HomeMy WebLinkAboutCDEC Minutes 2024-11-06 RegularCOMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH 2O24 - 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
VICE CHAIR BLAISE GUZZETTA
COMMITTEE MEMBER JUDY WIGGINS
COMMITTEE MEMBER DENISE SPRUIELL
COMMITTEE MEMBER KYLE WINNE
COUNCILMEMBER SALLY BRANSON
ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER STEVEN RHEA
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUBREY HARBIN
ABSENT:
COMMITTEE MEMBER PAULINE MOORE
SECRETARY KRISTINA CUELLAR
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chair Susan Asimakis announced that Andrea Trabanino has resigned from the Committee;
Andrea is still willing to help out and offers Summer Moon as a place for events. Chair
Asimakis requested volunteers to fill the vacant position.
3. MINUTES
Motion to approve the minutes of the Community and Economic Development Committee
Regular Meeting held on August 7, 2024, and October 2, 2024: Blaize Guzzetta
Second: Denise Spruiell
Vote: 5 to 0 (approved)
4. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Discuss the Community and Economic Development Committee economic development
and business retention strategy.
Introductions
Jaylon and Lynn Spencer from Workforce Solutions in Brazoria County, connected by Amy Reed,
attended the meeting for introductions. They explained that the goals of Workforce Solutions this
year have been to partner with Economic Development Corporations and Chambers of Commerce.
They have tools and resources already for career development, internships, scholarships, and
more.
Small Business Week 2025 — planned for May 5-9, 2025
Chair Asimakis explained that the national organization is focusing on encouraging businesses to
apply for awards. The group discussed ideas for a theme such as Pathways to Prosperity.
November 30 is Small Business Saturday, and the group decided to promote next year's event on
this day. They will continue to brainstorm on the agenda and topics. They requested the
Communications Department to attend the December meeting to discuss marketing ideas.
Internship Program — Future Works
A few of the committee members met with Susan Kirkpatrick, Friendswood ISD and they are
meeting with a representative of Clear Creek ISD tomorrow. There will be a meeting with San
Jacinto Community College soon. Jaylon and Lynn, Workforce Solutions, explained the services
that they have to offer which include paid work experience for qualified applicants 16-24 years of
age. Opportunities can last up to 12 weeks and pay a maximum of $15 per hour. They have 28
offices with databases for students/employees and employers.
5. REPORTS
Skipped due to length of meeting
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 5:30pm.