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