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BM 2011-08-03 EcDev COPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE August 3, 2011 MINUTES The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at Coppell Town Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, Texas 75019. The following were present: Bill Rohloff, Gary Roden, Don Carroll, Kenneth Luttmer, Matt Hall, David Apple, Casey Klein, Scarlett Hovland, and Mindi Hurley. Monica Diamond also attended. Call to Order 1. Bill Rohloff called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Approval of Minutes: June 1, 2011 2. It was moved by Ken Luttmer and seconded by Matt Hall that the minutes of June 1, 2011 meeting be approved. The motion passed unanimously. Citizens’ Summit Follow-up Discussion 3.  Mindi reviewed the topics and discussion regarding the Citizens’ Summit.  Mindi advised that the City Manager led discussion regarding the upcoming sales tax election to be held on Tuesday Nov. 8. Voters will be asked whether or not to re-adopt a one-fourth of one percent sales and use tax to provide revenue for the continuation of a crime control and prevention district and whether or not to readopt a one-fourth of one percent sales and use tax to provide revenue for the maintenance and repair of existing city streets. Re-adoption of the two sales tax collections will not result in an increase in sales tax.  Following the quarter-cent sales tax presentation the participants were assigned a specific focus group facilitated by members of the city council and city staff. The focus groups discussed one of the five topics regarding “Branding” “Retail Wants and Needs, Hot Spots and Retail Vacancies” “Community Special Events and Arts”, “If I Could Change or Bring One Thing to the Community”, and “Healthy Community.”  Discussion followed regarding each of the focus group topics.  Mindi participated and led discussion regarding Retail Wants and Needs, Hot Spots and Retail Vacancies. Hot Spots: Belt Line/Belt Line/Denton Tap/Southwestern Corridor Belt Line/MacArthur Corridor 635/121 Corridor Old Town Coppell What Brings people Into Coppell Today: Restaurants Businesses on West Side Parks YMCA It’s A Party Farmers Market What Do You Leave Coppell For Today: Clothes Restaurants Entertainment What Can We Build/Attract To Bring People To Coppell: Unique Restaurants Unique Shopping Hotels Arts Center and Cultural Venues “Kid” Related Entertainment Businesses (i.e. Main Event, Bowling Alley, etc.) Non-chain Retail and Restaurants Anything with a Tourism Draw to Feed off of the Gaylord and Great Wolf Why Can’t We Attract/Keep Retail in Coppell Today: “Hole in Donut” Problem High Rental Rates Not Enough Traffic What We Need to Attract Businesses Create Incentives for more than just the Industrial Sector Attract Businesses that meet all of our Demographic Needs Create an Incubator Program for Small Businesses (City and Chamber of Commerce Could Work on this Together) Who We Want To Be Will Help Determine What Type of Retail We Want Bedroom Community Destination Community Make old Town Coppell the Heart of the Community Farmers Market Mixed-Use uses on Carter Crowley Promote that we are a small, unique community that is connected both physically (trails, streets) and emotionally (we are a “family” that cares about each other, community events, schools.)  Discussion followed regarding the above suggestions: Branding is a hard thing to create that appeals to all Need to educate the citizens regarding tax rates, how Coppell tax rates compare to surrounding cities, benefits that can be gained from the tax rates. Cash Incentive competition with area cities Kid and Empty Nesters controversy Continue to be a Bedroom Community As City ages costs go up  Don Carroll and Matt Hall advised they participated in “If I Could Change or Bring One Thing in the Community” focus group. They shared that there were no extreme suggestions, only practical suggestions. Some of the suggestions are as follows: Coppell Radio Station High School involved in Cable Show Dog Park Bike Lanes City work with businesses to list job opportunities Access to Public Transportation Eliminate rush hour traffic Sign Ordinance Modification Housing for Multi-Generations Programs for teens and mix generations Public Fields  Healthy Community focus group suggestions are as follows: Healthy Restaurant Options Expand Trails and provide Bike Lanes Health Education Opportunities Culture Shift to Health & Wellness Citizen Health Fair Provide Cycling Lanes on Streets; Runners Trail User Friendly Park System  Community Special Events and Arts focus group suggestions are as follows: Events offered specifically for children Events offered specifically for adults Running and Biking Events Tennis Tournaments Children’s Theater More Activities at Events for Day Long Festivals Citizen Involvement in Helping Our Own Community Who are in Need Utilize Coppell Master Plan for an Activity Center  Branding focus group suggestions are as follows: Excellent Schools Mid-Metro Location Quality Parks & Amenities Community Involvement Customer Service Oriented Staff Consistent Development & Maintenance Standards Low Crime Residential / Family / Empty Nesters / Young Family / Single Need to be More Business Friendly Small Town “Values” Commercial / Small Business  Discussion followed. Mindi advised that the Citizen Summit focus group notes will be posted on the City website at a later date.  Mindi asked the committee to consider 3 – 5 items to “I wish we had……..” and bring to the Sept. meeting. Incentive Discussion 4.  Mindi advised that she had met with a commercial real estate company that has several buildings located in Coppell. She explained that they are interested in reviewing incentives that may be available as they have outlived their tax abatements for their current buildings.  Discussion followed regarding different and creative incentives that may be an option.  Mindi will provide the city staff’s recommendations at the Sept. meeting. Strategic Plan Discussion 5.  Mindi provided notes from each of the strategic plan sub-committees. The sub-committees identified their goals.  Business Attraction Goals: Identify and Map Targeted Properties Identify and Address Challenges Market City and Properties Incentive  Business Retention Goals: Identify and Retain Businesses that Enhance Coppell’s Tax Base and/or Enhance Community Satisfaction Increase Retail Business Traffic Integrate/ Enhance Business Community Relationship with the City of Coppell Gauge Customer Satisfaction  Re-Development Goals: To provide for improved similar or expanded use of real property in the City of Coppell in order to maintain quality, value and use of said property within the City, whether that property’s use I Commercial, Retail or Residential in nature. Identify areas of the City as Hot Spots for Re-Development Identify Funding Sources Recommendation to seek out developer to incentivize on an initial project to be considered for one of the Hot Spots.  Discussion followed regarding financial incentives competition; Incentive Bonds; Cotton Belt; EB-5 Incentive, and Park Land Usage.  The sub-committees will continue to meet. The upcoming meeting agendas will address the following: Review/Discuss your goal and define; Identify broad outcomes that mean your goal was a success; Review and prioritize the objectives; Identify challenges and opportunities for each objective. Refine challenges and opportunities and identify if they are short term, long term or on-going challenges or opportunities; Brainstorm and develop actions with a clear definition of doable tasks; Review and prioritize actions.  Mindi advised that each sub-committee should meet whenever convenient.  Mindi advised that the sub-committees will report back to the whole committee on the regular scheduled meeting dates. Chamber Update 6.  Casey advised that the Biz Walk took place June 20 through July 1. The report will be forthcoming and will be posted on the chamber website.  The New Teacher Breakfast is scheduled for August 9.  Planning has begun for the Taste of Coppell which is scheduled for October 1st.  A Chamber Task Force sub-committee sent proposed signage changes to City staff for review.  The annual Coppell Chamber Golf Classic is scheduled for Sept. 30 at Riverchase. School District Update 7.  David Apple advised that school will start on August 22.  The school board is looking ahead to the future with no programs having to be cut this year.  CISD offered open enrollment for students who live in Coppell but are zoned to neighboring school districts. The increase from this enrollment includes 72 students admitted to kindergarten through fifth grade. It will increase the district’s revenue by about $300.000 for this year. General Discussion and Update on Commercial and Industrial Projects 8.  Mindi provided a report showing available property analytics.  Mindi advised that since January of this year nineteen Coppell businesses have brought in a total of one thousand plus employees.  Mindi advised that Amanda O’Neal, Matt Hall, Don Carroll, and James Walker term with the committee expires in December. Applications for Boards & Commissions will be accepted now through Friday, Sept. 23 in the City Secretary Department. Applications can be picked up in person at Town Center or downloaded from the City Web site. Application interviews are scheduled for October 19. The new terms will begin in January 2012.  Mindi offered an invitation to committee members to attend a public meeting regarding the Cotton Belt Regional Rail Corridor. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Addison Conference Center located at 15650 Addison Road in Addison. You may visit Dart’s web site at www.DART.org for further information.  Mindi informed the committee that Bill Rohloff presented an Economic Development update to City Council on July 26. The report consisted of all the items the committee has been working on for the past 6 months to present.  Mindi provided the committee with an updated aerial map of Coppell.  Mindi reviewed projects under construction and businesses that are now open or opening soon. She provided an RFP Response List dating from April through June.  The Schlotzsk’s/Cinnabon located in the KFC building will be open on Sept. 2. The Wells Fargo Bank in Tom Thumb closed and the Star Bucks on South MacArthur also closed.  Mindi advised the RFP for the two senior buildings received five proposals. City Council will review the proposals.  Mindi advised that a sign ordinance committee has been selected. Members will include City staff, Brokers / Developers, and the Chamber. The City Staff members include Gary Sieb, (Director of Planning) Michael Arellano (Chief Building Official) Mindi Hurley (Economic Dev. Coordinator) Bill Rohloff (Chair of the Economic Development Committee), Aaron Duncan, (Developer) Jeff Thornton,(Developer) Alen Hinckley (Developer) and Tony Moline (Chamber President). The first meeting is scheduled for August 18.  Next month’s meeting is scheduled for Wenesday, September 7. With no further business to discuss, it was moved by Matt Hall and seconded by Kenneth Luttmer that the meeting adjourn. By unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Scarlett Hovland Admin. Support Asst.