HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/13/1998 City Council MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION
HELD ON
APRIL 13, 1998
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:
The JOINT SPECIAL SESSION of the City Council and The Colony Economic Development Board
of Directors of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on the 13th day of
April, 1998, at City Hall, with the following members present:
Mary Blair Watts, Mayor Present
Bill Longo, Councilmember Present
Bernetta Henville-Shannon, Councilmember Present
David Stanwick, Councilmember Present
Wilma Avey, Councilmember Present
John Dillard, Councilmember Absent (Arrived 7:50 p.m.)
Dave Kovatch, Councilmember Absent
Richard Seidler, President Present
Jorge Diaz, Member Present
Randy Robinson, Member Present
John Gordon, Member ' Present
Kate Jarvella, Member Present
and with a quorum established for both bodies, the following items were addressed:
1. Joint Work Session to discuss operations and other matters pertaining to The Colony
Economic Development 4A Board of Directors (Council/Board)
Patti Hicks, City Secretap~, gave a brief overview of the Open Meetings Law and Roberts
Rules of Order and how they relate specifically to the Economic Development Corporation Board
of Directors.
Mayor Watts began the work session by reading portions of the Economic Development Plan
(Sec. 9.1) listing goals and objectives for economic development. She stated that everything is in
place to pursue economic development and the council has said that is what they want.
President Seidler said the board is ready to pursue economic development but they want to
be sure they are on the same page as the council. Member Gordon stated it is very important to have
open dialogue between the board and council and asked what direction the council wants the board
to go. He said the trust relationship must be re-established, going on to say he believes the two share
the same vision. Member Gordon said the public has given us a valuable tool and we must use it
wisely.
Councilmember Henville-Shannon agreed, stating that trust is the key issue. She went on to
explain that in the City of Allen, the Economic Development Director remained under the City
Manager from 1994 to 1997 and is now under the EDC Board. She suggested our board operate in
the same manner for the first year.
Member Diaz used an overhead to show who the competitors (surrounding cities) are and
how we compare to them with regard to economic development. Councilmember Avey said the
Economic Development Director for the City of Kaufman is under the EDD Board and their program
is failing. President Seidler asked if the council believes it will be difficult to established a good
relationship between the board and the council if the Director is under the Board.
Mayor Watts said a year ago it was very important to bring the Planner to City Hall because
she wanted him to be close to the Economic Development Director to allow good communication
flow. ~
Councilman Longo said the problem is not being addressed. He said he respects the board,
but the person the board wants to hire as the director (Economic Development Director) has
destroyed the trust. Councilmember Longo said he doesn't want the EDC in debt, he doesn't want
the director as a liaison to the City, he does want the director to work closely with the City Manager
and the current director says she cannot do that. Councilmember Longo went on to say the city
wouldn't be destroyed if we don't go out and seek economic development for the next few months.
Councilmember Avey said Ms. McKean was hired as the :4A and 4B Director and to be as
Assistant City Manager, stating that now she is only the director for the 4A board.
President Seidler said it appears the trust problem is with the current director, going on to say
that the board is accountable to the council and that it is very important that the director has good
relationships with the board, council and city manager.
Member Diaz told the council he had some problems with how he was interviewed for the
position of board director. He said certain assumptions were made during the telephone interview
and noted that he was not asked any questions during the interview. Members of the council said
they knew him and the type of board member they thought he would be.
Mayor Watts said there is not the same type problem w:.th other boards and suggested the
staff liaison may be the difference, noting there is no staff liaison for the 4A board. Member Diaz
agreed, stating the board is accountable to the council and citizens.
Councilmember Longo said if the problem can't be laid on the table then he can't support the
4A board.
Member Gordon stated again there is a tremendous opportunity if we will use the tool the
citizens gave us.
Councilmember Stanwick stated the sales tax passed in January and it seems the board is
trying to go from step one to step 100. He agreed there needs to be promotional material and there
are lots of interim things to be done before the money comes in September 1998. He does not see
a need for a full time director until the foundation is laid. He said if the foundation is not laid, then
a year from now, we will have the same problems.
President Seidler outlined the steps the board has taken so far, which were set out in the
Economic Development Plan. Mayor Watts asked if the board has pursued any economic
development projects. President Seidler said the board had fbll.owing the steps in the plan.
Councilmember Avey agreed with Councilmember Stanwick, citing as an example the book presented
0 0 6 8 7 0
to the council for this meeting is a waste of time and money.
After further general discussion, Member Jarvella said the board was headed exactly where
the council wants us (board) to gO, but due to other issues regarding organization, funding, etc. the
board is now in a reactive mode, not a pro-active mode.
A lengthy discussion followed regarding structure, whether it should be in-house or separate
from the city. Councilmember Longo again expressed his displeasure with the current director, Betty
McKean, and stated the board should fire her.
Member Jarvella advised that the board has been operating under certain assumptions since
they were appointed. One of those assumptions was that since the council had hired Ms. McKean,
the council supported her and, therefore, the board would work with her as director. Member
Jarvella said tonight the board is hearing a completely different story.
Mayor Watts said the Austin Ranch project is the largest project facing the city now and asked
if the board had done anything toward that project.
Councilmember Dillard suggested that the board continue to operate with the director
reporting to the city manager for a period of about a year, until the corporation is on its feet,
receiving funding, etc. Then if the corporation is solid, they can separate from the city.
Members Robinson said the most important factors are trust, communication and
accountability. He said the cc,uncil and board must build a good relationship.
President Seidler said they had already decided that the director should move back into city
hall.
Mayor Watts reiterated the philosophy on economic development as found in the Economic
Development Plan read earlier. All agreed that is their philosophy. President Seidler said he now has
a better understanding of the council's viewpoint.
Recess 9:15 p.m.
Reconvene 9:28 p.m.
2. Consideration of authorization by the City Council to continue funding of The Colony
Economic Development 4A Board of Directors (Dr. Richard Seidler)
Mayor Watts told the council they need to address funding for her, Randy Robinson and
Harry Persaud to fly to North Carolina on Monday, April 20, to visit with the representatives from
towe' s. '
President Seidler stated that based on dialog and information heard tonight, the board wants
to reassess goals and objectives at their April 21, 1998 meeting, then come back to the council on
May 4, 1998 with a proposed budget.
Mr. Lambert said if no a:tion is taken tonight, funding for the corporation will run out
Wednesday, April 15. He said Tony Johnston has agreed to serve as interim liaison at no expense
to the 4A corporation until a budget and work plan can be adopted.
Mayor Watts asked what effect there would be on the corporation if there is no funding until
May 6, 1998. President Seidler said the intern will be left without supervision, since there wou, ld be
no director. He said they would need help from Tony and Lanny.
Mayor Watts asked about consensus for travel to North Carolina. Mr. Lambert said the city
00687 .
will pay for the Mayor and Mr. Persaud and 4A will reimburse the city for Mr. Robinson's expenses
when they have funds.
Councilmember Longo said there is no need to send two people from the city, stating Mr.
Persaud does not need to go.
Motion to fund expenses for two persons to travel to North Carolina to visit with Lowe's
representatives - Longo; second - Dillard, carried with all members voting Aye.
With no further business to address, Mayor Watts adjourned the meeting at 9:56 p.m.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
Patti A Hicks, T'R/gIC, City Secretary