BM 2002-02-06 EcDevCOPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
February 6, 2002
MINUTES
The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6,
2002, at Coppell Town Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell,
Texas. The following were present: Chairman Bill Rohloff, Vice Chairman Gary Roden, Bruce
Bradford, Jay Thompson, Dennis Onalaja, Tim Brancheau, Mary Ann Kellam, Councilmember
Jayne Peters, Councilmember Marsha Tunnell, City Manager Jim Witt, Chad Beach, Gary Sieb
and Andrea Roy.
Call to Order.
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Jay Thompson and seconded by Bruce Bradford that the minutes of the
January 9, 2002 meeting be approved as recorded. The motion passed unanimously.
Request by Verizon to amend economic development incentive agreement to allow
for an extension of the completion date for Building "B".
Staff briefed the Committee on the background of this request, indicating that the original
agreement required Building "B" to be constructed by December 12, 2000, and one
extension has already been granted, allowing completion of the building by April 1, 2002.
The subject request is to extend the completion date to December 2004. Conditions of the
agreement require construction of the building by the noted date or payment for a portion
of the construction of Coppell Road. It was also discussed that during the August 2000
meeting, where the first extension was requested, the Committee specifically noted that
they did not want to make a habit of granting extensions.
Tom Schaffer and Diane Wolford of Verizon presented to the Committee, indicating the
reasons for the extension. Mr. Schaffer stated that Verizon's merger has been an
extremely slow process, with organizational issues still being worked out. Additionally,
Mr. Schaffer indicated that the current economic downturn prohibits construction of a
second building at this time and while there are plans to construct a second building,
there were no guarantees.
Discussion by the Committee resumed. The Committee expressed its concerns for the
City during this time of economic downturn and the funds which the City counted on
coming from the construction of the Verizon building. It was recommended that
stipulations be placed on any extension, requiring that some level of the required payment
be made to the City. It was further recommended that interest be charged on the amount
due to the City during the extension period. It was determined that the precise legality of
the means of receiving payment must be explored through our City Attorney. The
Committee expressed that the City must cover its liabilities with regards to the funding
for the roadway.
It was recommended by Tim Brancheau and seconded by Dennis Onalaja that the item be
postponed for action until next month, allowing adequate review by staff and the City
Attorney to determine an appropriate means of collecting a payment amount. The motion
passed unanimously.
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Review of the Committee's recommendation to City Council on economic
development goals (Role of the Chamber, Formal Economic Development Staffing,
Hot Spots, and Incentives).
Staff briefed the Committee on the proposed letter addressed to the City Council
regarding their economic development goals for 2001-2002. The letter contains the
Committee's response to the Council economic development goals for the role of the
Chamber and formal economic development staffing. The issues surrounding Hot spots
and incentives have not been fully finalized and are not included within the letter, as
some additional discussion regarding the Committee's decision is necessary. Staff
distributed a sheet containing notes from prior meetings regarding the hot spots and
incentives. Chairman Rohloff indicated that the notes summarize the Committee's
decision regarding these issues and mentioned that he would include these ideas within
the letter to City Council.
Councilmember Jayne Peters recommended that the letter contain more specifics
regarding what retention, recruitment, and proactive marketing of the City includes.
The Committee further discussed the possible incentives needed for development of the
top four hot spots. It was determined that the Committee supported some type of
development incentives for the parcels, including the possibility of a reduction in tree
mitigation for qualifying properties. It was noted that this would be included in the letter
to Council, with limited discussion, as the Committee did not want to limit possible
incentives.
It was determined that Mr. Rohloff would re-draft the letter the Council to include
discussions surrounding hot spots and our current incentive programs.
Discussion regarding the 2002 Broker's Reception
Staff briefed the Committee on the estimated costs surrounding a broker's reception,
indicating how much was spent on the reception in the past. It was the consensus of the
Committee that now may not be the ideal time to host the reception, mentioning lower
than anticipated attendance at the prior reception. Mr. Witt indicated that it may be more
beneficial to sponsor a monthly meeting of the National Association of Industrial &
Office Properties and/or similar functions. It was also mentioned that individuals who
attend the reception already know about Coppell, and it is the intent to better inform those
who do not know about Coppell. The Committee asked that staff look into sponsoring
one of these functions and perhaps some others in the future, in lieu of the broker's
reception at this time.
Update on Commercial and Industrial development within the City.
Staff briefed the Committee on new development in the City, informing the Committee
that several new leases have been announced for tenants locating within buildings on the
west side. The amount of available space located within our industrial buildings is
lowering, as the recently completed buildings begin to be occupied.
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General Discussion and other business.
Staff briefed the Committee regarding an interview with the City of Carrollton's
Economic Development Director, Brad Mink, and distributed the literature from that
meeting. Staff indicated the structure of the department, the manner in which incentives
and site plans are processed, and the unique program that Carrollton has to market their
companies overseas.
Jay Thompson added that he reviewed a tax abatement agreement which contains
Chamber of Commerce membership requirements, a possibility which the Committee had
suggested to include in Coppell's Tax Abatements. Jay will forward a copy to City Staff.
City Manager Jim Witt indicated that the Committee's recommendation regarding
expeditious permitting is being conducted through our Building Inspections Department.
Mr. Witt also informed the Committee that CJ's had been sold, but that no significant
changes should occur, other than revisions to the menu.
Adjournment
With no further business to discuss, it was moved by Tim Brancheau and seconded by
Mary Ann Kellam that the meeting adjourn. By unanimous vote, the meeting was
adjourned at approximately 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea L. Roy
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