Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/11/09 EDC CITY OF THE COLONY DENTON COUNTY, TEXAS FEBRUARY 11, 2009 The Regular Session of The Colony Economic Development Corporation of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on the 11th day of February 2009, at City Hall, 6800 Main Street, The Colony, Texas, with the following roll call: Tom Tvardzik President Present Kevin Braby Vice President Present David Peerson Treasurer Present David Smith Secretary Present Femi Omonije Member at Large Present Perry Schrag Council Liaison Present Tom Terrall Staff Present Cindi Lane Staff Present And with five board members present a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1.0 ROUTINE ANNOUNCEMENTS; RECOGNITIONS: Call To Order 7:00 - President Tvardzik called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag President Tvardzik led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Announcement of upcoming events and activities' Mr. Terrall had nothing to announce. Citizen Input: David Peerson asked if he could bring forth an item brought to his attention by a citizen, Mr. Ripperger. He said that Mr. Ripperger asked if there was something that the 4A could do in the way of financing additional electrical capacity for Stewart Creek Park for events like Pirate Days. President Tvardzik said he would like that discussion to be put on the next agenda. 2.0 CONSENT AGENDA 2.1 Acceptance of cash flow projection report (Terrall) 2.2 Acceptance of monthly % cent sales tax graph (Terrall) 2.3 Acceptance of tax allocation summary for January (Terrall) 1 These items are strictly public service announcements. No action will be taken and no direction will be given retarding these items. 2.4 Marketing update, website statistics, and print advertising (Lane) 2.5 Approval of the minutes of the regular board meeting January 14, 2008 and of the orientation meeting January 21, 2009 (Terrall) David Peerson made a motion to accept the consent agenda as presented. David Smith seconded the motion and all members voted in favor. 3.0 REGULAR AGENDA 3.1 Update on Memorial Drive left turn lane (Terrall): Mr. Terrall reported that the turn lane was scheduled to commence construction on Monday, February 9th and he went to that location to see if it had. There was some equipment and stakes on the property. Mr. Terrall said it should take approximately 60 days to be completed. 3.2 Update and discussion regarding Austin Ranch infrastructure (Terrall): Mr. Terrall gave an update on the three phases of the Austin Ranch infrastructure project. With the gravity sewer, the construction has started and the anticipated completion is February 15, 2009. The force main construction has begun and is anticipated to be completed by the end of February. The lift station has electric power to the site and the final plans are 99% approved for the temporary access road. The project was rebid and the apparent low bidder is Mesa Contracting. The City is still reviewing all aspects of the bid. The anticipated start of construction is February 25, 2009 and it is estimated to take 45 days of construction time. The pump is due for delivery in three to four months. The pumps have been ordered. 3.3 Update and discussion on City's request for The Colony to fund city projects (Terrall): Mr. Terrall gave a history of the project for the benefit of the new board members. He expects that the city representatives will give a presentation to the board, possibly at the March board meeting to outline their requests. So far the city has put together a list of work for reimbursement. He also mentioned the agreement with Edward Don because of the city's portion of the sales tax reimbursement that the city may ask the 4A board to pay. Mr. Terrall said that The Colony EDC has a mission statement and that previous boards have addressed costs for helping the city. Mr. Terrall said that there could be further discussion regarding goals for the EDC in Item 3.5. Mr. Schrag interjected that he would like the board not to be pressured by the council and to do what they think, what makes sense financially for the board. Mr. Terrall said that with previous EDC projects, they have looked at a 5-year payback but with today's times that philosophy may have to be bent in order to get projects. Mr. Braby said that he thinks it would be possible to take over the payments for city projects we can legally do. Mr. Schrag said that the board has always existed to serve in the best interest of the city, that is why they were formed and that is what they have always done. EDC Minutes February 11, 2009, Page 2 3.4 Discussion and appropriate action regarding The Colony EDC incentive policy (Terrall): Mr. Terrall reported that some on the council have requested the 4A board to look at the 25-job minimum requirement of the Comprehensive Policy Statement. He said that some council members would like the board to discuss it and vote in favor of removing the minimum job requirement. Mr. Terrall said he can modify sentences where the minimum job requirements are mentioned. Neighboring cities' websites were researched and minimum job requirements were not referenced. Mr. Terrall said he does not have a problem removing the minimum job requirement although the Development Corporation Act requires jobs to be mentioned in incentive agreements. He was told that the council does not feel comfortable having the number referenced on the website because it may dissuade companies from looking at The Colony or applying for economic incentives. Mr. Terrall said that he is trying to do two things, to add employment and add taxable value to the city. He said if the board wishes, he could have a meeting to go over the entire document section by section but tonight he would like to focus on the minimum job requirement. There was discussion from the board and questions. Mr. Peerson made a motion to have the minimum job reference removed from the comprehensive policy statement. Mr. Smith seconded the motion passed with all members voting in favor. 3.5 Discussion regarding having a joint session with council (Terrall): Council member Schrag brought up the suggestion of having a joint session with the council to figure out where the 4A board should go as far as expectations but suggested waiting until after the council election. He said he could carry word to the council that 4A is in favor of having a joint session but would prefer to wait until after the election. Mr. Smith said that he does not want to see the council rush in and expect any major decisions to be made hurriedly. Council member Schrag feels that the purpose would be getting everyone together on the same page and suggested having it after the orientation of new council members. Mr. Terrall said that his message back to council would be that the 4A board definitely would like to have a joint session at the council's discretion. ADJOURNMENT President Tvardzik adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m. &J rd' 'V Cindi Lane Tom Tvardzik Recording Secretary President EDC Minutes February 11, 2009, Page 3