BM 2010-11-03 EcDev
COPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
November 3, 2010
MINUTES
The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at
Coppell Town Center, 255 Parkway Blvd., Coppell, Texas 75019. The following were present: Bill
Rohloff, Gary Roden, Don Carroll, Mary Ciminelli, Matt Hall, Adam Darowski, Ken Luttmer, Bradley
Snyder, James Walker, David Apple, Scarlett Hovland and Mindi Hurley.
1Call to Order
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With a quorum present, Bill Rohloff called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
2.Approval of Minutes: October 6, 2010
It was moved by Kenneth Luttmer and seconded by James Walker that the minutes of the
October 6, 2010 meeting be approved. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Business Retention Discussion
Mindi reviewed the Leadership Breakfast which was held on Thursday, October 21.
Together with Frost Bank and the Coppell Chamber of Commerce, the leadership
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breakfast provided information regarding the LBJ Express project. The
presentation was made by Andy Ritter with LBJ Infrastructure Group, and Lara
Kohl with Trinity Infrastructure. They presented information on the project and
the impacts it will have on the entire region.
There were two businesses represented at the breakfast. Mindi had the committee
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review a letter to be sent to the businesses that missed the meeting regarding the
information that was presented at the breakfast. The committee suggested adding
a line to the letter for “Subject Suggestions.”
The next Leadership Breakfast is planned for January 20. The committee
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suggested it would be best to move to February. Mindi will act on the suggestion
and follow up with a February date.
Mindi reviewed the Golf Tournament which was hosted by the Chamber on October 11.
Mindi shared that we had two businesses to participate in the event.
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Attendance was low; however Oct. 11 was a school holiday, which could have
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played a part in the low attendance.
Mindi shared that the Citizens Advocate, Old Town Coppell Association and the Coppell
Chamber invited the City to co-sponsor Scott Day with Urban Development Services
regarding a presentation on November 16.
Mr. Day’s presentation will focus on retail revitalization advice. The presentation
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will be followed by questions from participants. Mindi encouraged members to
attend.
Mr. Day will be available on Wed. Nov. 17 for individual businesses and group
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discussion.
Mindi provided a draft of industrial and office thresholds for business retention and new
business.
Mindi explained that the City has a 35% vacancy rate. This is the highest
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percentage of vacancy space that Coppell has experienced.
Discussion followed regarding the guideline numbers. Mindi encouraged the
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committee to email her with any change to the guidelines.
Mindi will provide a break-down of the taxes that have been received, and a new
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draft of the guideline numbers at the February meeting.
Mindi advised that the City will be implementing the SKEDS program in the very near
future. SKEDS is a shop local program website, which provides a way for customers to
get the latest offers and promotions from local businesses.
Mindi asked for the committee members help in visiting and signing on the
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businesses that are interested. There is no charge to the businesses that
participate.
Mindi proposed that a quarterly newsletter be sent to the businesses within Coppell. She
advised this would be sent via email.
Discussion followed as to what to include in the newsletter. It was suggested that
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the Federal and State websites may have information to be shared. Mindi will
draft a template of the newsletter to be reviewed at the February meeting.
4. Comprehensive Land Use Follow-Up Discussion
Mindi advised that there will not be additional public meetings other than the ones that
were originally planned at the Planning & Zoning meeting and City Council meeting.
Mindi provided a copy of the open house comments regarding the Coppell Comprehensive
Plan. The meeting was well attended. Comments included concerns regarding the density
of the plan, changes to land use, increased traffic and population.
A public hearing regarding the comprehensive plan is scheduled for the Planning & Zoning
meeting on November 18, 2010 beginning at 6 p.m. The committee members are
encouraged to attend.
The draft comprehensive plan and process to date is located on the city website planning
department page.
5. Project Updates and Future Meetings
Mindi advised the following new projects:
S.P. Richards worlds leading wholesaler of office and computer supplies to the
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retail stationery dealer signed a lease at 611 S. Royal.
The Salad Bowl Corp. headquarters is locating to the Tom Thumb shopping center
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located at MacAruthur and Beltline.
Global Leading Foods (GL Foods) has opened a processing facility in one of
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KTR’s buildings at the corner of Freeport Pkwy and Bethel Rd.
The purchase and sale agreement for the Carter Crowley property will go before
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Council on Nov. 9.
The Kolberg project plans have been submitted to the engineering dept. They
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continue to find financing of the project.
Mindi advised that the new Boards & Commissions members will be announced at
the Nov. 9 Council meeting.
The committee will discuss accomplishments and goals for the upcoming year at the Jan.
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meeting.
Mindi will draft an annual report for the committee to be reviewed at the Jan. meeting. It
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will include a report regarding number of applications that were submitted for abatements,
how many were given, and what action was taken per business request.
The committee will not meet in December. The next meeting will be Jan. 5.
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6. Chamber of Commerce Update
The golf tournament was not as well attended as in previous years.
The Red Ribbon Breakfast was well attended.
The Coppell Gala will be held on February 26 at the Hilton Garden Inn beginning at 6
p.m. The theme is Black Tie Tailgate. An online auction will be held prior to the Gala as
well as the night of the gala.
The chamber’s veteran luncheon will be on Nov. 17 at Hackberry Country Club.
The chamber is experiencing a decline in membership.
School District Update
7.
CISD is experiencing an increase in student numbers across all of the grade levels.
North Lake is being monitored for development.
The Coppell Cowboys football team will begin the state playoffs in November.
The High School is selling Coppell Cowboy license plates.
General Discussion and Update on Commercial and Industrial Projects
8.
Whataburger restaurant was approved by the City Council and hopes to be completed in
nine months.
Leadership Coppell is accepting applications. The leadership course will begin on Feb. 3.
Mayor Douglas Stover will be sworn into office on November 10.
The streamline sales tax is currently not on the Legislative Session.
The Lincoln group sold Gateway Corporate Center to a group out of Austin.
Mindi reviewed projects under construction and businesses that are now open or opening
soon.
Mindi thanked the members for serving.
The next meeting will be held January 5, 2011.
With no further business to discuss, it was moved by Gary Roden and seconded by Bradley Snyder that the
meeting adjourn. By unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Scarlett Hovland