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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-08 Draft EDC Minutes02-07-08 EDC Minutes.doc 1 02-07-08 Right Where You Want to Be. MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF ANNA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FEBRUARY 7, 2008 6:30 P.M. ANNA CITY HALL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 111 N. POWELL PKWY., ANNA, TEXAS The Economic Development Corporation of the City of Anna conducted its Regular meeting at 6:30 p.m., NOTE THE TIME Thursday, February 7, 2008, at the Anna City Hall Administration Building, 111 N. Powell Parkway, to consider the following items: 1. Call to Order and Establishment of Quorum. President, Richard Pennington called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Richard Pennington, Lonnie Friesen, Alexander Hamilton and Dr. Charles Vance were present. Council Member Billy Deragon was present. 2. Invocation given by Dr. Charles Vance, Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church Dr. Charles Vance delivered the invocation. 3. Pledge Allegiance 4. Citizen comment. None 5. Presentation by the Anna Chamber of Commerce regarding their calendar. Council Member asked that this item be tabled till the next regular meeting. Dr. Charles Vance made the motion to table the item. Alexander Hamilton seconded the motion. Motion passes. 6. Consider/Discuss/Action regarding Tax Abatement for possible investors that invest and create employment in the City of Anna. Alexander Hamilton suggested that EDC go to Council with a plan or guidelines for companies coming to Anna and suggested tax abatements. 02-07-08 EDC Minutes.doc 2 02-07-08 Richard Pennington recommended that they just take things on a case by case basis. Dr. Charles Vance recommended to research and develop a developer application for information on their projects and what they are asking for. Dr. Charles Vance made the motion to develop a application for development and incentives. Lonnie Friesen seconded the motion. Motion passes. 7. Discussion (up date) regarding Ideas on the needs of the Fire Department, Police Department, etc when bringing development (a Hotel, etc.) to the City of Anna. Dr. Charles Vance led the discussion on this item. Dr. Vance has met with Fire Chief Larry Bridges concerning the equipment needed to have taller than two story buildings in Anna. Dr. Vance has been researching price and financing for new equipment. Dr. Vance suggested talking with CDC to help with the cost. Dr. Vance will continue to do the research on this item. 8. Consider/Discuss/Action regarding a report (up date) and an outline from Member Lonnie Friesen regarding the EDC’s contribution to the Development of an Anna Master Plan and Project Plan. Lonnie Friesen had handouts for members and led the discussion on this item. Members discussed getting together for a workshop to go over the Economic Development plan for Anna to present to council February 26, 2008. Dr. Charles Vance made the motion to do this. Alexander Hamilton seconded the motion. Motion passes. Dr. Charles Vance made a motion to have a workshop February 15, 2008 at 9:00 am tentatively. Alexander Hamilton seconded the motion. Motion passes. 9. Discussion regarding Gary Billups and Crippen International with regards to the annexation, zoning, and purchasing of the EDC land (Abstract A0114 Brantley, J.C. Tract 25, acres 48.0000). Mr. Gary Billups was present and addressed the board in regards to their property and the development he would like to do. Mr. Billups answered questions from board members as he summarized his various companies. Council Member Deragon left around 7:25 pm. Lonnie Friesen made the motion to go into executive session at 7:25 pm. Dr. Charles Vance seconded the motion. Motion passes. 10. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Under terms of Chapter 551 of Texas Government Code the board may enter into CLOSED SESSION or Executive Session to deliberate regarding commercial or financial 02-07-08 EDC Minutes.doc 3 02-07-08 information that the governmental body has received from a business prospect that the governmental body seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the territory of the governmental body and with which the governmental body is conducting economic development negotiations or to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property because such deliberations in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the board’s position in negotiations with third persons (Government Code, Chapters 551.072, 551.087). Return to open session. Lonnie Friesen made the motion to return to open session at 7:38 pm. Alexander Hamilton seconded the motion. Motion passes. 11. Discuss and take action as desired on items discussed in Executive Session. Lonnie Friesen made the motion to take mo action. Dr. Charles Vance seconded the motion. Motion passes. 12. Consider/Discuss/Action on EDC property located on Hwy 5 (Abstract A0114 Brantley, J.C., Tract 25, Acres 48.0000) regarding annexation and zoning issues to be discussed at City Council Meeting, February 12, 2008. Dr. Charles Vance is trying to round up the necessary paperwork to be able to go forward in the annexation and zoning process. Lonnie Friesen made the motion that if no survey is found that a survey be done. Alexander Hamilton seconded the motion. Motion passes. 13. Discussion regarding signage. Richard Pennington led the discussion to have information signs at FM 455 and by City Hall. 14. Consider/Discuss/Action regarding Dr. Charles Vance receiving a letter inviting him to China to visit with representatives regarding developing new trade opportunities, initiate and establish relationships to bring light industry manufacturing to industrial zones to be developed in future by EDC, and to finalize plans for Heavy equipment manufacturing to Anna. Dr. Vance led the discussion on this item. Dr. Vance would like to take along on the trip, Mayor Pro Tem, Billy Deragon, President of CDC, David Crim and a member of P & Z Darren Driskell to build relationships. Lonnie 02-07-08 EDC Minutes.doc 4 02-07-08 Friesen made the motion that the invitation be accepted on Dr. Vance’s behalf. Dr. Vance seconded the motion. Motion passes 3 to 1. Alexander Hamilton abstained from voting. 15. Consider/Discuss/Action regarding Dr. Vance’s needs, to review the costs of travel and visas to China, regarding taking a team of City and Economic Leaders to China Dr. Charles Vance reviewed the cost associated with this. Visa’s (with multiple entries) and passports will be needed at a cost of $1,535.00; airfare $6,100.00 for a total of $7,635.00. Everything else would be covered by the Chinese once they arrived. Lonnie Friesen made the motion to use the money from the Business Development line item in their budget. Dr. Vance seconded the motion. Motion passes 3 to 1. Alexander Hamilton abstained from voting. 16. Consider/Discuss/Action regarding approval of Minutes of meeting(s) of January 5, 2008 Workshop and January 17, 2008 Special Meeting. Alexander Hamilton made a motion to accept. Lonnie Friesen seconded the motion. Motion passes. 17. Consider approval of financial report and payment of bills. Dr. Charles Vance gave a short summary of the financials and answered questions from members. Alexander Hamilton made the motion to approve. Lonnie Friesen seconded the motion. Motion passes. 18. Discussion/Action regarding future agenda items. Joe’s Italian Bristol; Gary Billups and Crippen International; Item 5, 13, 8; Greater Anna Chamber; Item 7; next meeting March 13, 2008 because of China trip. 19. Adjourn. Dr. Charles Vance made the motion to adjourn at 8:03 pm. Lonnie Friesen seconded the motion. Motion passes. ATTEST: APPROVED: ________________________ __________________________ Natha Wilkison, City Secretary Richard Pennington, President