BM 1991-09-04 EcDevMinutes of the
Economic and Business Development Board
September 4, 1991
The Economic and Business Development Board met in regular session
on Wednesday, September 4, 1991, at 7 p.m., in the Executive
Conference Room of Coppell Town Center. The following Board
members were present:
Richard Johnson, Chairman
Barbara Austin
Jim Garrison
Lee Richardson
William Rohloff
Special Board members present were:
Roy Brock, CISD
Vicki Hart, Coppell Chamber of Commerce
City Council Liaison:
Guests:
Tom Morton
Jerry Burks, Texas Chamber of Commerce
Item 1: Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by
Chairman Johnson, noting a quorum was present.
Item 2: Review and Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the
August 7, 1991, meeting were reviewed. No changes in the
minutes were made, so Lee Richardson made a motion to
approve the minutes, and Vicki Hart seconded the motion.
The motion carried and the minutes were approved.
Item 3: Presentation and Discussion of Membership in Texas
Chamber of Commerce - Bettina Harris,Southwestern Bell:
Richard Johnson introduced Jerry Burks, manager of
Corporate and Governmental Affairs for the Texas Chamber
of Commerce, and Bettina Harris of Southwestern Bell who
is directing a membership campaign for the Texas Chamber.
Councilman Jim Cowman has requested that the Board
consider possible membership for the City. Mr. Burks
Minutes of the September 4, 1991
Economic and Business Development Board Page Two
noted that the Texas Chamber was formed four years ago by
the consolidation of four regional chambers, primarily
because as individual chambers, they were less effective
on legislative matters. Membership is currently composed
of 540 local chambers, reaching approximately 250,000
people. The Board of the Chamber is predominantly made
up of representatives from large companies, but 75
percent of Texas businesses fit the small business
category. The Texas Chamber is not involved in pure
economic development, though their efforts are directed
at creating an environment in Texas that encourages
businesses to locate here. The Chamber operates with a
$1.3 million budget and a staff of 18 people. Mr. Burks
concluded his presentation asking that the City of
Coppell participate in the Texas Chamber of Commerce at
a level of $1,000 - $2,500. The primary benefit for such
membership appears to be involvement in an informational
and communications network tied closely to the
legislative process affecting business in Texas.
Vicki Hart commented that no presentation on the Texas
Chamber has been made yet to the Coppell Chamber of
Commerce. Barbara Austin suggested that membership might
be more effective through the Coppell Chamber, and
Richard Johnson recommended tabling the matter until the
Coppell Chamber has had an opportunity to review it. The
other Board members agreed, and the item was tabled.
Item 4: Reauest for Financial Support for DIVIDENDS: Richard
Johnson reviewed for the Board the development of an
economic development newsletter entitled Dividends, which
is directed toward educating the general public. The
newsletter is a project of the Coppell Industrial
Development Task Force and its distribution will be
dependent upon its level of funding. A request for
$2,500 in financial support has been made to this Board.
After brief discussion concerning the relative value of
such a newsletter and the limited funds of the Board,
Barbara Austin made a motion that $1,000 be provided by
the Economic and Business Development Board and a
recommendation that the City Council match these dollars
out of Council contingency funds. William Rohloff
seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Item 5: Review and Discussion of Projects:
a) The D-JFW Connection - The ad copy has been
finalized, and publication will be done by Marcoa
with distribution in November. Richard Johnson
expressed strong satisfaction with the finished
product.
Minutes of the September 4, 1991
Economic and Business Development Board Page Three
b) Review of Financial Report - The Board reviewed the
memo from City Finance Manager Frank Trando,
reflecting the current financial position of
economic development funds. Those funds total
$11,709.93 at present. With the financial status
memo, the Board also reviewed the 1991-92 budget for
Economic and Business Development as submitted to
the City Council. That budget calls for annual
funds of $48,000, and it goes to a public hearing
next Tuesday, September 10. The Council will act on
the budget at the following meeting on September 24.
c) New Coppell Brochures - No new activity to report.
d) Billboard - The relationship between the Chase
Company and the City of Coppell concerning billboard
advertising has been terminated. Tom Morton
expressed appreciation from the Council to the Board
for drawing closer attention to the previous
arrangement.
Item 6: Reports from Liaisons and Special Board Members:
a) City Council - Tom Morton encouraged everyone to
attend Chamber of Commerce meetings when possible.
b) Coppell Chamber of Commerce - Vicki Hart announced
the scheduled regional economic development luncheon
to be held by the Chamber on Friday, September 6,
1991.
c) Coppell Independent School District - Roy Brock
announced that current year student enrollment is
presently at 3,816 and expected to reach 3,900.
That enrollment is a little below what had been
anticipated.
Item 7: Other Business: Richard Johnson announced that the
Coppell video has won the 1991 Savvy Award from the 3CMA
(City -County Communications and Marketing Association).
The award will be presented in San Antonio on Friday,
September 6, 1991. The City and this Board received
notification of the award only a couple of days prior to
this meeting, so little time was available to arrange for
someone to receive the award. Jim Garrison will attempt
to go to San Antonio on Friday for that purpose.
Minutes of the September 4, 1991
Economic and Business Development Board Page Four
There being no other business, William Rohloff moved for
adjournment. Jim Garrison seconded the motion, and the meeting was
adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
�f
William Rohloff
Recording Secretary
Economic and Business Development Board
City of Coppell
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