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Home My WebLink AboutCC Minutes 2004-04-05 Special, Work Session 04/05/04 2135 STATE OF TEXAS )( CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )( COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )( ' APRIL 5, 2004 )( MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL, THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, THE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, THE LIBRARY BOARD AND THE MAIN STREET STEERING COMMITTEE THAT WAS HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2004 AT 4:00 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD,TEXAS,WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONSTITUTING A QUORUM: MAYOR KIM BRIZENDINE MAYOR PRO-TEM JERRY ERICSSON COUNCILMEMBER LAURA EWING COUNCILMEMBER TRACY GOZA COUNCILMEMBER DAVID J. H. SMITH COUNCILMEMBER SHANNON KIMMEL (arr. at 5:20 PM) COUNCILMEMBER MEL MEASELES CITY MANAGER RON COX CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE • CITY ATTORNEY LOREN SMITH WORK SESSION Mayor Brizendine calied the meeting to order. The Mayor stated at the Council Retreat held on Friday, he made a statement that the Main Street project is not developer-driven and that he is going to proceed with processing this along. The City will have to be the champion for this project. Mayor stated that Councilmember Kimmel would be late to the meeting. A presentation was made by tlie Main Street Steering Committee regarding the interim Implementation Plan for the Town Center of the Main Street Project. Bill Finger presented an overview of the project; it is a re- development and much more complex than a development plan and how Main Street will blend with other planned projects. Lewis May with PageSoutherlandPage introduced his team. Kurt Newbek presented a status report on calendar facts and deliverables underway, big ideas and conceptual pianning framework, looking at real estate, building permit review, marketing, political action profile and development, conceptuai planning framework, there will be a report with an executive summary with detailed appendices with an"Idea Map" for hand outs. Bill Peel presented major concepts and things Council should consider such as establishing a not-for-profit entity or a Management District, recruit and hire an Executive Director to be a full- time employee of the entity, should begin momentum before Town Center is built, establish a physical presence with an office or store front within the district, route traffic to the district, begin promoting events in the Center, identify potentiai magnets, retail complex,activities, apartments, etc., launch a funding campaign which should be from the private sector, explore all different types of funding, including third party funding, grants, private sector, develop a timeline, creates a perception that is a buy-in across the base, brand and trademark the area and begin a stake and a marketing plan, develop a marketing group to speak to organizations, develop graphic implement, communicate early and communicate often, mark area with banners, painting walkways, etc., develop Town Center Zone, develop a political action plan, benchmark against legislative session two-year calendar and develop a strong alliance within City groups, honor rich heritage with planning to include, important to keep socio capital in place, all of this can carry your message 04/05/04 � 2136 out to the masses, conceptual planning framework overview of planning area, should include a walking corridor to provide for pedestrians, closed by stating the City has an extraordinary opportunity to develop this Town Center or Main Street, with strong alliances and partnerships. Questions were asked with Joe DeBonis asking would property be condemned with the response being no would not think this would be used, the changes would happen over time and the Mayor stated this is a long- term process. Steve Huffman, Chair of the Library Board stated they are looking at expanding the library property and asked if the Library would be included in this process? Mr. May stated absolutely, the Library is very essential to the plan and is part of the plan for a Town Center. Tom Burke, Planning and Zoning Commission member asked if the planning group is familiar with Rockwall Town Center and the traffic issues, stated he has questions regarding traffic, TxDOT plans and Town Center Zone. Mr. May stated these ideas are included in this report, these ideas follow closely to the City zoning and there wouid need to be some changes to make this happen. City Manager provided a statement as to where the City is at on this process, different discussions have been held and are begirining to talk about mixed use developments including the FM 2351, Main Street, West properties and the Whitcomb properties, a Staff design team has been developed to look at developing the zones as needed, the City is moving forward quickly to make these things happen,want to be in a position to complement and respond to all three projects and stated that the City has spent the last 7 years getting ready f6r this process. Mayor Brizendine stated there is synergy with these projects, need to think outside the box for these projects to happen, the plan for the Whitcomb property is exactly what the City wants to happen, City will not drop the ball, will engage everyone, will probably over-communicate and citizens will have the opportunity to get all of the answers to all questions. Discussion was held regarding the Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force Program. Police Chief Bob Wieners gave an overview of the Drug Program, Task Force responsibilities, area of responsibility, Drug Enforcement Agency, county essential tasks, re-aligned the former Drug Enforcement Agency program, a Galveston Resident Office was developed, is staffed and housed in League City, presented statistics of the Friendswood Police Department, drug related arrests, drug seizures and the County plan presented by Sheriff Leonard and Chief Deputy Freddie Poor, utilize the facilities, equipment is an administrative support that the Drug Enforcement Agency provides-$156,000 per year and utilize the overtime funds for each officer that the Drug Enforcement Agency provides - $14,000 per year and utilize County vehicles to equip each officer - $12,000. Chief Deputy Poor presented the plan, utilize$410,772 of County money and assets to support the work of the participating agencies, liquidate assets for cash, utilize fund to offset salary costs over 24 months and Friendswood Police Department's share would be�82,154,want to use the funds to pay salary for officer identified and working Drug Enforcement Agency, oversight, Chiefs will meet monthly with the Sheriff and Drug Enforcement Agency officials, a review of enforcement activities will be conducted, Chiefs will share information regarding any drug "hot spots", action will be directed by task force participants to address enforcement needs and conclusion —We want a Drug Task Force that this area needs and deserves; the Drug Enforcement Agency offers leadership, a plan, and solutions to address the drug problem, Friendswood needs help,the drug probiem is regional, the drug problem is a threat to us and Friendswood and the solution is multi-jurisdictional. There are five representatives from local agencies from the County, The Texas Department of Public Safety has a representative and the Drug Enforcement Agency has four assigned full- time. A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 6:00 PM. 04/05/04 2137 �� r � � � } � L ��.._�� ..-,...��..-�.�,..._:. ayor Kimball W. Brizendine Attest: � � , . Del ris McKenzie, TRMC City Secretary