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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03-18-2010 TCERDA Treasure Coast Education, Research and Development Authority TCERDA Board of Directors Minutes of Meeting March 18, 2010 Convened: 2:18 a.m. Adjourned: 4:00 p.m. The meeting of the Treasure Coast Education, Research and Development Authority (TCERDA) was held Thursday, March 18, 2010, in Room 219, University of Florida Indian River Research and Education Center, 2199 South Rock Road, Fort Pierce, Florida. MEMBERS PRESENT: Dr. Kathleen A. McGinn, Chair Jose Farinos, Vice Chair Hoyt C. “Pat” Murphy, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer Dr. Joseph C. Joyce Tom Perona Stefan Matthes, P.E. (2:28 p.m.) Dr. Peter Stoffella (3:10 p.m.) Mike Adams MEMBERS ABSENT: Jane Bachelor Travis Murphy ALSO PRESENT: Ben DeVries, Executive Director, Treasure Coast Research Park Commissioner Doug Coward, BOCC Liaison Heather Young, Assistant County Attorney Robert I. “Rim” MacLaren, II, General Counsel Larry Pelton, President, Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County Jackie Bylsma, Assistant Vice President, Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County Derrick Dukes, Principal, Dukes Construction Company, LLC Adnan Alghita, Alghita Investment Dev. A. CALL TO ORDER Dr. Kathleen McGinn called the meeting to order at 2:18 p.m. (Note: prior to the Board meeting, Mr. DeVries showed the PowerPoint he presented to the Rotary Club) B. WELCOME MEMBERS AND GUESTS Dr. McGinn welcomed the members and other attendees. - 1 - C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Dr. McGinn requested a motion for approval of the February 15, 2010 TCERDA Board minutes. Mr. MacLaren stated under H. Committee Reports, it should be noted the Sustainability Committee meetings are subject to the Sunshine Laws and must be publicly noticed 48 hours in advance. A motion th was made by Mr. Mike Adams and seconded by Dr. Joe Joyce for approval of the February 15 minutes as amended. The motion and second carried unanimously by voice vote. D. TREASURER’S REPORT Mr. Pat Murphy provided the Board with the February Treasurer’s Report. A motion was made by Dr. Joyce and seconded by Mr. Perona for approval of the Treasurer’s Report. The motion and second carried unanimously by voice vote. E. LEGAL UPDATE Mr. Rim MacLaren gave the Board an update including the following items for discussion among the Board members: ? Status of an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Fort Pierce, Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA), St. Lucie County and TCERDA for utilities at the Park – the County and City of Fort Pierce attorneys are working on the draft agreement. The most recent draft may not be the final. The County is proposing the annexation be based on parcel by parcel upon CO. Commissioner Coward stated he is confident the Interlocal Agreement will go through. A joint meeting between the City of Fort Pierce th and the County is scheduled for March 30 to hammer out the details. The City wants a sunset on all properties if the parcels are not developed. Commissioner Coward stated it would be helpful if the TCERDA Board was supportive of the proposed agreement. Annexation affects the ability to be competitive. It was moved by Mr. Farinos to approve the terms of the agreement as presented. Mr. Perona seconded the motion. The motion and second carried unanimously by voice vote. ? UF/IFAS/School Board Lease – Ms. Outlaw, County Administrator, sent a letter to Mr. Lannon, School Superintendent stating the County approved the concept of dedicating the specified parcel as the school site. Ms. Heather Young stated the school board attorney is working on due diligence. F. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. DeVries gave the Board an update on the following items for discussion among the Board members: ? Eco Machine – green alternative distributing process ? RFQ – Consultants / Backbone Met with Growth Management – J. Johnson is the liaison o Road system in Planning for approval o Economic Gardening ? Academic Institutional Quadrangle (pharmacy, vet school, etc.) ? Corporate Uses – greenhouses, security, etc. ? Input from EDC / Larry Pelton – research institutes like to be close to each other; flexibility of ? choice is good too for prospect Input from Commissioner Coward – PUD requires site plan to be submitted – preliminary ? docs can be ‘bubble’ diagram as long as the numbers are there; square feet, etc. ? Upcoming Travel / Meetings– TCBA guest speaker o FNRSTP at Fort Myers at the Florida Gulf Coast University o FNRSTP at Miami – meeting with all parks in October o ? Budget 2010/2011 – Flat through 2012; same as 2009 and 2010 - 2 - The goal is to leverage – hoping for gaming revenue to be used for marketing/advertising o Trade shows, events – limited dollars o Traveled to DC to meet with Legislative Delegation to secure future funding o Attended Chamber of Commerce Legislative Delegation Conference to put park on ‘radar’ o UF Researchers – goal to get them here on a regular basis and continue to meet with them in o Gainesville ? EDC / Project Energy – opportunity to go after a Department of Energy grant. Would include 150,000 sq. ft. energy center (water, fuels, energy - greening). Company is looking at Miami and Orlando, and now us – we are midway between the two; they have to have a university player in all this. More information will be provided to the Board as it becomes available. G. CHAIR’S REPORT Dr. McGinn suggested forming three Sustainability Committees rather than a dozen action teams: ? Sustainability - Community Committee – K. McGinn ? Sustainability - Environment Committee – J. Farinos ? Sustainability - Economic Committee – P. Murphy Discussion ensued among the Board members regarding a meeting schedule. Mr. Farinos suggested the TCERDA Board meetings be held every month and have the three committees meet as needed. Dr. McGinn agreed to scheduling the TCERDA Board meetings as previously agreed on the second Thursday of each month at 2 pm. H. COMMITTEE REPORTS TC Corridor Association – Formed a corporation; members joining daily; group gaining momentum. Began from Okeechobee Road to Orange Ave, then Okeechobee to Angle Road, now Okeechobee Road to St. Lucie Boulevard/Indrio. The park is providing an anchor for the Corridor; can expedite process – R-O-W, roads, utilities. The landowners are working with solar manufacturing. I. NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Coward informed the Board members of the IRP – Intermediary Relending Program. He believes it is run through USDA and provided information to Anita Neal. J. ANNOUNCEMENTS No new announcements at this time. K. ADJOURNMENT Upon no further announcements or discussion, Dr. McGinn requested the meeting be adjourned. It was moved by Dr. Joyce and seconded by Mr. Farinos to adjourn the meeting at 4:00 p.m. The motion and second carried unanimously by voice vote and Dr. McGinn adjourned the meeting. Minutes submitted by: Anne Bowers The next TCERDA Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. - 3 -