BM 1991-07-10 EcDevCORRECTED
Minutes of the
Economic and Business Development Board
July 10, 1991
The Economic and Business Development Board met in regular session
on Wednesday, July 10, 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
Special Board members present were:
Roy Brock, CISD
City staff members present were:
Alan Ratliff, City Manager
Larry Jackson, City Attorney
City Council Liaison:
Guests:
Tom Morton
Harden Wiedemann, D/FW International Trade
Resource Center
Peyton Weaver, City Councilman
Item 1: Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at
7:15 p.m. by Chairman Johnson, noting a quorum was
present.
Item 2: Executive Session: The Board immediately adjourned into
Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the Chase
billboard agreement. At 7:38 p.m., Chairman Johnson
adjourned the Executive Session and reconvened the
regular session.
Item 3: Review and Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the
June 5, 1991, meeting were reviewed. Barbara Austin made
a motion to approve the minutes with no corrections or
changes, and Jim Garrison seconded it. The motion
carried, and the minutes were approved by a vote of 4 to
0.
Minutes of the July 10, 1991
Economic and Business Development Board Page Two
Item 9: Review and Discussion of Projects:
g. Billboard - At this time, the Board decided to
consider this portion of Item 9 out of the usual
order. A motion was made by Jim Garrison to send a
letter to the City Council informing them of the
following: The Economic and Business Development
Board, having been asked to implement the agreement
referenced under requirement number two of Item 12
on the April 9, 1991, City Council agenda, and
having reviewed the facts of this agreement with the
City Attorney, is of the opinion that the City
Council should review the matter to determine
whether this specific requirement is in conflict
with public policy and whether requirement number
two should be a part of the Chase Company's
obligation. The motion was seconded by Barbara
Austin and was approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
Item 4: Discussion and Consideration of Recommending Contracting
for Export Services with the DallasZFort Worth
International Trade Resource Center: The Board called
upon Harden Wiedemann to present and discuss his
proposal. The proposal is for the Dallas/Fort Worth
International Trade Resource Center to assist small- and
medium-sized companies in developing international trade.
They will do this by making available the Resource
Center, educational assistance, and counseling services.
Mr. Wiedemann suggested that the City of Coppell enter
into an agreement with the Resource Center at the
appropriate time to develop a pilot set of export
services. This program will be funded from the one-half
cent sales tax when it is approved. Mr. Wiedemann was
asked to provide a proposal and plan for developing a
pilot program. This information would be considered by
the Economic and Business Development Board and provided
to the City Council for information purposes.
Item 5: Discussion and Consideration of Participating in the D FW
Regional Economic Development Group's Update of D/FW
Metroplex Statistical Profile: After discussion and
consideration of this item, the Board was unable to
provide information requested. The City Manager was
asked to contact Sally Campbell and inform her of this
fact.
Item 6: Discussion and Consideration of Purchasing 1991-92 Annual
Subscription to BULLETIN: The offer of a subscription to
the Michael J. Blum Company BULLETIN was discussed and
there was no interest in subscribing.
Minutes of the
Economic and Business Development Board
July 10, 1991
Page Three
Item 7: Viewing of Metrocrest Video Prepared for Sister City of
Markham, Ontario: The Board viewed the Metrocrest video
and discussed its future use. No action was taken.
Item 8: Discussion and Consideration o o f Payment to
Sullivan Productions for Editing of Coppell Video: The
Board reviewed and discussed the bill from Sullivan
Productions. Based on the fact that Richard Johnson had
requested the edit of the video without charge, Jim
Garrison made a motion that a letter be sent to
Mr. Sullivan advising him that the Board does not feel
that the charges are proper; therefore, no payment will
be made. Motion was seconded by Roy Brock and carried by
a vote of 4 to 0.
Item 9: Review and Discussion of Projects:
a. Coppell Video Reception and Showing - The Board
reviewed the bills which had been submitted in
conjunction with the Coppell video premier. All
bills, totaling $403.08, were approved on a motion
by Barbara Austin and seconded by Roy Brock. The
motion carried by a vote of 4 to 0. During
additional discussion of this Item, the Board
expressed its desire to recognize the individuals
who worked so diligently for the success of the
premier and directed that a letter of appreciation
and a lapel pin be sent to each of the volunteers.
b. Tax Abatement for Rediform - The City Manager
briefed the Board on the tax abatement matter and
informed the members that the City Council held the
Item until July 23. The Board was informed that the
established tax enhancement was less than had been
previously thought; therefore, negotiations are
continuing.
c. The DZFW Connection - Richard Johnson reviewed the
proposed layout of the D/FW Connection ad. A copy
of his alternate script for the City of Coppell was
distributed to the Board. The Board endorsed
Richard Johnson's script.
d. Review of Financial Report - The financial report
was distributed to the Board members, and Richard
Johnson suggested that the posted budget item on the
agenda be considered simultaneously. Richard
distributed copies of information that he developed
from the City Manager's report to him and suggested
that it be used as a basis for future funding by the
Minutes of the July 10, 1991
Economic and Business Development Board Page Four
City Council. Specifically, Richard stated that
after removing specific projects, he had projected
the end -of -year costs at $23,710.40, and estimated
monthly average expenditures of $1,685.45.
e. New Coppell Brochures - Jim Garrison stated that due
to the lateness of the evening and the extent of his
report on the Coppell brochure revisions, he
recommended the item be held until the next meeting
and posted as a separate item.
f. Budget - Covered in Item 9-d.
g. Billboard - Discussed following approval of minutes
(see above).
Item 10: Reports from Liaisons and Special Board Members: The
City Council liaison had previously left the meeting and
the Chamber of Commerce representative was not in
attendance; therefore, the CISD representative gave the
only report under this item. Roy Brock made a brief
report to the Board on the budget cutting efforts by the
CISD Board. He stated that the CISD Board had spent a
number of hours working on this and had been able to cut
approximately $195,000 from the budget.
Item 11: Notification of Members of Expiring Terms and Discussion
of Replacements: Notification that their terms were
expiring was provided to Richard Johnson and Jim
Garrison. The City Manager indicated he would mail Lee
Richardson his notification and remind him that he had
missed the last two meetings and that he would be in
conflict with the City Council ordinance should he miss
a third consecutive meeting.
Item 12: Other Business: Richard Johnson informed the Board that
he had contacted Janet White to work on a media relations
program for economic development. He had estimated this
to cost approximately $500 per month; however, he was
informed the cost would be $2,500. Barbara Austin made
a motion to recommend the City go out for bids for a
media relations consultant to develop promotional
materials for the City for economic development purposes.
The motion was seconded by Roy Brock. Richard Johnson
indicated he would assist in the preparation of the bid
specifications. The motion was approved by a vote of 4
to 0. Peyton Weaver informed the Board that Marcia
Tunnell was involved in this kind of business and should
be contacted to see if she could offer assistance to the
Board.
Minutes of the July 10, 1991
Economic and Business Development Board Page Five
There being no further business, Jim Garrison moved for adjournment
and Roy Brock seconded the motion. It was approved by a vote of 4
to 0, and the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Alan D. Ratliff
Acting Recording Secretary
Economic and Business Development Board
City of Coppell
ADR/slt
edbmin.710
Chief Building Official Dale Jackson made a presentation to Council. Mike Daniel of Nathan
Maier Engineering, representing The Chase Company, was also present to address any concerns
of Council. The sign was in place prior to present sign ordinances, thereby not making it
subject to the sign ordinance until such time as it was moved. The owner of the sign, Chase,
did not realize that the grandfathered status was lost by moving the sign. He stated that The
Chase Company has offered to provide the City with one of their billboards which is not in use
for up to 10 months each year that their existing sign remains on the property in Coppell. The
Chase Company has also offered to donate the artwork for the design of the face of the
billboard. Mr. Wayland Threadgill of Santa Fe Realty, representing the company which
questioned the moving of the sign, was present to answer questions of Council. Councilman
Weaver moved to deny the variance. Councilman Cowman seconded the motion. The motion
to deny failed 4-2 with Councilmen Weaver and Cowman voting for the motion and Mayor Pro
Tem Smothermon and Councilmen Thomas, Morton and Nelson voting against the motion.
Following further discussion, Councilman Morton moved to approve the variance with the
following provisions (1) The Chase Company would remove the sign September 1, 1.995 or upon
the City's acceptance of a final plat on the property. (2) The Chase Company would provide
to the City of Coppell rotary billboard advertisements at locations in Dallas County 10 months
of each year in the best possible location with artwork approved by the Economic and Business
Development Board, City of Coppell (3) All electrical work of the billboard in Coppell be
inspected by the City of Coppell to ensure its compliance with all codes and regulations of the
City of Coppell. (4) The Chase Company will assure and commit to prohibit all advertisements
for alcohol and tobacco products on the sign in Coppell. Mayor Pro Tem Smothermon seconded
the motion. The motion carried 4-2, with Mayor Pro Tem Smothermon and Councilmen
Thomas, Morton, and Nelson voting in favor of the motion and Councilmen Weaver and
Cowman voting against the motion. Council asked that some information be given to the City
on the value of the sign, asking that this be forthcoming in the next week.
Item 13 Request by Walter Pettijohn for information regarding personnel matters.
Walter Pettijohn of 525 Oak Grove Road, Coppell voiced some of his concerns regarding City
personnel, stating that he felt all rules and regulations should be adhered to and asking Council
to take a look at some of the concerns of the personnel. Mayor Wolfe stated that Council was
indeed doing this and is in that process at this time. No further action was required on this
item.