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03-05-2015 Approved MinutesNortheast Partnership for Economic Development City of Garden Ridge City Council Chambers 9400 Municipal Parkway, Garden Ridge TX 78266 MINUTES OF MEETING Thursday, March 5, 2015, 6:30 p.m. 1. Call to Order and Establish a Quorum. Mayor Jackson called the workshop to order at 6:45 PM. Mayor Jackson welcomed those present. A quorum was present. Members present were: Mayor Lisa Jackson, Cibolo Mayor Mary Dennis, Live Oak Mayor John Williams, Universal City Mayor Tom Daly, Selma Mayor Nadine Knaus, Garden Ridge City Manager Nancy Cain, Garden Ridge Mayor Pro -Tern Jay Hogue, Cibolo Mayor Pro -Tern John McCaw, City of Garden Ridge Members present were - Guadalupe Regional Mayor's Association: Nick Milanovich, Mayor Pro -Tem, New Berlin Others Present: Lt. Col Robin Baldwin, 12th Flying Wing Randolph Air Force Base Dwayne Robinson, Office of County Judge Nelson Wolff Commissioner Tommy Calvert Brenda Dennis, Schertz 2. Introduction of members and guests present. Mayor Jackson had all those present introduce themselves. Mayor Daly expressed his thanks for those who attended the last meeting. 3. Business: 1. Discussion regarding 2015 Legislative Bill Proposals a. Discussion and/or preparation for white papers for presentation to Legislative Representatives. Mayor Williams stated that one of the key things while in the room, and one of the Reps or Senators comes into the room you take over and introduce yourself and those in the group. Mayor Daly continued stated that he would ask that each provide him a sheet of the strongest and highest items we need to be focusing on. Mayor Williams stated that each of the Mayor's should have a packet of our white papers or a list of our points of discussion with them going to Austin. Mayor Daly indicated that there are at least five and lets work on at least two that we should address so not to inundate each person that walks in the door. Members present discussed having their white papers prepared for the trip and also have them at our next NEP meeting March 12, 2015. It also was discussed to share those with each Mayor so that we are not duplicating our efforts. They discussed focusing on three possibly four areas to bring to the attention of our Legislatures. Mayor Dennis stated that they do not have any white papers and her main focus will be the Revenue Cap issue. Mayor Jackson recognized Commissioner Tommy Calvert who stated that they had talked to Lt. Col. Robin Baldwin regarding Lyle Larson's suggestion regarding the state funding to save military installations and asked if we have added that to the list of legislative items. Mayor Daly stated that they have been dealing with a lobbyist through AACOG that is pushing this. Lt. Col. Baldwin stated that he had provided some of the technical date on this and he has been advised to not dabble in this area. Commissioner Calvert stated that he could prepare the information as this is a solid issue that is very important to bring before the Legislators. Commissioner Calvert stated that if there is anything else that is needed he can have his staff assist. Mayor Jackson recognized Lt. Col. Robin Baldwin who stated that State Representative Joe Farias is sponsoring two bills, he is sponsoring the airport disclosure bill, which by the way seems to be moving forward, and 1640 which is the coordination of between the installations and the cities. He stated that Representative Kuempel just filed the bill for expansion of 397A, which is the military sustainment commission, and it expands it to Guadalupe County and all the cities in this area. It only affects the ETJ's to insure that someone is watching over those areas in lieu of zoning. Commissioner Calvert again stated that he they receive funding that is already allocated from the State for preservation of military installations, we can buy out these properties and then a lot of the disclosure information is irrelevant. Mayor Williams asked if we could reach out and have her come because she knows everyone and knows where to go and knows exactly which buttons to push. Brenda Dennis stated that she would contact her and let them know. Mayor Williams indicated that the key issues are the Revenue Caps, Randolph and the one he brought up a few weeks ago regarding the bill relating to the Firefighters Association. He stated that the more we speak on SB 182 the better that is the one that is not going away. Commissioner Calvert stated that Judge Wolff did a great job on this issue at the last meeting. b. Finalize travel itinerary for Legislative Session Trip, March 17, 2105, Members Lounge 11:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. and proposed lunch menu. Mayor Jackson recognized Brenda Dennis who provided a current listing of those that have RSVP'd to attend March 17, 2015. She stated that to date 20 have RSVP'd and asked those present to spread the word. She stated that she would provide another email blast with a date to RSVP no later than, Tuesday, March 10, 2015. Ms. Dennis stated that with the help of City Administrator Nancy Cain, they have secured a 55 passenger bus that will be at the Living Way Christian Church, in Live Oak at 8:00 a.m., in the parking lot. The bus will leave promptly at 9:00 a.m. to Austin and will depart Austin at 2:30 p.m., back to the church. She stated that as a result of a phone call by Mayor Mary Dennis, the church has given their permission for us to park in the back of the parking lot. Mayor Dennis stated that there will be cones placed in the area for which we can park. Ms. Dennis continued stating that we need a firm head count so that we are able to order the correct amount of food, and stated that she had spoken to State Representative Joe Farias office and there is a Jason's Deli just up the street that could deliver, she provided the telephone number to City Administrator Nancy Cain. Mayor Williams indicated that State Representative Joe Farias office could also assist. Members discussed adding an additional 10 to the final count for ordering food. At the recommendation of Mayor Williams, Ms. Dennis stated that she will contact State Representative Joe Farias office and have someone come out and escort us into the building once we arrive. Ms. Dennis stated that she would get the contact number and have it with her. Ms. Dennis also stated that the bus will drop us off at 12th and Brazos Street. Mayor Williams indicated that this is the normal drop off area and the bus can go about three blocks away at the bus staging area, and also have the bus drivers telephone number so that we can contact them once we are on our way back at the drop off location to be picked up. Brenda Dennis and /or Nancy Cain will secure the telephone number. Mayor Jackson opened it up for discussion to include invitations to their Councilmembers. Members present will reach out to their respective Councilmembers and invite them to attend. Each will have them RSVP their attendance. Mayor Nadine Knaus stated that there is an issue that is specific to Garden Ridge and Comal County, which is the Comal County Groundwater Conservation District and she state that they will be including that in their white papers. c. General discussion for trip to Austin. Mayor Daly stated that Mayor Carpenter called him last night and stated that he will not be able to go on March 17, 2014 due to work commitments. Mayor Daly stated that Mayor Carpenter requested that he be the voice of the group. Mayor Daly stated that he does not play political games. He is straight forward and cuts to the chase. He stated that Mayor Lisa Jackson is next in charge if she would like to take the lead. Mayor Jackson and Mayor Daly agreed to work together to be the voice of the group. Mayor Williams stated that they will be there to help facilitate the group. 2. Alamo Area MPO Update /Issues. Mayor Daly stated that he did not attend as he did not receive his package. He stated that last week he spoke with Sid Martinez and Mayor Rylie that they are going to move forward with Lookout Road without the MPO. It was because the MPO three years in a tow push them aside. He stated that they were going to get anything until 2031. Mayor Daly stated that he expressed his disappointment on how the MPO was not taking care of the Northeast Partnership streets and the cities. Mayor Daly stated that at their last Council meeting they came out to finance a bond for 9 Million tax free to the residents that will be voted on. Commissioner Calvert stated that he believes the next meeting is March 23, 2015. Mayor Williams asked if anyone went to the meeting at Morgan's Wonderland. Commissioner Calvert stated that his staff attended. He stated the good thing for the Northeast is according to TxDOT there are two (2) top priorities for the state are the 35 corridor from AT &T Parkway to 1103, and then IH -10 adding additional capacity on both sides of I11-10. Mayor Daly stated that that is an embarrassment for the Northeast Partnership that they are not addressing our roads. He stated we have a concern from 1103 all the way down as well as other roads around the area. Commissioner Calvert stated that he would get with the MPO and express these concerns, however he did bring up some arteries that lead into 35, and he needs to get up to date on those that NEP is fighting for. Mayor Jackson stated that their city is moving forward to address the concern of 1103. Mayor Knaus asked if anyone attended the 1604 meeting last night. Members discussed the expansion project. 4. Items of Interest by the Member cities. Mayor Jackson recognized Mayor Dennis who expressed concern regarding approval of paying the expense of us going to Austin. She stated that she thought about this a little more and had more time to process it and stated that cities already pay for these types of trips because she is going on behalf of her city. She stated that if she goes to Austin, her city will reimburse or pay for her to attend. She asked that this be placed back on the next agenda for reconsideration and to look at rescinding this. She doesn't believe that NEP should pay for any Mayor to go when their cities would be responsible. Members concurred to place this item back on the agenda for further discussion. Mayor Jackson recognized Commissioner Calvert who thanked everyone for their support on the proposed 51 acre Bexar County Annex project. Commissioner Calvert stated there was business discussed in executive session which he is not privy to speak about, but again thanked everyone for their support. Mayor Williams stated that he had brought this up at their council meeting the other night and they agreed the Annex would be a great asset to the area. Commissioner Calvert stated that the county will end up saving a half a million dollars a year by them making this move. Commissioner Calvert went over the project for those that were not at the last meeting. Mayor Jackson recognized Lt. Col. Robin Baldwin who stated that he has been participating more in the Northeast Partnership meetings and apologized that they hadn't in the past. He stated that they have a part to play and pay in this organization as well. He wanted to know if there is information in the bylaws where Randolph could become a member of the Northeast Partnership For Economic group. Mayor Jackson and Mayor Williams indicated that they believed that an Associate Member would be available to them. They stated than anyone interested in the area of Economic Development and certainly Randolph is would qualify. Lt. Col. Baldwin also indicated that he would be going on the March 17, 2015 trip to Austin. 5. Establish a date, time, and location of the next meeting (Next up is the City of Converse to host) Members present discussed and decided to not continue meeting twice a month and that the next meeting would be April 2, 2015 and that the City of Converse is next to host. Brenda Dennis stated that she would contact the City of Converse and see if they would be willing to hosting the next NEP Mayor's Workshop meeting. Mayor Jackson asked if we had a speaker lined up for the March 12, 2015 meeting and Brenda Dennis indicated not for this meeting. Members discussed that the focus of the next meeting is to get ready for the March 17, 2015 legislative trip making sure each has complete packets of the associated white papers. Mayor Williams indicated that the County information should also be included in the packets we take up to Austin. 6. Adjournment. Mayor Jackson recognized Mayor Daly who moved, seconded by Mayor Dennis to adjourn the meeting. Mayor Jackson adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m. PASSED AND APPROVED THIS � DAY MARCH 2015. Mayor Lisa Jac n, NEP Vice Chairman