Agenda

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Record of Minutes Escambia County Enterprise Zone Development Agency (EZDA) July 23, 2014 – 12:00 pm CST Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, Boardroom 117 West Garden Street Pensacola, Florida 32502 Members Present: Danita Andrews, Vice-Chair/Local Chamber, Greater Pensacola Chamber Peggy Fowler, Non-profit Agency, Habitat 4 Humanity Teresa Frye, Local Finance, Hancock Bank Nita Freeman, EZ Resident, Neighborhood Watch Ruth McKinon, At Large, Training Dev. Coordinator, PSC Rebecca Hale, At-Large, Esc.-Pns. Human Relations Members Absent: Steven Littlejohn, Chairperson/Local Code Enforcement, Escambia County Dale Tharp, Local Law Enforcement, EC Sheriff’s Office Susan Nelm, Local Workforce Dev., Workforce Escarosa Dr. Andrew Armani, EZ Business, Navy Blvd. Animal Hospital Jaunita Williams, EZ Resident, Neighborhood Watch Larry Strain, At Large, United Bank County Staff in Attendance: Clara Long, Community Redevelopment Agency Division Manager & EZ Coordinator Victoria D’Angelo, RESTORE Act Coordinator, Escambia County


1				Call to Order Vice-Chairperson, Danita Andrews called July 23, 2014 meeting called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m.

2				Proof of Publication The July 23, 2014 meeting was advertised in the Pensacola News Journal on July 19, 2014.

3				Determination of a Quorum Vice-Chairperson, Danita Andrews determined that a quorum was not present since only six (6) Board members were in attendance. The Board agreed to discuss new business but to defer any Board action to the following meeting on October 22, 2014.

4				EZDA Business a. Approval of April 23, 2014 Minutes Due to lack of a quorum, action on this item was deferred to the following meeting on October 22, 2014.

5				EZDA 2014 Annual Report: July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014 The EZDA 2014 Annual Report will be presented at the 4th Quarter EZDA Board meeting on October 22, 2014.

6				Board Highlights Chairperson Andrews, Director of Business Development, Greater Pensacola Chamber gave a presentation to the Board on economic development.

7				New Business/Public Comment a. Update on Re-authorization of the Florida Enterprise Zone Program Vice-Chairperson, Danita Andrews discussed the Florida Economic Development Council’s (FEDC) recent conference call regarding the re-authorization of the Florida Enterprise Zone Program. Vice-Chair Andrews stated that concerns expressed of legislators included the geographic frequency of enterprise zones in Florida, and deviation from the program’s original intent; however the program is extremely beneficial in both rural and urban applications and encourages economic development across the entire state. Therefore, FEDC intends to include recommendation for re-authorization in its 2014 Legislative agenda. b. Discussion on Suggested Improvements to Florida Enterprise Zone (EZ) Program Administration Clara Long suggested that regional training be offered to EZ Coordinators. Suggestions included workshops provided by the Community Redevelopment Association and Brownfields Association. Vice-Chair Andrews agreed to provide outreach to the Florida Brownfields Association on behalf of the EZDA Board. The Board also discussed the lack of functionality of the geographic information system (GIS) located on the Florida Enterprise Zone website, and inaccessibility of the Department of Revenue for inquiries related to EZDA applications. c. Nominate a Business in the EZ area to replace Dr. Andrew Armani Ms. Long requested the Board nominate an EZ Business Representative to replace Dr. Andrew Armani on the EZDA Board. Ms. Long requested that the Board submit their recommendations by email. d. Upcoming Presentation Kristin Hual, Assistant County Attorney will give a presentation on the Florida Sunshine Law at the 4th Quarter EZDA Meeting on October 22, 2014. e. Public Comment- None

8				Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 1:09 pm.