HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 10 23 Commerce & Industry Development Board Meeting Minutes
MINUTES
COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
OCTOBER 23, 1998 - REGULAR MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 8:27 a.m., Friday, October 23, 1998, by Chairman Mel
Glickman in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East
State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708).
Roll Call
Mel Glickman, Chairman, 'present
Sally McGinnis, Vice Chairperson, absent
Jennifer Booton, present
Walt Dittmer, present
Roger Owen, absent
Also Present
Ronald W. McLemore, City Manager
Charles C. Carrington, AICP, Community Development Director
Thomas Grimms, AICP, Comprehensive Planning/Zoning Coordinator
Approval of the September 9, 1998 Commerce & Industry Development
Board Meeting Minutes
This item was discussed later in the evening.
II. REGULAR AGENDA
A. City Commission Meeting of September 14, 1998 Pertaining to Discussion
of the Role or Need of the Commerce and Industry Development Board.
Chairman Glickman mentioned to those in attendance, that the City Commission had
voted to disband this Board due to budget criteria, and the Board's current mission
statement.
B. Discussion with Wayne Weinberg, President of the Greater Seminole
Chamber of Commerce, and Tracy Grygiel of the Mid-Florida Economic
Development Commission on Role or Transformation of the Commerce
and Industry Development Board.
Ms. Tracy Grygiel, with the Economic Development Commission (EDC), began by
saying that the City's Commerce and Industry Development Board might be able to better
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COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
OCTOBER 23, 1998 - REGULAR MEETING
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assist the City by visiting area businesses and cooperating in the retention effort of such
businesses.
There was discussion about the different kinds of businesses that presently are found in
the general area, and Ms. Grygiel distributed copies of the "1997-1998 Survey of Mid-
Florida Industry", (produced through the Economic Development Commission (EDC) of
Mid-Florida, Inc.), along with a brochure entitled "The Business Retention and
Expansion Program".
Ms. Grygiel then spoke of a program that the Economic Development Commission
(EDC) offers area businesses, called the T.R.D.A. program, which is offered in
conjunction with N.A.S.A. This program offers approximately forty (40) hours of
technical advice to assist with the troubleshooting of a company's problem.
Other programs that are being offered to area organizations involve information on doing
business abroad. One upcoming seminar will actually deal with conversions of the new
currency system in Europe (to the Euro-dollar); while another program will discuss doing
business in Spain.
Ms. Grygiel also spoke about a program which involves the Economic Development
Commission (EDC) taking their local County Commissioners on tours of local
businesses, thus getting both the Commissioners and businesses representatives talking
one-on-one about their concerns and plans.
An upcoming training session with Economic Development Commission (EDC)
volunteers is scheduled for January 1999, and Ms. Grygiel welcomed the Commerce and
Industry Development Board Members to this meeting.
There was discussion with Ms. Grygiel about a State Economic Development Grant,
involving a new company coming to the Leesburg area. There was further discussion
about such incentives; competition; the attracting of new businesses to the area; and the
importance of retaining businesses that are currently located in our area.
Mr. Wayne Weinberg, President of the Greater Seminole Chamber of Commerce spoke
about the finances and personnel that would be required for an all-out recruiting effort by
this Board, and he again discussed the importance of keeping businesses that are already
located in our area. There was discussion about certain key business locations in
Seminole County, and the cost efficiency of retaining current businesses, rather than
recruiting new businesses.
Ms. Grygiel mentioned a recent "Planning For Growth" seminar that was held, and some
of the ideas that resulted from this conference. Also discussed was the growing
importance of small "in home" businesses in the area; along with the possibility of raising
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COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
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the prices of gasoline to cover improvements to area roads, instead of relying on impact
fees.
Approval of the September 9, 1998 Commerce & Industry Development
Board Meeting Minutes
With no additions or corrections noted, Chairman Glickman accepted the minutes as read.
III. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
No suggestions.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 a.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by: Andrea Lorenzo-Luaces, Deputy City Clerk
City of Winter Springs
DOCSlboards/commerce/fy9798/minutes/102398.doc