BM 2002-04-29 EcDevCOPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
April 29, 2002
MINUTES
The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2002,
at the Coppell Justice Center, Main Conference Room, 130 Town Center Boulevard, Coppell,
Texas. The following were present: Chairman Bill Rohloff, Vice Chairman Gary Roden, Bruce
Bradford, Jay Thompson, Dennis Onalaja, Tim Brancheau, Kris Fichtner, Mohamed Elmougy,
Mary Ann Kellam, Robert Key, Councilmember Jayne Peters, Councilmember Marsha Tunnell,
City Manager Jim Witt, Chad Beach, Gary Sieb and Andrea Roy.
Call to Order.
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Jay Thompson and seconded by Tim Brancheau that the minutes of the
April 3, 2002 meeting be approved as recorded. The motion passed unanimously.
Request by Texas Dugan, L.P. for tax abatement and/or sales tax rebate for a
158,000 square-foot office/warehouse building (Uline) on 11.8 acres of land located
along the west side of Freeport Parkway, north of Bethel Road.
Bob Rice of Duke Realty presented to the Committee. Mr. Rice described the proposed
facility, which is a build to suit for Uline; a family oriented company that offers all types
of shipping supplies. Uline's distribution facility will generate a significant level of sales
tax and house a notable amount of inventory that is not subject to Freeport exemption.
Mr. Rice further indicated that the industrial market is extremely competitive at the
present time and that a sales tax rebate and/or tax abatement will assist in bringing Uline
to Coppell. If Coppell is chosen, Uline will sign a seven (7) year lease, with the
possibility of an additional ten (10) years.
Chad Beach followed with the review of a summary of the results of the econometric
model, indicating that the value of the building (as represented) does not reach the
minimum $5.5 million in value needed to qualify for a standard 5-year, 75% tax
abatement. However, this facility is estimated to generate approximately $17 million in
sales that will be subject to the local sales and use tax.
It was moved by Jay Thompson and seconded by Bruce Bradford that Duke Realty (and
Uline) be granted a 5-year, 75% tax abatement so long as $170,000 is generated to the
City as a result of the 1% sales tax and a sales tax rebate be granted which would refund a
maximum of $50,000 (again-if $170,000 is generated to the City as a result of the 1%
sales tax). The motion passed unanimously.
(It was later indicated by Duke Realty that the value of the building will meet the $5.5
million minimum, which will no longer require the tax abatement be linked to the
amount of sales tax generated.)
Discussion regarding the Committee hosting a retail/office/industrial professional
organization's functions to market the City of Coppell.
Mr. Sieb briefed the Committee on the status of the Coppell video and suggested that the
Committee wait until this Fall to host/sponsor a NAIOP or any other organization's
meeting, allowing adequate time to film new footage and update the video. The
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Committee indicated that we should proceed with a Fall sponsorship once video
completion dates are finalized.
Committee member Jay Thompson indicated that he is still trying to work with The Real
Estate Council as a marketing option for the City. He will continue investigating this
avenue and will get back with the Committee next month.
Presentation of Summary of Coppell's Office/Industrial Business Parks.
Ms. Roy presented the City's key office/industrial business parks to the Committee,
distributing maps and additional reference materials. These materials will update all
members on the names and locations of our business parks, as well as the companies that
currently occupy these parks.
Update on Commercial and Industrial development within the City.
City Staff updated the Committee on current projects and potential
exploring the Coppell market.
new businesses
General Discussion and Other business.
Mr. Witt discussed with the Committee how the joint work session will function, which
will commence at the closing the Economic Development Committee meeting.
Adjournment
With no further business to discuss, it was moved by Tim Brancheau and seconded by
Mary Ann Kellam that the meeting adjourn. By unanimous vote, the meeting was
adjourned at approximately 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea L. Roy
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