BM 2005-08-05 EcDevCOPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 3, 2005
MINUTES
The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at Coppell
Town Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, Texas 75019. The following
were present: Bill Rohloff, Larry Kingsbury, Marvin Franklin, Kris Fichtner, Matt Hall, Jeanne Hooker,
Ken Luttmer, Mindi Hurley, Chad Beach, City Manager Jim Witt, Councilmember Bill York,
Councilmember Thom Suhy, and Scarlett Hovland.
Call to Order
Bill Rohloff called the meeting to order, determined that a quorum was present and convened
into Executive Session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
2. Convene Executive Session (Closed to the Public)
A. Section 551.072, Texas Government Code - Deliberation regarding Real Property.
1. Discussion regarding the sale of city property south of Bethel Road from Park
Road to Freeport Parkway.
Bill Rohloff convened into Executive Session at 6:00 p.m. as under the above -stated article and
discussed Item 1. Rohloff recessed the Executive Session at 6:27 p.m. and opened the Regular
Session.
REGULAR SESSION
(Opened to the Public)
Approval of Minutes
It was noted that the July 6, 2005 minutes be amended to show under Agenda Item 7, Presentation
on Old Coppell Master Plan that Mindi Hurley will proceed with the Old Coppell Incentives and
will keep the committee apprised of this issue. It was moved by Larry Kingsbury and seconded by
Marvin Franklin that the minutes of the July 6, 2005 meeting be approved as amended. The motion
passed unanimously.
4. Consideration of a request for a letter of support for a Foreign Trade Zone application by
World Factory Inc. located at 306 Airline Drive.
• Mindi Hurley briefed the committee on World Factory and Foreign Trade and their request for
Foreign Trade Zone.
• World Factory is located at 306 Airline Drive. They are a distributor of home and garden
products throughout the United States. World Factory has subleased 75,000 -sq. ft. and
anticipates significant growth. The warehouse will be utilized for distribution space for
importing and exporting products on a worldwide basis
• Mindi introduced Dennis Konopatzke, Counselor at Law on be -half of World Factory request
for Foreign Trade Zone. Mr. Konopatzke explained the benefits for World Factory and for the
City of Coppell should Foreign Trade Zone be granted.
• Discussion followed.
• Chad Beach will follow-up with City Attorney Pete Smith for further information on Foreign
Trade.
It was moved by Kris Fichtner and seconded by Ken Luttmer that the request for a Foreign
Trade Zone by World Factory Inc. considered for approval by the City Council. The motion
carried 4-2 with Bill Rohloff, Marvin Franklin, Kris Fichtner, and Kenneth Luttmer in favor of
the motion and Larry Kingsbury and Jason Crawford against.
Discussion of Old Coppell Incentives
• Mindi Hurly presented the Old Coppell Tax Incentive Policy.
• Mindi reviewed the policy per handout item 45.
• Discussion followed.
• It was stated that the participating lending institutions be located within the City of Coppell.
• The committee suggested that specified parameters be recommended for the facade of the
grants.
• It was suggested that the roadway impact fees be addressed in the policy.
• The committee would like to include the Carter Crowley property on the Old Coppell Map.
• Mindi asked the committee to email other recommendations they may have for the policy.
• Mindi will make modifications and review at the Sept. meeting.
6. Presentation of an available Property Map.
• Mindi presented a property map depicting the boundaries of available property.
• Mindi reviewed the Hot Spot areas.
• Mindi will design a spreadsheet reviewing a land use plan for the Sept. meeting.
7. General Discussion and Update on Commercial and Industrial Projects
• Mindi briefed the committee on the consideration of a request made by KPMG.
• Universal Academy is moving ahead to take occupancy of the existing building located at the
southeast corner of Sandy Lake Road and MacArthur Blvd.
• The Hard Eight Bar -B -Q Restaurant was approved for development at the July P&Z
committee meeting. The building will consist of a 14,205 -square -foot restaurant with outdoor
and cooking areas on 1.9 acres located along the south side of Bethel Rd., east of Freeport
Parkway.
• Coppell Clips located on the city web -site will soon have information about potential economic
developments in Coppell.
Necessary Action Resulting from Executive Session
Jason Crawford moved that the property south of Bethel Road from Park Road to Freeport
Parkway be recommended to the City Council for sale with restricted use convenants on the use of
the property and with adequate parking accommodations provided for the site that are acceptable to
the staff and that the retail shop begin development within twelve months of completed construction
of the first phase. Marvin Franklin seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously.
With no further business to discuss, it was moved by Marvin Franklin and seconded by Kris
Fichtner that the meeting adjourn. By unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Scarlett Hovland
Secretary