BM 2001-10-03 EcDevCOPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
October 3, 2001
MINUTES
The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 3,
2001 at Coppell Town Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell,
Texas. The following were present: Chairman Bill Rohloff, Gary Roden, Jay Thompson, Dennis
Onalaja, Tim Brancheau, Mohammed Elmougy, Mary Ann Kellam, Robert Key, Councilmember
Marsha Tunnell, Councilmember Jayne Peters, City Manager Jim Witt, Asst. Finance Director
Chad Beach, Director of Planning & Community Services Gary Sieb, and City Planner Andrea
Roy.
Call to Order.
Vice Chairman Gary Roden called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
At this time Vice Chairman Gary Roden swore in re-appointed alternate member Dennis
Onalaja. Bruce Bradford is not present and will be sworn in at the following meeting.
(Item 2 was delayed until the arrival of the Chairman)
Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Mohammed Elmougy and seconded by Mary Ann Kellam that the
minutes of the September 12, 2001 meeting by approved as recorded. The motion passed
unanimously.
Discussion regarding Boards & Commissions Attendance Policy.
Director of Planning & Community Services Gary Sieb briefed the Committee on the
City's Boards & Commissions attendance policy and passed out a memorandum from the
City Manager on this subject to all members. Councilmember Jayne Peters also informed
the Committee that interviews may be conducted with all boards and commission
candidates for all requested positions in the future, due to the overwhelming response by
the public to serve on the varying Boards & Commissions.
Request by Centex Commercial Development for tax abatement for a 7.017-acre
portion of a 25.93-acre tract site (known as Vista Ridge Addition).
Dan Anderson with Centex Commercial Development presented. The applicant requested
tax abatement approval for a proposed 71,144 square-foot office building located at the
southwest comer of S.H. 121 and MacArthur Boulevard. Mr. Anderson showed the
Committee the concept plan for the entire three-phase development, indicating that this
request surrounds only building one at the present time. The estimated completion date
for the project is August 2002. Due to lending restrictions, construction of the project
will not begin until approximately 40% of the building is pre-leased. Mr. Anderson
another division of Centex is a potential tenant and the applicant's ability to secure the
lease will be based on approval of the tax abatement. The potential tenant is currently
bound to a lease, which contains a "l-year out", allowing the tenant to relocate after the
one-year notification term is completed. It was also indicated that once located in the
building, there is a possibility of future expansion, including title, mortgage, pest control,
commercial, and residential divisions of Centex. Mr. Anderson further indicated that the
estimated value of the building is approximately 4-4.5 million.
The item was briefly discussed among Committee members and Chad Beach followed
with the review of a summary of the results of the econometric model, expressing that
Mr. Anderson's application indicated a minimum improvement value in compliance with
the 5.5 million minimum required for consideration. Further discussion proceeded
1
regarding the decrease in the improvement value from 5.5 to 4.0-4.5 million. It was
determined that the Committee would make its recommendation based on the values
represented in the application.
It was moved by Tim Brancheau and seconded by Dennis Onalaja that Centex
Commercial Development be granted a 5-year, 75% abatement based on a minimum
improvement value of $5.5 million. It was passed unanimously. Mr. Sieb informed the
applicant of the Committee's recommendation and indicated that if the value of
improvements do not meet the minimum value required for consideration, the applicant
will have to request an amendment.
(Item 2 was now heard)
Election of Officers-Chairman and Vice Chairman.
There was no discussion.
It was moved by Mohammed Elmougy and seconded by Jay Thompson that the current
structure of the Committee be continued, maintaining Bill Rohloff as Chairman and Gary
Roden as Vice Chairman. It was passed unanimously.
Status of incentives for business attraction and retention.
City Manager Jim Witt briefed the Committee on the status of the Staples Company,
which is considering consolidation and relocation. Mr. Witt indicated that another
community had proposed a significant incentive package to Staples, who wanted to offer
Coppell the opportunity to respond with an alternative incentive package. Details were
discussed and it was recommended by the Committee that a more aggressive sales tax
rebate be granted to Staples, with varying rebate levels based on the number of years and
whether the company leases or purchases the facility.
It was moved by Tim Brancheau and seconded by Mary Ann Kellam that the sales tax
rebate for the one-cent General Fund Sales Tax be granted to Stapes under the following
conditions:
Years 1-5 25% City of Coppell 75% Staples
Years 6-10 40% City of Coppell 60% Staples
Years 11-20
If in an ownership position
40% Coppell/60% Staples
OF
If in a leasing position
50% Coppell/50% Staples
It was passed unanimously.
Update on status of City's actions to address recommendations by the development
community.
City Manager Jim Witt indicated to the Committee that some changes have been set in
motion to improve City services as recommended by the development community. The
Engineering Department has installed signs on the sides of the roads, which are to be
improved/widened in the near future. Additionally, the Building Inspections Department
is in the process of revising their policy regarding permit review, allowing architects to
sign a permit waiver for tenant finish-outs only, which will expedite the process.
Discussion regarding Broker's Reception.
Mr. Sieb briefed the committee on the Broker's Reception, which is typically held every
two years, in the fall. It was recommended that the reception be postponed until the
spring in order to the Committee to continue concentrating on the ongoing events.
Economic Development Topics of Consideration.
A. Hot Spots
The provided list of undeveloped properties was discussed at length by the Committee,
including site characteristics and development obstacles. The Committee indicated those
properties which they would consider a high priority as well as a low priority and
requested that staff provide more detailed information on those which are considered a
higher priority for development. This item will be looked at further at the next meeting.
B. Role of the Chamber & City in Economic Development
Mohammed Elmougy indicated to the Committee that the Chamber is in the process of
looking at candidates for Chamber President and considering their ability to provide
assistance in the area of economic development. The Committee will be updated
accordingly.
10.
Update on development within the City
Staff briefed the Committee on new development in the City, informing the Committee of
upcoming development cases.
Adjournment
With no further business to discuss, it was moved by Mary Ann K¢llam and seconded by
Gary Rodcn that the meeting adjourn. By unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at
approximately 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea L. Roy