63rd Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting
July 14, 2008
10:00 a.m.
City Hall
Members Present:
Chairman Rick Buckner, Ron Anderson, Ron Henderson, Dean Infinger, Mark Phillips
Members Absent:
David Warner, Joe Bagwell
Staff Present:
Jeff Molinari, Assistant City Administrator; Casey Hoskins, Public Information Officer
Guest:
James (Kimo) Esarey, Mayor Pro Tem
Press Present:
I. Call to Order – Chairman Rick Buckner
Mr. Buckner called the meeting to order at 10:06 a.m.
II. Approval of Minutes:
Mr. Infinger made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 14, 2008, meeting. Mr. Anderson seconded the motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
Mr. Buckner welcomed Mr. Phillips to the EDAC and stated he and the Committee looked forward to working with him. Mr. Phillips thanked him and stated he looked forward to participating.
III. Restaurant Recruitment Update:
Mr. Molinari stated he and Ms. Hoskins have been working closely on the Web site for the recruitment of restaurants and he wished to present them with an update and receive feedback. Mr. Molinari stated he and Ms. Hoskins had developed a packet of information about the City and it has since been revised with more up to date demographic information regarding the City and has been mailed out to the list of restaurants identified by the Committee. Mr. Molinari stated there has also been a lot of foot traffic from individuals coming in to the Planning Division requesting demographic information on the City and asking where development and progress is being made within the City.
Mr. Buckner inquired if the City still belonged to the South Carolina Restaurant Association. Mr. Molinari stated the City never belonged to the association, that it was a special relationship the City had with them and stated they were very conducive and have invited him to attend any meetings that he wants. He stated he maintains a contact with the Executive Director in case anything comes across her plate and he encourages her to keep the City in mind. Mr. Molinari stated that past Friday the Census Bureau released to the news media revised and updated population data in the area and the City of Goose Creek’s population is now projected at 36,466. Councilmember Phillips stated at one time it was thought the problem with attracting restaurants was the no sale of alcohol on Sunday law; now what everyone is hearing is that it is the lack of a lunch crowd. Mr. Henderson stated he felt restaurants were going to be coming with the build up of the commercial area at Carnes Crossroads and Cobblestone. The Committee continued with a brief discussion concerning growth between Summerville, Goose Creek and Moncks Corner and the most logical location for restaurants to choose in their placement. Mr. Buckner inquired as to the status of St. James Restaurant. Mr. Molinari stated the last set of plans to the new shopping center did not include plans for the return of the restaurant. The Committee briefly spoke in regard to impact fees and start up fees for water and sewer for commercial businesses.
Councilmember Phillips inquired about the status of Chick-fil-A coming to Goose Creek. Mr. Molinari stated they have been approved by the City’s Architectural Review Board and they should be open for business by January 1, 2009. He stated they are in the process of purchasing a small piece of property from Lowe’s and they are currently in the process of closing on that property. He stated it is anticipated the project will take approximately ninety (90) days to complete.
IV. Downtown Redevelopment Update:
Highway 52 Streetscaping – Mr. Molinari stated the City’s consultants, Landplan Group South, have a set of approved contractors in which they are going to submit proposals to City Council at the regular City Council Meeting in August. He stated City Council would award contracts for the streetscaping work on Highway 52, the first major project for downtown redevelopment. He stated the City’s consultants have advised City staff to begin with this project first to get citizens excited about downtown redevelopment and because it is the most easily achievable of the planned projects. He reminded them the project would entail piping the ditches between the large intersection of Highway 52, Highway 176 and Redbank Road all the way up to Seewee Drive, landscaping between the CSX Railroad and Highway 52 with the planting of a berm with some buffering of some brick columns and fencing to tie into the history of the area. He stated it was anticipated the project will take approximately one hundred twenty (120) days. There was some discussion in regard to downtown redevelopment and how it will be supported by the Tax Increment Fund.
Central Park/XO Bunch Properties (Passive Parks) – Mr. Molinari showed and fully described to the Committee the renderings of the Central Park and XO Bunch Park properties and stated City Council had recently given approval to the conceptual plans. Mr. Molinari stated there may be an issue with the Central Park project because of a sewer line that runs parallel to the canal and stated the City was looking at whether or not it will have to be relocated. Mr. Infinger inquired if there was going to be areas for families to grill and use picnic tables. Mr. Molinari stated there would be a pavilion area that would open up into the woods. Councilmember Phillips stated there were not a lot of picnic areas. Mr. Infinger concurred. Mr. Buckner inquired if bikes could be ridden on the trails throughout the parks. Mr. Molinari stated yes. Mr. Buckner also inquired if it would be City police that would be patrolling those areas to make sure they were safe. Mr. Molinari stated yes, it would be a consideration to make sure it was well lit and safe. Mr. Buckner inquired how long it would take the City before they actually start the project. Mr. Molinari stated there was no specific date at present to state when the project will actually be completed but that it was expected to be completed over the next four (4) or five (5) years.
V. Web Site:
Mr. Molinari stated this past year City staff has been working to update and redesign the City’s Web site and have contracted with a local Web design firm by the name of Slicker. He stated he was particularly interested in what type of economic development information the City could place on its home page. Mr. Molinari was able to allow the EDAC to follow him along on the City’s Web site as he showed them where the economic development information was located under the Administration section of the site. Mr. Molinari stated the site also gave information pertaining to the Census, major employers within the City, traffic count information, downtown redevelopment, conceptual plans for the two (2) parks, maps and information about the EDAC.
VI. Commercial Development Update:
Mr. Molinari stated the old Stroble Tire building was going to be replaced and redeveloped by Stokes Kia. He stated the developer has just submitted plans to the City and will be going before the Architectural Review Board on Monday, July 21, 2008. He stated City staff was very encouraged by seeing that property redeveloped.
Councilmember Phillips inquired if McAlister-Smith Funeral Home was planning to move soon. Mr. Molinari stated yes but he was not sure of the opening date for business.
VII. Chairman’s Time:
Mr. Buckner stated he was very impressed with the new renderings the new consulting firm has done for the parks. He stated it was his opinion that he did not believe the City should wait four (4) to five (5) years before they begin doing something with the parks. Mr. Buckner stated he would like to see it done now while the City had the money. Mayor Pro Tem Esarey stated the only thing that would hold the parks up would be the fire substations. Councilmember Phillips stated as the liaison between City Council and the EDAC, he wished to take advice back to City Council from the EDAC. Councilmember Phillips stated City Council wished to receive input, even though it may not always be used, City Council liked receiving comments. Mr. Buckner stated the EDAC appreciated Councilmember Phillips presence to be the liaison between the EDAC and City Council and stated at the same time the EDAC wishes to hear back from City Council.
VIII. Adjournment:
Hearing nothing further, Mr. Buckner asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Infinger made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Phillips seconded the motion. All in favor, none opposed. Meeting adjourned 11:43 a.m.
Minutes approved and adopted:
_________________________________ Date: October 20, 2008
Rick Buckner, Chairman
