January 14, 2009

Flagler Beach task force goal list impresses officials

By KENYA WOODARD
Staff Writer

FLAGLER BEACH -- The city's Economic Development Task Force is wasting no time
getting down to business.

The committee's agenda for the new year is full of initiatives and goals that members
want to dive into right away, Lea Stokes told city commissioners at a meeting last week.

Stokes, chairwoman of the task force, briefly discussed several items the group has put on
its to-do list, including a beautification project, tourism signs and a market survey of the
city.

"We've been busy," she said.

Stokes said a top priority for the committee is applying for grant money that can be used
for purposes other than sprucing up the city. In addition, the task force's own coffers need
a little padding as well, she said.

Stokes asked the commission to consider deriving some monies received from
beautification grants to the committee so that it has the finances to carry out some small
projects.

Committee members also would like to have a seat on the board of the Community
Redevelopment Agency. City commissioners currently serve as the CRA's board.

The CRA, however, encompasses business-heavy downtown and its board should include
at least two task force members, Stokes said.

Commissioners reacted favorably to Stokes' suggestions.

"I'm really impressed with these goals," said Mayor Alice Baker. "You put a lot of work
into this."

Commissioner Joy McGrew agreed.

"(Task force members are) a bulldog bunch of people," she said. "They take tremendous
amount of pride in the work they're doing for the city."

The words of praise signal a turnaround in the relationship between the task force and the
commission after a dustup between the two sides last year.
In September, some commissioners expressed concerns over the direction of the task
force, its excessive meetings and lack of a monthly report of the group's activities.

At the time, Stokes said the group was "remiss" in not providing a monthly report to the
commission but insisted that the task force was otherwise in alignment with goals set by
the commission.

Both sides say they have cleared up any differences and are working together to help
local businesses thrive.

On Thursday, commissioners gave Stokes the green light for the task force to pursue its
goals.

" I guess you go forward," said Commissioner Jane Mealy.

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