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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2005-06-01 RegularCommunity and Economic Development Committee Minutes June 1, 2005 The Community and Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, June 1, 2005, at 8 a.m. in the second floor conference room of City Hall, 910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas, with the following members present: Vice Chair Gregory Crinion, Maurice Estlinbaum, Brent Goswick, Gary Harris, Zekie McVeigh, and Robert McAfoos. Also present were the following Liaisons: Friendswood Chamber of Commerce President Carol Jones, Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Kevin Holland, and Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Jim Reinhartsen. Staff members present were Karen Capps and Ron Cox. Also present were Gwen Griffin and Christina Brodsley of Griffin Integrated Marketing, Bill Finger of the Main Street Committee, and resident Jim Hill. Absent from the meeting were Tony Banfield, Kirk Lippert, Rebecca Hillenburg, Trish Hanks and CCISD Liaison Lynn Cummins. 1. Call to Order. Vice Chair Crinion called the meeting to order at 8:02 a.m. with a quorum present. 2. Approval of Minutes. Greg Crinion made a correction to the April 6 meeting minutes. Thereafter, Gary Harris made a motion to approve the April 6, 2005 meeting minutes reflecting this change. The motion was seconded by Robbie McAfoos and passed unanimously in the committee. 3. Report from sub -committees regarding 2004-2005 goals. Gwen Griffin reported on documents her firm has created in preparation for CEDC public speaking endeavors with outside groups regarding the need for economic development. A power point presentation was created to help educate citizens on the importance of quality economic development in the city. Greg Crinion and Jim Reinhartsen reported that a meeting has been scheduled for this month with the University of Houston Clear Lake regarding discussing and planning for a future regional workshop on brownfield redevelopment opportunities. 4. Discussion regarding annual broker/developer event. The committee discussed the history and attendees of the past two years' broker/developer events that were held at Timber Creek Golf Club along with an additional 2003 event that was held in the Galleria area. Planning for this year's event was discussed which is scheduled to be held in conjunction with the Friendswood Chamber of Commerce's annual golf tournament on October 20, 2005. 5. Discussion regarding annual CEDC retreat. In planning for the annual CEDC retreat, it was discussed to hold the meeting at the end of August or after Labor Day. Jim Reinhartsen suggested the half -day meeting be held at Space Center Houston or BAHEP's offices. The committee requested that Joe Gonzalez to be the facilitator. 6. Report from CEDC liaison to Planning and Zoning. Robbie McAfoos reported on the P&Z meetings that he attended. The commission discussed and approved the commercial site plan for Best Storage on FM 528. Also discussed were the comprehensive plan, building heights, and the amount of allowable office use in community shopping center zones. 7. Other Reports: A. Development Projects Karen Capps gave a report on current prospects and projects underway. She reported on hotel and furniture store prospects, a retail redevelopment project, and a proposed two-story office building. B. Main Street The Main Street Interim Zoning Measures were discussed. Karen Capps reported that the Main Street Committee will work shop these proposed measures with the Planning and Zoning Commission. Some of the interim zoning measures that will be discussed at the work session include the width of sidewalks, setbacks, minimum and maximum height for redevelopment, lot coverage, rear parking, and uses in the permitted use table of the zoning ordinance. C. Marketing Gwen Griffin reported on marketing activity, some of which included several press releases, drafting of the second quarter e-newsletter, and a commercial development highlights fact sheet. D. Regional economic development alliances Jim Reinhartsen reported on the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) and how it affects Ellington Field. He said that the army helicopter unit will leave Ellington Field. The Guard Unit will be repositioned which will mean 27 units will die of attrition. Three aircraft will be rotated into Ellington, but if maintenance is needed, Ellington currently has no ability to fix the aircraft. Rep. Tom DeLay will be working with Homeland Security regarding this issue. Jim also said that UTMB Galveston is considering the use of their property in League City as a future site for expansion off of Galveston Island. Jim spoke about BAHEP's tabletop book that will be used as a marketing tool to promote the region and highlight the nine member cities, two counties, and business/industry of the area. BAHEP is hoping that ex - astronaut Neil Armstrong will write the forward or introduction to the book. The project will cost $175,000 and will print 5,000 books to be provided to corporate relocation consultants, CEOs, and prospects. Jim invited CEDC members to attend the BAHEP general membership meeting on July 21, 2005 where Texas General Land Commissioner, Jerry Patterson, will be the guest speaker. Carol Jones reported on the Chamber's April 23 car show. She said there were 136 entries. Sixty-five of these were from Friendswood residents. This was the first year for the Chamber to hold this event and it was a great success. The weather was perfect and more than 1,000 persons attended. 8. Adiournment. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:38 a.m.