Loading...
June 1, 1995The Schertz Development Commission meeting convened at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, 1 June 1995 in the Municipal Complex Conference Room, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. THOSE PRESENT: Lew Borgfeld Wanda Jean Sweatt Harry Richburg Bob Vallance Jackie Jones Tony Moreno Juan Thorn STAFF PRESENT: Kerry R. Sweatt, Mark Marquez, ED Margie Montanez, THOSE ABSENT: Mary Marsh Charles McDonald Bruce Hammersla Jeff Zunker Eric White Harold Smith Merwin Willman City Manager Coordinator Recording Secretary 1. CALL TO ORDER Lew Borgfeld, Chairman of the Economic Development Commission called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 13 October 1994 10 November 1994 23 November 1994 6 April 1995 Lew Borgfeld made a motion to approve the minutes at a later date due to the number of minutes needing approval and to give the staff more time to review. Bob Vallance questioned why the amount of sets for review had not been approved and Kerry Sweatt stated that the reason was due to changes in personnel. No motion was made, however, the agreement to review the minutes and approve at a later date carried unanimously. 3. Appointments/Re-appointments Commission Members Kerry Sweatt read the current members and their expiration of appointment to the Commission. He stated that when the committee last met, the staff attempted to solicit from the membership willingness or not willingness to serve. He stated that it was his understanding in the last meeting that Bob Vallance and Harry Richburg were willing to serve an additional term if re-appointed. Merwin Willman, Mary Marsh, and Charles McDonald were not willing to serve, and Harold Smith was not able to serve. Due to those declining re-appointments, it leaves four vacancies on the commission if those who indicated were willing to serve were re-appointed. Kerry Sweatt indicated that there were four names of individuals who have been submitted for consideration for appointment to the Commission. There may be others or someone else may have some additional names. Kerry Sweatt stated the following individuals: Jeff Zunker, Ben Davis, Henry Gutierrez, and Byron Williams. Mr Borgfeld asked when was the committee to consider these appointments. Kerry Sweatt stated that the terms expired 21 March 1995. Those individuals whose terms have expired are expected to serve until their successor is named. The length of terms were set up on a staggered basis and the commission drew for the one, two, and three-year terms. These will now be two-year terms. W.J. Sweatt made a motion to accept the list of new names for appointment to the Commission. Lew Borgfeld stated that from his stand point, if the Commission could consider the new appointees a month or two before voting and maybe meet again in three or four weeks for more discussion and appointment. Bob Vallance agreed and commented to having some knowledge of the individuals backgrounds and personal history. W.J. commented that the commission knew that these appointments were approaching and were asked to present names. Lew Borgfeld agreed but would still like some follow up that these things and other proposals are coming up so that the commission will have a way knowing before meeting time that these considerations are open and the possibility of commission members having other request for submission. He hadn't recalled that the Commission had some prompting on this issue at the last meeting and his opinion is that the Commission get some forewarning of what is going to happen at these meetings. Lew Borgfeld asked if the Commission wanted to move forward and accept the new appointees or meet at another time for this specific issue. W. J. Sweatt asked what the rules say and if we have four vacancies past due of re-appointment should we not consider those presented. Lew Borgfeld commented that usually a member serves until re-appointed or replaced. Jackie .Jones asked how many present members did the Commission have and if there was a set number needed on the Board. Mark Marquez stated that to have a quorum, only four members needed to be present. Kerry Sweatt stated that at this time the Commission has twelve positions. Mark Marquez stated that the initial structure was for seven people. It was found to be practical at the time to add how many wished to serve, which got us to twelve. He continued to comment that there should be at least seven. However, Mark stated that we have people here who would make a contribution to the overall operation. W.J. Sweatt reinstates her motion to accept the names submitted for new appointments. Jackie Jones second the motion to appoint Jeff Zunker, Ben Davis, Henry Gutierrez, and Byron Williams as new appointments and Harry Richburg and Bob Vallance for re-appointments. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Action: Tax Abatement, Instel Southwest Mark Marquez introduced Mr. Neil Parsley, Vice President Instel Southwest. Mr. Parsley proceeded to address the Commission about the company and his proposal. His presentation was as follows: Instel Southwest: Steel distributor for foreign and domestic construction. The company supplies steel to build churches, schools, shopping centers, and other fabricators. There are five locations in the Southeast-Southwest area. The company has been in business since 1954 out of Houston and is a French- owned company. Corporate headquarters is located in Houston, Texas, 34-acre plant, and do their own distribution and financing. There is no facility here (in Schertz) but presented a planning map on a prospective building. The plans are for a purchasing contract on a 15.9 acre tract on Doerr Lane, in the Industrial Park. The building will be 200 ft by 430 ft. It is the first phase and plan to build on it as they grow. Behind the building will be a hard service area which can store plate products and handle a forklift. Eventually planning is to double the size of the building and go from 86,000 to ft to 170,000 ft of warehouse and extend the hard service area. The outside work will always be behind the building. They are also planning to completely fence the property, have security lighting, and small amounts of landscaping by the office. Jackie Jones asked about the improvement to Doerr Lane and what their plans were. Mr. Parsley stated that the plans are to widen and pave the lane an additional 250 ft. from the railroad track to Doerr Lane to get their trucks and trailers in and out of the property safely. He continued to add that they will have an entrance. The fence goes around the perimeter of the property except for the gate which will be set back 100 ft off the road so the trucks can pull off that road and park safely. Mr. Parsley's proposal to the Commission was to assist in defraying part of the costs which is an estimated $14,000. Mark Marquez stated that a possibility is to step up with a tax abatement, Insteel pay a third, the City pay a third, and another developer pay a third. Mark Marquez stated that the Foundation agreed to a grant of $5,000 toward the improvement of that street. Mr. Parsley stated that Instel was prepared to pay for the construction up front and have the tax abatement offset part of the cost. Kerry Sweatt asked if the total building (warehouse) was 86,000 sq. ft. and 3,000 for the office. Mr. Parsley confirmed that statement. Harry Richburg asked if they would have any type of waste to dispose of in that area. Mr. Parsley stated that they would have some scrape which will be recycled. Harry Richburg wanted to clear that what they wanted to do was when they were having other work build out there to get another developer to bid on construction of the street and would come out to less money that what we talking. Mark Marquez stated that it was conceivable. The estimates that he has are $70 a linear foot as stated from the City engineer. Mark stated that he alerted the foundation that this will be a requirement because we were orginally looking at a third, third, and third. After going through the numbers with the City, that kind of money could not be generated by the date and required. Mark Marquez directed the Commission to the copy of the evaluation showing the dollar value of the abatement, what it means to the City in terms of eventual returns over time and do we make any money in this deal. Bob Vallance asked what the life of the abatement was and Mark Marquez stated that it was six years. Discussion over the evaluation continued. Bob Vallance asked if the facility was sufficient to handle any of the possible potential hazards that could occur out at the location. Mr. Parsley stated yes and that fire would be a remote possibility because of no flammable items on the property or storage tanks. Ambulance and medical service was an issue Mr. Parsley had in mind when locating here because of the excellent medical services in the area. Lew Borgfeld made a motion of recommendation of the tax abatement to the City Council for Instel Southwest for the construction of the road on Doerr Lane. Harry Richburg second the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Kerry Sweatt formally welcomed Mr. Parsley to the City of Schertz. 5. Demonstration: Skyline Portable Displays Mark Marquez introduced Sean Brown from Skyline Displays for this presentation. Mr. Brown proceeded and gave a description of what the display was made of. The "City of Schertz" would be painted on the base and is included in the price of the whole package. Mr. Brown proceeded to talk about the structure of the frame, connectors, compact packing, fabric panels, attachable shelving, etc. Mark Marquez directed the Commission to the copy of itemized costs of the display. The display Mr. Brown brought to demonstrate is 10 feet in size. There is also an 8 ft display. The difference in price would be from $500-$600. Kerry Sweatt asked if there was a less expensive way to do the graphic print. Mr. Brown stated that there are different types of graphic, i.e., high photographic or electricstatic printing. Jackie Jones asked if the size of the 10 ft display would be a problem when taking to trade shows. Mark Marquez responded no, but that the cost of the booth to have at a trade show is expensive. W.J. Sweatt asked if the Foundation paid for the display could the Commission pay the Foundation back. W.J. thought that the Foundation may need their money. Jackie Jones stated that her question was to only justify cost. Lew Borgfeld stated that the display could be used at different types of functions we would be involved including the 4th of July, BAD, and fireman's supper. It would also project a very positive and professional image when used. Lew Borgfeld's suggestion was to go to the foundation for the monies due to the fact that some money was made on the Industrial Park and a display might be the type of thing the Foundation may consider funding. W.J. Sweatt asked if there were second hand displays that could be purchased. Mr. Brown said yes, usually the displays that have been on rental stock would eventually go on sale. Mr. Brown stated that he could get the cost down considerably less. Demonstration concluded and Commission agreed to inquire to see what other possibilities are available. 6. Discussion: 4th of July Mark Marquez stated Mr. Zunker from Garden Ridge Pottery has some surplus displays to improve the display at the 4th of July Jubilee. Improving the booth appearance may have a difference in our sales. The Foundation has donated $500 towards the fireworks. The Flyby from Randolph is on scheduled and waiting for them to say that they will do it. W.J. Sweatt asked if Mark Marquez was going to ask for volunteers for the booth. Mark Marquez stated that the booth hours are from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Juan Thorn, Kerry and W.J. Sweatt, and Mark Marquez volunteered. Harry Richburg and Lew Borgfeld were to get back with Mark. Mark Marquez usually takes the first and last shift because of the money box. 7. Discussion: 6th BAD Mark Marquez indicated that the invitation letter to the guest speaker, Brenda Arnett, had been mailed and waiting a response. Mark Marquez handed the discussion over to W.J. Sweatt, BAD Chairperson. W.J. commented that her committee was still undecided on a theme for the event. A 50s-60s theme was suggested, however, the western theme seemed to have been successful and comfortable dressing. The Commission agreed to decorate with the western theme. 8 . Staf f Comments Mark Marquez reminded the Commission about the CPS Seminar scheduled for 7 June and to call if anyone wished to attend. Hal Baldwin, Mayor of Schertz, was one the guest speakers. 9. Commission Member Comments: No other comments. 10. Chairman's Comments: No other comments 11. Set Next Meeting Date: 21 August 1995 12. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Harry Richburg motion to adjourn, Bob Vallance second the motion. ° ° ~~ Lew Borgfeld argie Montanez Chairman Recording Secretary