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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-13 EDC Meeting Minutes Special1. The Corporation reserves the right to retire into executive session concerning any of the items listed on this agenda, whenever it is considered necessary and legally justified under the Open Meeting Act. 2. Persons with a disability who want to attend this meeting who may need assistance should contact the City Secretary at 972 924-3325 two working days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made. 04-13-06 Minutes EDC Page 1 of 3 Right Where You Want to Be. SPECIAL MEETING OF ANNA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION April 13, 2006 7:00 P.M. COMMUNITY ROOM, INDEPENDENT BANK, 101 S. POWELL PARKWAY, ANNA, TEXAS The Economic Development Corporation of the City of Anna met in regular session at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 13, 2006, at the Community Room of the Independent Bank, 101 S. Powell Parkway, to consider the following items: 1. Call to Order and Establishment of Quorum. Members present were Mr. Robert Hamilton, Mr. Jeremy Hersom, and Mr. Richard Pennington. In the absence of the president and vice-president of the corporation, Mr. Pennington was selected as presiding officer by unanimous consent of the members present. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Pennington at 7:20 p.m. Mr. Billy Deragon, city council liaison, was present. Mr. John Geren, city council member, was also present as a visitor. 2. Citizen Input/Comments The EDC welcomes the input and suggestions of the citizens of Anna and its environs. Anyone wishing to address the EDC on relevant matters may do so at this time. Please limit comments to 5-10 minutes. Mr. John Geren was recognized to note that the Corporation needs tools, including maps, potential development site locations, information on available incentive packages, and other similar information) to allow the EDC to be viable and recruit businesses. He and Mr. Deragon also suggested that the EDC members meet in a work session, possibly on a Saturday morning, to identify the information needed by members and to consult with City staff in an effort to educate and inform members, especially since most the current EDC membership consists of persons who are recent appointees. 1. The Corporation reserves the right to retire into executive session concerning any of the items listed on this agenda, whenever it is considered necessary and legally justified under the Open Meeting Act. 2. Persons with a disability who want to attend this meeting who may need assistance should contact the City Secretary at 972 924-3325 two working days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made. 04-13-06 Minutes EDC Page 2 of 3 3. Discuss and take action regarding election of President of the Board of the Anna Economic Development Corporation. There was a consensus that action on this item should be deferred until all members could be present. 4. Discuss and take action as necessary regarding election of other officers of the Board of the Anna Economic Development Corporation. There was a consensus that action on this item should be deferred until all members could be present. 5. 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 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. No executive session was held. 6. Discuss and take action on items discussed in Executive Session. No executive session was held. 7. Discuss and tale action regarding EDC website. Mr. Hamilton noted that the website should be a marketing tool. Mr. Hersom agreed and stated that the website should be constructed around the theme of “why your business should come to Anna”. Mr. Pennington suggested that local colleges have technology programs that might very well provide assistance in setting up a good website without charge or at a minimum charge. Mr. Lawrence was asked to pursue this suggestion and especially to discuss this issue with persons he knows at the UT-Dallas Public Policy program. 1. The Corporation reserves the right to retire into executive session concerning any of the items listed on this agenda, whenever it is considered necessary and legally justified under the Open Meeting Act. 2. Persons with a disability who want to attend this meeting who may need assistance should contact the City Secretary at 972 924-3325 two working days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made. 04-13-06 Minutes EDC Page 3 of 3 Mr. Deragon suggested that Clay Ginn, chairman of the Anna Technology Commission be contacted to provide input. Mr. Geren stated that he would contact Mr. Ginn and ask him to attend the next EDC meeting. 8. Discuss and take action regarding development of Economic Development Plan. Mr. Lawrence provided an outline of some “starter” information to be included in the Economic Development Plan. He asked the members to review the information prior to the next meeting and to send suggestions and thoughts to him prior to the meeting so that the information could be brought to the meeting. Mr. Lawrence was asked to inquire with other cities in the area regarding what type of incentive programs were being offered and what criteria were being used to encourage businesses to come to the area. 9. Staff report(s). Mr. Geren suggested that the EDC set up a Google Group similar to the group established by the Technology Commission. There was also discussion of how the EDC might be able to support the quarter cent sales tax election. Mr. Pennington will develop a draft for an ad to run in local news media. 10. Financial report and payment of bills. Mr. Hamilton moved that the bills be paid as submitted. Mr. Hersom seconded the motion, which passed by a vote of 3-0. 11. Adjourn. There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. ____________________________________ Richard Pennington, Presiding Officer