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<br />MINUTES OF SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL RETREAT MEETING <br />OF LA PORTE CITY COUNCIL <br />October 2, 2004 <br /> <br />1. CALL TO ORDER <br /> <br />The meeting was called to order by Mayor Alton Porter at 9:00 a.m. Mayor Porter provided the group with <br />opening remarks. <br /> <br />Members of City Council Present: Councilmembers Chuck Engelken, Barry Beasley, Tommy Moser, Louis <br />Rigby, Howard Ebow, Peter Griffiths, Mike Clausen, Mike Mosteit and Mayor Alton Porter <br /> <br />Members of Council Absent: None <br /> <br />Members of City Executive Staff and City Employees Present: City Manager Debra Feazelle, Assistant City <br />Manager John Joems, Assistant City Manager Cynthia Alexander, City Secretary Martha Gillett, Public Works <br />Director Steve Gillett, Parks and Recreation Director Stephen Barr, Interim Planning Director Wayne Sabo, <br />Assistant to the City Manager Crystal Scott, EMS Chief Ray Nolen and Assistant Fire Chief Champ Dunham <br /> <br />Others Present: None <br /> <br />2. City Manager Debra Feazelle provided City Council with an overview of the agenda. <br /> <br />3. The following items were discussed regarding Economic Development: <br /> <br />Mayor Porter noted the importance of Economic Development due to the loss in taxes. <br /> <br />City Manager Debra Feazelle provided Mayor and Council with an overview and focus on Economic <br />Development efforts including current incentives, potential incentives and community input for <br />Council consideration. <br /> <br />Current Incentives include local Industrial District Agreements, Tax Abatement, including Inner City Tax <br />Incentive Program for projects $21 Million and over, the Harris County Abatement Program, Freeport <br />Tax Exemption (LPISD participates, Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ), State programs including Tax <br />Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ - LPISD and Harris County participate), Tax Increment Financing (TIF <br />- LPISD and Harris County participate), Specific Purpose Incentives, including, Section 4b Y2 Cent Sales Tax <br />Fund, Hotel/Motel Tax and Utility Oversizing/Participation. <br /> <br />Potential Incentives were discussed, including Section 4A Economic Development Sales Tax, Job Creation <br />Incentives and Workforce Development. <br /> <br />Assistant City Manager John Joems provided City Council with policy examples. City Manager Debra <br />Feazelle noted staff would need direction. <br /> <br />Offers and leads from Alliance and Bay Area Houston were discussed. <br /> <br />Assistant City Manager John Joems provided an overview ofTIRZ and development agreements. <br /> <br />Interim Planning Director Wayne Sabo provided an overview of Impact Fees, and noted timing is a critical <br />part of implementation of these types of fees. He further noted areas, such as Pearland, that are currently in <br />high demand. <br /> <br />Council provided staff with direction by requesting they get more information on the City's web page about <br />TIRZ, Main Street, Industry and Industrial District Agreements. <br /> <br />Council requested additional information regarding 380 grants and requested more information and examples <br />from other cities. Additionally, they wanted to know how to utilize advantages and overcome disadvantages. <br />