BM 1990-03-21 EcDevMinutes of the
ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD
March 21, 1990 Meeting
The Economic and Business Development Board met in a special
session on Wednesday, March 21, 1990, at 7:30 p.m. in the Rotary
Room of the Coppell Town Center. The following Board members were
present:
Lee Richardson, Chairman
Regina Johnson
Richard Johnson
Angelo Vaccaro
City staff members and Councilmen present were:
Alan Ratliff, City Manager
Frank Trando, Finance Director
Tom Morton, Councilman
Ron Robertson, Councilman
The following guests attended the meeting:
Al Blaine, Prentiss Properties
Weldon Davis, Santa Fe Pacific Realty
Dr. Harold Gross, University of North Texas
Center for Economic Development & Research
Leona Allen, Coppell Gazette
Camilla Dillon, Minyard Properties
Item 1: Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by
Chairman Richardson, noting that a quorum was present.
Item 2: Presentation, discussion and consideration of recommending
tax exemption of Freeport goods: Dr. Harold Gross,
representative from the University of North Texas Center
for Economic Development and Research, made a presentation
to the Board summarizing the research he has done on the
subject of Freeport goods exemption. Dr. Gross stated
that the two main objectives companies look for when
seeking relocation are "location" and "amenities." After
addressing the Board at length and answering questions
from the Board and various guests, Dr. Gross' advice to
the City was that they reserve an option to be able to
give to desirable companies seeking relocation in Coppell
rather than issuing a blanket policy for all companies.
Minutes of the
Economic and Business Development Board
March 21, 1990
Page Two
The Board reviewed letters and listened to comments from
Al Blaine representing Prentiss Properties, and Weldon
Davis of Santa Fe Pacific Realty, both supporting adoption
of the Freeport Bill/Goods-In-Transit Act. Both speakers
indicated that Coppell would be the ideal City to take
advantage of the Freeport bill, giving the City the edge
in attracting firms to Coppell.
After lengthy discussion, Lee Richardson stated that the
Board needed to make a recommendation to City Council.
Richard Johnson made a motion that the Board recommend to
City Council that the City exempt from taxation certain
tangible personal property referred to as "Freeport goods"
as provided in Article VIII, Section 1-j, Subsection (a)
of the Texas Constitution and Section 11.251 of the Texas
Property Tax Code. Angelo Vaccaro seconded the motion.
Regina Johnson, Richard Johnson, and Lee Richardson voted
in favor of the motion. Angelo Vaccaro opposed the
motion. The motion carried.
There being no further business,
the meeting be adjourned. Regina
the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfuly submitted,
Regina L. Johnson
Recording Secretary
Angelo Vaccaro made a motion that
Johnson seconded the motion, and