BM 2000-11-01 EcDevCOPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
November 1, 2000
MINUTES
The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 1,
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,
Bill Herries, Dennis Onalaja, Mary Ann Kellam, Karen Hunt, Mohamed Elmougy, Robert Key,
Gary Sieb, Chad Beach, Andrea Roy, Mayor Pro Tem Marsha Tunnell, Councilmember Doug
Stover.
Call to Order
Chairman Bill Rohloff called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Bill Herries and seconded by Karen Hunt that the minutes of the
October 4, 2000 meeting be approved as recorded. The motion passed unanimously.
Request by Duke-Weeks Realty Corporation for tax abatement for 12.1-acre parcel
Jeff Turner with Duke-Weeks Realty introduced himself to the Committee. Duke-Weeks
Realty Corporation recently constructed a 227,280 square foot office/warehouse facility
in Freeport North Business Park. The future tenant of the building will be Trillium; a
company that manufactures flat screen monitors. The applicant indicated that the tax
abatement incentive was used to attract Trillium to the site and that Trillium is a good,
clean tenant. The applicant also indicated that Trillium originally planned to occupy only
half the building; however, due to extensive growth, they will now occupy the entire
building. Trillium has signed a seven-year lease with Duke-Weeks.
Chad Beach followed with the review of a summary of the results of the econometric
model for the subject site and indicated that the property has been taxed as Agriculture,
yielding very low tax revenue. Duke-Weeks is requesting a 5-year, 75% tax abatement.
Discussion followed.
It was moved by Bill Herries and seconded by Gary Roden that the Duke-Weeks Realty
Corporation be granted a 5-year, 75% tax abatement. It was passed unanimously.
Request by Duke-Weeks Realty Corporation for tax abatement for 9.5-acre parcel
Jeff Turner with Duke-Weeks Realty presented. Duke-Weeks Realty Corporation is
constructing an 115,950 square foot office/warehouse facility in Freeport North Business
Park. This subject site is under construction, with an expected completion date of
December 15, 2000. The subject building is geared more toward office-type uses than
the prior site. Mr. Turner indicated that the building has been designed as a spec building
with targeted tenant at this point. Mr. Turner also indicated that there have been
prospective tenants and expect that the Tax abatement would help capture potential
occupants. Again, Duke-Weeks is anticipating a seven-year lease.
Chad Beach again followed with the review of a summary of the results of the
econometric model for the subject site and indicated that the property has been taxed as
Agriculture, yielding very low tax revenue. Duke-Weeks is requesting a 5-year, 75% tax
abatement. Discussion followed.
It was moved by Karen Hum and seconded by Bill Herries that the Duke-Weeks Realty
Corp. be granted a 5-year, 75% tax abatement. It was passed unanimously.
Discussion regarding acknowledgement of Triple Freeport Participants.
The Committee resumed discussion on the manner in which to acknowledge the Triple
Freeport Participants and contributors. The budget was discussed as it was determined
previously, a maximum of $5,000. Discussion followed regarding a maximum gift value
for elected board members, estimated to be either $25 - $50. Robert Key indicated that
he would rather have the Committee give that money to a good cause, a
charity/foundation, in lieu of a girl. Staff will look into the Committee's funds and
investigate if a donation is possible. It was discussed and determined that a contribution
to the Education Foundation should be made on behalf of the CISD Board members and
an acknowledgement card will then be sent to the CISD Board. Staff will pursue.
It was moved by Gary Roden and seconded by Mary Ann Kellam to place a ½ page ad in
the Dallas Business Journal and to contribute $2,000 to the CISD Education Foundation
if the names of the CISD Board members, if deemed acceptable by the City Attorney. It
was passed unanimously.
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