related company will be located in Parcel 5 -B.
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4. Land Development Petitions
None.
5.Targeted Expedited Permitting Program Project:
A presentation was made by Steven Mayer, Growth Management:
Thies Distributing will be establishing their corporate headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens
located in the Gardens Commerce Center. This will be 63,000 sq. feet located in three
buildings. This site was approved at the Planning and Zoning Board hearing on January 23,
2007. February 15, 2007, will be the first reading at City Council. The adoption hearing is
scheduled for March 1, 2007 and a total review time is 49 business days. This will bring a
total of 150 new jobs into Palm Beach Gardens.
Casey Steinbacher made a motion to approve the project, which was seconded by Lou
Gaeta and was unanimously approved by a vote of 5-0.
6.New Business:
Re- examination of SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis
2003: Dolores Key addressed the Board and requested that the Board review this. This
would enable the Board to determine if goals had been met and obtain a focus for the
upcoming year. Dolores made a recommendation that this be done at next month's meeting.
Kelly Smallridge, of the Business Development Board, will have the Life Science Strategic
Plan competed by then so the Board could also review this. All of the Board members were
in agreement with this plan.
Lou Gaeta stated that the situation regarding the traffic needs to be looked at again in
regards to economic development. He asked where the impact fees are going and what is
going on with the thoroughfare plan. He stated many roads have been eliminated from this
plan and this will cause a problem as growth continues within the City. Mayor Russo
concurred with Lou Gaeta. He stated there is a problem with East -West Roads within the
City. Mayor Russo stated that he is asking for support from surrounding Cities to support a
road network that can really work in reference to the 50,000 homes that are being proposed
for out West. Mayor Russo stated we need to build roads for economy, not just for housing.
In reference to the Western Communities Project, he stated that a job base was necessary
there to ensure success and the North County leadership needs to support this.
7. Next Meeting
Next meeting date is yet to be determined for March.
8. Comments by the public:
There were no comments from the public.
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9. Adioumment
With no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 9:17 a.m.
Approval:
Lou Gaeta, Vice Chair
Elaine Beers, Board WiMer
Mark Murnan, Board Member
Casey Steinbacher, Board Member
Sandra Foland, Board Member
Steve Cohen, 1 s' Alternate Board
Attest:
Annette Tucci
Municipal Services 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
All referenced attachments are on file in the City Clerk's office.
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