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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 07-07-2010 TREASURE COAST COUNCIL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MINUTES Held Wednesday, July 7, 2010 -10:00 a.m. First United Methodist Church of Okeechobee 200 NW 2nd Street Okeechobee, fl. 34972-4174 MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioner Jacqui Thuriow-Lippisch, Vice Chair Town of Sewall's Point Dowling Watford, Treasurer City of Okeechobee Mayor Bill Kenyon Town of Indian River Shores Mayor Patricia Christensen City of Port St. Lucie Mayor Robert Benton City of Fort Pierce Commissioner Margaret Helton Okeechobee County Joel Tyson for Mayor Susan Adams City of Fellsmere Mayor Richard Gillmor City of Sebastian Kathryn Hensley St. Lucie County School District Lorie Shekailo Martin County School Board ABSENCES: Mayor James Christie, Chairperson City of Stuart Alderwoman Ingrid Van Hekken Secretary St. Lucie Village Councilmember Ken Daige City of Vero Beach Commissioner Chris Craft St. Lucie County Karen Disney-Brombach, Chair Indian River County School Board Mayor Charles Falcone Town of Jupiter Island Commissioner Edward Ciampi Martin County Commissioner Peter O'Bryan Indian River County OTHERS PRESENT Michael Corbit, Florida's Research Coast Cherie White, Recording Secretary City of Stuart, City Clerk Jan Pagano, Associate Dean Indian River State College Joseph Gorman Indian River State College CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Chairperson Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch called today's meeting to order at 10:00 A.M., followed by the pledge of Allegiance. Dowling Watford, Treasurer read the four stanzas of the poem written in 1814, that became the National Anthem. APPROVAL OF MIIVUTES A} Jwne 2, 2010 TREASURER'S REPORT CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS A) Priorities COMMITTEE REPORTS Florida League of Cities No report given. Florida Association of Counties Margaret Helton reported that she recently attended the yearly conference and obtained her certification as an "Official County Commissioner". She stated that during her finance class she learned that they are predicting we won't see the economy come back for 2-3 years from now. She also learned that there have been some problems with the socializing networks and the sunshine taw. Florida Research Coast Michael Corbit reported his monthly report to the Board (see attachment "A"). Florida Association of School Boards Kelly Owens reported that the November ballot contains language for the class size amendment, but will allow for more flexibility to the schools during the school year when new students arrive, a new teacher may not be needed. Katluyn Hensley talked about the issues with the SBA buying pool, and that St. Lucie County created their own investment pool. There has been a lawsuit filed regarding charter schools v public schools. She announced that the State of Florida Education is better than it has ever been. A five County consortium arc all working welt together. She said that St. Lucie County is hiring 223 new teachers next year due to the classroom size amendment. PROGRAM PRESENTATION (Arranged by Richard Gilimore, City of Sebastian) Jan Pagano, Dean IRSC gave a powerpoint presentation regarding her job in teaching Entrepreneurship and working with small business start ups. She added that 60-80% of all new jobs are because of new small businesses. She invited the Board to the College for a personal tour of the new and exciting programs. They have to offer. She also asked for collaboration with Cities and Counties for incubator sites. She said this would allow for broader education of people on how to start a small businesses and network. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT :I1:45 am Following the meeting the Board members and guest enjoyed a Barbeque Lunch prepared by Okeechobee County and the City of Okeechobee, staff and spouses. Florida's r esea c oas Y`: a~t.F~I~~oAR~.o~ July 2010 Monthly Update to Treasure Coast Council of local Governments Indian River County www.indianriverchamber.com See attached overview document Martin County www.bdbmc.or~ Old Cell Phone Co. expanded into 20,000 square feet in Sands Commerce Center on SW Martin Highway in Palm City. OCP plans to add 863 jobs in the next 36 months, with over 450 of those projected for 2010, and invest over $600,000 in taxable property and capital improvements to the facility. GiftRAP Healthcare Software is adding 38 new employees and expanding into space adjacent to its existing facility at 4229 SW High Meadow Avenue in Palm City. BDBMC worked with GiftRAP to secure approval for a Quick Response Training Grant from Workforce Florida. The company will receive approximately $50,000 to help train the new, permanent, full-time employees it plans to hire during the next 24 months. 8onadeo Boatworks just broke ground for a new facility located on Commerce Avenue in Stuart. Jeff Chamberlin with SLC Commercial brokered the sale of a 1 acre industrial parcel upon which Bonadeo's building is being built. The new building will be approximately 11,700 square feet and will allow the company to grow to 15 employees during the next three years. Florida Back To Work. 51 Martin County applicants for the "Florida Back to Work" program were granted their requests. The applications, facilitated by Workforce Solutions, will create 261 jobs in the community. Eighty-five jobs were created by 11 targeted businesses in Phase 1. Vought Aircraft. APennsylvania-based company has announced its completion of the purchase of Vought Aircraft Industries Inc., aDallas-based aircraft parts maker that employs over 200 in Stuart. Triumph Group Inc., an aircraft part supplier, had announced its plans to purchase Vought from the Carlyle Group in late March, but needed regulatory and Triumph shareholder approval before completing the deal that cost $1.44 billion. Vought will now operate as two separate divisions. The Stuart facility, which produces components and structures for Boeing commercial jets, will operate as Triumph Aerostructures-Vought Commercial Division. The plants in Dallas, Nashville and Milledgeville, Ga., which produce military and commercial aircraft structures, will operate as Triumph Aerosructures-Vought Integrated Programs Division. Attachmer?t In cooperation with Workforce Solutions, the Business Development Board facilitated a job fair in June, connecting employers with job seekers. Nearly 4,000 people attended the Fair, vying for nearly 400 positions with 19 employers. St. Lucie County www.youredc.com RECRUITMENT: Project Vision -optical research and manufacturing-finalizing lease for abuild-to-suit in Fort Pierce. 200 jobs, $55,666 average annual wage and $2M capital investment. Won state CiTI award and county has matched. Project EUV -electric utility vehicles -received county job growth incentive grant and tax abatement. 50,000 SF facility, 40 jobs, $36,233 average annual wage and $500,000 capital investment. Project LED -LED light manufacturer -met with Comm. Coward and Faye Outlaw on 2/11; met with Dave Recor and Michael Lannon on 4/8; met with Ed Massey and Jerry Bentrott on 4/28; meeting with IRSC and FPL on 5/6. 15,000 SF manufacturing facility. Project Lake -out-of-state research institute -submitted incentive application to Enterprise Florida. 85,000 SF wet lab facility, 200 jobs, $50,000 average annual wage and $55M capital investment. Waiting to see what the legislature will fund this year. Project Enemy-collaboration with Sustainable Growth Industries and a federal research lab -Partners toured the county on 3/29 and met with community business leaders. EDC is establishing a leadership team to move the project forward and is touring the lab facility on 5/13-14. Okeechobee County www.theokedc.com The Business Development Board of Okeechobee (BDB) is working on several initiatives not only to bring new businesses into Okeechobee, but to help existing businesses as well. If you need technical assistance to help your business reach the next level, be sure to contact the BDB at the number or email address below. Whether you have questions regarding financing for your business, identifying new customers, or exporting your product or service, the BDB can help. Please take advantage of the following opportunities: Investors Update Luncheon: Mark your calendar and plan to attend the July 21 Investors Update Luncheon at Indian River State College's Williamson Center. Featured speakers will be Chris Close with Close Construction and Frank Miele with Magna-Bon Agricultural Control Solutions. Networking starts at 11:30 am and lunch is served at noon. The cost is $10 at the door. Seating is limited, register by July 15. Financial Services Network: The BDB has created a new resource for businesses. The "Financial Services Network" is being coordinated by the BDB with the leadership and expertise of bankers, accountants, insurance professionals, and financial advisors in the Okeechobee area. The group coordinated a workshop titled, "Building a Bankable Business" on June 25th, and will be offering.additionaltyorkshops in the future. Be sure ' to contact the BDB to be on the list to receive information on upcoming events, or to ` schedule an appointment to discuss the individual needs your business. South Florida Manufacturing Association Partnership: The BDB is forming a strategic partnership with the South Florida Manufacturers Association to provide networking opportunities, training programs and other resources for manufacturers in Okeechobee. The partnership was launched on June 29 with a workshop titled "Trends in Manufacturing for the 21st Century" at Royal Concrete Concepts. Businesses from throughout the research coast and heartlands region attended. Be sure to contact the BDB to be on the list for future events or to learn more about the partnership. Contact the Business Development Board at 863-467-6246 -Brian@OkeechobeeBusiness.com. Workforce Solutions www.yourworkforcesolutions.com See attached document Florida's Research Coast Florida's Research Coast partnered with IRSC and others and held a "Collaborative Research, Education & Innovation Seminar" on June 9 in Ft. Pierce. The event attracted 110 attendees and showcased education and biotechnology programs from the local school districts and IRSC, clinical research trials being conducted at Martin Memorial Hospital and Jupiter Medical Center, private sector research from local business and public research being conducted by local institutions including Harbor Branch, USDA, VGTI, Smithsonian and Mann Institute. FRC is working to create a regional "Export Directory" in conjunction with the four economic development organizations and Workforce Solutions. We are surveying local targeted businesses within the region that currently export outside the state to determine where they may be assisted to expand their operations. The goal is to connect globs( buyers to local suppliers and generate trade opportunities for our local companies. This directory will be imported into the Florida Export Directory so companies can participate in the states supplier linkage efforts. FRC is creating business profiles for local companies across the four county region. This initiative is to help showcase companies that are positively impacting our business community. The companies are diverse and represent a variety of industries in the region. The profiles will be used for promotional purposes by the companies, focal EDO's, Workforce Solutions and Florida's Research Coast. FRC worked with the Business Development Board of Okeechobee County to conduct a manufacturing industry event with the South Florida Manufacturing Assn. on June 29 at Royal Concrete in Okeechobee. Thirty nine attendees participated in this event. Michael Corbit Florida's Research Coast Economic Gardening Coordinator Ph. 772-335-3030 eYt. 438 mcorbitC~tcjobs.org ww~~v.floridarc.corn Indian River County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development - 5 Year Overview Economic Development: What We Want • Jobs - Better than average wage - Fuli-time - With benefits • Expanded 8~ diversified tax base Accomplishing Our Goals Attraction • Leads generation • Advertising/Marketing • Si#e selectors Retention & Expansion • Assist in cutting through red tape • Liaison with government ~ agencies • Personal attention Marketing/Recruitment Tools • Promotional Flash Drive • Competitive Incentives • Inventory of available sites • Statistics! and demographic information • ACCRA • Website Marketing and Recruitment Activities • Magazine advertising and editorial coverage such as: - Business Expansion - Business Facilities • includes - Ads on publics#ions' websites - Distribution at major national and international trade shows • Site Consultant relationships Lead generation • Direct marketing • One-on-one meetings with existing businesses - Supply chain database development Recent Ac#ions • Revised Local Jobs Grant Criteria • Updated Marketing Brochure • Revised Economic Development Element Community Leaders Summit: Focus on Economic Development -Initiatives and Resu1#s • Reduce Impact Fees • Administrative Point Person • Buy Local • Tax Abatement Referendum • Economic Development Funding • Adoption of Life Sciences Accord Successes • 4 Local Jobs Grants approved since 9/2009: New Jobs Created: 28 Jobs Anticipated: 184 Total Amount Awarded: $1,149,000 • The Chamber has assisted in the recruitment or retention of: # Jobs CVS Distribution Center 275 Girard Equipment 28 Nailtiques distribution 36 Piper retention 700 SpectorSoft expansion 34 OcuCue 25 eMindful 70 TOTAL created/retained 1,168 jobs* ("includes the i84 jobs noted above) Active Projects Type of Company Number of Jobs Anticipated Announcement Waste -to-Ethanol 55 Q3, 2010 Solar panel 10 to start; 512 at full manufacturing production Q4, 2010 Aviation maintenance 20-30 Q4, 2010 Defense contractor 150 Q4, 2010 workf_orc~ V; _ 2009-2010 ACCOMPLISHMENTS PROGRAMS • Served 20,401 jobseekers and placed 1,511 in permanent jobs. • Held 14 job fairs serving 52 employers and 7,900 jobseekers. • Increased business services by 69% over 2008-2009. • Operated a successful Summer Youth Employment Program using ARRA funding. The program served 515 youth. 226 participated in work experience. • Initiated class-sized training through ARRA and trained 618 workers. 134 compteters placed as of 6/22. • Collocated staff on IRSC campuses throughout the region using ARRA funding to manage large number of students. • The 2010 Youth Summit (9"' annual] served 161 youth and 75 volunteers. 70% of the attendees rated the Summit as "perfect' and 97% rated the event as "good" or better. • Partnered with Monster.cam to provide job search workshops for 151 jobseekers. • Implemented the Florida Back to Work Program according to state guidelines, serving 105 employers, and placing 175 participants (through May) onto jobsites. • Increased job orders in the system by 57%. • Increased placements by 33%. • Increased the Welfare Transition Program participation rate by 2% as of May 2010. • Increased Individual Training Accounts by 225%. • Increased On-the-Job Training by 96%. • Increased Employed Worker Training by 52% • Created new workshops (Ace the Interview, Employ Florida, Key-word Effective Resume Writing) for jobseekers. • Updated the curriculum for the Professional Placement Network and obtained positive feedback from attendees. • Added group sessions for unemployment compensation claimants to process more people in Less time with fewer staff. • Created and implemented an effective process for managing the "Referrals Pending Review" report to meet the mandated 72-hour rule. • Assessed 236 jobseekers for Piper Aircraft resulting in 105 hires. • Initiated Elevate America, a new partnership with Microsoft for e-learning software training. WQRK CERTIFIED • Developed the following Work Certified products: i. anew youth activity called Youth Employment Success Solutions (YESS). 2. a 7ANF program (Transitional Employment Success Solutions-TESS} for those not ready for the challenge of the original Work Certified. 3. updated Instructor Training Manual and Toolkit. 4. version 6.1- a revised curriculum customized for Centralina Workforce Development Board (NC). 5. version 7 -began increasing business content, including "green", social networking, and public speaking. • Trained 2,773 people with Work Certified. 2,593 took the certifying exam. 2,165 earned certification for an 84% success rate. GRANTS • Wrote and received a grant ($250,000) to establish a mobile unit to provide intemet access and access to Microsoft training to individuals in remote areas. • Wrote and received a 2-year grant ($374,473) for healthcare training at IRSC. • Wrote and received a grant {$193,000) to jump start economic gardening in the region. • Completed the Economic Gardening grant and met a!I goals in the grant. • Wrote and received a grant ($500,000) as seed money for the Green Collar Jobs Training Center. • Wrote and received a supplemental grant ($18,909) to support piloting of the scan card technology. 1 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT • Piloted scan card technology for the state issuing more than 15,000 cards since launch in November 2009. • Added workshop registration capabilities, inducting the ability to obtain information and complete follow-up for better management of workshop activities, to the website. • Added a video gallery displaying commercials, event footage and "how-tos" to the website. • Set up capability for internal staff to apply for jobs through the website. • Added dients' assessments and user accounts to the website. • Added an an-line suggestion box to the website. • Redesigned the homepage to enhance user experience and updated information on all pages. • Initiated Workforce TV for display in the SLC Career Center. • Initiated development of an Intranet to improve internal communications. • Upgraded Wide Area Network from a Ti {1.5 MBS} to a Metro-E (10 MBS}. • Upgraded the Administrative Office firewall appliance. • Upgraded the routers at all remote locations. • Upgraded the Jensen Beach Office from DSL to a wireless Tl. • Implemented Phone System Voice Monitor Server. • Replaced the Terminal Services Web access server. • Equipped and connected new WIA CBO offices in Martin, Garden City, and Indian River Counties. • Upgraded the backup server to Backup Exec. 12.5. • Upgraded Symantec Anti-virus server to 10.1.6. • Upgraded Numara Tradc-IT remote control, computer inventory server. • Replaced staff Gateway Desktops with HP laptops and docking stations. • Implemented training labs in Okeechobee, IR WIA CBO, and MC WIA CBO offices using HP Thin Clients. PARTNERSHIPS • Partnered with St. Lude County and 8 trade unions #e launch a regional apprenticeship training program, including placing a Career Planner in the training center two days per week. • Developed 4 new youth partnerships to increase service delivery options to youth clients. • Partnered with Okeechobee County government to gain approval for Okeechobee County to participate in the JARC (Job Access and Reverse Commute Transportation Project} to provide free transportation for work-related activities. ADMTN{STRATTON • Completed year 3 of the Business Improvement Plan. • Initiated new strategic planning for moving beyond the Business improvement Plan. • Updated Personnel Policies and Procedures Handbook. • Set up financial tracking of contracts and payments to employers for Florida Back to Work. • Initiated an evaluation of the current employee retirement plan to address most recent changes in law, the Board's fiduciary responsibilities, and best investment models for greatest returns to employees without accelerating costs to the Board. • Processed payables to indude 4,398 checks, 1,967 more than the prior year. • Processed payroll paychecks for 84 employees , 13 more than the prior year. • Processed work experience paychecks for 79 adult/dislocated workers. • Processed work experience paychecks for 253 youths. 2 SOUTH FLORIDA V~ATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT . . ~t- 1 n ~ ` ~ r JUL _ ~ 2010 July 6, 2010 C1' ~ Gt_~~r~ ~li'FY ~F T'/~j/~J't~~. j~~'SJ{.~F~ f i~G L.L~ L.I-l, • ~.IM. 1 Mr. James Christie, Chair Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments 121 S.W. Flagler Avenue Stuart, FL 34994 Dear Chairman Christie: On behalf of the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board, thank you for sharing your concerns regarding regulatory water releases made from Lake Okeechobee during the rainy season. We know how devastating these issues are to the Treasure Coast communities, and 1 can assure you that the District Governing Board and staff are unwavering in our commitment to protect and restore the Everglades ecosystem. With the wet season currently underway, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is lowering the Lake Okeechobee water level to decrease the probability of the water level rising to an elevation that could threaten the stability of the Herbert Hoover Dike. With heavy rainfall, the lake's water level can rise up to six times faster than water can be discharged. The Corps manages Lake Okeechobee water levels with the goal of balancing flood control, public safety, navigation, water supply and ecological health. The Corps bases operational decisions - whether to retain or release water in the 730-square mile fake - on its regulation schedule and the best available science and data provided by its staff and a variety of partners, including the South Florida Water Management District, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Department of Environmental Protection, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). To provide for public safety and through the regulation schedule, the Corps strives to maintain Lake Okeechobee's water level between 12.5-feet and 15.5-feet NGVD. By prescribing low-volume releases to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries, the regulation schedule reduces the frequency of larger releases needed for flood control that have greater impact on receiving water bodies. The Corps continuously monitors the effects of releases on the estuaries, and confers with its partner agencies and stakeholders to modify releases to minimize impacts to coastal waters. 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406 (561) 68b-8800 FL WA?S 1-800-432-2045 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 24680, West Palm Beach, FL 33416680 www.sfwmd.gov Mr. James Chris#ie, Chair July 6, 2010 Page 2 Rehabilitation of the 75-year-old Herbert Hoover Dike is a top safety priority for the federal government. The Corps' Jacksonville District is currently rehabilitating the dike's most vulnerable section, the 22-mile section between Port Mayaca and Belle Glade. In addition, the District is working wi#h a coalition of other agencies, environmental organizations, ranchers and researchers to enhance opportunities for storing excess surface water on private, public and tribal lands. Retaining water on these lands is one tool to reduce the amount of water that is delivered into Lake Okeechobee and consequently discharged to coastal estuaries if and when vrater levels bec©me too high. More than 126,350 acre-feet of water storage has been made available in South Florida through regional public projects and the Dispersed Water Management and Treatment Program since it was launched in 2005. Planned projects that have been assessed for implementation may provide approximately 366,700 acre-feet of additional storage in the future, pending feasibility and funding. To put this in perspective, 450,000 acre-feet of storage equates to approximately 1 foot of water off of Lake Okeechobee. It is important to note that a number of long-term restoration efforts are under way to address the issue of limited water storage which, ultimately, will also help provide improved flexibility and operation of the current water management system. Major emphasis is on creating additional water storage and water quality treatment options both north and south of Lake Okeechobee that will benefit the lake itself and the downstream coastal estuaries. Design and construction of these much-needed projects is moving forward. In addition, the District continues to pursue the acquisition of vast acreage in the Everglades Agricultural Area, which will create even more possibilities to store and clean water on a scale never before contemplated. Thank you again for sharing your concerns. Sincerely, Eric Buermann, Chair Governing Board