HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/21/98 EDC MINUTES
THE COLONY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
APRIL 21, 1998
CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM
President Richard Seidler called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
Present were: John Gordon Councilmember Bemetta Henville-Shannon
Randy Robinson Tony Johnston, Finance Director/Staff Liaison
Richard Seidler
Also present were: Lanny S. Lambert, City Manager
Diane Baxter, Recording Secretary Courier
President Seidler welcomed guests and suggested approving minutes of all former
meetings at the next regular meeting (since they were not available). Informed the Board
that a joint workshop would be on Monday, May 4th at 6:00 p.m.
Item # 1: Discussion of interim budget. Rich suggested Tony and Randy put an interim
budget together to be ready for the meeting on the 4th. John Gordon agreed.
Tony let them know that one has already been put together for them unless they had some
expenditures that needed to be taken care of.
Rich Seidler cancelled the full page ad with the Dallas Industrial Guide. Went with the
same size ad --quarter page and put in Lanny's name as contact person. Rich also
contacted TexLan and put a hold on the maps. Randy Robinson would like to have one
map with a marketing twist to it for presentations. Rich suggested that we have the "best
of the best" in way of maps when approaching these companies. John Gordon said that
we need to "pick and choose" what we want to go on these maps. Suggest that we keep it
as part of the fiscal year budget.
Randy Robinson and the Board agreed to have interim budget ready by May 1 st so they
have time to review it over the weekend before the joint session.
Lanny recommended the Board appoint Bernetta to the committee that reviews the
budget.
Item #2 - Rich reminded the Board that TUE will be working with them on their strategic
planning. Barry Anderson is the contact person at TUE. Council to be invited to attend
the meeting between TUE and the 4A Board (later in May).
Item #3 - Discussion of interim staffing. Lanny Lambert gave a presentation of a
proposed structure on how to operate the 4A Board for the next five months. He
emphasized the need for a professional Director when the funds are available.
Things needed:
Budget - handled by Tony, Intern (Jenny), Board
Work Plan (Strategic Plan) - handled by Tony, Intern (Jenny), Board
Incentive Plan - handled by Tony, Intern (Jenny), Board
Marketing / Prospects - Rich Seidler, Board, City Manager
Long range goal - Professional Director - where you put the Director is between you and
the Council.
Tony asked if we should start advertising for a Director. Lanny suggested that they get
their location settled before bringing someone on.
Randy noted his concerns about prospects. They are here and we need to be handling
them. Wants a thought-out plan that everyone agrees upon including incentives offered
by the city.
Discussion was held on how to handle prospects as they come in. Lanny expressed the
need for an incentive plan ASAP.
John Gordon inquired if we can have an incentive program put together by May 4th for
the meeting. Lanny suggested that we call each of the prospects and see what their status
is and report it at the next meeting.
Prospects should be discussed in executive session.
Item #4 - Rich sited the need for marketing materials - a fact book about the city.
Bernetta Henville-Shannon stated that we had some things already that just needed to be
put together as a city profile. Lanny stated that he hoped that the professional Director
hired will have some experience in marketing. Or, the Board could contract with outside
marketing agencies or with the Chamber of Commerce.
Richard Seidler suggested that the Economic Development Director for the Chamber of
Commerce (Mike Cato be invited to the meetings.
Lanny suggested that the intern put together as much material as the City already has to
use as a marketing tool.
Discussion was held regarding the minor league baseball team and the field that
Councilmember Kovatch is trying to bring to the city.
Discussion was held regarding the availability of Board members.
Lanny suggested that the Board start considering who they might wish to replace Jorge
Diaz after his resignation.
Item #5 - Discussion was held regarding the approval of minutes for past meetings. Rich
assured Tony that they had approval of all but the last meeting minutes, Tony will go
through all the minutes to be sure they have been approved, and if not, put them on the
next meeting's agenda.
John Gordon motioned to adjourn the meeting. Randy Robinson seconded. Vote was
unanimous.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
~ent ~
ATTEST:
iane Baxter, Reco~ng Secretary