HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2012-04-04 RegularFriendswood Community and Economic Development Committee
Meeting Minutes
April 4, 2012
The Friendswood Community and Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday,
April 4, 2012, 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, Tony Annan, Brett Banfield, Mark Conrad, Jeremy Magnuson, Bill
Provenzano, and Dr. Hilmar Zeissig. Liaisons present were Galveston County Economic
Alliance President Don Gartman, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Marketing Director,
Barbara Cutsinger, Friendswood Chamber of Commerce President Carol Marcantel, and Planning
and Zoning Commissioner Hassan Moghaddam.
Absent from the meeting were Kirk Lippert and Pauline Moore.
Staff members present were Karen Capps, Roger Roecker, Morad Kabiri, and Nick Haby.
Also present was Jeff Newpher of the Friendswood Journal and Sue Darcy of Marsh Darcy
Partners.
1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 8:32 with a quorum present.
2. Roll Call. Roll call was made.
3. Approval of Minutes. Dr. Hilmar Zeissig made a motion to approve the March 7,
2012 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Brett Banfield and it passed
unanimously in the committee.
4. Presentation by Sue Darcy, Principal of Marsh Darcy Partners, Inc. regarding
alternative financing mechanisms for public infrastructure.
Ms. Capps introduced Sue Darcy, who gave an informational presentation about economic
development tools, special financing districts, and case studies of several cities that have utilized
special districts.
5. Discussion and possible action, but not limited to the Community and Economic
Development Committee's strategic plan, goals, and action items.
The committee discussed the economic development importance of FM 528 and the need
for infrastructure for commercial areas along this major corridor. It was suggested that
this should be further discussed within the committee and with P&Z and City Council.
The committee would also like to receive information regarding the extent of non -profits
that are present in the city and the impact.
6. Reports:
Planning and Zoning
Commissioner Moghaddam reported on a rezoning application for a business on Parkwood
Avenue to allow used car sales.
Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
Barbara Cutsinger reported there were approximately 140 brokers and developers plus City and
County representatives that attended BAHEP's Broker and developer reception that was held at
the Hess Club on March 21. She thanked Friendswood for their sponsorship. Patrick Jankowski
of the Greater Houston Partnership spoke at BAHEP's general membership meeting the prior
week. Jankowski spoke about looking at the great recession in the rear view mirror. Houston has
gained back all of the lost jobs plus a few more. Ms. Cutsinger also reported that later today, the
City Economic Developers and she would be attending the SIOR Commercial Expo at the Westin
Galleria.
7. Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 11:10 am.