BM 2001-07-11 EcDevCOPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
July 11, 2001
MINUTES
The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11, 2001
at Coppell Town Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, Texas.
The following were present: Chairman Bill Rohloff, Gary Roden, Bruce Bradford, Jay
Thompson, Dennis Onalaja, Bill Herries, Karen Hunt, Robert Key, Councilmember Jayne Peters,
City Manager Jim Witt, Chad Beach, Gary Sieb, and Andrea Roy.
Call to Order.
Chairman Bill Rohloff called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Karen Hunt and seconded by Dennis Onalaja that the minutes of the
May 2, 2001 meeting (No meeting was held in June) be approved as recorded. The
motion passed unanimously.
Presentation by Irving Chamber regarding Centerpiece for Technology Council
Becky Ashley and Dawn Massoth of the Irving Chamber presented to the Committee,
with Tom Morton in attendance. Dawn Massoth was the primary speaker, requesting
Coppell's support in their endeavor to found the Irving & Las Colinas Centerpiece of
Technology. Ms. Massoth indicated that the purpose of the Council is to bring together
representatives of high tech organizations to inform, educate, create business
opportunities, and generate economic development. Ms. Massoth briefed the Committee
on Irving's and the Metro area's technology base, indicating that Irving is becoming a
high-tech corridor. Ms. Massoth indicated that no financial contributions from the City
would be necessary, but that they wish for Coppell to become a founding member,
providing support and representation at their functions, which would link Coppell's tech
companies and Irving's technology base together. Ms. Massoth asked that the City
designate a representative to attend Committee meetings. Hand-outs on the goals,
functions, and structure of the Technology Council, were distributed. Discussion
followed regarding Coppell's position in this endeavor, and it was determined that the
item would be placed on the Committee's agenda next month for further discussion
among the Committee members.
Request by Duke-Weeks Realty Corporation (Texas Dugan, LP) for tax abatement
for a 17.824-acre site (known as Freeport VII).
Bob Rice with Duke-Weeks presented. The applicant is requesting tax abatement
approval for a 383,450 square foot building within Freeport Noah Business Park. This
building is a state of the an facility, designed for use as a distribution facility. The
applicant estimates that two to three tenants will occupy the building, which is scheduled
to be completed by August 2001. Duke-Weeks is looking for five to ten year leases on
the building. Mr. Rice showed the Committee renderings of the building, which is
similar in nature to other surrounding Duke-Weeks projects.
The item was briefly discussed and the Committee decided to continue and review Item
5, the second Tax Abatement request by Duke-Weeks and then discuss in detail. Mr.
Rice continued and informed the committee that the second Tax Abatement request was
for the 559,582 square foot building located on Freeport Parkway Extension. This
building will be the first completed within the new Duke-Freeport Addition at the
intersection of Bethel and Freeport Parkway. The applicant indicated to the Committee
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that the Southwest School Depository has leased a portion of the building for a term of 7
years. The building is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in
October 2001.
Chad Beach followed with the review of a summary of the results of the econometric
model, indicating that Duke-Weeks Realty (Texas Dugan, LP) is requesting a standard 5-
year, 75% tax abatement for both projects. Both projects meet and exceed the minimum
investment amount required for Tax Abatement approval.
It was moved by Bill Herries and seconded by Dennis Onalaja that Duke-Weeks (Texas
Dugan, LP) be granted a 5-year, 75% tax abatement for both Item 4 and Item 5. It was
passed unanimously.
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Request by Duke-Weeks Realty Corporation for tax abatement for a 26.659-acre
site (known as Freeport IX).
(See Item 4; both requests were reviewed simultaneously)
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Discussion regarding role of the Partnership in City Council goals for 2002.
Jim Witt and Gary Sieb addressed the Committee on this issue, outlining the four primary
goals of the Council under the category of Economic Development. Discussion followed
on these issues, which surround the possibility of formal economic development staffing,
the role of the Chamber and Partnership in economic development, identification of ;;Hot
Spot" properties, and re-evaluation of the City's incentive packages. It was determined
that Bill Rohloff and Gary Roden would meet with City Staff to outline these issues and
bring the item back for detailed discussion at the next meeting.
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Update on Development within the City (Planning).
Chairman Bill Rohloff briefed the Committee on the Boeing De-briefing meeting that he
attended, distributing information on the main points that were discussed at the de-
briefing. Staff then briefed the Committee on new development in the City, informing
the committee of upcoming development cases. Robert Key also updated the Committee
on the status of Robinhood debate.
Adjournment
With no further business to discuss, it was moved by Robert Key and seconded by Gary
Roden that the meeting adjourn. By unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at
approximately 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea L. Roy