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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2023-10-04 RegularCOMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2023 - 4:00 P.M. SECOND FLOOR (CMO) CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm with the following members present: CHAIR SUSAN ASIMAKIS COMMITTEE MEMBER JUDY WIGGINS COMMITTEE MEMBER PAULINE MOORE COMMITTEE MEMBER KYLE WINNE COMMITTEE MEMBER ANDREA TRABANINO DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUBREY HARBIN ABSENT: VICE CHAIRMAN BLAISE GUZZETTA COMMITTEE MEMBER DEREK BROWN SECRETARY KRISTINA CUELLAR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER STEVEN RHEA COUNCILMEMBER SALLY BRANSON 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS None 3. MINUTES A Consider approving the minutes of the Community and Economic Development Committee Regular Meeting, held on August 16, 2023. Motion to approve: Winne Second: Trabanino Vote: 5 to 0 - Minutes Approved 4. DISCUSSION ITEMS A Discuss the Community and Economic Development Committee economic development and business retention strategy. Asimakis explained that the annual report was presented to City Council at the October Council meeting and presented a copy to the Committee. She also informed everyone that the next Collaboration Meeting is October 5, 2023. That group consists of representatives from several committees including Judy Wiggins and Susan Asimakis from CEDC, Paul Marx from FDEDC, Brett Banfield and Shanna Kirkpatrick from FDFA, and Carol Marcantel from the Chamber of Commerce. At the next meeting, Asimakis explained that she would provide a summary of the messaging points that were received from the business visits conducted by this committee. After receiving input from the Collaboration Group, an update will be provided to City Council and the interviewees, brokers, and Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAYHEP). The intent is for messaging to be incorporated into conversations and messaging in the future. Asimakis explained that the goal is to establish an Action Plan by the end of the year. The City's Target Market List was reviewed by Kyle Winne and Judy Wiggins. They suggested making the following changes: • Broaden the manufacturing category. Target companies must be able to produce a high dollar volume in a small footprint. Manufacturing that requires lots of floor space for assembly or large stock items are not a good fit due to high real estate costs. • Remove outdated categories such as Telecommunications, Telephone Call Centers, and Museums, Historical Site, and Similar Institutions • Add Event Space • Add Start Up Businesses — entrepreneurs need a place to access common, neutral meeting and workspace with ample parking and floor space. The Committee requested the vacancy rate of businesses or commercial buildings in Friendswood for future discussions. The Committee also identified other future plans include working on initiatives, a retention strategy, and a restaurant list. 5. BUSINESS ITEMS Consider making a recommendation to the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the proposed zone classification change for Friendswood City Center. The Committee unanimously agreed to recommend approval of the zone classification change. They expressed concerns over the number of parking spaces provided on the site and the possibility of putting other Friendswood businesses out of business. 6. REPORTS A Received Staff Business Report. Harbin presented the business report for August: Certificates of Occupancy Issued: Peden and Associates 312 Morningside Drive Suite B L Massage 907 S Friendswood Drive Suite 103 Roberts Family Insurance 306 S Friendswood Drive Space City Adjusters & Estimators 211 E Parkwood Ave Suite 208 New Commercial Permits Issued: None Commercial Alterations Permits Issued: Song Won International 1 Parkside Drive Edward Jones Branch 820 S Friendswood Drive Zone Changes in process: Friendswood City Center PUD — P&Z October 12; City Council November 6 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 5:04 pm.