BM 2002-08-07 EcDevCOPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
August 7, 2002
MINUTES
The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 7,
2002, at Coppell Town Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell,
Texas. The following were present: Chairman Bill Rohloff, Gary Roden, Bruce Bradford, Jay
Thompson, Ron Hansen, Mohamed Elmougy, Mary Ann Kellam, Mayor Candy Sheehan,
Councilmember Dave Herring, Councilmember Bill York, City Manager Jim Witt, and Andrea
Roy.
Call to Order.
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Mary Ann Kellam and seconded by Bruce Bradford that the minutes of
the April 29, 2002 and June 6, 2002 meetings be approved as recorded. The motion
passed unanimously.
Request by Washington Mutual for tax abatement and economic development
agreement for a 50,000 square-foot National Operations Center located at 555
Dividend Drive (Reinvestment Zone #28), at the request of Washington Mutual.
Stuart Miles and Kyle Beaty, representatives of Washington Mutual presented to the
Committee. The gentlemen briefed the Committee on the workings of their company and
the operations that will be conducted at the Coppell facility. The purpose of Washington
Mutual's relocation to Coppell is to consolidate five separate locations into one central
operations center. Mr. Miles indicated that Washington Mutual is currently the #1
Commercial Loan Servicer in the Nation, with an anticipated portfolio of $130 billion.
The new facility in Coppell will initially be occupied by approximately 250 employees,
growing to 350-400 within a few years. Washington Mutual will open it's doors this
September, with an official grand opening in mid-January 2003.
Mr. Miles & Mr. Beaty exited the meeting and staff further briefed the Committee on the
personal property Tax Abatement and Economic Development Agreement offered to
Washington Mutual, which includes a sales tax rebate and permit fee waiver.
It was recommended by Bruce Bradford and seconded by Gary Roden that the request for
tax abatement and economic development agreement for Washington Mutual be
approved. The motion passed unanimously.
4. Update on Marketing Materials and Marketing Options
A) The Real Estate Council & ICSC (Int'l. Council of Shopping Centers)
Jay Thompson reviewed his findings regarding the City hosting a Real Estate
Council meeting, attending a Real Estate Council roundtable discussion,
attending an International Council for Shopping Centers (ICSC) conference, and
attending an ICSC panel discussion. After further discussion on these potential
marketing avenues, the Committee determined that the most definitive
opportunities at this point were to attend the ICSC conference, which will be held
in San Antonio, November 6-8, 2002. Staff will research the cost of attending
this conference, including a display booth and a small City sponsored reception.
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B) NAIOP (National Association of Industrial & Office Properties)
Staff indicated that the next available NAIOP breakfast is October and
sponsorships are still available. It was recommended that the City attempt to
partner with our area developers to co-sponsor the NAIOP event. Member Ron
Hansen volunteered to attend the September NAIOP meeting to provide City
representation before the City hosts this event. Involvement in both the ICSC
conference and NAIOP breakfast will provide coverage in both the
retail/shopping center and industrial/office brokerage communities.
C) Coppell Video/CD
Staff briefed the Committee on the status of the video, indicating that the script
had been written and aerial footage was scheduled to be done next week. The
Video is estimated to be complete by mid-September and CDs would then have
to be burned from the video for distribution.
5. Discussion regarding the creation of an Economic Development SWAT/Red Team.
Staff informed the Committee on the status of the creation of a SWAT/Red Team, which
will be formed to address possible incentives to potential relocating companies, which
require an expedited response. A draft of the Committee bylaws will be provided in next
month's packet and discussed at the September Meeting.
Discussion regarding Dallas County's current tax abatement policy and
correspondence to County Commissioner Kenneth Mayfield.
Staff informed the Committee of Dallas County's current tax abatement policies in
comparison to the surrounding counties. Some of the recent potential relocating
companies have mentioned the difference between Dallas County's incentives and other
counties, putting Coppell at a disadvantage against communities like Lewisville, where a
significant county incentive is available with less stringent requirements. A letter will be
drafted to County Commissioner Kenny Mayfield from the Committee. The Committee
also discussed the possibility of including other Dallas County municipalities to
strengthen our cause. It was suggested to invite several other communities to a luncheon
to discuss this issue. Staff will initiate discussions with other Dallas County
communities.
Discussion regarding tax abatement policy revisions.
Discussion on this item was postponed until the September 4, 2002 Economic
Development Committee meeting.
Update on Commercial and Industrial development within the City.
Staff updated the Committee on companies relocating to Coppell, including DHL
Worldwide Express, D & H Distribution, NEC America, and Exel.
Adjournment
With no further business to discuss, it was moved by Bruce Bradford and seconded by
Mohamed Elmougy that the meeting adjourn. By unanimous vote, the meeting was
adjourned at approximately 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea L. Roy
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