HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/27/1997
MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD
MEETING
FEBRUARY 27, 1997
6:00 p.m.
CLASS ROOM AT CITY HALL
Present:
Board
Mary Watts, Council Member
Craig Sloan, Vice President
Ronnie Fischer, Treasurer
Sue Walden, Secretary
Staff
Dennis Watson, Staff Liaison
Absent
Gary McClure
Dave Kovatch
Rick Manser
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Sloan called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON WORKING WITH PROSPECTS
FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PURPOSE
Mr. Watson stated that he had received a call from the Leader's Ben Tinsley earlier in the day
requesting information about Wal-Mart locating a Super Store in The Colony. Mr. Watson stated
that City officials had received confirmed word that Wal-Mart was interested in locating a Super
Store in The Colony, but no decisions on any sites had been made nor had any direct dialogue
between The City and Wal-Mart officials been directly established yet. Mr. Watson stated that
the Acting City Manager, City Council, and the EDC would take the lead role in the project.
Ms. Watts suggested that the there be an initial letter from the City and the members of the EDC
to Wal-Mart's Executive Vice President and their Real Estate Manager stating The Colony's
interest in locating a Super Store here. Ms. Watts requested that Mr. Watson follow this letter up
approximately one week letter with a more detailed correspondence. Mr. Watson stated that he
has already begun the process.
Mr. Watson stated that he had spoken to Worth Blake, the consultant who crafted the Economic
Development Plan, and Mr. Blake gave him some suggestions on how to go about courting Wal-
Mart. Mr. Blake suggested that Mr. Watson contact the local Wal-Mart Store Manager and find
out if the Manager wanted to be a go-between or should the City work directly through Wal-
Mart's Corporate office. Mr. Blake also suggested that the City contact allies such as TU Electric
and inquire about getting their assistance in working with Wal-Mart. Another suggestion Mr.
Blake had was to look around the Metroplex at similar Wal-Mart expansions and model our
efforts after what they have done, and finally to look at a case study in the Economic
Development Plan as a model.
Mr. Watson briefly updated the Board on the events that lead up to where they were with the
Wal-Mart project today. A lengthy discussion followed on soliciting community support and
initiating a letter writing campaign. Ms. Watts gave the Board members the name and address for
Wal-Mart's Executive Vice President. Each Board member committed to writing a letter of
interest to said individual.
There being no further business .meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m. The next meeting is
scheduled for March 4, at 6:30 p
Resp ctfully Submitted, Dennis Watson, Staff Liaison