HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2015-04-01 RegularFriendswood Community and Economic Development Committee
Meeting Minutes
April 1, 2015
The Friendswood Community and Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, April
1, 2015 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, and Jeremy Magnuson. Liaisons present were Dan Seal -
Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, Carol Marcantel - President of the Friendswood
Chamber of Commerce, Planning and Zoning Commissioner David O'Farrell, and Bix Rathburn —
President of the Galveston County Economic Alliance.
Absent from the meeting were Skip Evans, Marcus Perry, Bill Provenzano, and Dr. Hilmar
Zeissig.
Staff member present was Karen Capps.
Also present were Stephen Garcia, reporter for Community Impact Newspaper, and Friendswood
resident Philip Caltabiano.
1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 9:01 a.m.
2. Roll call was made. There was a quorum.
3. Approval of Minutes.
Tony Annan made a motion to approve the March 4, 2015 meeting minutes. The motion was
seconded by Mark Conrad and passed unanimously in the committee.
4. Discussion and possible action regarding:
Communications Plan
Karen Capps reported possible communication strategies for moving forward with educating the
public regarding the need for economic development including op editorials, facebook, newsletter,
and also distributing information through HOAs.
Funding Request for Priority Projects
The committee discussed the two top priority goals lacking funding: 1) FM 528 sanitary sewer
from Falcon Ridge to Windsong Lane, and 2) Downtown streetscaping (paved sidewalks,
pedestrian amenities, downtown anchor). Karen Capps reported the FM 528 sanitary sewer is
included in the CIP for projects beyond five years for funding. It was reported that P&Z and KFB
are both supportive of downtown brick paved sidewalks. A one -page summary of each project
will be drafted and considered at the May meeting.
5. Reports:
Friendswood Chamber of Commerce
Carol Marcantel reported that the Car and Bike Show will be held on April 18 in Stevenson Park.
The Taste of the Town is this Thursday, April 2 and the Year of the Business reception will be
held on April 23.
Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
Dan Seal reported that BAHEP has been to Austin three times this year, most recently on Monday
to support storm surge legislation. The CSE trip will be in May to Washington, D.C. and will be
BAHEP's 24th year to attend. Dr. Bill Gilmer spoke on the economy at BAHEP's general
membership meeting.
Galveston County Economic Alliance
Bix Rathburn reported on a meeting with the Galveston county Commissioners Court to discuss
implementing an economic development toolbox and strategy for Galveston County. Bix is
working with the City of Hitchcock on a new foreign trade zone.
6. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:17 a.m.