HomeMy WebLinkAboutFDEDC Minutes 2017-06-13 Friendswood Downtown Economic Development Corporation (FDEDC)
Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes of June 13, 2017
Friendswood Public Library, Meeting Room
416 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood,Texas 77546
1. Call to order and roll call of Board Members
The meeting was called to order at 4:07 pm.
Present: President Ron Cox, Vice President Alton Todd, Secretary Dr. Pat McGinnis, Arden (Trey)
Hill, Rebecca Hillenburg, Elmer "Bubba"Johnson,Jr., and Paul Marx.
Staff member present: Karen Capps and Mary Kay Fischer.
Also present: City of Nassau Bay Assistant City Manager- Mary Chambers and resident Phillip
Ratisseau.
2. Citizen comments
Phillip Ratisseau stated that he is attending FDEDC meetings,taking notes, and reporting online
for better communication, transparency, and to keep the public informed. He stated that he is
for the Board and sales tax, and sees this as a golden opportunity to help his small community.
3. Consider and take action on approval of May 9, 2017 meeting minutes
Motion by Rebecca Hillenburg to approve the meeting minutes, second by Elmer Johnson. All
in favor, motion carried.
4. Presentation by the City of Nassau Bay regarding their redevelopment initiatives
President Ron Cox introduced Mary Chambers, Assistant City Manager of the City of Nassau Bay
who gave an overview of the City's efforts to revitalize their commercial area. Ms. Chambers
stated that Nassau Bay is only 1.7 square miles with a population of 5,000, and was built in the
1960's as a master-planned community providing housing, offices, schools, churches, retail,
hotels, parks, as well as a marina with strong ties to NASA. In the late 90's, City leaders
recognized that Nassau Bay looked tired and buildings were aging. The City formed a
redevelopment authority and purchased 27 acres in 1997 with the idea of a new town center
being developed. The City issued an RFQ and selected Griffin Partners who had previous
experience primarily developing office buildings in the Houston area but the President, Fred
Griffin, was known and trusted, and ultimately chosen to be the town center developer.
Several other financing mechanisms were put in place and used to fund the development
including a tax increment financing district, EDC funds, and legislation for a management
district was submitted and approved by the State. The 27 acres are almost completely built out
with retail, Marriott hotel, Nassau Bay city hall, luxury apartments, along with a central square
for events. There are two parcels remaining with Chik-Fil-A planned to locate on one. Real
property values have increased by over$140 million from new development since the TIRZ was
established.
5. Discussion and poss, ;action regarding follow up to the Bo')-_—.-�s planning and goal-
setting meeting
Dr. Pat McGinnis gave an overview of the research he conducted about strong towns that do
not go into debt in order to fund public infrastructure. He asked the Board to view the curbside
chat and other information available on their website at strongtowns.org.
6. Discussion/action regarding intent to apply for Livable Centers grant
HGAC recently sent out a notice asking for interest in applying for a Livable Centers study grant.
HGAC's "intent to apply" deadline is June 30 which would then notify HGAC that Friendswood is
interested in the grant, but does not obligate the city to move forward with an actual grant
application due at a later date at the end of August. The grant requires 20 percent matching
funds and can be used for updating downtown plans, designing and planning for downtown
signage including entryway signs to demarcate the downtown area, planning and design for
sidewalks, research to make the downtown area a destination with pedestrian walkability, etc.
It was discussed that much work needs to be done prior to a grant application including
determining the scope, goals, and desired outcome of the grant, and whether to fund it at this
point. The board may be better prepared next year, however if a Friendswood study would be
selected this year, it wouldn't be until the 2018/19 fiscal year that HGAC staff would actually do
the study. It was decided that Karen Capps and Ron Cox would discuss further with HGAC staff
to gather more information and report back at the next meeting.
Rebecca Hillenburg made a motion to submit "an intent to apply" for the Livable Centers grant
due by June 30 with no repercussions to retract/withdraw before the grant deadline is due,
seconded by Trey Hill. All in favor, motion carried.
7. Staff Updates
Karen Capps provided a financial report. New City Attorney, Mary Kay Fischer was introduced
to the board.
8. Members comments
Paul Marx asked about a new electricity pole that was erected at a new development in the
downtown area. He stated that there are efforts by various groups to remove as many of the
poles as possible, so he questioned how the new pole was erected when the City requires the
utility lines to be buried in other places in town. Staff will find out and report back. Ron Cox
stated that as the Board is doing research, he thought it would be good to invite City staff to
give reports to the board regarding what plans are being proposed or are underway so that the
FDEDC can possibly partner with their efforts. Assistant City Manager Morad Kabiri will be
invited to attend the next meeting.
9. Future meeting dates
President Ron Cox stated that he has a conflict on July 10 and may need to change the FDEDC
Board report to the August City Council meeting. Next board meeting is Tuesday, July 11 at 4
pm. Rebecca Hillenburg stated that she will not be able to attend and requested if the meeting
could be recorded.
10. Adjournment
With no further business to discuss,the meeting was adjourned at 5:59 pm.
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Patrick McGinnis, FDEDC Secretary/Treasurer