HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2015-06-01 RegularFriendswood Community and Economic Development Committee
Meeting Minutes
June 1, 2015
The Friendswood Community and Economic Development Committee met on Monday, June 1,
2015 at 4:30 pm at Friendswood City Hall, Council Chambers, 910 S. Friendswood Drive,
Friendswood, Texas, with the following members present: Chair Pauline Moore, Brett Banfield,
Mark Conrad, and Skip Evans.
Absent from the meeting were Tony Annan, Jeremy Magnuson, Marcus Perry, Bill Provenzano,
and Dr. Hilmar Zeissig.
Staff member present was Karen Capps.
1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 5:05 pm with a quorum present.
2. Discussion with City Council regarding implementation of the Economic Development
Policy.
The CEDC met with City Council to discuss economic development funding priorities. Karen
Capps reported that since City Council approved the Economic Development Policy by resolution
earlier this year in January, the CEDC has met monthly and discussed the next steps to implement
the adopted policy. As part of the adopted Economic Development Policy's goals, included is
Strategy 2 — Infrastructure: Support and spearhead efforts to develop infrastructure to ensure that
adequate sites are available for target business development. Ms. Capps stated that the committee
reviewed about a dozen different infrastructure projects, then prioritized the top five, and
subsequently chose the top two for today's funding requests to Council. These two funding
requests include the FM 528 sanitary sewer from Falcon Ridge to Windsong Lane; and Downtown
streetscaping (brick pavers, benches, and lighting.)
Chair Pauline Moore presented the FM 528 sanitary sewer project's strategy which included the
goal, challenges, projected cost, and return on investment. CEDC's recommendation is to
advance this project to the 5-Year CIP or earliest funding available. Discussion pursued with City
Council suggesting funding through grants, Galveston County participation, and landowner cost
sharing.
CEDC member, Brett Banfield, presented the Downtown streetscaping project to City Council
stating the goals, challenges, cost, and return on investment. He added that pedestrian downtown
streetscapes are considered a public amenity constructed in the right of way. Brett added that
Friendswood citizens voiced their support for downtown improvements citing the 2013 Citizen
Survey which indicated that respondents support improving downtown and would also support
spending tax dollars for downtown renovations and improvements. Following the discussion
there was consensus to place an item on next month's City Council agenda for Council to consider
funding streetscape amenities in front of City -owned properties along Friendswood Drive: City
Hall, fire station, and Stevenson Park. City Council also discussed possible 1/4 sales tax for
possible funding.
3. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 pm.