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20060315 SEDC Board Reg MtgSchertz Economic Development Corporation Minutes for March 15, 2006 Page 1 of 5 Minutes SCHERTZ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Regular Meeting Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. Council Workshop, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, TX 78154 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION President, Steve White, Secretary, Johnie McDow, Director, Roy Richard Director, Mark Roberts Director, Klaus Weiswurm Director, Robert A. Statzer Council Member, Carl Douglas CITY STAFF Amy Madison, Community Development Director Juan Santoya, Finance Evelyn Boggess, Recording Secretary THOSE ABSENT Director, Ramon Cook OTHERS PRESENT Clarence Scheel Bernice Friesenhahn Clarence Dolle Alice Dolle Harry Richburg 1. Call to Order: President Steve White President White called the meeting to order at 11:31 a.m. 2. Introduction of New Board Members & Guests Ms. Madison introduced the guests present for the Public Hearing: Clarence Scheel, Bernice Friesenhahn, Clarence Dolle and Alice Dolle. 3. Public Comment Guests reserved comment for Item 4C. 4. Public Hearings: A. PH2006-001 Hold a public hearing and consider and act upon a request to install bullet-proof materials in the Police Department Building, 1400 Schertz Parkway. Applicant: City of Schertz Police Department President White stated original plans are not in packet and information is vague. President White asked the Public for comment. No comment was given from public. President White stated he is inclined to handle the windows in dispatch and the other window in the lobby. Director McDow stated that the proposal is very confusing and the figures do not add up. Ms. Madison reviewed the Schertz Economic Development Corporation Minutes for March 15, 2006 Page 2 of 5 information in packet stating this is all the information she has received. Director Richards stated that at the last meeting the wall was mentioned as possible entry and needed to be included. Director Richards stated that if the walls were not included it would not do any good. Ms. Madison stated that the board could approve a line item not to exceed the line item amount. President White stated that he would like to table this request and come back with the correct information. Director Weiswurm asked if there was a since of urgency. Ms. Madison stated that we are in a Public Hearing and need to open and close the Public Hearing and then come back and vote on those items. Ms. Madison asked President White to read the PH2006-001 and then close it. B. PH2006-002 Hold a pubic hearing and consider and act upon a request to fund $200,000 of a $1.851 million City Hall expansion project located at 1400 Schertz Parkway for economic development department offices Applicant: City of Schertz Economic Development Department Ms. Madison stated that her staff is currently occupying 281 square feet in the city offices; 95 square feet belongs to both the administrative assistant and the new marketing person. The remaining 181 square feet belong to the director. The space is used as an office/ conference room to entertain new businesses coming into Schertz. Ms. Madison stated that at a previous meeting the City Manager has asked that the department remain in the city offices. The city has planned to expand its office space to include new offices for the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Finance Department, Human Resources, Economic Development Department, Mayor and City Council. The project will cost $1.122 million. The City is requesting that the Corporation contribute $200,000 for the new space for Economic Development. The project will include a conference room and offices for staff. Prior to today’s meeting, Mr. Bierschwale informed Ms. Madison that the city hall extension would be included in next year’s budget as a line item. Ms. Madison stated that plans will be forthcoming and funding should begin in October, however there is a possibility that Council could move on this expansion sooner. Director Weiswurm stated that currently Economic Development Department is currently in a closet and asked what this is doing to clientele. President White stated that the City Manager is aware of the problem, however he does not want the city department fragmented from the city offices. The City Manager stated in a meeting that there are conference rooms available for the Economic Development Department. President White stated that he would like the board to approve this item and stated that other departments have been asked to fund a portion of the project. Ms. Madison stated that after this is approved the project could not be funded for 60 days. Director Richards asked if this is part of the Bond election. The answer is no, this is not part of the bond issue. Directors stated some concern over what the $200,000 would entail, stating we could buy a building. Finance Director Santoya stated what Mr. Bierschwale is looking for is assurance that we can pay for the annex. Ms. Madison stated that this item could be tabled until a future meeting; at that time she will bring back plans for the directors to review and act on. President White closed Public Hearing # PH2006-002 C. PH2006-003 Hold a public hearing and consider and act upon a request to fund associated legal and engineering fees and guarantee debt service for a $4 million project to create a public improvement district in the City of Schertz for purposes of drainage improvements and road construction for approximately 814.25± acres in the West Dietz Creek Watershed District Applicant: City of Schertz Schertz Economic Development Corporation Minutes for March 15, 2006 Page 3 of 5 Ms. Madison reviewed packets with board. The drainage fee Ford Engineering completed is approximately $3.7 million. Ms Madison stated that $6,000± has been spent to date with Ford for engineering charges. The purpose of the project is to alleviate the run-off of drainage in the West Dietz Creek Watershed. The first meeting was held last week with the property owners. The list needs to be updated with the correct information. Project will include new road and channels in the area. The anticipated payout would be five years, stated Ms. Madison. Ms. Madison stated that the corporation would be held responsible if the Public Improvement District (P.I.D.) defaulted on the annual assessments. The city would bond out the project with a five-year bond and the P.I.D. would pay in three years. The Corporation’s participation would be $400,000. Director Richards stated do we have any figure on what the P.I.D. group would pay out. Ms. Madison stated that the corporation would only pay in case of default, and that the exact amount is still unknown. President White stated could we buy insurance to protect the corporation in case of default. Director Richards stated that the bondholder could provide insurance, not the person in line to pay the bond. There were no further comments and President White closed the item. D. PH2006-004 Hold a public hearing and consider and act upon a request to fund associated bond obligations on Phase II of the City of Schertz ballpark construction behind 1400 Schertz Parkway Applicant: City of Schertz Community Services Department President White noted that this item has been added to the city bond since requested for consideration by Director McDow. There were no further comments and President White closed the item. 4. OLD BUSINESS: a) Minutes of the 26 January 2006 Regular Meeting Minutes were approved but no recording was made of who approved or seconded the motion. b) Accountant Report – (Juan Santoya, Schertz Finance Director) Mr. Santoya stated that the current sales tax rate for the city is 8.25%; this amount is broken down as 6.25% to the state, 1.00% to the city, .50% to the Economic Development Corporation and .50% to the county. Ms. Santoya reviewed reports with directors and stated that the sales tax revenues are up 48% over last year. Ms. Madison stated that this is the outcome of over 500,000 square feet of retail spec space built over the past 2 years finally becoming occupied. c) Set next meeting: TBD (March 23rd?) Next meeting date was set for March 23, 2006. 5. NEW BUSINESS: a) Discuss and take action on a request to install bullet-proof materials in the Police Department Building, 1400 Schertz Parkway. Applicant: City of Schertz Police Department This item tabled until accurate documentation is received. b) Discuss and take action on a request to fund $200,000 of a $1.851 million City Hall expansion project located at 1400 Schertz Parkway for economic development department offices Applicant: City of Schertz Economic Development Department This item tabled until a set of plans is shown to directors to substantiate the payment of $200,000 by the corporation. c) Discuss and take action on a request to fund associated legal and engineering fees and Schertz Economic Development Corporation Minutes for March 15, 2006 Page 4 of 5 guarantee debt service for a $4 million project to create a public improvement district in the City of Schertz for purposes of drainage improvements and road construction for approximately 814.25± acres in the West Dietz Creek Watershed District Applicant: City of Schertz This item was tabled until the staff has complete criteria for the board to review. d) Discuss and take action on a request to fund associated bond obligations on Phase II of the City of Schertz ballpark construction behind 1400 Schertz Parkway Applicant: City of Schertz Community Services Department This item was tabled and will be included in the city bond election to be held on May 13, 2006. e) Discuss and take action on Comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Plan (Madison) Ms. Madison stated that she had invited the steering committee to come to today’s meeting. Mr. Harry Richburg is present to participate along with those of you who are already present. Ms. Madison stated that T.I.P. Strategies has completed a final presentation for the board to review. A dinner will be held on March 22, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center for the Steering Committee to review the draft. President White stated that he would like Selma taken out of the executive summary. Director Richards and President White stated that they have heard from some new business that the city is not business friendly. President White stated that there have been some issues with small businesses; the larger ones have an easier time. Director Roberts stated that the chamber should take an active role in making the city known as business friendly. Directors discussed all options. It was unanimous that the chamber needed to be utilized in helping bring business to Schertz. All recommendations by TIP Strategies that involved the chamber met with approval by the entire board. Directors further commented that small businesses struggled to find assistance at the City for their individual needs. In discussing Goal 1/Action C related to improving and monitoring the development process in Schertz, directors reported that both the Inspection department and Planning department were too busy or had no interest in assisting small companies with the many processes and procedures that were necessary. More communication is needed for the smaller companies. Mr. White indicated that we lost one company to Cibolo and one to Garden Ridge because they had so many problems getting permits and other things from the City. The directors generally approved the draft with changes and requested that the director work with the Strategic Committee to further refine the document. 6. Executive Director Report Ms. Madison handed out the Executive Directors report to review. She asked the directors if they had any questions, but she had no further comment. 7. Board Member Items None 8. Adjournment President White adjourned the meeting at 1:30 p.m. Schertz Economic Development Corporation Minutes for March 15, 2006 Page 5 of 5 __________________________ President ________________________ Director __________________________ Vice President _________________________ Director __________________________ Secretary _________________________ Director __________________________ Treasurer _________________________ Director