BM 2008-03-05 EcDev
COPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
March 5, 2008
MINUTES
The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at
Coppell Town Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, Texas 75019. The
following were present: Bill Rohloff, Bill Lowery, Amanda O’Neal, Kenneth Luttmer, Dornell Reese, Matt
Hall, Eric Hansen, Scott Orr, Scarlett Hovland, Mindi Hurley, Clay Phillips and Councilmembers Brianna
Hinojosa-Flores and Marvin Franklin.
Call to Order
1.
Bill Rohloff called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
Approval of Minutes: February 6, 2008
2.
It was moved by Ken Luttmer and seconded by Dornell Reese that the minutes of the
February 6, 2008 meeting be approved. The motion passed unanimously.
Red Team Discussion: Derse Exhibits
3.
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The Red Team granted a 25% abatement for Derse on their expansion of their
distribution center. With the expansion they will keep their business in Coppell and
they are one of the top sales taxpayers in Coppell.
Case Study: Coppell Crossing
4.
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Mindi led discussion on issues regarding retail space at Coppell Crossing.
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Concerns for retention and growth were discussed. The following were areas of
concern:
1. Access and visibility from MacArthur and Belt Line are a problem
2. Benefit from additional access to “east-west” Belt Line
3. High number of vacancies
4. Strong retail anchors would help to redevelop the retail strip into a more
professional area.
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Discussion followed regarding possible approaches by the committee and city staff.
1. Make visits to the tenants
2. Be in contact with owner / broker
3. Create incentives for vacancies
4. Create lease incentives
5. Create incentives for retention
6. Revision to the signage ordinance.
7. Knowing the specific concerns for the tenant and/or owner would help with
offering incentives.
?
Mindi will continue her attempts for communication between tenants and owner / broker at
Coppell Crossing. She will keep the committee informed of further communication.
Case Study: Coppell Citi-Center
5.
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Mindi met with the broker for Coppell Citi-Center.
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Mr. Walker representing Bluechip Partners, Inc., who owns Coppell Citi-Center is willing
to meet with Mindi in the near future.
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The Center has 32, 390 sq. ft of available space for lease.
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Universal Academy is occupying 73, 128 sq. ft.
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A traffic count update is being conducted.
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Discussion followed regarding concerns for the center.
1. Parking space issues
2. Access at a busy intersection
3. Infrastructure repair
Discussion of Incentives
6.
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Mindi presented revisions to the incentive policy which addressed New Investment Options
and Existing Investment Options.
?
Discussion followed regarding information that would help determine incentives given.
1. Job creation numbers per business.
2. Incentives that would benefit the city and the developer / tenant.
3. Sales tax revenue versus property tax revenue.
4. Offer incentives that will attract sales tax revenue.
5. Invite a developer to a meeting in regards to incentives that would be helpful in
attracting retail.
?
Mindi and Chad Beach, Assistant Finance Director will present a case study using the
proposed incentive policy for the city’s top five tax revenue businesses.
High School Presentations
7.
?
Mindi explained that the a selected group of students from Coppell High School were
given the assignment to provide a visual aid and a brochure that would address the issues
of “What does Coppell need?” and “Why is it needed?”
?
Mindi provided a list of the projects that were created based on the assignment.
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Mindi has invited a group of these students to present their project at the April committee
meeting.
General Discussion and Update on Commercial and Industrial Projects
8.
?
Mindi announced that the Dallas Business Journal awarded Duke Realty Corporation
with the Best Industrial Award. Bill Rohloff and Gary Roden attended the awards
ceremony. The representative for Duke was very complimentary to the City of Coppell for
their success.
?
Clay Phillips provided copies of a review on a presentation he attended at Texas A&M
University in regards to the economic outlook for business decisions and investment.
?
The 2030 Coppell sub-committees have begun meeting. Gary Roden will continue to
update the committee on the progress of the sub-committees.
?
Mindi reviewed projects under construction and businesses that are now open or opening
soon.
With no further business to discuss, it was moved by Bill Lowery and seconded by Ken Luttmer
that the meeting adjourn. By unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Scarlett Hovland
Secretary