HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/11/1995 MEDC
MINUTES OF THE MUNICIPAL ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
HELD ON
JULY 11, 1995
A meeting of the Municipal Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors for the City
of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 6:30 p.m. on the 11th day of July, 1995, at the
Chamber of Commerce. The following persons were in attendance:
Jerry Sebastian, Vice President
Gary McClure, Treasurer
Mary Watts, Executive Vice President
John Dillard, Executive Vice President
Lori Harlan, City Staff Liaison, Director of Economic Development
I. REVIEW OF AGREEMENTS WITH WYNNEWOOD PENINSULA GOLF
PARTNERS
The first item for review was the proposal from Davis Woodward and Finger Dye Spann for
architectural services for the golf course. Tripp Davis, the group's representative, presented a
Letter of Agreement to the board at their meeting on June 26. The proposed agreement states
that all architectural services for the proposed golf courses will be performed by a partnership of
the two firms. Such services will be performed with the knowledge that payment for services will
only be made once bonds to fund the project are issued. Ms. Harlan had asked the city's attorney,
Mr. Pete Eckert, to review the letter of agreement. He stated that these services are covered by
provisions for professional services. Therefore, it is possible to award this agreement without
bidding for the service. Mr. Eckert identified two minor changes that must be made in the
agreement to clarify its terms.
Mr. Sebastian stated that in his opinion this was a good opportunity because Davis Woodward
has been working on the project since Matthews Southwest became involved. If a different firm is
selected, much of the preliminary work already completed will have to start over. Also, these
firms have already committed an unknown amount of time and energy to the project with no
commitment or reimbursement. Mr. McClure moved that the EDC enter into an agreement with
Davis Woodward and Finger Dye Spann for architectural services on the Wynnewood Peninsula
golf project. The motion was seconded, and all voted aye. This action will have to be approved
by Council. It will be placed on the July 17 agenda.
Discussion then centered on how this information will be presented to the City Council. It was
recommended that information be provided to Council to verify that the maximum price of
$425,000 for architectural services was comparable to what other courses in this area have paid.
Ms. Harlan will gather this information from contacts at the recently constructed Azle course and
the feasibility firm, Economics Research Associates. If the maximum price quoted seems out of
line, Ms. Harlan will pull this item from the Council agenda pending further review by the EDC.
The EDC also reviewed a proposal from Robert Stone to act as a facilitator for the EDC on the
negotiation of the Corps of Engineers lease and water rights from Lewisville Lake. Ms. Harlan
relayed the results of City Manager Johnny Smith's latest meeting with the Corps of Engineers.
At that time, the Corps felt certain it would be necessary to conduct an environmental assessment
of the Wynnewood Peninsula site prior to any further action on the lease. Mr. Smith has
requested further information on the depth of environmental assessment expected by the Corps.
Mr. Stone has also offered to work with the architects and other parties to facilitate the
environmental assessment. It was the feeling of the board that it would be premature to enter into
any agreement with Mr. Stone at this time. Mr. Smith has an excellent working relationship with
the Corps of Engineers, and there is no reason to believe he will not be able to renegotiate the
lease on the EDC's behalf. Also, too little is know about the environmental assessment at this
point to make any further decision.
2. DISCUSSION CONCERNING LOCATION OF NORTH TEXAS PGA AT
WYNNEWOOD PENINSULA
Ms. Harlan provided a copy of a letter from the North Texas PGA to Matthews Southwest stating
their interest in locating their headquarters at any facility developed on Wynnewood Peninsula.
This letter also provided basic considerations they expected from course ownership in return for
their location. Mr. Sebastian asked the group to identify any benefit to locating the North Texas
PGA at the Wynnewood Peninsula facility. Discussion followed concerning various benefits and
costs associated with the location. Ms. Harlan pointed out that the letter refers to the need for a
meeting with the city as the next step in a location decision. However, the EDC is not prepared at
this point to enter into negotiations with the group. This letter will be forwarded to ERA for their
consideration in the feasibility study. Mr. Sebastian offered to discuss this issue with individuals
he knows in the golf field. Ms. Harlan will also perform additional research to gather information
about the organization.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lori Harlan, Director of Economic Development