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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/20/09 EDCMINUTES THE COLONY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND CITY COUNCIL JOINT SPECIAL SESSION CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS JULY 20, 2009 The Special Session of The Colony Economic Development Corporation and the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at 6:35 p.m. on the 20th day of July 2009, at City Hall by Mayor McCourry and at 6:36 p.m. by President Tvardzik with the following roll call: Council members present 4A board members present Staff members present Joe McCourry Allen Harris Jeff Connelly (arrived 6:38 p.m.) Kirk Mikulec Perry Schrag Joel Marks Tom Tvardzik Kevin Braby David Peerson David Smith Femi Omonije Dale Cheatham Tony Johnston Christie Wilson Tom Terrall Cindi Lane Joe Gorfida, City Attorney Mayor McCourry led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and the following items were addressed: 1. Discussion and appropriate action for the 4A board to discuss jointly with The Colony City Council the role the EDC may play in the search and appointment for a new Economic Development Director: EDC Minutes July 20. 2009. Page 1 2. Discussion and appropriate action regarding the adoption of a policy establishment of a vision and methodology for recruitment of future business and economic development prospects President Tvardzik said that the purpose of this joint meeting was for the 4A board to receive input from the counsel on two issues. The first is for the board to find out what their role should be in the replacement of the EDC director. The second purpose is to get direction from council as to how aggressive to be with incentives and what vision the council has for achievement of economic development in The Colony. Mayor McCourry said that his vision is for the 4A board to play an integral part in the economic development recruitment and would like to see the board working together with the EDC staff to seek new businesses. He explained that the council is looking for a new city manager and they are in the process of finding a search firm and this firm could possibly also include the search for a new EDC director. President Tvardzik wanted to know what the time frame was for the hiring process and Mr. Johnston said that he has a draft copy on his desk of the RFP for finding a search firm and will email it to the board. Councilmember Mikulec said that having the EDC partner with the city would be a good idea but the levels of search might be different. He also wanted to know how to decide about the application screening process and pointed out that a search firm can check references so as not to bog down the city staff. He expressed his concern about how the process is going to come about. Mayor McCourry said he wanted to go through the process tonight and emphasized that he would like to see greater participation from the board. The council members had many comments and questions pertaining to the process; who should be involved, who should make the final decision, how involved the 4A board should be, and how involved the city manager should be. Councilmember Connelly said he would like to hear expectations from the board. Councilmember Mikulec said he feels that since the EDC is a nonprofit organization the board should be responsible all procedures associated with the director. The EDC board individually expressed what they thought about filling the EDC director position. President Tvardzik said that he has a preference of the director reporting to the board and that the board should have the responsibility to hire, fire, evaluate, and decide the salary. Mr. Braby said that he values the input from the city staff and needs more information from the council and that the scope needs to be negotiated. Mr. Peerson said he concurs with President Tvardzik and that the board should play a role in the majority of decisions. Mr. Smith feels that The Colony is a unique city and would like to find a director who can recognize what businesses would work successfully. Mr. Omonije did not express his opinion. Summarized, at least three of the board members were in favor of the EDC board having total control of the situation, one wants more clarity and one was not ready to state his opinion. Mr. Braby said he would like input from the city manager and council. Mr. Cheatham said that it is highly unlikely that EDC Minutes July 20. 2009. Page 2 there will be a new city manager or economic development director hired before the current ones are no longer employed with the city. He feels that the decision of hiring a director should be made later and that the new economic development director needs to have clear direction as to who to report to. Mayor McCourry said he would like to see the board become as active as the staff to move forward to bring more businesses. The city attorney stated that if the procedure is going to be changed than the bylaws need to change as well. Council's final thoughts: Councilmember Harris feels that the board needs to be more aggressive in business recruitment and they should play an integral part in hiring and reviewing the director but that ultimately the director should report to the city manager. His thoughts are that the board needs to be involved in two phases; to come up with the minimum criteria for experience and to be heavily involved in narrowing down the applicants. He said that the final decision making process should be with the council or city manager. Councilmember Connelly said he sees a reason for change but would like to contemplate the options further. Councilmember Marks said he believes that change is needed and that the board should be in control of the director replacement and related issues. Councilmember Schrag said he can see both ways but like to contemplate further and as the 4A liaison he will take and accept the direction of the board and council. Councilmember Mikulec strongly feels that the director should report to the board and the board should have the sole responsibly of hiring, firing and evaluating the director and they should communicate with the city manager and provide updates. Mayor McCourry wants the board heavily involved and he thinks they are capable of taking 100% responsibility for the director's position if that is what is decided. If the board has full governance it would in turn place a heavier responsibility for the council to choose qualified board members. Councilmember Harris wants the board to realize that all incentives are on the table for the right prospect, both 4A incentives and city incentives. President Tvardzik said the reason this was brought to the table now is because it is an opportune moment in time to define this new board going forward along with the new council. He also thanked Mr. Terrall with a tremendous sense of gratitude for his EDC Minutes July 20. 2009. Page 3 numerous years of service to the board and city. He did an exemplary job and wished him the best. There were no more comments from the board. President Tvardzik adjourned the board at 7:16 p.m. Councilmember Mikulec said he would like to see the board more involved in EDC functions and events. Mayor McCourry adjourned the council at 7:17 p.m. APPROVED: Tom Tvardzik, President, The Colony Economic Development Corporation ATTEST: Cindi Lane, Recording Secretary EDC Minutes July 20. 2009. Page 4