New Smyrna Beach Economic Development Advisory Board adopts bylaws, elects Selby Sullivan chair

The New Smyrna Beach Economic Development Advisory Board on Tuesday approved its bylaws, elected Selby Sullivan chair and Jessica Wilbur vice chair, and agreed to meet quarterly, the board’s coordinator said. The actions were taken at an organizational meeting that also scheduled a special review of a draft strategic plan with the consultant and set the next regular meeting for July 28 at 8:30 a.m.

Board coordinator Samantha Bergeron introduced the bylaws as a framework for the board, including the official name, membership structure and voting rules. Bergeron said the board will have five voting members, a three‑member quorum and three‑year terms; she noted that two members will receive two‑year initial terms to stagger turnover but did not specify which members those are. “So when you see those, you know, we love our acronyms here in government,” Bergeron said while walking the group through the document.

Aaron Denny's moved to approve the bylaws; Jessica Wilbur seconded. The motion passed by voice vote and was recorded in the transcript as unanimously approved. The transcript does not record an individual roll‑call tally for each member.

Nominations then opened for board leadership. Aaron Denny's nominated Selby Sullivan for chair; Selby Sullivan accepted, saying, “I would do it.” Crystal Dodge Gilly seconded the nomination and the board elected Sullivan by voice vote. Jessica Wilbur nominated herself for vice chair; that nomination also carried by voice vote.

In the director’s report, Bergeron said the board will review an updated city economic development plan and coordinate with regional partners on infrastructure studies needed to support targeted industries. She cited recurring infrastructure constraints — water, sewer, power, high‑speed internet and stormwater capacity — and told members the city is working with the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council on a grant application to fund a study. Bergeron said a major industrial development in nearby Edgewater (about 1,000,000 square feet) and the short timelines of space‑industry suppliers make timely infrastructure planning important.

Public comment at the meeting included John Joaquin, who thanked Bergeron and described a predecessor task force that recommended projects such as the Florida Space Innovation Center to grow local, higher‑wage jobs. “This is an important effort, as our city is kind of at a crossroads,” Joaquin said.

The board agreed to meet quarterly and to hold a consultant‑review special meeting; Bergeron said she would coordinate dates and asked members to flag days that would not work. The meeting adjourned with no further formal actions recorded in the transcript.