BM 2009-06-03 EcDev
COPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
June 3, 2009
MINUTES
The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at Coppell Town
Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, Texas 75019. The following were present:
Bill Rohloff, Gary Roden, Eric Hansen, Dornell Reese, Bradley Snyder, Matt Hall, Kenneth Luttmer, Mary
Ciminelli, 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: March 4, 2009
2.
It was noted that the May 6, 2009 minutes be amended to include expansion development to discussion
regarding the joint meeting between City Council, Economic Development, and the Planning & Zoning
Commission that took place on April 6, 2009. It was moved by Mary Ciminelli and seconded by Bradley
Snyder that the minutes of May 6, 2009 meeting be approved as amended. The motion passed
unanimously.
Consider of a Foreign Trade Zone at 850 Freeport Parkway
3.
?
Mindi reviewed and explained the request for a Foreign Trade Zone for property located at
850 Freeport Parkway.
?
The business will lease 30,375 square feet and will employ 23 people. The company utilizes
the Zone for export sales to Canada and Mexico.
?
Mindi explained that a letter of support would need to be written to request a foreign trade
zone. The foreign trade zone is approved at the federal level. The designation of a foreign
trade zone can be approved for a certain geographical boundary.
?
Discussion followed.
?
It was moved by Bradley Snyder and seconded by Kenneth Luttmer that a recommendation
to City Council be made to write a letter of support for the creation of a foreign trade zone at
850 Freeport Parkway. The motion passed unanimously.
Strategic Plan Discussion
4.
?
Mindi distributed the Economic Development Strategic Plan for review and discussion.
?
Discussion followed regarding revising the current Strategic Plan to include a goal for
Redevelopment and to incorporate items from the Coppell 2030 report:
Impact on housing as Coppell begins to age with more “empty nesters” and less
o
“young adults.”
Define “Hot Spots” consisting of redevelopment areas.
o
Defining “look and feel” for both businesses and citizens
o
Consider bond elections for projects based on the Coppell 2030 report
o
?
Discussion continued regarding Comprehensive land uses:
Dart Train / Cotton Belt
o
Land use for Northlake
o
?
Mindi will draft a goal that addresses redevelopment to be added to the Strategic Plan for
continued discussion.
Incentive Policy Discussion
5.
?
Mindi distributed a list of various communities comparing incentives regarding industrial,
office, and retail.
?
Discussion followed regarding incentives offered by those communities compared to Coppell.
?
Mindi will research facts concerning incentives offered at Water Park, Florida.
Retail Discussion
6.
?
Mindi shared that she had attended the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
Conference. Last year 60,000 attended and this year 30,000 attended. She did visit with a
few interested retail developers.
?
Mindi will pursue the interested parties.
?
More developers and less retail were represented at the conference.
?
Mindi presented a map showing the different development sections in Coppell.
?
Discussion will continue on listing Hot Spots for retail.
Board Applications
7.
?
Mindi provided a roster of the committee members regarding appointment terms.
?
Mindi had applications available of which will also be mailed to the citizens. The
applications are due into the City Secretary office by July 24.
?
Committee members Amanda O’Neal, Matt Hall, Eric Hansen, and Dornell Reese have
terms that will expire in Sept. 2009.
Chamber of Commerce Update
8.
?
Mindi reported the on the summary report for the Coppell Chamber Biz Walk.
?
Fifteen Biz Walk Teams visited over 150 businesses with 119 responses reported.
?
Questions asked on survey were:
How is business?
What are the benefits of having your business in Coppell?
What can be done locally to make things better for your business?
?
Business size was broken down by number of employees, large business consisted of
100+ employees, medium business consisted of 25-99 employees, and small business
consisted of below 25 employees.
?
Type of businesses consisted of 7% warehouse, 13% restaurant, 23% retail,
10% medical, 9% financial and 38% service.
?
The most concerning issue for businesses is the signage restrictions required.
?
Discussion followed regarding resources for the City to address restrictions as the
committee continues discussion on strategic planning.
School District Update
9.
?
No school report. David Apple was attending the graduation of the 2009 class this evening.
General Discussion and Update on Commercial and Industrial Projects
10.
?
Mindi reviewed projects under construction and businesses that are now open or opening
soon.
?
Mindi shared that the Rolling Oaks Memorial Center will have its ribbon cutting and
family day activities on Sat., July 18.
?
Mindi advised that American Home Mortgage anticipates opening within the month.
?
Sprouts Family Market had a soft grand opening over the Memorial Day Holiday
Weekend.
?
Mindi advised that Daryl Flood was visited on a retention visit, and future collaborations
between the City and Daryl Flood are being explored.
?
Mindi continues to review strategies in meeting with business owners.
?
Clay updated the committee regarding the language for the Streamlined Sales Tax.
Coppell could loose up to one million dollars as a result.
?
Mindi continues to be in communication with Mr. Walker with discussion of prospects
for the shopping center space located at MacArthur and Sandy Lake.
?
The committee will not meet in July. The next meeting will be August 5, 2009.
With no further business to discuss, it was moved by Kenneth Luttmer and seconded by Bradley Snyder
that the meeting adjourn. By unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Scarlett Hovland
Secretary