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Home My WebLink About09-23-19 Regular Meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation Board RICHARD WARREN, PRESIDENT DANNY EARP, BOARD MEMBER NANCY OJEDA, VICE-PRESIDENT JOHNNY MORALES, BOARD MEMBER CHUCK ENGELKEN, BOARD MEMBER SHELLEY FULLER, BOARD MEMBER VENESSA GUERRERO, BOARD MEMBER MINUTES OF THE LA PORTE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 26, 2019 The City of La Porte Development Corporation Board met on Monday, August 26, 2019, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 5:00 p.m., with the following in attendance: Board members present: Richard Warren, Chuck Engelken, Danny Earp, Johnny Morales, Shelley Fuller, Nancy Ojeda Board members absent: Venessa Guerrero Council-appointed officers present: Corby Alexander, City Manager; Lee Woodward, City Secretary; Clark Askins, Assistant City Attorney 1. CALL TO ORDER – President Warren called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. 2. STATUTORY AGENDA (a) Approve minutes of the meeting held on July 22, 2019. \[Richard Warren, President\] Board member Engelken moved to approve the minutes: the motion was adopted unanimously. (b) Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve an enhancement grant to FunCare Children’s Center for its facility at 10325 West Fairmont Parkway. \[Ryan Cramer, Economic Development Coordinator\] Board member Engelken moved to deny an enhancement grant to FunCare Children’s Center for its facility at 10325 West Fairmont Parkway; the motion was adopted unanimously. (c) Presentation, discussion, and possible action to elect a President and Vice-president for FY 2019-2020, per Section 3.02 of the Corporation’s Bylaws. \[Ryan Cramer, Economic Development Coordinator\] Board member Engelken nominated Richard Warren as President and Nancy Ojeda as Vice-President for FY 2019-2020; the motion was adopted unanimously. (d) Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve the Office of Economic Development’s proposed La Porte Development Corporation budget for FY 2019-2020. \[Ryan Cramer, Economic Development Coordinator\] Board member Engelken moved to approve the Office of Economic Development’s proposed La Porte Development Corporation budget for FY 2019-2020 as presented; the motion was adopted unanimously. 3. SET DATE FOR NEXT MEETING The next meeting was scheduled for September 23, 2019. 4. COMMENTS There were no comments. 5. ADJOURN – Without objection, the meeting was adjourned at 5:19 p.m. ____________________________________ Lee Woodward, City Secretary Page 1 of 1 August 26, 2019, La Porte Development Corporation Board Minutes REQUEST FOR LA PORTE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD AGENDA ITEM Appropriation Agenda Date Requested: September 23, 2019 Requested By: Ryan Cramer, E.D. Coordinator Source of Funds: Enhancement Grant Department: Administration Account Number: 0159892-9931100 Amount Budgeted: $217,054.89 Report Resolution Ordinance Amount Requested: $21,505 Exhibits: Invoice and photos Budgeted Item: Yes No SUMMARY On April 22, 2019, the La Porte Development Corporation Board approved a grant to Coastal th Exterminating at 812 S. 8 Street for $21,505 in reimbursement on $43,010 of eligible projects including repainting the building, repainting signs, parking lot repairs, new landscaping, and irrigation for that landscaping. The contractor, Bryan Moore, has submitted pictures of the completed work and his invoice for the eligible projects totaling $46,150. This reimbursement approval is for the initially approved $21,505. RECOMMENDED MOTION I move that the Board approve reimbursement of $21,505.00 to Coastal Exterminating. If the Board chooses to deny the reimbursement, no action is required. Approved for the La Porte Development Corporation Board meeting agenda Corby D. Alexander, City Manager Date REQUEST FOR LA PORTE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD AGENDA ITEM Appropriation Agenda Date Requested: September 23, 2019 Requested By: Ryan Cramer, E.D. Coordinator Source of Funds: Enhancement Grant Department: Administration Account Number: 0159892-9931100 Amount Budgeted: $217,054.89 Report Resolution Ordinance Amount Requested: $6,998.73 Exhibits: Invoices and photos Budgeted Item: Yes No SUMMARY On July 22, 2019, the La Porte Economic Development Corporation Board approved applicant Frank Nance with State Farm at 508 West Main Street for $6,998.73 in reimbursement on $13,997.45 of eligible projects, including a new sign, awning and façade work. The applicant has submitted pictures of the completed work and invoices at a total cost of $20,174.45 (the discrepancy is due to the fact the applicant used a different contractor for the façade than that named in their initial application - the applicant used Coastal Group Roofing at a cost of $14,855 instead of Herring at $8,678). This reimbursement approval is only for the initially approved $6,998.73. RECOMMENDED MOTION I move that the Board approve reimbursement of $6,998.73 to Frank Nance State Farm. If the Board chooses to deny the grant, no action is required. Approved for the La Porte Development Corporation Board meeting agenda Corby D. Alexander, City Manager Date REQUEST FOR LA PORTE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD AGENDA ITEM Appropriation Agenda Date Requested: September 23, 2019 Source of Funds: Requested By: Ryan Cramer, E.D. Coordinator Account Number: Department: Administration Amount Budgeted: Report Resolution Ordinance Amount Requested: Budgeted Item: Yes No Exhibits: Current program application SUMMARY In the past year, staff and the Board have seen a considerable rise in Enhancement Grant applications, which is not inherently bad, but many applications have strayed from the spirit of the program. To stem this, staff would like to know if the Board would be interested in adding language that prevents just signage or parking lot improvements to be eligible for the program. Staff believes it might be worth removing parking lot improvements from the program altogether. The other major change to the enhancement grant process will be the addition of the arts program. Many cities around the country have a public arts programs, but few cities of size do. This starts a series of questions to determine the direction the Board wants to go with the program: Does the City want to be buyers or collaborators? Many programs take the role of buyers by establishing funds to pay for these projects, often paid for by a 1% addition to all CIP projects the City does (Wylie, Texas; Claremont, CA; Greeley, CO; Bainbridge Island, WA) or just out of appropriate funds (Sugar Land, Texas). The buyer role is very similar to the purchasing process for anything the City does. The City would create a project and scope, then put out an open call to artists. This is costly, but it gives the City total control and creates a permanent exhibit. Fewer programs take the role of collaborator, which is where the City would provide grants to do the work. Houston and many major cities do this (also seen in Elgin, IL). Another option is to lease the work and use public space as a gallery for the artist to sell the work, some cities even taking a commission from sold pieces. Leasing is growing in popularity and can be found in locations such as Florence and Redmond, OR; Knoxville, TN; or Eden Prairie, MN. s initial idea for the program was a hybrid of these two ideas, providing some upfront money for materials, etc., then providing a public space for the artist to advertise their for sale art. The thinking behind this concept was using the grant to create a stable stream of new art, a risk with the leasing model, but by allowing the pieces to be sold, controlling the cost. The largest risk that comes with a grant or leasing option is find is intended to be a starting point. In this initial stage, staff would recommend the application process stays the same as the current enhancement grant in that applications are approved by the Board. The Board is also free to place any dollar limitation on an art project (cities large and small that provide grants usually have a cap somewhere between $2,500 and $4,000). RECOMMENDED MOTION Provide direction to staff as to whether the program should be a buyer- or a collaborator-type package, and, if collaborator, whether the City wants to lease art, provide grants, or create a hybrid. Approved for the La Porte Development Corporation Board meeting agenda Corby D. Alexander, City Manager Date LA PORTE ENHANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM The La Porte Enhancement Grant Program, which is sponsored by the La Porte Development Corporation, offers matching grants to businesses which are located in the City of La Porte. Eligible improvements of the La Porte Enhancement Grant Program include façade enhance- ment/rehabilitation, beautification projects, new awnings, canopies, porches, signage, and parking lot improvements. Commercial property owners or businesses may apply for grant reimbursements from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $50,000. Each application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and ALL projects for a matching grant greater than $25,000 must also be approved by the La Porte City Council. Interested business owners are welcome to complete the enclosed application form. Please deliver applications to: Ryan Cramer Office of Economic Development City of La Porte 604 W. Fairmont Parkway La Porte, TX 77571 Please email us at CramerR@laportetx.gov or call 281/470-5016, if you have any questions about the La Porte Enhancement Grant Program. L A PORTE BY THE BAY 604 W. Fairmont Parkway La Porte, Texas 77571 281/470-5016 LA PORTE ENHANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM PAGE 1, Revised 12/18/17 BUSINESS. BY THE BAY. ELIGIBLE PROJECTS Business owners may be eligible for a reimbursement grant of funds which are used to enhance and/or beautify their businesses. The following types of projects are eligible for reimbursement: Façade Rehabilitation/Enhancement Eligible projects include work on existing structures, such as removing non- historic/added facades, re-pointing brick or replacing mortar joints, replacing or restoring cornices, removing paint from brick, replacing windows, restoring transom windows, repairing facades, etc. New Awnings, Canopies, Porches, and Signage Eligible projects include replacing, adding, or repairing awnings, canopies, porches, and signs. Signs may include signboards, projecting signs, pedestrian signage, window signs, hanging signs, and awning/canopy signs. Beautification Projects Eligible projects include public art, landscaping, and other beautification projects as approved by the La Porte Development Corporation Board (LPDC). Parking Lot Improvements Eligible projects include new parking lot construction, parking lot paving, parking lot re- surfacing, parking space striping/painting, new parking blocks, old parking block removal, and other projects as approved by the LPDC. PROGRAM GUIDELINES 1. Grant funds are available only for exterior work on commercial property and building facades that are visible from public streets. 2. In general, grants offered to businesses are intended to support projects to renovate or convert existing structures to their original historic condition. 3. Grants will be processed and considered for award on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted or until the program ends, whichever comes first. 4. Grants will not be awarded for work that has already been started or completed, or for work that is covered by insurance. If desired work is above and beyond what insurance will pay, and is, therefore, considered an upgrade and enhancement in the opinion of the LPDC, it may be eligible for grant funds. LA PORTE ENHANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM PAGE 2, Revised 12/18/17 BUSINESS. BY THE BAY. 5. Grants will not be awarded to any Applicant that owes any delinquent indebtedness* to the City of La Porte or the La Porte Development Corporation (LPDC). Ϋ ǒĻƓƷ LƓķĻĬƷĻķƓĻƭƭ ƭŷğƌƌ ƒĻğƓ ğƓǤ źƓķĻĬƷĻķƓĻƭƭ ķǒĻ ğƓķ ƚǞźƓŭ Ʒƚ ƷŷĻ /źƷǤ ƚŅ \[ğ tƚƩƷĻ ƚƩ ƷŷĻ \[ğ tƚƩƷĻ 5ĻǝĻƌƚƦƒĻƓƷ /ƚƩƦƚƩğƷźƚƓͲ źƓĭƌǒķźƓŭ ĬǒƷ ƓƚƷ ƌźƒźƷĻķ ƷƚͲ ğķ ǝğƌƚƩĻƒ ƷğǣĻƭ ƚƓ ƩĻğƌ ğƓķ ƦĻƩƭƚƓğƌ ƦƩƚƦĻƩƷǤͲ Ǟŷźĭŷ ƦƩƚƦĻƩƷǤ źƭ źƓ ŅğĭƷ ƚǞƓĻķ ĬǤ ğƓķ źƭ ƌĻŭğƌƌǤ ƭǒĬƆĻĭƷ Ʒƚ ƷğǣğƷźƚƓͲ ǞŷĻƷŷĻƩ ƚƩ ƓƚƷ ƷŷĻ ƭğƒĻ ƒğǤ ŷğǝĻ ĬĻĻƓ ƦƩƚƦĻƩƌǤ ƩĻƓķĻƩĻķ Ʒƚ ƷŷĻ Ʒğǣ ğƭƭĻƭƭƚƩΏĭƚƌƌĻĭƷƚƩ ĬǤ ğƓǤ ƦĻƩƭƚƓ͵ {ǒĭŷ ƷĻƩƒ ƭŷğƌƌ ğƌƭƚ źƓĭƌǒķĻͲ ĬǒƷ ƓƚƷ ĬĻ ƌźƒźƷĻķ ƷƚͲ ĭŷğƩŭĻƭ ŅƚƩ ƦĻƓğƌƷźĻƭͲ źƓƷĻƩĻƭƷ ğƓķ ĭƚƭƷƭ ƚƓ ğƓǤ ƭǒĭŷ ğķ ǝğƌƚƩĻƒ ƷğǣĻƭͳ ĭŷğƩŭĻƭ ŅƚƩ ǞğƷĻƩͲ ƭĻǞĻƩͲ ŭğƩĬğŭĻ ğƓķ ƚƷŷĻƩ ƭĻƩǝźĭĻƭ ƩĻƓķĻƩĻķ ƚƩ ŭƚƚķƭ ŅǒƩƓźƭŷĻķ ĬǤ ƷŷĻ /źƷǤ ƚŅ \[ğ tƚƩƷĻ ƚƩ ƷŷĻ \[ğ tƚƩƷĻ 5ĻǝĻƌƚƦƒĻƓƷ /ƚƩƦƚƩğƷźƚƓ Ʒƚ ğƓǤ ƦĻƩƭƚƓͳ ğƓķ ğƓǤ ƚƷŷĻƩ ƒğƓƓĻƩ ƚŅ źƓķĻĬƷĻķƓĻƭƭ Ʒƚ ƷŷĻ /źƷǤ ƚŅ \[ğ tƚƩƷĻ ƚƩ ƷŷĻ \[ğ tƚƩƷĻ 5ĻǝĻƌƚƦƒĻƓƷ /ƚƩƦƚƩğƷźƚƓͲ ƓƚǞ ĻǣźƭƷźƓŭ ƚƩ Ǟŷźĭŷ ƒğǤ ŷĻƩĻğŅƷĻƩ ĬĻ ĭƩĻğƷĻķ ĬǤ ğƓǤ ƦĻƩƭƚƓ͵ bƚ ƭǒĭŷ źƓķĻĬƷĻķƓĻƭƭ ƭŷğƌƌ ĬĻ ĭƚƓƭźķĻƩĻķ ǒ ǒƓƷźƌ ƷŷĻ ƷźƒĻ ŅƚƩ źƷƭ ĭǒƩƩĻƓƷ ƦğǤƒĻƓƷ ǒƓķĻƩ ƷŷĻ ǝğƩźƚǒƭ ƚƩķźƓğƓĭĻƭ ƚŅ ƷŷĻ /źƷǤ ƚŅ \[ğ tƚƩƷĻͲ ƚƩ ƭƷğƷĻ ƭƷğƷǒƷĻƭͲ ƚƩ ĭƚƓƷƩğĭƷǒğƌ ğŭƩĻĻƒĻƓƷͲ ƭŷğƌƌ ŷğǝĻ ĻǣƦźƩĻķͲ ǞźƷŷƚǒƷ ƦğǤƒĻƓƷ ŷğǝźƓŭ ĬĻĻƓ ƒğķĻ͵ 6. Each grant will be awarded on a reimbursement basis once completed work has been verified by the LPDC to be compliant with the plans proposed in the approved application. Any deviation from the approved project may result in the total or partial withdrawal of the grant. 7. Each enhancement grant application will be subject to review and approval from the Board of the LPDC. The review criteria include the following: The project demonstrates a significant improvement over the existing situation, The project will add to the beautification of the City of La Porte , The project will enhance appeal to new businesses and visitors, The project will complement the surrounding buildings, and The project will add value to the City of La Porte. 8. Grant applications and awards may be made in any of the reimbursable activities described above and may be combined for any single property or project. 9. An applicant is defined as an owner, tenant, or combination thereof, who occupies space in an eligible property. A single owner of multiple properties may apply for grant funds for each property owned, but the matching grant must be for more than $2,500 and less than $50,000 per property in a three (3) year period. 10. Preference will be given to all local bids for work that qualify under the current form of the Local Bidder Preference Policy at the time the project is approved by the Board. 11. Multiple bids are not required for each eligible project that is less than a total $2,000, of LA PORTE ENHANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM PAGE 3, Revised 12/18/17 BUSINESS. BY THE BAY. which 50% or $1,000 would be a reimbursable expense, as per the City of La Portes Purchasing Policy. APPLICATION PROCESS 1. Determine eligibility: Discuss project plans with the Economic Development Coordinator. 2. Complete the application and sign the agreement form. Each grant application must include the following: a. A scaled drawing by the project architect or design professional of all the work to be completed. b. Samples -- i.e. paint samples, fabric swatches, sign material, etc. -- that will enable the LPDC to envision the finished project. c. Three (3) itemized work estimates on all project work from contractors or project architects. At least one quote must be obtained from applicable La Porte business. Should La Porte business not respond, applicant must provide documentation (email or letter) evidencing that a request for quote was requested. Applicants may refer to the Contractor List for La Porte contractors. However, the City does not make any representation as to the quality of work, nor guarantees any special pricing, nor does the City represent that this list is a comprehensive listing of La Porte businesses that complete this type of work. Should an applicant contact a La Porte business/contractor not on this list, such business shall be deemed to meet the requirement of this section as long as the business address is listed as La Porte. Self-contracted work will be reimbursed for actual legitimate expenses, excluding labor. d. Photographs of the buildings exterior. The Applicant shall be required to provide before and after photographs of the building before the reimbursement grant can be awarded. For the initial application, before photographs will suffice, but afte photographs of the completed project must be submitted before the grant may be considered for reimbursement. 3. Return the completed application form, with all applicable items, to: Ryan Cramer Office of Economic Development City of La Porte 604 W. Fairmont Parkway La Porte, TX 77571 CramerR@laportetx.gov LA PORTE ENHANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM PAGE 4, Revised 12/18/17 BUSINESS. BY THE BAY. 4. The application will undergo an approval process, which includes but is not limited to the following: a. Each project must meet current building standards and codes, as well as building permit requirements. b. The LPDC will only consider applications that have been properly and fully completed, and which contain all information requested in the application and/or by the committee. c. All itemized work estimates submitted by the Applicant must be dated no earlier than ninety (90) days prior to the Application request. Bids shall be submitted on the contracs or project architecs letterhead and shall contain the contracs name, address, and telephone number and shall itemize the bid in a manner that allows the LPDC to determine the bid components and authenticity of the bid. d. Applications receiving approval by the LPDC shall commence construction described in the application within ninety (90) days from the date that the enhancement grant is approved. Each Applicant must complete the construction described in the Application within one (1) year from the date that the grant is approved. If the Applicant cannot meet this timeline, then the Applicant may submit a written request for an extension of the commencement date or completion date provided the extension request is made prior to the ninety (90) day or one (1) year time limit. The LPDC shall not be obligated to grant an extension, but it may do so for good cause determined solely by the members of the Committee. The extensions, if granted, shall be for the term and for the conditions determined exclusively by the LPDC. Denial of an extension request may not be appealed. e. As a condition of this grant Application, the Applicant consents, and shall allow, the LPDC to request city inspections to determine that the grant, if awarded, will not be used for construction on any building that is not in compliance with the City Municipal Codes and Ordinances that are applicable to the construction contemplated in the application. f. The LPDC shall have sole discretion in awarding grants. They shall award grants considering the amount requested, grant funds available, the guidelines of the grant program, condition of the building in which the grant funds will be used, economic impact, other grant requests, the type and nature of the construction, and the proposed construction results considering the grant program. g. No Applicant has a proprietary right to receive grant funds. The LPDC shall LA PORTE ENHANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM PAGE 5, Revised 12/18/17 BUSINESS. BY THE BAY. consider any application within its discretionary authority to determine what grant amount would be in the best interest of the grant program. h. The Applicant shall be required to furnish bef photographs of the buildings exterior, and any other site locations that are included as part of the application request. The applicant shall also provide fte photographs once the construction has been completed, as a condition of final grant disbursement. i. The LPDC has the final discretion with regard to funding and reserves the right to recommend modifications or reject any project or elements of any project. 5. Reimbursement. When the entire enhancement grant project has been completed, the Applicant shall present the Economic Development Office with the following: a. Copies of all paid invoices, including copies of cancelled checks and/or credit card receipts for a single payment reimbursement of the approved funding, and b. Photographs of all completed work. 6. When the project has been reviewed and approved by the LPDC, a reimbursement check will be issued. LA PORTE ENHANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM PAGE 6, Revised 12/18/17 BUSINESS. BY THE BAY. La Porte Enhancement Grant Application tƌĻğƭĻ ƦƩźƓƷ ĭƌĻğƩƌǤ͵ tƌĻğƭĻ ƭǒĬƒźƷ ğ ĭƚƒƦƌĻƷĻķ ğƦƦƌźĭğƷźƚƓ Ʒƚʹ Office of Economic Development City of La Porte 604 W. Fairmont Parkway La Porte, TX 77571 APPLICANT INFORMATION: APPLICATION DATE: Applicant Name Business Name Physical Business Address Business Owner (if different from applicant) Mailing Address Contact Phone Email Address TYPE OF WORK (ĭŷĻĭƉ ğƌƌ ƷŷğƷ ğƦƦƌǤ): Façade Awnings/Signage Parking Lot Improvements Beautification DETAILS OF PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS (ğƷƷğĭŷ ğķķźƷźƚƓğƌ ƦğŭĻƭ źŅ ƓĻĭĻƭƭğƩǤ): LA PORTE ENHANCEMENT GRANT APPLICATION PAGE 1, Revised 12/12/16 BUSINESS. BY THE BAY. Please list the name of each Contractor and/or Project Architect and the Total Amount of each bid. Please, also, attach the original proposals and work estimates: CONTRACTOR/PROJECT ARCHITECT TOTAL 1. $ 2. $ 3. $ 4. $ 5. $ BUDGET DETAIL PROJECT EXPENDITURES FUNDS FUNDS APPLIED TOTAL Façade Rehab $ $ $ Awnings/Signage $ $ $ $ $ $ Beautification $ $ $ Parking Lot Improvements Other (list): $ $ $ TOTAL $ $ $ Total estimated cost of proposed project: $ Amount requested (up to 50% of total cost, $2,500 to $50,000): $ tƌĻğƭĻ ğƷƷğĭŷ ĭƚƌƚƩ ƭğƒƦƌĻƭͲ ƒƚķĻƌ ƓǒƒĬĻƩƭ ΛŅƚƩ ǞźƓķƚǞƭͲ ķƚƚƩƭͲ ĻƷĭ͵ΜͲ ƦŷƚƷƚƭͲ ƭĭğƌĻķ ķƩğǞźƓŭƭͲ ğƓķ ƚƷŷĻƩ źƌƌǒƭƷƩğƷźƚƓƭ ƚŅ ǞƚƩƉ Ʒƚ ĬĻ ĭƚƒƦƌĻƷĻķ͵ tƌĻğƭĻ źƓĭƌǒķĻ ğƭ ƒǒĭŷ ķĻƷğźƌ ğƭ ƦƚƭƭźĬƌĻ͵ ƚǒƩ ƭźŭƓğƷǒƩĻ ƚƓ Ʒŷźƭ ğƦƦƌźĭğƷźƚƓ ĭĻƩƷźŅźĻƭ ƷŷğƷ Ǥƚǒ ǒƓķĻƩƭƷğƓķ ğƓķ ğŭƩĻĻ ǞźƷŷ ƷŷĻ ŅƚƌƌƚǞźƓŭ ƭƷğƷĻƒĻƓƷƭʹ I have met with the LPDC and I fully understand the Enhancement Grant procedures and details established. I intend to use these grant funds for the eligible renovation projects, as spelled out in the application. I have not received, nor will I receive insurance monies for this revitalization project, OR I have disclosed all pertinent insurance information. I understand that if I am awarded an Enhancement Grant, any deviation from the approved project may result in the partial or total withdrawal of the grant funds. APPLICANT SIGNATURE DATE LA PORTE ENHANCEMENT GRANT APPLICATION PAGE 2, Revised 12/12/16 REQUEST FOR LA PORTE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD AGENDA ITEM Appropriation Agenda Date Requested: September 23, 2019 Source of Funds: Requested By: Ryan Cramer, E.D. Coordinator Account Number: Department: Administration Amount Budgeted: Report Resolution Ordinance Amount Requested: Budgeted Item: Yes No Exhibits: None SUMMARY In the past year or so, the Economic Development Coordinator has been approached on a couple of conference/meeting space, usually in partnership with a hotel. Staff is seeking direction from the Board to see if these opportunities should be seriously pursued. Any potential project would be paid for with both 4B and Hotel Occupancy Tax funds. There are currently five convention centers built or being built in general area, in Pasadena, Clear Lake, Texas City, Friendswood, and Baytown. Staff believes there does seem to be a need for meeting space in the immediate La Porte area with only the Sylvan Beach Pavilion filling the need for larger groups. However, the State Comptroller released a fiscal note last year warning cities to consider whether or not a convention center is a cost worth bearing considering how substantial it is. RECOMMENDED MOTION Provide staff direction regarding City response to future convention center and conference space project requests. Approved for the La Porte Development Corporation Board meeting agenda Corby D. Alexander, City Manager Date