HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2018-03-07 RegularCommunity and Economic Development Committee
Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2018
The Friendswood Community and Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, March 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, Skip Evans, Pauline Moore, Marcus Perry (arrived at 4:40 p.m.) Bill Provenzano, Jennifer
Whitley, and Dr. Hilmar Zeissig. City Councilmember Mike Foreman and Friendswood ISD
representative Amber Petree were also present.
Staff member present was Karen Capps.
Also present was Friendswood resident and City Council candidate, Robert Griffon.
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 February 7, 2018 meeting minutes. The motion was
seconded by Meg Crowley and it passed unanimously in the committee.
4. Overview of the Friendswood Downtown Economic Development Corporation by President,
Ron Cox
Chair Gary Kay introduced Ron Cox, President of the Friendswood Downtown Economic Development
Corporation (FDEDC), stating he invited Ron Cox to provide an overview to the CEDC of their goals,
activities, and how the CEDC can work together. Mr. Cox stated that voters approved two ballot
measures in May 2016 that included 1/8 cent sales tax for downtown and 3/8 cent sales tax for street
maintenance. Each City Councilmember appointed a member to serve on the seven -member board
of the FDEDC with two-year terms that can be reappointed for additional terms. Their annual budget
is approximately $400,000 and all expenditures must be approved by City Council. Projects have
included removal of AT&T utility poles and wires and installation of buried cable along Friendswood
Drive from Castlewood Drive to Clearview Avenue. Currently, the second phase of this project will
soon begin that will remove additional poles and wires and install buried cable along Friendswood
Drive from Spreading Oaks to Heritage Drive. The FDEDC hired a professional landscape architecture
and urban planning/design firm, Lauren Griffith Associates (LGA), to develop a Downtown
Improvements Plan. The plan will identify future improvements needed for the downtown district along
with associated costs. A lighting design firm, traffic engineer, and branding/identity/design firm will
also be part of the team. There will be many opportunities for public engagement and input during the
plan process which will take about six months to complete. Mr. Cox completed his presentation with
LGA's samples of work from Discovery Green, West University Place, City of Nassau Bay, City of
Clear Lake Shores, and others.
5. Staff report/comments
Karen Capps provided an update on new development and the status of municipal grant projects. A
report was given regarding City Council's work session discussion about Galveston County's bond
projects relating to Friendswood. A status on the rezoning request for assisted living was also
provided. A copy of the first quarter business news was provided as well as the most recent tax
base chart of 85/15 residential/commercial ratio.
6. Member comments
Gary Kay reported on his attendance at three Chamber ribbon -cuttings for new businesses in the
city.
7. Liaison reports
No reports.
8. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.