Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2013-10-02 Regular (2)Friendswood Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes October 2, 2013 The Friendswood Community and Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, October 2, 2013, 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 Pauline Moore, Vice Chair Tony Annan, Brett Banfield, Mark Conrad, Skip Evans, Jeremy Magnuson, Marcus Perry, Bill Provenzano, and Dr. Hilmar Zeissig. Liaisons present were Friendswood Chamber of Commerce President Carol Marcantel, Friendswood ISD Superintendent Trish Hanks, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Executive Director of Special Initiatives Dan Seal, Planning and Zoning Commissioner Jim Gibson, and Galveston County Economic Alliance President Don Gartman. Absent from the meeting was City Council liaison Carl Gustafson. Staff member present was Karen Capps. Also present were Friendswood Journal reporter Jeff Newpher and Friendswood resident James Gerland. 1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order by Chair Pauline Moore 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 Skip Evans to approve the August 7, 2013 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Jeremy Magnuson 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. Chair Pauline Moore reported on attending the August 27 meeting of Keep Friendswood Beautiful and provided an overview of the FM 528 Strategy. KFB was supportive of the strategy and asked about whether the vacant properties along FM 528 were locally owned or not. KFB also inquired what the CEDC viewed as the "biggest threat" to economic development and several points were discussed including downzoning. An update was provided on the status of the final report of the FM 528 Strategy. The group has met twice and hopes to have a draft report in the next few weeks. 5. Reports: CCISD Eva deCardenas reported CCISD began their school year with 375 new staff. The district believes it hit the 40,000 mark for student enrollment this year. CCISD Board approved pay raises for staff this year. Jillian Howard, an elementary teacher at Landolt, is one of six finalists in the Texas Teacher of the Year program, and was previously named Elementary Teacher of the Year of Region 4. Friendswood Independent School District Superintendent Trish Hanks said FISD welcomed 75 new employees this year. The FISD Board approved a pay increase for staff. A new Mustang Health Clinic was opened in partnership with UTMB-Friendswood where FISD staff and families can access same day medical visits for minor care for $10 which includes lab work. Friendswood Chamber of Commerce Carol Marcantel reported the Chamber continues to work on membership retention. Rep. Bonnen and Senator Taylor will speak at eh Chamber's general membership luncheon tomorrow. The chamber is meeting and working on this year's golf tournament and is working with Karen Capps on their event. Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Dan Seal reported that the specialty chemical industry needs workforce as employees retire due to the greying of the population. He reported on the BAHEP Cares program in which Dr. Gerke is working with returning veterans. Vets tend to have a higher unemployment rate, so far BAHEP Cares has helped fifty soldiers, thirty-five have found jobs, and fifteen are in re-education. Twenty mentors have signed up to help. BAHEP is working with the City of Friendwood to combat the new flood rates as a result of the federal legislation that passed in 2012 called Biggert- Waters. The purpose of the new legislation was to help FEMA become fiscally accountable, redraw flood maps, and charge higher premiums for properties that are below the base flood elevation. Pre —FIRM and grandfathered rates will be phased out. Thirteen cities are or have passed resolutions of support for legislation reform. Seventy or eighty of the largest aviation space companies of the Commercial Space Federation will host their conference here in Houston and there is a panel discussion tonight at Space Center Houston. Galveston County Economic Alliance Don Gartman reported that the chemical industry is suffering from retiring employees. GCEA is working with one plant that has plans to expand in Texas City. The new Buc-ee's is slated to open next month that is under construction adjacent to the outlet mall. There was also a report on the small business forum, Business Without Borders. Committee members Marcus Perry reported on a meeting and workshop he attended with the Houston Technology Center. Tony Annan reported that labor is costing more which is driving the cost of construction UP. City Staff Karen Capps gave an update on prospects and the incentive grant that was recently approved. 6. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 10:08 a.m.