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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2013-08-07 RegularFriendswood Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes August 7, 2013 The Friendswood Community and Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, August 7, 2013, at 8:30 a.m., in the executive 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, Jeremy Magnuson, and Bill Provenzano. Liaisons present were Friendswood Chamber of Commerce President Carol Marcantel, Friendswood ISD Superintendent Trish Hanks, and Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Executive Director of Special Initiatives Dan Seal. Absent from the meeting were Marcus Perry and Dr. Hilmar Zeissig. Staff member present was Karen Capps. Also present were Friendswood Journal reporter Jeff Newpher and Friendswood resident Dianna Retzlaff. 1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order by Chair Skip Evans at 8:36 a.m. with a quorum present. 2. Roll Call. Introductions and roll call was made. 3. Approval of Minutes. A motion was made by Tony Annan to approve the June 5, July 3, and July 29, 2013 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 strategic plan, goals, and action items. Jeremy Magnuson reported on the meeting attended with the Planning and Zoning Commission in which the FM 528 Strategy was discussed. There was consensus by P&Z regarding the strategy, its purpose to diversify the tax base, and the overall goal to minimize downzoning of properties, particularly along FM 528 from commercial to residential use. The Whitcomb property was also discussed regarding its potential development as commercial due to its location, and the attractiveness of the property to commercial developers since it does not abut residential. P&Z asked about the current status of the property and it was discussed. Pauline Moore reported on the meeting attended with the Parks Board in which she explained the FM 528 Strategy and sought feedback regarding consensus and common goals. There was consensus regarding the strategy and some feedback was provided regarding the desire to limit future non -revenue uses along FM 528. Karen Capps reported that Hilmar Zeissig represented the CEDC in providing the committee's annual report to City Council. He did a great job and it appeared to be well received by City Council. A status update of properties along the FM 528 corridor was discussed including the Whitcomb property, and several other properties. The committee discussed items pending in order to conclude the FM 528 Strategy's final report so the committee can then discuss and submit the final report to City Council. Mark Conrad and Tony Annan volunteered to work on the report. The committee also discussed the need to develop and implement a community awareness strategy regarding the FM 528 Final Report. 5. Elect Chair and Vice Chair. Skip Evans made a motion to nominate Pauline Moore as Chair of the Community and Economic Development Committee. The motion was seconded by Brett Banfield and it passed unanimously in the committee. Mark Conrad made a motion to nominate Tony Annan as Vice Chair. The motion was seconded by Brett Banfield and it passed unanimously in the committee. 6. Reports: Friendswood Independent School District Superintendent Trish Hanks reported that FISD is ready to start school the last week in August. The district has hired 70 employees and is geared up and ready to go. More than 165 new bills regarding education were passed in the last legislative session that the district will need to review. One of the most notable bills passed pertained to student assessment. The FISD Board of Directors has discussed possibly converting the old Junior High into usable offices and relocating FISD's administration there and subsequently selling their current office building that is approximately 13,000 square feet. Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Dan Seal reported that Frans Gillebaard passed away who was a longtime BAHEP member and founder. Developer, George Mitchell passed away the same day as Frans. NASA is working through a reauthorization bill right now, but Congress won't be dealing with it until September. The discussion will be NASA versus commercialized space funding. Also reported was that a great Pumps and Pipes Conference was held last Monday. The conference brings together the energy, medical and life sciences, and aerospace to discuss common goals to further future advancement in these fields. Houston is the only place in the world that is home to all three industries enabling this type of collaboration to happen. BAHEP will host a focus group luncheon on behalf of the Greater Houston Partnership to discuss a regional marketing strategy for the region. Lastly, the Commercial Space Federation bi annual meeting will be held in Houston on September 22. Friendswood Chamber of Commerce Carol Marcantel reported on the Chamber's inaugural community awards luncheon and its success to honor unsung heroes. The Chamber is working on the new teacher luncheon which will provide goody bags and welcome packets to new teachers for Friendswood schools for both FISD and CCISD. The Chamber is also gearing up for the annual golf tournament. City Staff Karen Capps reported on prospect activity saying things have really picked up and there are new retailers and professional office prospects that she is working with. She also reported on the status of the municipal grant project and that it is moving forward with an economic development agreement that will be on City Council's agenda in September for their consideration. Due to a conflict the November CEDC meeting will be held on November 13. 7. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 10:24 a.m.