09-03-2015 Approved Workshop MinutesNortheast Partnership for Economic Development
City of Marion
Marion Community Library
500 Bulldog Lane — Tondre Room
MINUTES OF WORKSHOP September 3,2015,6:30 P.M.
1. Call to Order and Establish a Quorum.
Mayor Williams and Mayor Dennis called the workshop to order at 7:10 p.m. A quorum
was not present.
Members present were:
Mayor Mary Dennis, Live Oak
Mayor Pro -Tem John McCaw, City of Garden Ridge
Mayor Bill Seiler, Marion
Mayor Pro -Tem Belinda Reasor, Marion
Mayor John Williams, Universal City
Mayor Jeff Hunt, Santa Clara
Others Present:
Brenda Dennis, City Secretary, Schertz
Laurie Huebinger, City Secretary, Marion
David Mueller, Public Works Director, Marion
2. Introduction
Mayor's and guest present introduced themselves.
3. Old Business:
1. Alamo Area MPO Update /Issues.
No information was provided at this time.
2. Discussion regarding establishing guideline regarding City Membership.
(additions /removals) of the Northeast Partnership For Economic Development.
Mayor's discussed how far out would we go, north, south, east and west. Mayor
Seiler stated that going south New Berlin is already in the partnership going any
further is Stock Dale and he believe they are too far. Mayor Seiler stated that
Converse is the border going west and Garden Ridge would be the border going
north. Mayor Seiler stated that the boundaries are pretty much set and with Santa
Clara here this evening and going to join it makes it whole.
Mayor Williams stated any of the communities in the area that are working on
economic development are worth being asked. Mayor Williams mentioned New
Braunfels and Seguin. He stated that they should be players in the Northeast
partnership area. He stated that he wouldn't go any further than New Braunfels and
Seguin. Mayor Williams stated he didn't think going any further west, due to San
Antonio and the County.
Mayor Dennis concurred with Mayor Seiler that Converse would be the border for
the west direction. Mayor Dennis mentioned that Kirby was already a member of
the Northeast partnership. Mayor Seiler and Mayor Williams stated that New
Berlin should be as far as we should go. Mayor Williams recognized Mayor Pro-
Tern McCaw who asked if they thought New Braunfels would be interested.
Mayor Williams stated that New Braunfels and San Marcos are too far and they
have their own interests. Mayor Seiler stated that he believe that we are already
full.
Mayor Williams stated that we wouldn't want to go too far out as we might lose
our clout with the abutting cities. Mayor Williams mentioned that Seguin was a
member at one time
4. Items of Interest by the Member cities.
Mayor Seiler brought up the Proposition 1 — SJR 1: "The constitutional amendment
increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for
public school purposes from $15,000 to $25,000, providing for a reduction of the
limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for those purposes
on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect the increased exemption
amount, authorizing the legislature to prohibit a political subdivision that has adopted an
optional residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation from reducing the
amount of or repealing the exemption, and prohibiting the enactment of a law that imposes
a transfer tax on a transaction that conveys fee simple title to real property." And
Proposition 7 — SJR 5: "The constitutional amendment dedicating certain sales and use tax
revenue and motor vehicle sales, use, and rental tax revenue to the state highway fund to
provide funding for nontolled roads and the reduction of certain transportation related
debt."
Mayor Seiler and other present suggested and asked that these Amendments be discussed
at the next NEP meeting to see what the other cities thought.
5. Establish a date, time, and Location of the Next meeting. (Next up is the City of New
Berlin to host)
City Secretary Brenda Dennis stated that she would contact the City of New Berlin and
see if they are available to host the next Mayor's Workshop meeting and get back to the
group.
6. Adjournment.
Mayor Seiler and Mayor Williams adjourned the meeting at 7:59 p.m.
PASSED AND PROVED THIS 8th DAY OF OCTOBER 2015.
ayor Michael Carpenter, Chair