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BM 2009-01-07 EcDev COPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE January 7, 2009 MINUTES The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at Coppell Town Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, Texas 75019. The following were present: Bill Rohloff, Gary Roden, Greg Jenkins, Amanda O’Neal, Eric Hansen, Dornell Reese, Kenneth Luttmer, Bradley Snyder, Mary Ciminelli, David Apple, Clay Phillips, Scarlett Hovland, and Mindi Hurley. Call to Order 1. Bill Rohloff called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Approval of Minutes: November 5, 2008 2. It was moved by Gary Roden and seconded by Mary Ciminelli that the minutes of November 5, 2008 meeting be approved. The motion passed unanimously. Consideration of a request by Uline for a tax incentive for two (2) buildings consisting of 3. approximately 300,000 sq. ft. of space for office/warehouse space, located at the northwest corner of Freeport Parkway and Bethel Road. ? Mindi introduced Erute Mofoye with U-Line. He thanked the City of Coppell for our partnership in business. He reviewed s Power Point presentation regarding Uline. ? Uline is in need of expansion. They currently have 300,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space in Coppell. They would like to expand to 500,000 – 600,000 sq. ft. facility. ? Uline in currently looking at Coppell, Flower Mound, Lewisville, and other surrounding cities for the expansion location. ? Their move in date is estimated for late 2010. ? Uline’s current Sales Tax Rebate and Property Tax Abatements are expiring soon, and they would like to enter into a new agreement with the City of Coppell. ? Discussion followed. ? It was moved by Kenneth Luttmer and seconded by Gary Roden that a 10 year, 50% sales tax rebate be granted to Uline effective immediately upon approval. The sales tax rebate will be renewable at the end of the 10 year term. The motion passed unanimously. . Tom Thumb Shopping Center Discussion 4 ? Clay Phillips advised the committee that the property owner of the Tom Thumb Retail Strip Mall has asked their tenants for a higher property tax payment as formulated by the Dallas Central Appraisal District. ? This was a significant tax increase for the tenants. The tenants have been in contact with City Staff. There is the possibility that some of the tenants may have to close if they have to pay the tax increase. ? City Staff is reviewing the details of the increase and is making a comparison to other strip malls within the city limits. ? Discussion followed. ? Clay Phillips will keep the committee updated. Project ABGI 5. ? Mindi Hurley advised that Advanced Business Graphics Inc. located at 600 S. Royal Lane, Suite 500 is considering moving to a different location. ? Discussion followed. ? Mindi advised the committee that no incentive could be offered for their location at the present time. ? Mindi advised that should ABGI relocate to a new building in Coppell a rebate could be offered. ? Mindi will meet with ABGI and keep the committee updated. Chamber of Commerce discussion 6. ? Mindi Hurley informed the committee that David Geeslin will no longer be serving as a liaison for the Chamber. ? The Chamber annual Gala will be on February 28 at the Embassy Hotel. Tickets are $80.00. The Chamber is encouraging to promote the event as a community event. ? The Economic Development Committee is encouraged to attend the ribbon cuttings. The chamber will be emailing the members of the place and time. ? The chamber is struggling with growing its memberships. Partnership in obtaining memberships is encouraged. General Discussion and Update on Commercial and Industrial Projects 7. ? Mindi reviewed projects under construction and businesses that are now open or opening soon. ? Mooya has opened and has been pleased with the number of patrons. ? Chipotle is scheduled to open on January 15. ? The City Council will be setting dates to meet with the Economic Development Committee and the Planning and Zoning Committee in the near future. Mindi will notify the committee when that date has been set. ? The City Council and CISD school board passed Foreign Trade Zone. Point West will be occupied by the prospective tenants. ? Market Street will have a ribbon cutting ceremony on January 14, 2009. ? The Kirkland home and Minyard store are on permanent foundations and renovations will soon begin on the Kirkland home. ? The Kohlberg’s continue to seek financing for their project. ? The Holiday Parade and the Old Town festivities were very well attended. ? General Electric has leased Building 8 consisting of 18,000 sq. ft. at Vista Point II. ? Sprouts will be locating to the Albertson’s grocery store site occupying 28,887 sq. ft. ? The Senior Center is progressing with construction. ? Clay Phillips announced that our new Deputy City Manager Mario Canizares will begin on January 8, 2009. With no further business to discuss, it was moved by Bradley Snyder 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