BUSINESS & CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
July 18, 2007
A
Regular Meeting of the Business & Cultural Development Board was held on July
18, 2007 at the City Hall Annex,
Vice Chairperson took agenda
items out of order and turned the meeting over to Board Member Dianne
Marcum. Ms. Marcum explained that the
board had been focusing on business with little emphasis on culture. At council’s direction, the board had spent
many months updating the City’s Redevelopment Plan which contained the board’s
ideas on ways to enliven culture within the City. Presently, the board hosts two professional
art shows and there are no performing arts or museums located within the
City. The Brevard Cultural Alliance is
well positioned to help the City with its cultural endeavors. She welcomed Ms. Shellie Williams, the new
director of the Brevard County Alliance and recognized Mr. Ray Osbourne who is
writing a history book on the City of
Ms. Williams thanked the
board for their invitation. She stated
she has been with the BCA for six months and remarked that the organization is
currently realigning itself to be in a position to market and promote culture
and art throughout the entire county.
The BCA has expanded into the following components: (a) serving artists and arts groups, (b)
serving historical, literary and multicultural organizations including the
regranting of money that comes to the BCA through the county to assist these cultural
organizations with resources and marketing and (c) serving the community,
through public outreach and public art offerings.
Results of an
Ms. Williams summarized some BCA
projects throughout the county including the opening and marketing of art
studios in Cocoa Village, a proposed first ever drive through art gallery in
the City of Cocoa Beach, development of an arts district in Eau Gallie, working
with the City of Rockledge to capitalize on their historical aspects and
proposed artistic lighting along the various causeways.
In addition, the BCA is
proposing a countywide project entitled “The Beauty of Brevard Frames Project” which
will frame the natural beauty, history and artful locations in
Ms. Williams informed that
the TDC has been working with the
Ms. Williams recognized the
City of
Ms. Williams affirmed for Ms.
Marcum that the individual involved in the regranting process would be
available to meet with the board to assist with funding opportunities for the
board’s proposed projects. She added
that this individual is experienced and has worked on the State level.
Mr. Osbourne felt the Cape
Canaveral Lighthouse would be an appropriate subject for the proposed framing
project as it illuminates the area’s heritage and history.
Mr. Osbourne expressed that
he was a freelance writer and requested a quote from the board or permission to
paraphrase the board for an article.
Members assembled for a picture with the City Seal.
Ms. Roberts remarked that the
board may want to consider promoting space related art within the City.
Vice Chairman Muncey
officially called the meeting to order at 7:55 p.m.
Dianne
Marcum
Joanne
Muncey
Darrell
Peterson
Alison
Spiesman
John
Anderson
Hugh
Evans
Council Member Shannon
Roberts
Recording Secretary Kim
McIntire
Ray Osbourne
ADOPTION OF MINUTES:
1.
Regular
Meeting of June 20, 2007
Moved by Mr. Peterson, seconded by Ms. Spiesman to
approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting
of June 2, 2007. Motion passed
unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Critique of the
Ms. McIntire requested that
the board review and approve the thank you letter and “report card” that is
sent to the tabletop exhibitors following the event.
Members remarked that the
signage on the Radisson property directing people to the Pavilion was poor and
recommended the use of the Radisson marquee, signage in the hotel lobby, sandwich
boards and portable signage.
Ms. Spiesman said the food
was outstanding and Ms. Marcum remarked that it was a well done event.
Council Member Roberts asked
if there were any businesses that were turned down for a tabletop. Ms. McIntire affirmed there were a few and
explained that it was a first come, first served basis. Because of the size constraints of the
Pavilion, it is not possible to have more than 32 tables. Additionally, some exhibitors have complained
in the past about the crowded exhibit area.
If the event were to occur in the Convention Center, there would be an
opportunity to have additional tabletops.
Ms. McIntire remarked that of the 32 tabletops (two being City tabletops),
eight were from the City and of those eight businesses, some were first timers
which was a direct result of the outreach by Council Member Roberts and Vice
Chairman Joanne Muncey.
Members recommended that if
next year’s event were held in the Convention Center with more tables, the
event be extended past the two hours.
Ms. McIntire reminded members that this was a Chamber event and that
they established the timeframe. She did
remark that even though the Chamber leaves at 7:30 pm, attendees do linger at
the event.
Members unanimously approved (1)
the thank you letter and “report card”, (2) hosting the 2008 event, and (3) the
contract between the Radisson and the City.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. View existing marketing video and recommend to City
Council that funds are budgeted to update
the video
Ms. Muncey informed that this
was a marketing video that was produced for the City by CCI in 1997 at a cost
of $4,700. The city manager felt it may
be an applicable tool for the board and requested that the board view the video
and recommend that funds be budgeted to update it.
Due to technical
difficulties, this item was tabled and will be placed on the August agenda. Ms. McIntire informed that the goal of the
existing marketing video was to showcase the City and complimentary copies had
been given to the TDC, EDC, Chamber of Commerce, and developers. The video was sold to interested individuals
at a cost of $10.
Ms. Marcum asked if staff had
knowledge of the five businesses within the City with the largest number of
employees. Staff responded
Vice Chairperson Muncey remarked
that although money has been budgeted for the business survey, it has not yet
been completed. The confusion at this
point is if the video will replace the survey or will it be in addition to the
survey. Ms. McIntire responded that
money has been allocated for the business survey and reminded members that the
city manager was requesting that the board recommend to the City Council that
money be budgeted to update the video.
The cost in 1997 was $4,700 and the cost today would probably be double. Ms. Muncey said that according to Ordinance
No. 12-2003, Article 2, Section 22-33 (a), the board had been tasked by the
City Council to prepare a business survey.
If the board was now not going to go forward with the project, she would
like the board to consider a recommendation that the board receive a written
response back from City Council stating that they did not wish the board to
proceed.
Ms. Spiesman was unclear as
to why the board was being asked to recommend funding for the revision of the
marketing video since a figure of $18,000 for the FY 07/08 budget had already
been submitted for the professional services line item as evidenced in the
minutes of the June 20, 2007. Ms. Marcum
stated that $17,500 was the amount of this year’s professional services line
item and $18,000 was the figure that the board recommended for the upcoming
year, not knowing what other potential expenses might come out of that line
item.
Ms. Muncey reminded that the
board had wanted to incorporate the business survey into the ITT luncheon in
January 2008. Ms. Marcum asked staff if
there was an update on the luncheon. Ms.
McIntire responded that she had spoken with Mr. Anderson and explained that due
to time constraints, the city manager had not contacted ITT and there had been
no outreach to potential sponsors. While
Mr. Anderson felt the concept for the proposed ITT luncheon was a good idea, it
would seem that the timing was not and wanted members to understand that.
Ms. Marcum asked staff for a
status report of the business survey.
She said it had been forwarded to the city manager approximately three
months ago.
Council Member Roberts
responded that the city manager had sent the survey to council for
feedback. She said she had provided her
feedback, but was uncertain as to the other council members. She explained that it was not a case of the
city manager not wanting to proceed, but rather finding the time to pursue due
to staff’s incredible workload. The
business survey has been placed on the “back burner”. Ms. Marcum remarked that there may be an
interactive way for the businesses and residents to participate in the survey
via the City’s Home Page which may be a better way to utilize taxpayer’s money.
In response to Ms. Marcum’s
inquiry regarding the gathering of information on green businesses from the
City of Cocoa Beach, Ms. McIntire responded that no contact had been made to
date and remarked that the City of
Members recommended the
following agenda items for the August meeting:
Status of Business Survey
Participation in Brevard
Cultural Alliance’s Frames Project
View marketing video
Green Space Community
Campaign
Council Member Roberts
expressed that she would like to see the board become more involved in the
review of development and redevelopment projects. Additionally, the board may be able to offer
incentives.
ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business, the chairperson adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m.
Approved
this ________________ day of ______________________, 2007
___________________________
Joanne
Muncey, Vice Chairperson
ATTEST:
__________________________
Kim
M. McIntire, Secretary