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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2009-05-06 RegularFriendswood Community and Economic Development Committee Minutes May 6, 2009 The Friendswood Community and Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at 8:00 a.m., in the second floor conference room of City Hall, 910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas, with the following members present: Vice Chair Brett Banfield, Kirk Lippert, Donald "Skip" Evans, Pauline Moore, Bill Provenzano, and Dr. Hilmar Zeissig. Liaisons present were Councilmember Mike Barker, Planning and Zoning Commissioners Jim Gibson and David O'Farrell, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership representative Dan Seal, Friendswood Independent School District Board member Dr. Rebecca Hillenburg, and Griffin Integrated marketing representatives Deanna Wilke and Valerie Pedrami. Also present were Kim Brizendine and Billy Horton. Staff member present were Karen Capps and City Secretary Deloris McKenzie. Absent from the meeting were Cody Owen and Troy Waters. 1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 8:05 with a quorum present. 2. Roll Call. Roll call was made. 3. Approval of Minutes. Bill Provenzano made a motion to approve the March 4 and April 1, 2009 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Kirk Lippert and it passed unanimously in the committee. 4. Discussion and possible action, but not limited to the Community and Economic Development Committee's 2009-10 goals and action items. A. Retail/Restaurant Attraction Kirk Lippert provided information to the committee on research he had conducted. Kirk stated that he contacted the Greater Houston Restaurant Association's (GHRA) executive director and requested assistance on how Friendswood could attract more restaurants to the city. GHRA offered to send out an email to their membership for input. The GHRA's feedback was discussed, particularly the recurring issue and perception that was cited from GHRA members about Friendswood being dry which prohibits restaurants the ability to sell alcoholic beverages without a club permit. The GHRA offered to include Friendswood information in their monthly newsletter which will be followed up. Kirk added that he also contacted a local restaurant association chapter whose president is a resident of Friendswood that has also offered to help. Due to the GHRA feedback, Kirk said that he invited Kim Brizendine and Billy Horton to the meeting so they could convey information to the committee regarding their efforts to change the dry area in Friendswood as it relates to the goal of attracting new restaurants to the city. Resident Kim Brizendine reported that a political action committee (PAC) had been formed. The PAC hired Hard Count, who manages local option election campaigns. Billy Horton, the president of Hard Count spoke about local option elections, their experience in handling this type of election, and the different options allowed by Texas law. Deloris McKenzie was asked to speak about the history of Friendswood's dry area. Ms. McKenzie reported that Friendswood is the only city in Galveston County that has a dry area. After further discussion in the committee, a motion was made by Hilmar Zeissig and seconded by Kirk Lippert, the CEDC supports a local option election for the purpose of allowing: 1) The legal sale of beer and wine for off -premise consumption only; and 2) The legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders only. The CEDC supports this effort for economic development reasons, to level the playing field within the city, and make the city competitive to all surrounding communities. The motion passed unanimously in the committee. B. Communications and Marketing Deanna stated that the new Live Here Work Here billboard is scheduled to go up on FM 2351 this weekend on May 9. Discussions have taken place with staff regarding incorporating the Live Here Work Here campaign into the City's Movies in the Park and the City's website has been updated to include a LHWH webpage. A free resource called Google analytics was placed on the city's website by the City's IT staff to help determine page views, referral sources, and other activity by viewers. A hand out was provided about some of the information that google analytics is able to track. Deanna is working on updating the economic development marketing plan. C. Business Retention Visits There was no report. 5. Reports: A. Planning and Zoning David O'Farrell reported that the expedited process for zoning related issues seems to be working very well. David also mentioned that he began receiving more business activity last week which could be a good sign that there is some relief in the economy. B. Liaisons Dan Seal reported that BAHEP is temporarily moving to the University of Houston Clear Lake but will keep their same mailing address until their permanent offices are complete. He also reported that Friendswood will be well represented this year at the annual Citizens for Space Exploration trip to Washington, D.C. Councilmembers Mike Barker and Jim Hill will be traveling on May 18-21 to D.C. to help the consortium advocate the need and benefits of space exploration. Dr. Hillenburg reported on progress being made at the new junior high site and high school construction renovations. C. Marketing A marketing report was provided and discussed. Powerpoint slides were created for Vice Chair Brett Banfield's annual report to City Council. D. City Staff Karen Capps reported that she is still waiting to hear from EDA regarding the grant application. She said that prospect activity picked up again last week and that she is currently working several office and medical projects. 6. Adiournment. The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 am.