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11-03-2016Northeast Partnership for Economic Development City of Schertz 1400 Schertz Parkway, Administration Building 42 Schertz, Texas 78154 MINUTES OF WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 3, 2016 7:00 P.M. I. Call to Order and Establish a Quorum. Mayor Carpenter called the workshop to order at 7:01 PM. Members present were: Mayor Michael Carpenter, Schertz Mayor Bill Seiler, Marion Mayor Nick Milanovich, New Berlin Mayor Jeff Hunt, Santa Clara Mayor, Allen Dunn, Cibolo Mayor Knaus, Garden Ridge Mayor John Williams, Universal City Mayor Pro -Tem John McCaw, Garden Ridge Others Present: State Representative John Luj an Brenda Dennis, City Secretary - Schertz Catarina Gonzales, Attorney & Counselor, Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal Hyde & Zech Barbara Bowie, and Sharon Odom, Bowie Foundation Pastor Emerson Allen, NE Community Baptist Church II. Introduction Mayor Carpenter welcomed those present and those present introduced themselves. III. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Presentation and discussion regarding the Freedom Riders Event. (Barbara Bowie) 2. Discussion and possible action regarding potential sponsorship for a concert in coordination with the Freedom Riders event in January 2017. Mayor Carpenter recognized Ms. Bowie who provided information regarding the event and the background of the Freedom Riders. She provided information regarding the budget for the upcoming event. Ms. Bowie provided draft copies of proposed sponsorship letter, flyers and posters for the upcoming event. Draft itinerary includes: Wednesday January 11, 2017 — SAND Youth Summit — Sam Houston High School Thursday January 12, 2017 — Judson ISD Youth Summit — PAC Friday January 13, 2017, 7:00 p.m. — Main Event — Film Screening/Panel Discussion/Hilton Garden Inn — Live Oak Saturday, January 14, 2017 — 8:00- a.m. - Replica of 1961 Bus Rides with Greyhound from Selma through Live Oak, Schertz, Converse, Windcrest & Kirby 9:30 a.m. Kirby 4h Annual MLK Parade & Festival, down Ackerman Road to Friendship Park 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Awards Banquet w / "Passing of the Torch" Ceremony — Retama Park ® 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Temptations Concert Retama Park She asked for assistance with Poster and Flyer printing as well as assistance for securing Retama Park for the Temptations' Concert. Ms. Bowie stated the banquet is scheduled at the Hilton Garden Inn in Live Oak on Friday, January 13, 2016. Ms. Bowie indicated that with charging for the concert and the other week's event, it could pay for the entire week of events and provide money for scholarships. Mayors present indicated that Ms. Bowie could reach out to the Tri County Chamber as well as The Chamber to assist in getting information out on the event. Mayors present provided comments regarding the draft flyers presented and provider her contact information regarding who might be willing to assist with the printing of the posters and flyers. (See attached copy of draft Concert Budget Breakdown) Mayor Carpenter moved to item 4 for discussion. 4. Discussion and possible action regarding putting together a coalition regarding the proposed Cibolo Parkway Project. Mayor Carpenter recognized Mayor Dunn who stated that recently they briefed the Guadalupe County Mayor's Association group regarding Cibolo Parkway Project. He stated that started a brief discussion on the idea of developing a regional coalition to address some of the problems we have had in the area overall, particularly are weakness of representation on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). It's not just the idea of getting funding for various projects we have underway or projects that we know are coming up in the coming years, but also as Mayor Carpenter had pointed out the issues of VIA providing services out in our area, also our relative strength in Austin in front of the Legislature. It seems to him the common thread is everyone thinks the regional coalition is a good idea, but it's always been kind of a defused and fuzzy idea that we have not really started to take the steps to putting the organization together. Mayor Dunn stated that Mayor Carpenter also suggested that the NEP would be a great organization to use in this regard as it is already here and the biggest players that we are missing are New Braunfels and Seguin, everyone that is directly affected is already on the northeast side by the MPO in particular. Mayor Dunn stated that he wanted to float the idea to the group tonight to get the conversation started of how we go about organizing so that we are more effective in how we represent ourselves to the MPO, to the Legislature and others who are willing to listen to assist and help us with the needs out in our area especially now that it is early on. Mayor Carpenter stated that the Cibolo Parkway project has a need now we will not have enough time to get organize. Cibolo will press on with the project in developing a feasibility study, but he stated down the road, as we all begin to grow; public transportation is going to be an interesting discussion. This is a great time to continue the dialog and time for us to organize. Mayor Carpenter stated that this is not just Northeast Partnership we are sharing this with the Guadalupe Mayors Association we want to share this regionally and there is work afoot to have a larger coalition of the two organizations together. Mayor Dunn concurred and stated there is another piece to add and it came out of a discussion he had with the Mayor Pro -Tem, City Manager and another councilmember, with the Deputy Director of TxDOT where they talked about potential alternative funding sources for the Parkway project. He stated that that have the traditional method of when you submit your projects, there are also other potential means to fund projects if you know where to look and how to play the shell game with what you are trying to accomplish. If you have funds to contribute and put in the kitty that certainly helps a lot. There are different ways to potentially path different pods; however the one key piece of the discussion was no matter which pod anything comes out of eventually its going through the MPO. That's the one key bottleneck through which you must pass. No action from the Northeast Partnership on the Cibolo Project, but this is the beginning of continuing the dialogue and think about how do we as the Northeast Partnership for the purpose of this discussion work with the groups around us so that we can have the most influence as possible. Mayor Dunn left the meeting as he had a previous engagement. 3. Discussion and possible action regarding proposal from Catarina Gonzales, Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal Hyde & Zech representing NEP in the upcoming Legislative Session. Mayor Carpenter recognized Ms. Gonzales with Denton, Navarro, Rocha, Bernal, Hyde & Zech who stated that the proposal is to represent the NEP during the upcoming Legislative session. She stated that with her firm will collaborate to develop political strategies, plan, have direct advocacy, legal analysis, draft proposals and also provide additional client expertise that can be maximized during this session. Mayors discussed the proposal providing their comments. Mayor Carpenter stated that TML does represent the cities but we do not have anyone that directly represents the Northeast Partnership group and we have discussed this in the past, we have money now due to not spending for this upcoming legislative session but this will be an ongoing project moving forward. Ms. Gonzales provided a quick overview of the upcoming issues that will impact the cities and stated it is important to have an advocate working directly with NEP to have representation at the state level. She also stated that their firm also represents several of the cities already within the Northeast Partnership as their legal counsel and wants to help them. Mayors present agreed that this was a need as the upcoming legislative session will deal with many items that will directly affect the cities. It was the consensus of the group to place this item for consideration at their next meeting. Mayor Williams stated that since we have the money let's give it a try to do it this year and see what happens. Ms. Gonzales stated the session begins in January ends in June, but that pre filing begins November 14th. She indicated that if NEP wants to do it per session then that is fine. Mayor Seiler and Mayor Williams believe we move forward as this is a critical year. If we can have the influence and we have the funds they believe we move forward, and later in the upcoming session we can address it later. Mayors discussed putting it on the agenda for approval of the proposal for now and when the session begins and until the end of the session. Let's test this out and see what we get, if we see that this is really beneficial, get a lot of traction and visibility maybe later we invite other cities to join and increase the fee structure so that we can afford more. Let's walk the path together because we are going to spend more than half of what we have in funds. Ms. Gonzales stated that they also would want to go through the veto period on this as well. Mayors present concurred. Mayors present provided their feedback regarding the proposal and indicated a few changes. Ms. Gonzales indicated that she could make the changes. Mayor Knaus stated that sometime before the next session we need to start lying out our positions and she believes that we would want to hire them significantly before next legislative session. Ms. Gonzales concurred stating that NEP can always discuss plans for next session. Mayor's present reviewed the proposal and asked that it be placed on the next regular NEP agenda for discussion. 5. Roundtable discussions with State Representative Lujan regarding concerns of NEP regarding the upcoming Legislative Session. Mayor Carpenter recognized State Representative Lujan who thanked everyone for inviting him to the meeting. State Representation Lujan also indicated that his re- election date is also Tuesday, November 8, 2016 which he is seeking another term and it is a very contentious election. He stated that he is the first Republican to hold this seat he provided more information regarding his re- election. He also provided background information regarding entities that he has been working with to get involved since he was elected. He stated that if he doesn't win he will sit down with the new representative to let them know the issues. He stated that he is dedicated. Rep Lujan asked what the Mayors were needing from him. Mayors present stated their biggest issue is local control and being able to maintain local control. Mayor present provided State Representative Lujan with their commentary and views on why local control is the most important to them. Mayors present stated that the NEP as a group can approve sign, all the member cities, and submit a resolution stating the need for them to maintain local control and to address tax caps and get it submitted to him. Mayor Carpenter stated that the Greater Bexar County Council of Cities is also preparing a similar resolution and he would provide a copy to Representative Lujan as well. Mayor Carpenter stated that the Guadalupe County Regional Mayor Association, the Counties Judges, and representatives from the various counties as well should provide resolutions regarding the need for local control and the tax caps issues and get all these resolutions signed and sent to Representative Lujan. Mayor Carpenter stated that this push is not coming from the House but the Senate. Mayor's continued discussion with Representative Lujan regarding their concerns. Mayor Carpenter stated that we would like to get in contact with his office after the election is over to continue dialog and discussions regarding their concerns to take to the state on their behalf and also to use NEP as a resource to seek our support on issues he needs support on. Mayors present stated they want State Representative Lujan to be supportive and a strong advocate of the Northeast Partnership cities. Again, State Representative Lujan thanked the Mayors for allowing him to be present and discuss their issues and stated he hopes that he will win the election and looks forward to working with the Mayors. IV. Items of Interest by the Member Cities. No further items of interest. V. Establish a Date, Time, & Location of the Next Meeting. (Next up is the City of Selma to host — December 1, 2016. VI. Adjournment. Mayor Carpenter adjourned the workshop at 8:25 p.m. PASSE APPROVED THIS 8th DAY OF DECEMBER 2016. a r Michael R. Carpenter, NEP Chairman