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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2008-03-31 RegularFriendswood Community and Economic Development Committee Minutes March 31, 2008 The Friendswood Community and Economic Development Committee met on Monday, March 31, 2008, at 6 pm., in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas, with the following members present: Chair Jamie Ballard, Brett Banfield, Claude McEwen, Bill Provenzano, and Troy Waters. Also present were Friendswood Chamber of Commerce President Carol Jones, Galveston County Economic Alliance President Don Gartman, Friendswood Independent School District liaison Dr. Rebecca Hillenburg, the Mayor and City Council, and members of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Staff members present were Karen Capps and Bo McDaniel. 1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order by the Mayor at 7 pm. with a quorum present. 2. Discussion regarding downtown development options with City Council and the Planninn and Zoning Commission. Mayor Smith explained the reason of the meeting. Gave an explanation on the purpose of the meeting, problem -solving, big picture issues, has met with Mr. Buzbee and others interested in downtown issues, downtown is unique, has different properties than the rest of Friendswood, drainage, aesthetics, lot size are all different, the kind of investor that the City will attract will not have Staff expertise, will be a smaller investor, local investors, put Downtown Plan of Action on Elmo, would have additional staff support (Morad Karibi) for downtown, would be person to help with process issues, wants to put something more permanent in place, need to finish deregulation, would like to finish this evening, will help to bring Mr. Buzbee back to the table or anyone else that would like to develop, create additional incentive to piggyback on Chapter 380 program, items on the Downtown Plan of Action are ideas for plan to get on track, would like to start with changing incentive programs. Councilmember LeCour stated Council has had feedback on issues and does not think incentive program is the problem, cost is not the problem, regulations are the problem, should discuss feedback Council has gotten as far as regulatory problems. Councilmember Peden stated it sounds like Mayor Smith wants to have a discussion of a holistic nature, tell Council what vision is and get down to business. Mayor Smith stated we have a problem with additional incentives and has done research on his own, thinks this is what needs to be done. Mayor Smith explained Chapter 380 program and Chapter 378 program (Neighborhood Empowerment Zone), give to CEDC for recommendations to Council on NEZ, 380 is put into place by resolution. Councilmember Ewing stated other ideas would be to fund lighting, infrastructure regarding drainage issues. Councilmember Peden stated regarding Chapter 378 these rebates do not go back to the developer or property owner and Mayor stated yes they would. Mayor stated can be creative with Chapter 378. Karen Capps stated with Chapter 378 can waive development fees, would have to come out of General Fund. Jaime with CEDC stated development will create tax revenues to fund the cost of lighting, drainage, etc. Councilmember Reid stated a tax rebate can be temporary, Karen Capps stated State law will only allow for 10 years, do not have to rebate 100% either, has to go through a public hearing process. Councilmember Reid asked what other communities do. Morad Karibi stated other cities have done infrastructure reimbursements for road and utilities. Councilmember Rivera stated there are practices you can do at city level, shows good faith by the City that they want this development to occur, thinks NEZ is a good program, not that different from Chapter 380 but will show that the City wants the development, what has happened in the stock market lately shows more of a need for these incentives. Councilmember Hill stated we need $8 million in drainage repairs, will have to rip up development to fix, until address real problem on how a person can get a building permit in a timely manner, economy of the country has changed in the last 6 months, Mr. Buzbee has reservations on what he wants to do, will the City do the drainage, will the City fix permitting process, developers do not want incentives they want problems fixed. Mayor Smith stated drainage issues come later in the agenda which is a much bigger issue. Problem solving today will have an immediate impact on development right now. Mayor stated he wanted to get to the easiest ones first and then get to the harder items, thought they would get bogged down in the harder items. Karen Capps stated they can have a 378 and 380 at the same time. Peden stated go ahead and give to CEDC to work on. Councilmember LeCour stated does not want to waste CEDC time with this if drainage issues and regulatory issues are not solved, work on the main things stopping development, drainage is a huge problem, if you cannot get the water out you cannot build, pavement and lighting aesthetics need to be consistent, wants them to use their time on things that matter, will be a complicated process on how to give these incentives, need to talk about using funding to solve drainage problems, bury power lines, sidewalks. Councilmember Reid stated she is in agreement that drainage, burying power lines and sidewalks need to be solved, can we do at the same time as incentives. Mayor Smith stated can work on at the same time, Council needs to work on big infrastructure problems, CEDC can work on their advice and Council can act on. Councilmember Peden stated saying funding for NEZ is an issue, wording was too vague on the 4B Sales Tax in the past, a vision without a venture is a waste, 4B can pass if it is done right. Rivera said ditto to what Peden said, move on to the next one. Mayor stated Council is giving CEDC direction to create additional incentives with Chapter 378 and Chapter 380 programs. Mayor Smith explained Staffing Support issue, suggestions are to have additional staff as an ombudsman to walk someone through development process, can be done in a consultant capacity or executive director to a Local Government Corporation, can raise funds, buy property, is run by a Board of Directors, have a Downtown Coordinator, Deputy City Manager or Executive Director to a 4B ED Corporation. Councilmember Rivera stated disagrees on this one, putting the cart before the horse, if we put another layer in, if that individual cannot effect change would do no good, look at process the City has, make improvements, use Staff that we already have, let us see how we can solidify, fix process. Mayor Smith stated Bo and Les have been working on a flow chart of information on steps on how to go through development process, will give to Council for feedback on improvement. Councilmember Hill stated somebody needs to have authority to do something, would do no good to have flow charts or another person. P&Z Member David O'Farrell stated he has had the problem platting with the City in the past 20 years, is confusing, should have a consultant who is for the developer and not tied to Staff. P&Z Member Sherry Weesner stated all Cities have development problems, problems lately have been due to miscommunication or lack of communication for both parties, should have an outside consultant. Councilmember Hill stated knows someone who builds green buildings in the State of Texas in 50 other cities and Friendswood is difficult to build in. Mayor Smith stated Friendswood is different than all other cities, should simplify and deregulate laws, and should empower City employees to follow process. Councilmember Ewing stated has a concern having an Executive Director to LGC, would have too much power, likes consultant idea. Councilmember Rivera stated has no problem with consultant or coordinator. Mayor asked Andy what he thought about having a consultant look at our process. Councilmember Reid stated we should definitely have consultant involved in the process. Councilmember Peden stated wanted to solve this problem during his Council tenure, is disappointed that it is not done. Councilmember Rivera stated problems have been identified and the purpose of the meeting tonight is to come up with solutions. David O'Farrell suggested Cheri Skelton as a consultant, can take through the process, can argue eye to eye, knows the ordinances left and right. P&Z Chair Gibson stated some of the problem is on the front end with getting Council consensus, is surprised that Staff interprets P&Z intent like they do sometimes, it is different, did not know there was a Buzbee problem until they got the letter, believes the consultant should be independent, sidewalk issue should be solved. Councilmember Hill stated sidewalk issue has been micromanaged, give more to P&Z. Sherry Weesner stated did not say Friendswood had no development problems but saying other cities have theirs also, Staff is overbooked and overworked, no person to focus on getting the problems solved, a part-time or full-time staff person or consultant should work on process details, use check list or flow chart. (new guy with white shirt & tie -Mike) P&Z member stated City government is tough, do not use a lot of common sense, Council needs to be unified, should not take so long, if he was a developer he would be frustrated, too long to put contractors off, having a person to work with them is a good idea, (other P&Z member sitting at the end) stated he is a visual person and does not get information he should have for the meetings, need more Staff, needs guidance from Council to make progress, have reworked ordinances, P&Z is in a holding pattern. Mayor Smith stated developers do not always get their documents to Staff in a timely manner and that is part of the problem, there is a chicken and egg problem. P&Z Member David O'Farrell stated problems have been around 20 years, ordinances have value, just look at some of the bad looking buildings and you will see problems with no rules. Councilmember Peden stated should do packets with all forms for example Commercial -CSC, hand them a packet with forms on what they need to do along with a checklist, the capricious nature of how some of the rules are applied are part of the problem although thinks some of them are exaggerated. Mayor Smith stated before we take any significant action, in order to affect change need to decide what to do. Councilmember Hill stated ask Staff anonymously what their suggestions are. Jaime-CEDC stated should have consultant to review process, developers are not getting their hand held, there is Staff that it is in their job description and do not know if they are overworked or understaffed or do not know their job description, consultant is a great idea for a short-term solution. P&Z member O'Farrell stated should have big development should have more hours with consultant. Mayor Smith stated need to analyze existing processes with consulting firm, fill permanent relationship with consultant as an advocate for development. Councilmember Peden stated have P&Z and Staff do; do not necessarily need a consultant. Mayor Smith stated have P&Z discuss plans to move forward and get back to Council. Chair Gibson stated P&Z would do this. Mayor Smith explained long term needs in conjunction with multi -year financial plan, discussed need for drainage measures, how will they get paid, who funds the money, could charge impact fees if the City does the infrastructure, could require developers to do. Councilmember Peden stated he was not a supporter of the 4B Sales Tax when it was presented in 2001, was no timeline on when it would be completed, wording on a new 4B Sales Tax election should have landscape architect group on where sidewalks should be, do for 7 years, drainage infrastructure and lighting in downtown only, would bury power and data lines, current PSB would be a pedestrian park with large trees, if citizens want to extend after 7 years they can, defines exactly what you're going to do with the money, voters would not have to come back later with a petition to get rid of it, strongly supports, not enough time to do before November 2008, would make downtown attractive, time to step up and do it, voters should decide. Councilmember Rivera stated he agrees with part of what Peden said, should use for any economic development, is premature with 3 new Councilmembers coming on, is 60 days too early. Councilmember Hill stated he disagrees with Peden and Rivera, needs some for parks to play ball, the Mayor had said 1/4 cent for economic development and 1/4 cent in sports parks, developers would pay for sidewalks and street lights but drainage is fundamental. Councilmember Ewing stated the City has to put money in for parks, is a crisis situation that is only getting worse, Trust For Public Lands has done research, when you attach sales tax for parks and green spaces it usually passes, deal with downtown also with lighting, bury power lines, etc., is a win -win if you do part economic and part parks, combination of the 2 is the only way it will pass. Mayor Smith stated all of Council have different ideas and opinions, look at the entire financial plan with the City. Council should take up spending time with big ticket capital issues and develop a referendum item for 4B Sales Tax for next May, should explore possibilities for grants, this is the only tax that can be spread out to all consumers in Friendswood. Councilmember Rivera stated would like to do Parks quicker and not wait until next May, is a strong supporter of Parks. Jaime with CEDC stated saw CIP Report last year and was surprised at how slow the process is in getting anything done in government and how many of the improvements were behind schedule. P&Z Chair Gibson stated he agrees with a little of what all of Council said, need to fix drainage and bury electrical lines, City should pay for streetscape and sidewalks in downtown as in FM 528. Mayor Smith stated liaison positions work very well, keep informed of what other committees are doing. Councilmember Reid stated in order to do 4B Sales Tax election in November you have to have a referendum by August and Mayor stated yes. Mayor said what was missing in the past is getting out information to the public and should give plenty of time for education, City cannot publicly promote but can only provide information to the public. Mayor Smith explained in detail about 4B Sales Tax, can only do 1/2 cent, can use for what voters decide on referendum. Councilmember Rivera stated 60% of sales tax is generated by people living outside the City. Mayor Smith stated had discussion about sidewalk issue, some things were left open. Councilmember Rivera stated Council should set policy, went from 15 ft. paved sidewalks to 8 ft. sidewalks. Councilmember Hill stated he agrees that Council should set policy, too far built to try and start from scratch, give P&Z basic, minimum guidelines, Buzbee wants 15 ft. sidewalks, if require that for all would have to tear down big oak trees. P&Z Member Weesner stated first 4 ft of 15 ft. sidewalk is landscaping. Councilmember Ewing stated using pervious concrete would be helpful. Councilmember Rivera stated ordinance does not need to be specific, wants City Staff to step up to the plate and make a recommendation, time is money for developers. Councilmember Reid stated her only concern with the sidewalk issue is consistency; make the rule that you have to match the business next to you. Mayor Smith stated should not be too specific. Councilmember Hill stated do not take private property to do this. Mayor Smith stated Council is not asking P&Z redraft a recommendation; Council will discuss sidewalks again 4/14. Further discussion was held regarding sidewalks. 3. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.