BM 2001-08-01 EcDevCOPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
August 1, 2001
MINUTES
The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 1,2001
at Coppell Town Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, Texas.
The following were present: Chairman Bill Rohloff, Gary Roden, Bruce Bradford, Dennis
Onalaja, Tim Brancheau, Bill Herries, Mohammed Elmougy, Mary Ann Kellam, Robert Key,
Councilmember Marsha Tunnel, and Councilmember Jayne Peters, City Manager Jim Witt, Chad
Beach, and Andrea Roy.
Call to Order.
Chairman Bill Rohloff called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Bill Herries and seconded by Bruce Bradford that the minutes of the
July 11,2001 meeting be approved as recorded. The motion passed unanimously.
Economic Development Topics of Consideration
a.) Staffing and b.) Chamber of Commerce
The Committee discussed at length, the current and potential economic development
staffing needs, as well as the relationship and role of both the Economic Development
Partnership and Chamber of Commerce in economic development efforts. The
Committee determined that is was essential to look at the big picture in order to make a
beneficial recommendation to Council regarding these issues. Several options were
discussed to begin to address the issue of economic development staffing, which also
requires a review of the economic development goals and objectives. It was
recommended to look at other communities and review and assess other successful
economic development programs, as well as review this Committee's By-Laws and
compare them to the Chamber's By-Laws, looking at the differences and identifying any
gaps in the programs. It was also determined that City staff should discuss this issue with
the development community within Coppell, gaining their perspective on this matter.
City staff will review the staffing issues with the development community and report the
findings to the Committee. These findings and much of the above discussed material will
be provided to the Committee within a special 'early edition' packet, which will allow
Committee members to fully review the enclosed information prior to the September
meeting.
Additionally, Bill Rohloff asked Jim Witt if a survey could be given to the Council at
their next meeting, listing their opinion of approximately three positive aspects and three
negative aspects of economic development in Coppell. Mr. Witt indicated that this could
be placed on the Council's August 28th agenda and brought back to the Committee on
September 5,2001.
It was moved by Mary Ann Kellam and seconded by Mohamed Elmougy, to defer items
3c (Hot Spots) and 3d (Incentives) until the September Economic Development
Committee Meeting. It was passed unanimously.
Senate Joint Resolution 6-Constitutional Amendment regarding additional
exemptions.
City Manager Jim Witt informed the Committee of the implications of Senate Joint
Resolution 6 Inventory Exemption, if approved. The Resolution would essentially
expand the exemption on inventory property, and based on the wording of the
amendment ("to promote equal tax treatment for products produced, acquired and
distributed in the State of Texas"), it is likely that it will pass. While the amendment
sounds positive, this would result in revenue losses for Coppell. The current Freeport
exemption exempts inventory transported outside of the state, while S JR 6 exempts
inventory transported outside the state or to another location within the state. The current
Freeport exemption applies to inventory transported outside the state within 175 days,
while the S JR 6 expands that number to 270 days. Mr. Witt also indicated that this
amendment has not been widely publicized and was brought to the City's attention by the
Dallas Central Appraisal District. Staff will keep the Committee apprised of the status of
the amendment.
Discussion regarding Coppell's role in the Irving Chamber's Centerpiece for
Technology Council.
Membership in the Irving Chamber's Centerpiece for Technology Council was further
discussed. The Committee recommended that the information be forwarded to the
Coppell Telecommunications Board for further review and action, if the Board deemed
appropriate. City Staff will forward the information to the Chairman of the
Telecommunications Board, Andrew Bardach.
Update on Development within the City (Planning).
Staff then briefed the Committee on new development in the City, informing the
committee of upcoming development cases, as well as the amount of occupied, vacant,
and future space within Coppell. A copy of the 2001 Community Profile will be
forwarded to the Committee members for their information.
Adjournment
With no further business to discuss, it was moved by Mary Ann Kellam and seconded by
Mohammed Elmougy that the meeting adjourn. By unanimous vote, the meeting was
adjourned at approximately 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea L. Roy