Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/13/08 EDC MINUTES THE COLONY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REGULAR BOARD MEETING CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM AUGUST 13,2008 The Regular Session of The Colony Economic Development Corporation of the City of The Colony. Texas. was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on the 13th day of August 2008, at the City Hall conference room with the following roll call: Board Members: Bob Norris, President Rick Casterline. Vice President Paul Koenig. Secretary Tom Tvardzik. Treasurer Kevin Braby. Member at Large Present Present Absent Present (arrived at 7:07 p.m.) Present Staff Members Present: Tom T erralL Director of Economic Development Cindi Lane. Economic Development Specialist Council Liaison: Perry Schrag Absent With three voting members present at 7:00 p.m., a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: Item 1.1. Pledge of Allegiance: President Bob Norris led in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2.0. CONSENT AGENDA Item 2.1. Reports: a. Cash flow projection b. Monthly Yz Cent Sales Tax graph c. Tax Allocation Summary for .July d. Summary of current activity regarding development e. Marketing update f. Quarterly Report to City Manager g. TEDC Summer Conference July 23-26 h. Update of Memorial Dr. median cut at Wal-Mart i. NAIOP golf tournament September 9 J. CoreNet golf tournament September 26 (a) Mr. Terrall said that there was nothing added from the previous month except for the July column actual numbers. The revenue is ahead of forecast by $54.000. (b) The graph illustrates that the sales tax revenue is higher than in any of the three previous years for the same month. (c) The allocation summary reports that The Colony sales tax is approximately 3.21 % higher than July last year and about 6.17% higher for the calendar year. Surrounding cities were looked at as well for comparison. (d) Mr. Terrall said that according to the Director of Development Services there is no new development news to report from the planning department. (e) Ms. Lane reported the website statistics, and that having a subscription to the LandLeader is helpful for tracking the list of companies who visit the website. If a company has 10 hits an email alert is sent making us aware. A report can be generated to get some contact information of the company in some instances. Ms. Lane showed a couple of ads that were run last month in Black's Guide and the Dallas Business Journal, plus a press release regarding the management company Jackson Shaw has hired to run the two hotels that was released in the daily email of the Dallas Business Journal. She also discussed the give-a-ways for the two golf tournaments and trade shows. Also discussed was the new aerial map. (f) Mr. Terrall said that he has already discussed most of the quarterly report with the board during the past three months and it is self explanatory. (g) Mr. Terrall said that in the TEDC meetings he focuses on the legislative issues. In the 4A packet is a document which is a draft of a "white paper" that states the position of the TEDC. He pointed out the second paragraph on the second page which references that the TEDC members support local control and accountability of 4A and 4B tax revenues. but they also believe that 4A and 4B revenues should be used to create primary jobs because they infuse new dollars into the local economy by creating or selling a project or service that is ultimately exported to regionaL statewide. nationaL or international markets. Mr. Terrall said that he does not like the wording, but he cannot object too much or the laws could move away from what The Colony properties can allow by zoning. Mr. Terrall also discussed a foreseeable upcoming item that may surface in the next legislative session regarding the "point of sale" of goods. Depending on how the sale is viewed as being sold at the warehouse or another location. the local sales tax collected could affect any city when credit to one city is taken away and given to another city. Mr. Terrall is thinking of the Edward Don distribution center in The Colony. He feels that the local sales tax is currently being credited to the correct city (The Colony) because the goods are actually sold and distributed from this location, however; he is going to continue to follow this topic in case there are any significant changes proposed in future legislative sessions. Tom also checked with the EDC attorney and he agreed with Mr. Terrall regarding Edward Don sales tax collection. (h) Mr. Terrall said that after the last 4A meeting, he wrote a letter to the Wal-Mart corporate office as instructed by the city manager, signed by the city manager. The letter was mailed on July 14th and received on July 16th. According to the letter, Wal-Mart has 90 days to respond from the date they received the letter if they are opposed to the median cut. The 90-day period will be complete on October 14th. Mr. Terrall emphasized changes in FM 423 once the new road is built because there will be no left turn available northbound into the shopping center as another reason for Wa1-Mart to be agreeable to the median cut on Memorial Dr. So far Wal-Mart has not responded EDC Minutes August 13.2008, Page 2 to the letter. No mention of returning the money that Wal-Mart gave to the City for the existing right turn lane and road from this parking lot to Memorial Dr. was written in the letter. The board asked how long it will take to complete the median cut once the 90 days has expired. Mr. Terrall said he would find out from the city engineer. Gordon Scruggs. (i) Mr. Terrall said that the NAIOP sponsorships were almost filled. The EDC still needs to find three more golfers to play in this tournament. Mr. Terrall is going to attend the 4B board meeting tomorrow night and let them know about this tournament and the CoreNet tournament and ask for volunteers to play. It is also possible to ask some of our area developers like Jackson-Shaw or DBSI representatives to play. (j) CoreNet needs five golfers. Mr. Terrall will have the opportunity to give a presentation Thursday night before the tournament at a mixer and at lunch the next day. 2.2. Approval of the minutes of the regular board meeting July 9, 2008: President Norris asked if there were any corrections. changes or additions that anyone would like to make. Rick Casterline made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Tvardzik seconded and the motion carried with all members voting in favor. 3.0 PUBLIC COMMENTS Item 3.1 Public Input: There was no public input. 4.0 REGULAR AGENDA Item 4.1. Update and discussion regarding use of The Colony EDC funds for City projects: Mr. Terrall talked with Dale Cheatham on August 6th and was told that a consultant was hired to write the list of possible projects that 4A would qualify to pay for. Once this list is completed, the city attorney will check it for compliance and then the 4A attorney will check it. Once the list has been approved by the attorneys. Mr. Terrall will bring it to the board for approval. An agreement will be written between The Colony Economic Development Corporation and the City. Mr. Casterline asked if it was legal for the 4A to pay to bury the utilities along FM 423 when it is widened to enhance the appearance of the city. Mr. Terrall said he would research that. Mr. Terrall said he is not sure if this will be ready to come to the next board meeting, but whatever information he has by then will be brought forward for discussion. Item 4.2. Discussion and appropriate action on The Colony Economic Development Corporation 2008-2009 budget: Mr. Terrall asked if there were any questions about the budget. Mr. Casterline asked how the $2.5 million incentive line was calculated. Mr. Terrall told him that it is basically just a number that was plugged in but it didn't mean we already had that commitment or limitation. There was discussion of current incentives being paid. Mr. Casterline made a motion to approve the 2008-2009 EDC budget as presented. Mr. Braby seconded the motion and all members voted in favor. EDC Minutes August 13.2008, Page 3 Item 4.3. Update and discussion on Austin Ranch infrastructure project: Mr. Terrall checked with Gordon Scruggs and Mr. Scruggs told him that everything as far as sewer and force main going through Austin Ranch is on schedule. Mr. Billingsley has not put his portion of the funding in escrow yet so the 4A has not transferred their money yet either as stated in their agreement with the city. The question was asked as to when the construction will begin and Mr. Terrall said he would have to find out. Mr. Casterline said that he would like to have Tony Johnston attend the next 4A board meeting to give the EDC an update of this project. EXECUTIVE SESSION 5.1. The Economic Development Corporation shall convene into closed executive session pursuant to Section 551.087 of the TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE to deliberate a financial or other incentive to business prospect to locate, stay, or expand in The City of The Colony: The board did not have an executive session. 5.2. Any action to be taken as a result of executive session regarding financial or other incentive to business prospect: No action was taken. President Norris adjourned the 4A board at 8:01 p.m. ~'cN;v-z. ~ -<-- f~~ Cindi Lane ... Robert E. NorrIs Economic Development Specialist President EDC Minutes August 13. :2008. Page 4