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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2006-02-08 RegularCommunity and Economic Development Committee Minutes February 8, 2006 The Community and Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, at 8 a.m., in the second floor conference room of City Hall, 910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas, with the following members present: Chair Kirk Lippert, Tony Banfield, Sr., Deirdre Brown, Rebecca Hillenburg, and Robert McAfoos. Also present were the following liaisons: Friendswood Chamber of Commerce President Carol Jones, Galveston County Economic Alliance President Don Gartman, and Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership representative Janet Stoney. Also present were Gwen Griffin and Jackie Hutto of Griffin Integrated Marketing, and retired NASA executive Harry Erwin. Staff members present were Karen Capps, Ron Cox, and Nick Haby. Absent from the meeting were Brent Goswick, Gary Harris, Ed Sebesta, Laura Ewing, Kevin Holland, Trish Hanks, Lynn Cummins, and Jim Reinhartsen. 1. Call to Order. Chair Lippert called the meeting to order at 8:45 a.m., with a quorum present. 2. Approval of Minutes. Deirdre Brown made a motion to approve the January 4, 2006 meeting minutes. Rebecca Hillenburg seconded the motion and it passed unanimously in the committee. 3. Presentation by RET. NASA Executive Harry Erwin, regarding the bioscience industry. Retired NASA Executive, Harry Erwin, gave a presentation to the committee regarding the bioscience industry. Harry worked for NASA for 40 years and is a 30-year resident of Friendswood. Harry pointed out some of the new industries that have emerged as a result from human space flight and the Apollo mission such as computers, cell phones, fuel cells, and GPS systems. He added that there are four medical efforts that emerged in the Houston area that will advance medical knowledge and nanomedicine. Harry said that although many other states and regions are pursuing life sciences and biotechnology, the city of Friendswood is ideally located in the middle of NASA-JSC, the Texas Medical Center, and UTMB. He added that the Texas Medical Center conducts non-invasive testing, laser treatments, and clinical trials. NASA does research, and UTMB does both, plus combats bio-terrorism. Harry briefed the committee on the four medical efforts that emerged from this area: aptamers, nano medical delivery systems, non-invasive medical testing, and short arm centrifuge. Karen Capps asked Harry if he would help the committee create a strategy to attract biotechnology to Friendswood. The Spectrum at Clear Creek was briefly discussed as an example of how a city pursues biotechnology -related businesses. This will be discussed further at the next meeting. 4. Discussion and possible action regarding CEDC input to update the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The committee completed their work and recommendations in updating the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. This information will be submitted to Diana Steelquist and Dan Johnson to provide to Planning & Zoning for their consideration. 5. Discussion and possible action regarding 2005-2006 committee goals. Chair Lippert reported that he gave the "Why Do We Need Economic Development Now?" presentation to the Friendswood Rotary Club on February 1. Nick Haby reported that two Home Owner's Associations were interested in hearing CEDC's presentation and he will coordinate with Kirk. Chair Lippert also reported on CEDC member Gregory Crinion's resignation, Ron Cox's resignation, the Mayor's State of the City address, and the Brownfields workshop that was held at UHCL on January 31. 6. Reports: Deirdre Brown and Rebecca Hillenburg reported on the P&Z meetings they had attended. Gwen Griffin gave a report on marketing activities. Karen Capps reported on development projects that were planned and underway in the city. 7. Adiournment. The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 a.m.