HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/17/1996
MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD
MEETING
SEPTEMBER 17, 1996
6:30 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Present:
Board
Gary McClure, President
Mary Watts, Council Member
Ronnie Fischer
Rick Manser
Tommy Thompson
Consultant
Worth Blake, Worth Blake & Associates
Staff
Dennis Watson, Staff Liaison
Absent
John Dillard
Jerry Sebastian
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. McClure called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING EDC'S REQUEST TO
COUNCIL TO ALLOW FOR AMENDMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION
Mr. Watson informed the Board that Council had approved the recommendation to amend the
Articles and he needed approval from the Board to contact attorney Leroy Grawunder to get the
process started. The Board voted unanimously to request that Mr. Grawunder amend the Articles
of Incorporation to allow for staggered terms.
Mr. Watson informed the Board that he had spoken with the City Manager and the Finance
Director about the possiblity of making a donation on behalf of the EDC to the Colony High
School Band for their trip to the Rose Bowl Parade; and the Finance Director was researching
where in the budget the funds could be pulled from.
4. ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENT OF THE EDC BOARD
Because all members were not present, the Board voted to postpone this item one more week
with the understanding that as long as there is a quorum present this item will be voted on next
week. Mr. McClure had to leave the meeting following this item.
5. PRESENTATION ON STATEMENT OF CURRENT CONDITION OF
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE COLONY
Mr. Blake stated that he was concerned that the EDC Board was not getting proper input into the
Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. Mr. Blake informed members that he had arranged a
meeting between the Board and J.T. Dunkin who is in charge of developing the plan. The
meeting is scheduled to take place September 25, from 6-7:00 p.m. in the Library. During the
meeting Mr. Dunkin will present to the Board recommendations by the Steering Committee
regarding the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Dunkin will also be seeking feedback from the Board
pertaining to the Economic Development portion of the plan. Mr. Blake stated that he
encouraged the Board members to remain for the Steering Committee meeting which takes place
at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Ray Turco will be in attendance at this meeting to review the Citizen Survey
that was conducted by his firm
Mr. Blake informed the Board that he plans to have five or six more meetings including tonight
concerning his portion of the plan. He discussed the focus for each meeting. Mr. Blake
continued his discussion on the statement of current condition of economic development in The
Colony focusing on opportunities and threats. Mr. Blake picked up on the opportunities section
from the last meeting. Opportunities mentioned included:
City-owned land, the possibility of attracting youth-oriented businesses, the need for
medical/health care-related facilities, mass transit, and citizens want economic development in the
city (taken from the citizen survey).
Threats mentioned included:
Inattention to youth recreation, lack of multi-family housing, failure to take advantage of the lake
as an asset, current street condition, lack of economic development incentive policy, non-
equitable tax base, mass transit vs. 1/2 cent sales tax, lack of PR/promotional marketing material
on The Colony, phone system, lack of knowledge and/or interest in training on the Internet.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
= The next meeting is scheduled fo September 24 at 6:30 p.m.
Respecillly Submitted, Dennis Watson, Staff Liaison