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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2011-06-01 RegularFriendswood Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes June 1, 2011 The Friendswood Community and Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at 8:30 a.m., in the second floor conference room of City Hall, 910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas, with the following members present: Chair Skip Evans, Vice Chair Pauline Moore, Tony Annan, Brett Banfield, Mark Conrad, Kirk Lippert, and Bill Provenzano. Liaisons present were City Councilmember Mike Barker, Friendswood Chamber of Commerce President Carol Jones, Clear Creek ISD Coordinator of External Affairs Eva deCardenas, Friendswood ISD representative Dr. Rebecca Hillenburg, and Galveston County Economic Alliance President Don Gartman. Also present were Chris Brown of Big Splash Web Design and Jeff Newpher of the Friendswood Journal. Staff members present were Karen Capps and Morad Kabiri (left at 9:20). Absent from the meeting were Jeremy Magnuson and Hilmar Zeissig. 1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 8:30 with a quorum present. 2. Roll Call. Roll call was made. 3. Approval of Minutes. Tony Annan made a motion to approve the May 4 and May 11, 2011 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Bill Provenzano and it passed unanimously in the committee. 4. Discussion and possible action, but not limited to the Community and Economic Development Committee's 2010-11 goals and action items. Karen Capps and Chris Brown reported on the status of the business survey. The survey was sent out twice to about 500 Chamber members. Twenty-four surveys were received after the first email and 35 after the second reminder. The results should be ready by the next meeting. Karen Capps is drafting the new business guide and it may be finished by the end of the summer. The new Live Here Work Here billboard design was recently sent to the billboard company so it should be displayed soon on FM 2351. Several committee members made comments about the recent CEDC bus tour stating they found it very helpful relating to their volunteer work on the committee. Karen Capps reported that she will provide the new Council Members a copy of the binder that was provided for the bus tour. A committee member suggested that new council members should attend at least one meeting of all city committees and boards. 5. Discussion and possible action regarding Neighborhood Empowerment Zone #1. The Downtown NEZ was discussed and whether the recommendation made by the committee at last month's meeting would help achieve downtown streetscaping, e.g. paved sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, benches, tree wells. Morad Kabiri gave an overview and history of the downtown district guidelines for landscaping. Pictures of various downtown developments were reviewed. There was consensus in the committee that the City should consider having minimum standards for new downtown developments that include sidewalks and pedestrian lighting. The downtown sidewalks should be of pavers, not cement in order to achieve a more uniform look and to ensure value to the properties owners that have used sidewalk pavers. The committee would like to have a joint discussion regarding the downtown landscaping guidelines with City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Keep Friendswood Beautiful. Brett Banfield made a motion to withdraw/cancel the recommendation that was made at last month's meeting further clarifying that the committee would not move forward with that recommendation since the issue is within the downtown district landscaping guidelines, not the NEZ. Kirk Lippert seconded the motion and it passed unanimously in the committee. 6. Discussion and possible action regarding the Chapter 380 Municipal Grant Program. The committee discussed the current guidelines and proposed no changes to the program. 7. Reports: Liaisons City Council Council Member Mike Barker reported on the swearing in of two new council members. He said that Council recently held a planning meeting that focused on issues facing the city including the 2011-12 budget and CIP. Friendswood ISD Dr. Rebecca Hillenburg said that early reports show that FISD will again have an exemplary rating this year by the Texas Education Agency. FISD held their graduation ceremony on Monday, May 30. The district is still dealing with how to handle budget cuts. Currently, special education, technology, and the tax office are located at the old Junior High. In the future, administration offices may be moved there as well. Clear Creek ISD Eva deCardenas gave everyone a copy of a report made by CCISD's Citizens Advisory Committee regarding budget recommendations. Some of the recommendations were discussed including eliminating the 5% homestead exemption. Friendswood Chamber Carol Jones reported on the June membership luncheon that will be held on Thursday, June 2 at the Green Event Center. There will be a graduation ceremony for the Leadership Friendswood class of 2010-11. Galveston County Economic Alliance Don Gartman reported on increased activity at the Alliance. He is talking with five different companies right now, two are from China. There is a solar panel group and methanol company interested in Galveston County. City Staff Karen Capps reported that the municipal grant for Friendswood Family Chiropractic Clinic was approved by City Council on May 16. She reported working with several medical and professional service prospects needing office space to expand. Adi ournment. The meeting was adjourned at 10:16 am.