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BM 2000-10-04 EcDevCOPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE October 4, 2000 MINUTES The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 2000 at Coppell Town Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, Texas 75019. The following were present: Chairman Bill Rohloff, Vice -Chairman Gary Roden, Bruce Bradford, Jay Thompson, Tim Brancheau, Bill Herries, Stan Morton, Mary Ann Kellam, Karen Hunt, Robert Key, City Manager Jim Witt, Assistant City Manager Clay Phillips, Gary Sieb, Chad Beach, Andrea Roy, Mayor Candy Sheehan, Mayor Pro Tem Marsha Tunnell, Councilmembers Doug Stover, Larry Wheeler, Gary Garcia, Jayne Peters, and City Attorney Robert Hager. The Coppell Economic Development Committee met jointly with City Council through item #3. 1. Call to Order Chairman Bill Rohloff called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. 2. Introduction of New Committee Member Dennis Onalaja Chairman Bill Rohloff introduced and welcomed the Committee's new alternate member - Dennis Onalaja. 3. Discussion regarding Economic Development Incentives. This item was a joint discussion between the City Council and Economic Development Committee. City Manager, Jim Witt presented a memorandum to the City Council and Committee, along with a Tax Abatement Survey of surrounding municipalities' policies on Tax Abatements. Mr. Witt summarized his memo, giving a brief history of the City's past policies on Tax Abatements and reiterated that the City's current policy on Tax Abatements should remain as is, offering 75% abatement for 5 years. The current policy was adopted in 1995 with a sliding scale from 25-75% abatement, lowering the abatement if the use was undesirable or a burden on the City's infrastructure. Mr. Witt went over the Tax Abatement Survey, indicating that Coppell's abatements are in line with the area municipalities. Mr. Witt also explained that overall; the City's economic development incentives include Tax Abatements, Triple Freeport, and 380 Grants. Mr. Witt also expressed that less than 20% of the current tenants in the City will benefit from Triple Freeport based on the type of business use, leaving tax abatements as a significant incentive. Discussion followed between Council and Committee members regarding tax abatements. Bill Rohloff explained that as we move closer to build out, the Council and Committee should discuss the City's direction and make sure we're on the same page. Mr. Rohloff explained last month's conversations on the Tax Abatement polices; we don't want to limit or change our policy, but get some guidance from the City Council. Comments from Council members followed, indicating their desire to continue to offer tax abatements at the recommendation of the Committee. Council members expressed their appreciation to the Committee for their efforts behind Triple Freeport, but also mentioned that the Council does not want to interfere with the Committee's operations. It was discussed that as the City gets closer to build out and it becomes apparent that certain areas remain undeveloped, review of incentives would be warranted, including a manner in which to "target" these areas. City Manager, Jim Witt closed the discussion with final supportive comments on the City's current tax abatement policies. Discussion ended. The City Council joint meeting with the Economic Development Committee adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Councilmembers departed and the Economic Development Committee meeting resumed with the following item (item #4). Both Mary Ann Kellam and Robert Key arrived during the discussion of Item #3. 4. Approval of Minutes It was moved by Karen Hunt and seconded by Bruce Bradford that the minutes of the September 6, 2000 meeting be approved as recorded. The motion passed unanimously. 5. Election of Officers -Chairman and Vice -Chairman The Board discussed that Mr. Rohloff and Mr. Roden continue to do an outstanding job as Chairs and wished to keep both members in their current positions. It was moved by Bruce Bradford and seconded by Stan Morton to re-elect Bill Rohloff as Chairman and Gary Roden and Vice -Chairman. The motion passed unanimously. 6. Continued from September 6, 2000 Meeting Consideration of a request by Lincoln Property Company for tax abatement for an 115,200 -sq. ft. office/warehouse development on 8.6 acres located at the corner of Wrangler and Lakeshore Drives. This item was continued from the September 6, 2000 Economic Development Meeting, allowing the applicant to look into their Freeport Status and allow the site plan amendment to receive City Council approval. Chairman Bill Rohloff read a letter sent by the applicant Tom Kuhlman, Lincoln Properties (attached). Lincoln Properties indicated their desire to contribute to the Triple Freeport efforts and will do so through a $5,000 contribution. Discussion on Triple Freeport began and how to handle the surplus funds if the amount contributed by companies and developers exceeds the amount needed to fulfill the obligation to the C.LS.D. Bill Herries mentioned that a flat percentage should not be returned to the contributors. He suggested that a minimum contribution is maintained and then a certain percentage above the base contribution is refunded to the company. If a surplus occurs, a solution will be determined at that time. Discussion continued on the subject tax abatement request. While the Committee plans to approve the abatement request, there was concern that the exterior shell of the building is already existing and that the developer has secured a tenant for the building- Charles Schwab. Staff noted that the applicant has been in verbal contact with staff for months regarding the abatement, prior to the commencement of construction. Staff also noted that the applicant indicated that they secured the tenant sooner than expected. Staff referenced the denial of the tax abatement request by Haverty's and confirmed that the current request dramatically varies from Haverty's, where the building had been constructed and operational, when they applied for a tax abatement. The current request has been in the process for months. Bill Herries made a motion and Bruce Bradford seconded the motion to approve 75% -5 year tax abatement for Lincoln Properties. The motion passed unanimously. 7. Update on Triple Freeport Staff informed the Committee that numerous inquiries have been made regarding the City's Triple Freeport Status. It was discussed and determined that staff should keep a log of those inquiries. The City is trying to get the word out regarding Triple Freeport; a press release was done, but did not generate extensive coverage. Staff will work internally to update the City's web site to provide detailed information regarding Triple Freeport. The Committee discussed the possibility of placing an ad in a Commercial Real Estate Magazine. 8. Discussion regarding acknowlcdgcmcnt of Triple Freeport Participants. (Marsha Tunncll) Marsha Tunnell passed several gift catalogs around for the Committee to review. The gifts will be given to the 24 companies that signed the In Lieu of Agreements for the granting of Triple Freeport. Further discussion regarding the gifts indicated that the Committee should include the school board members for their cooperation in gaining Triple Freeport. The Committee discussed that they wanted to give the recipients something that would commemorate their participation. After discussion on various possible gifts, it was determined that a "Thank You" ad be placed in the Dallas Business Journal for all 24 company participants and individually give a gift to the Coppell Independent School District Board members. A budget was discussed and determined to be $3000 maximum for the newspaper ad in the Dallas Business Journal and $2000 for individual gifts. It was decided that Marsha would get with Chad and Tim to draft a thank you letter to the company employees who assisted and worked with the City and Committee to gain Triple Freeport. Bill Herries made the motion and Karen Hunt seconded the motion to approve the total budget at a maximum of $5,000 and proposed gift ideas. The motion passed unanimously. 9. Update on development Gary Sieb updated the Committee on some of the proposed development applications, including two possible future additions. Gary indicated that he had met with Havertys and they are looking into the construction of an addition. Jim Witt also informed the Committee that he and other City staff members had toured the new PSINet facility on Lakeshore Drive. PSI Net is a new high-tech data center on Lakeshore Drive, a very impressive facility containing a significant level of security and back-up power. Bill Herries suggested that the Committee conduct a meeting at the Darryl Flood building, indicating that the building is very impressive and a well-done facility. The Committee discussed the possibility of conducting meetings at some of the companies/projects that the Committee has impacted. The Committee discussed setting up a schedule starting in January and meeting at these companies every other month, having a more visible presence in the community. The Committee was in agreement and felt that it would be a nice way to make these businesses located in our Industrial areas feel a part of the community and create an opportunity for the Committee to learn a little more about what these companies do. It was also discussed that we might put a show together for the local cable station, informing the public of the duties of the Committee and what it has accomplished, as well as what it offers to new businesses. Staff will get together with Sharon Logan, Public Information Officer for the City to discuss. Adjournment With no further business to discuss, it was moved by Mary Ann Kellam and seconded by Karen Hunt that the meeting adjourn. By unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Andrea L. Roy COPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Wednesday, October 4, 2000 Meeting Time: 7:00 p.m. (Open to the Public) Meeting Place: 2°d Floor Conference Room, Coppell Town Center Notice is hereby given that the Economic Development Partnership will meet on Wednesday October 4, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. in the 2'd Floor Conference Room at the Coppell Town Center, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, Texas. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the following items: WORK SESSION (Open to the Public) Item 1: Call to Order. Item 2: Introduction of New Committee Member: Dennis Onalaja. Item 3: Discussion regarding Economic Development Incentives Item 4: Approval of Minutes: September 6, 2000. Item 5: Election of Officers- Chairman and Vice -Chairman. Item 6: Continued from September 6, 2000 Meeting. Consideration of a request by Lincoln Properties Company for tax abatement for a 115,200 sq. ft. office/warehouse development on 8.6 acres located at the SW corner of Wrangler and Lakeshore Drives. Item 7: Update on Triple Freeport. Item 8: Discussion regarding acknowledgement of Triple Freeport Participants. Item 9: Update on development within the City (Planning). Adjournment CERTIFICATE I certify that the above notice of meeting was posted at 5:00 p.m. on the bulletin board at the Town Center of the City of Coppell, Texas, on Friday, September 29, 2000. Scarlett Hovland, Secretary NOTICE OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL JOINT WORK SESSION WITH COPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AND AGENDA OCTOBER 4, 2000 CANDY SHEEHAN, MARSHA TUNNELL, Place 4 Mayor Mayor Pro Tem GREG GARCIA, JAYNE PETERS, VACANT JIM WITT, City Manager MEETING TIME AND PLACE: Work Session 7:00 P.M. Place 1 DOUG STOVER, Place 2 LARRY WHEELER, Place 3 BILL YORK, 2ND Floor Conf. Room Place 5 Place 6 Place 7 (Open to the Public) Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Coppell, Texas will meet in Special Called Joint Work Session with the Coppell Economic Development Committee on Wednesday, October 4, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. to be held in the 2nd Floor Conference Room at Town Center, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, Texas. As authorized by Section 551.071(2) of the Texas Government Code, this meeting may be convened into closed Executive Session for the purpose of seeking confidential legal advice from the City Attorney on any agenda item listed herein. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the following items: ITEM # ITEM DESCRIPTION WORK SESSION 1. Call to order. (Open to the Public) 2. Convene Work Session A. Discussion regarding Economic Development Incentives. ag10042000 Page 1 of 2 Adjournment. Candy Sheehan, Mayor CERTIFICATE I certify that the above Notice of Meeting was posted on the bulletin board at the City Hall of the City of Coppell, Texas on this day of , 2000, at Libby Ball, City Secretary PUBLIC NOTICES STATEMENT FOR ADA COMPLIANCE The City of Coppell acknowledges its responsibility to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. Thus, in order to assist individuals with disabilities who require special services (i.e. sign interpretative services, alternative audio/visual devices, and amanuenses) for participation in or access to the City of Coppell sponsored public programs, services and/or meetings, the City requests that individuals make requests for these services forty-eight (48) hours ahead of the scheduled program, service and/or meeting. To make arrangements, contact Vivyon V. Bowman, ADA Coordinator or other designated official at (972) 462-0022, or {TDD 1 -800 -RELAY, TX 1-800.735-2989). 1N COMPLIANCE WITH CITY OF COPPELL ORDINANCE NO. 95724 Carrying of a concealed handgun on these premises or at any official political meeting in the City of Coppell is illegal. Es ilegal Ilevar consigo un arma de fuego oculta, adentro de este edificio, o en cualquier junta oficial de politica en la ciudad de Coppell. ag10042000 Page 2of2