BM 2006-08-01 EcDev
COPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
August 2, 2006
MINUTES
The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at
Coppell Town Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, Texas 75019. The
following were present: Bill Rohloff, Gary Roden, Bill Lowery, Larry Kingsbury, Jason Crawford, Jim
Pranske, Kris Fichtner, Kenneth Luttmer, Matt Hall, Mary Ciminelli, David Apple, Deputy City Manager
Clay Phillips, Councilmember Jayne Peters, Councilmember Marvin Franklin, Mindi Hurley, and Scarlett
Hovland.
Call to Order
1.
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Bill Rohloff called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
2.
It was moved by Gary Roden and seconded by Jason Crawford that the minutes of the June 21,
2006 meeting be approved. The motion passed unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Convene Executive Session (Closed to the Public)
3.
A. Section 551.087, Texas Government Code – Economic Development Negotiations.
1. Economic Development Prospects on the west side of Coppell
Bill Rohloff convened into Executive Session at 6:33 p.m. as under the above-stated article and
discussed Item 1. Rohloff recessed the Executive Session at 6:57 p.m. and opened the Regular
Session
REGULAR SESSION (Opened to the Public)
4. Discussion of Incentive Policy
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Mindi reviewed the proposed changes to the incentive policy in regards to the tax abatement
application as discussed at the June 21, 2006 meeting.
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Changes include increasing the minimum threshold for office buildings to $7.0 million and
leaving the minimum threshold for industrial buildings at $5.5 million. Mixed-use/Flex
buildings will be considered on a case-by-case basis. In addition, applications must be filed
with the Office of Economic Development no later than 60 days from the time a project
receives approval from the Coppell Planning and Zoning Committee. No project under
construction or recently completed will receive consideration for any type of incentive.
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Jason Crawford made a motion to approve the revised Incentive Policy, and Kris Fichtner
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
5. Update on Strategic Plan Goals
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Mindi shared that she continues to enhance a business relationship with local businesses
through telephone contacts and scheduling appointments to meet in person.
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Mindi will review a new incentive plan for retention of businesses that was developed by the
city of Round Rock for ideas on expanding our retention practices.
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Mindi will draft a letter to be addressed to all the CEO’s of businesses located in Coppell to
broaden communication.
6. General Discussion and Update on Commercial and Industrial Projects
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Donna Kolberg made a brief presentation to the committee about a proposed development for
the west side of Coppell.
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McKeel-Gesek has a 3,000-sq. ft. office at 234 S. Denton Tap under construction.
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Tom Thumb located at 106 N. Denton Tap is renovating to add a Starbucks.
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Duke-Weeks has a 94,200-sq. ft. speculative office at 700 Bethel under construction.
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Amberpoint has a 714,000-sq. ft. project for 3 office and distribution centers at 200
Northpoint, 825 W. Sandy Lake & 875 W. Sandy Lake.
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It was noted that Gulf States Toyota Training Facility was featured in The Dallas Morning
News.
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Bin555 Restaurant is now opened at 104 S. Denton Tap Rd.
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The Beer, Wine Election is set for November 7, 2006.
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Hard-Eight Bar-B-Q has begun construction.
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Northlake College is moving ahead with an estimated finish date of August 2008.
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SH 121 Toll Road is now open.
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Mindi shared that the Streamline Sales Tax issue is losing its momentum.
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A suggestion was made to change the committee night to the third Wednesday of each month.
Mindi asked that the members email her with their thoughts.
With no further business to discuss, it was moved by Larry Kingsbury and seconded by Kenneth
Luttmer that the meeting adjourn. By unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Scarlett Hovland
Secretary