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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2018-02-07 RegularCommunity and Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes February 7, 2018 The Friendswood Community and Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at 3:30 pm., in the second floor conference room of Friendswood City Hall, 910 South Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas, with the following members present: Chair Gary Kay, Meg Crowley, Pauline Moore, Bill Provenzano, Jennifer Whitley, and Dr. Hilmar Zeissig. Staff member present was Karen Capps. Also present were Friendswood residents, Philip Ratisseau and Brett Banfield. Absent from the meeting were Skip Evans and Marcus Perry. 1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order by Chair Gary Kay at 3:32 p.m. 2. Roll call was made. Roll call was made. There was a quorum. 3. Approval of Minutes Dr. Hilmar Zeissig made a motion to approve the December 6, 2017 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Meg Crowley and it passed unanimously in the committee. 4. Overview and update of the Friends of Downtown Friendswood Association's goals by President, Brett Banfield Chair Gary Kay introduced Brett Banfield, President of the FDFA, stating that he asked Brett to come and give the CEDC an overview of their goals and how the CEDC can work with their group. Mr. Banfield reported that the FDFA began in 2015 with eight members and is now in its thirtieth month of operation. They are now reshaping the focus of the FDFA to differentiate their efforts from the Friendswood Downtown EDC. The FDFA has four main objectives: 1) host events to bring people into downtown, i.e. Texas Music Fest (flagship event and fundraiser), Front Porch Music Series and Labor Day Ice Cream Social (in partnership with Friendswood Historical Society), Scarecrow Contest, and Drinks, Drafts, and Downtowners and more events on the horizon; 2) beautify downtown with public art and cultural amenities, i.e. mural; 3) highlight downtown businesses; and 4) major education/public relations on why downtown is important. This will be the third year that FDFA hosts the Texas Music Fest and the event is on schedule to begin generating proceeds for downtown projects. Mr. Banfield explained that events typically take five years or more to start making a profit and funds will be reinvested back into downtown. He also added that this is all funded by private dollars on private property. In response to how the CEDC can work with the FDFA, Mr. Banfield responded by saying that he sees the FDFA, FDEDC, and CEDC as a three-legged stool. The FDFA is privately -funded with its primary focus on events, things to do downtown, and helping spruce up businesses, the FDEDC is publicly -funded with its primary focus on improving publicly -owned spaces downtown, and the CEDC's focus is on business attraction/recruitment. 5. Discussion and possible action regarding the proposed extension of Blackhawk Boulevard on the City's Major Thoroughfare Plan Chair Gary Kay stated that Dan Rucker met with the CEDC last year and gave an overview of the panhandle area, and also stated that Mr. Rucker would formally request to Planning and Zoning and City Council that the proposed extension of Blackhawk Boulevard through this area be removed from the City's Major Thoroughfare Plan. Ms. Capps stated that City Council and P&Z held a joint work session on February 5 concerning the proposed road extension and would like to receive input or a recommendation from the CEDC before moving forward. After discussion, Meg Crowley made a motion to remove the proposed extension of Blackhawk Boulevard through the land area along FM 2351 to Beamer be removed from the City's Major Thoroughfare plan. The motion was seconded by Jennifer Whitley and it passed unanimously in the committee. 6. Discussion regarding map of undeveloped properties in the city A map of undeveloped properties in the city was discussed regarding ownership, zoning, location, and availability of utilities at or near the sites. Sites that have utilities were also reviewed. 7. Staff report/comments Karen Capps reported that Buzbee Properties sold their last commercial property in downtown. Dickie's BBQ should reopen when corporate finds a new franchisee to operate the Friendswood location. An updated New Development Report was provided. 8. Member comments Jennifer Whitley reported that the Walgreen's at FM 528 and Bay Area Boulevard remains closed and she heard it may not reopen. Ms. Capps said she would follow up on this. 9. Liaison reports No reports. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.