HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2014-09-03 RegularFriendswood Community and Economic Development Committee
Meeting Minutes
September 3, 2014
The Friendswood Community and Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday,
September 3, 2014 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: Brett Banfield,
Skip Evans, Marcus Perry, and Bill Provenzano. Liaisons present were City Councilmember Carl
Gustafson, Dan Seal- Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, Bix Rathburn - Galveston County
Economic Alliance, Carol Marcantel — Friendswood Chamber of Commerce, Superintendent Trish
Hanks — Friendswood Independent School District, and David O'Farrell — Planning and Zoning
Commissioner.
Absent from the meeting were Tony Annan, Mark Conrad, Jeremy Magnuson, Pauline Moore,
and Hilmar Zeissig.
Staff member present was Karen Capps.
1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 8:40 by Acting Chair Skip Evans. There
was no quorum.
2. Roll Call. Roll call was made.
3. Approval of Minutes.
There was no quorum, therefore the meeting minutes were not approved but will be considered at
next month's meeting.
4. Discussion and possible action regarding the development of policies pertaining to
economic development.
The committee reviewed a draft policy for economic development. Performance metrics were
discussed. Marcus Perry will add metrics to the draft policy. Brett and Karen will work on
adding strategies for downtown, FM 528, and the Panhandle areas. The revised report will be
reviewed and sent out by email during the month of September.
5. Reports:
Planning and Zoning
David O'Farrell briefly discussed the non -conforming structure ordinance with the committee.
City Staff
Karen Capps reported on several prospects. She also discussed the possibility of partnering with
the Chamber to hold a business appreciation reception in November. She has been working to
update broker information in preparation of the October 16 Broker and Developer Day event.
Friendswood Chamber
Carol Marcantel reported that he Chamber has been busy and that 15 new businesses signed up as
members this summer. U.S. Congressman Randy Weber is speaking at tomorrow's membership
luncheon at the Green Event Center. The Chamber membership will vote on six new board
members at the luncheon.
Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
Dan Seal
Dan Seal reported on several events that will occur: a general membership meeting on September
17 regarding cyber technology, BAHEP's broker event at the Hess Club on October 29, and the
ICSC Retail Conference and Tradeshow event in Dallas and an election wrap up in November.
City Council
Carl Gustafson reported on recent budget meetings and tax rate.
Galveston County Economic Alliance
Bix Rathburn reported that he is very busy chasing projects right now including a $200 million
project that is performing their due diligence on a site in Texas City. The GCEA is also working
on a new strategic plan and will hold a planning meeting on September 25 which includes the City
of Friendswood. The SBDC has over 200 active clients. The SBDC is partnering with UTMB in
a medical/technology incubator on the island. Bix also reported on interest in having a
desalination project in the area.
Friendswood ISD
Trish Hanks reported that this year is FISD's 75th anniversary. There are currently 2,200 students
enrolled in Friendswood High School and is now a 6A school. Digital textbooks are being used
for math and science. There will be no board election this year.
6. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:57 a.m.