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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-11-10 Special Called Regular Meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation minutes 2 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED REGULAR MEETING OF THE LA PORTE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS January 11, 2010 1. Call to order President Pat Muston called the La Porte Development Corporation Board meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Members Present: Muston, Woodard, Pizzitola, Moser, Clausen and Engelken Members/Officers Absent: Warren Staff Present: City Manager Ron Bottoms, Assistant City Manager John Joerns, Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins, City Secretary Martha Gillett, GIS Manager Brian Sterling and Main Street/Economic Development Coordinator Stacey Osborne. Others Present: Paul Chavez and Bob Payne of Bay Area Houston Area Partnership, Ted Powell and David Janda. 2. Consider approval or other action of the December 14, 2009 minutes of the Regular Meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors - M. Gillett A motion was made by Board Member Engelken to approve the December 14, 2009 minutes of the Regular Meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors. Motion was seconded by Board Member Moser. The motion carried. Ayes: Muston, Woodard, Pizzitola Moser, Clausen and Engelken Nays: None Abstain: None Absent: Warren 3. Consider approval of an agreement with Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership to provide economic services- S. Osborne The Development Corporation Board of Directors discussed approval of an agreement with Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership to provide economic services. A motion was made by Board Member Pizzitola to table this item until the next meeting. The board requested Bay Area Houston Area Partnership provide them with a report of the history of activity since the beginning of the first contract. The motion was seconded by Board Member Engelken. The motion carried. Ayes: Muston, Woodard, Pizzitola, Moser, Clausen and Engelken Nays: None Abstain: None Absent: Warren 4. Receive updates from city staff on following Projects - R. Bottoms City Manager Ron Bottoms reported on the following projects: o Economic Development Sales Tax Training Seminar o Sylvan Beach Shoreline Project o Town Plaza o 912 West Main o Main Street Activities Mr. Bottoms and Stacey Osborne provided the board with the following updates: Economic Development Sales Tax Training Seminar - Stacey informed the board she attended this seminar and found it to be very beneficial. Sylvan Beach Shoreline Project - Provided an update on the project and showed photos. The project will be completed on January 13, 2010. After the final punch list is completed the beach will be open to the public. 912 Main - No changes on this project. Town Plaza - Plaza grand opening is scheduled for February 4, 2010 from 4-7 p.m. The metal building in the area is scheduled for demotion on January 25, 2010. 5. Executive Session - pursuant to provision of the Open Meetings Law. Chapter 551 Texas Government Code, Sections 551-071 through 551.076, 551.087 (consultation with attorney, deliberation regarding real property, deliberation regarding prospective gift or donation, personnel matters, deliberation regarding security devices, or excluding a witness during examination of another witness in an investigation, deliberation regarding Economic Development Negotiations). There was no Executive Session. 6. Board Member Comments A. Matter appearing on agenda B. Inquiry of staff requiring a statement of specific factual information or a recitation of existing policy. There were not any board comments. 7. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors adjourned the Regular Meeting at 5:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Martha Gillett City Secretary TRMC Passed and approved on this _ day of 2010. Pat Muston, President 3 REQUEST FOR LA PORTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AGENDA ITEM Report: _ Resolution: Ordinance: Appropriation Source of Funds: Community Investment Account Number: 038-6030-565-30.01 Amount Budgeted: $20,000 Amount Requested: $20,000 Budgeted Item: YES NO Agenda Date Requested: February 1, 2010 Requested By: Stacey Osborne Department: Administration Exhibits: Exhibits: Agreement with Bay Area Houston Proposal for Economic Development Svcs (Exhibit A to agreement) Exhibits: SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) has focused their efforts on providing services to the City of La Porte and other cities/areas along the ship channel. Attached is the proposal of economic development services to the city of La Porte from BAHEP, as well as the proposed Agreement. The fee is $20,000/year payable in two installments: the fIrst within 30 days of effective agreement and the second within 30 days of the semi-annual meeting and fIrst progress report. The term of the Agreement is one year. It includes provisions for termination of convenience by the City and termination for cause by either the City or BAHEP. We have found BAHEP to be very open, visible and active in providing services that are specifIc to promoting regional economic development services. BAHEP provides information and resources that are necessary for us to make wise economic development decisions, and also the opportunity for the City to develop valuable relationships with corporations and entities that are either interested in doing business in La Porte, or who can help us further our economic development initiatives. BAHEP has met the expectations of their agreement in the past, and we request approval for the renewal. Action Required bv Economic Develooment Corooration: Con . er proval of the agreement with Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) to provide economic de lopme t services. A ( d Proposal to the City of La Porte for Economic Development Services Submitted by Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership ])ecenaber 1, 2009 BAY AREA HOUSTON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership is a 501 (c)( 6) not for profit organization focusing on the growth of the region through retention, expansion, plus recruitment of high performance jobs and business. The current service area includes the City of La Porte and the Bayport Industrial Complex on the east, Ellington Airport and City of Pasadena on the north, the City of Friendswood on the west and the City of Dickinson on the south. The region encompasses parts or all of 13 cities which included the southeast portion of Houston and parts of two counties. The estimated population for 2008 of the Bay Area Houston region is 416,369 (Source: Sites on Texas). Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership currently has more than 260 members employing over 170,000 people who reside in Harris and Galveston counties, including the economic partner cities of La Porte, Clear Lake Shores, Dickinson, EI Lago, Friendswood, Houston, Kemah, League City, Nassau Bay, Pasadena, Seabrook, Taylor Lake Village and Webster. Private and public partners include those in the aerospace and specialty chemical industries, as well as real estate brokers and developers, banks, healthcare and education. PURPOSE As the City of La Porte continues to focus on diversity and expanding the economy, the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership looks forward to continuing its partnership with the City of La Porte and assisting in the continued development and implementation of an enhanced economic development strategy. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Economic Development Goals and Direction Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership will provide the following services: a. Assist the City of La Porte in setting economic development goals and objectives. b. Recommend policies, processes, and procedures that enable City of La Porte to successfully compete for new business within our target industries but not limited to Aerospace, Biotechnology and Specialty Chemicals. c. Alert City of La Porte of potential loss or addition of business due to changes in policy, State or federal law, or other impacts. d. Develop business linkages for City of La Porte, given the city's economic development goals. e. Provide opportunities for City of La Porte officials to sit on Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership committees. f. Consult with City of La Porte officials or their designees on issues related to economic development. g. Create, expand, or nurture partnerships with other municipalities or agencies to promote and enhance the City La Porte's economic development strategy. h. Include the City of La Porte in any and all discussions hosted by Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership with its allies that are related to regional economic development issues. Economic Development Marketing and Sales Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership will provide the following services: a. Organize and conduct coordinated marketing and sales programs that build from the City of La Porte's strengths to influence positively the national and international decision makers who decide where to locate, relocate, or expand. b. Target and recruit businesses and companies most likely to result in business location, relocation, and expansion. c. Solicit jobs from employers that result in a broader, more diversified tax base. d. Assist the City of La Porte in the development of a city plan for economic development. e. Provide relevant background information about the City of La Porte, the region, and the State of Texas, as appropriate to the business opportunity. f. Invite City of La Porte officials to meetings with executives who are interested in business location, relocation, and expansion. g. Coordinate City of La Porte in the Bay Area Houston comprehensive communications program geared to national and international business opportunities through conferences, advertising, and other means of disseminating information about the City of La Porte's business climate and business activities. Business Assistance Programs Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership will provide the following services: a. Include City of La Porte officials and business persons in workshops, seminars, programs, and other educational or training programs designed to assist the City in promoting new business development, start-up business, entrepreneurship, business expansion, and other business assistance ventures. b. Include the City of La Porte representatives in business development activities. Special Services Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership will provide the following additional special services at no cost to the city: a. Collaborate with the economic development director and other regional organizations to protect and grow the Ellington Airport assets and expand the military presence at Ellington Field. BAHEP will work with the Houston Airport System broker and Colliers International, to market Ellington Airport and perform economic development activities to protect and grow assets related to aerospace. BAHEP through the Ellington Field Task Force will work with local businesses and elected officials in a strategic manner focusing on areas which most substantially benefit the military presence at Ellington Field. Such as including Alert Fighter aircraft replacement, Predator unmanned aerial vehicles, quality of life for Joint Armed Forces Reserve Base, and Regional Homeland Security Defense Operations Center. b. BAHEP will develop a plan and work to secure a Space Shuttle Orbiter for display near the City of La Porte when the Space Shuttle fleet is retired in 2010. BABEP will collaborate with public and private organizations to secure funding for transport and installation of the orbiter in its new Bay Area Houston home. c. BABEP's International Maritime Advisory Committee will work with the surrounding districts to develop curriculum for new maritime classes to be offered at the high school level. This initiative is the first step in developing an education pipeline that will include San Jacinto College District, Texas A&M Galveston and University of Houston - Clear Lake to meet the growing workforce demand by the region's maritime industry. FUNDING USES Funding will be used specifically for the economic development services stated below: "Deliverables" 1. Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership will assist the City of La Porte to work within the established framework as outlined in the City of La Porte's 2000-2020 Comprehensive Plan. . Provide the City of La Porte direct access to Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership's research capability for information regarding studies, forward planning and research. . Attract diversified industry that will contribute to the tax base as well as provide jobs for a variety of diverse workers in the community without conflicting with other land uses in La Porte, while encouraging younger citizens to remain in the community. . Ensure that all existing and future commercial development is attractive, highly utilized and without negative influence on adjacent residential uses. . Facilitate meetings with county and state officials in order to develop a positive working relationship; in regards to mutual goals for development of lands and thoroughfares within the city limits. . Assist the City of La Porte to improve the community character of La Porte to make it a more desirable place to live, work and visit. 2. Utilize Comprehensive Plan objectives to assist the City of La Porte achieve economic development goals. 3. Include the City of La Porte in specific Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership communications, as follows: . Inclusion of City La Porte material on the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Web site. . Inclusion ofthe City of La Porte in Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership printed materials and electronic newsletters. . Advise the City of La Porte in development of marketing materials for the city Web site and for print and video distribution. 4. Include the Mayor, other elected officials or city staff in two CEO visits per year. 5. Coordinate representation of the City of La Porte at two trade shows per year, with Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership staff working separately with city staff on the best methods to promote the City of La Porte's economic development objectives. 6. Include the City of La Porte and local businesses in four business workshops, seminars or similar programs each year. 7. Continue to engage industry representatives from the industrial complex, City of La Porte and Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership to identifY constraints and barriers to economic vitality of the petrochemical industry and determine appropriate resolution. 8. Along with an annual written report documenting progress, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership representatives will meet every six months with the Mayor of the City of La Porte and/or his designated representative( s). FUNDING REQUEST Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership is requesting a three-year funding partnership with the City of La Porte, at an investment level of $20,000 per year for several specific economic development services as outlined above, which will directly benefit the City of La Porte and its extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ). The funding will be paid in semi- annual installments per year. Optional Economic Development Service Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership is proposing to provide a service over and above the service level the City of La Porte is receiving with its membership. If the City of La Porte desires to expand its scope of work with Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, this economic development tool will be provided, for additional funding, as agreed upon by the City of La Porte and Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership. Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program Business Retention Tool - $2,SOO/year The Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP) staff will assist La Porte's initiatives in business retention and expansion by participating in city-sponsored business visits and marketing the program to the city's small businesses. Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership will provide the services of SA TOP to small businesses through free technical assistance from its Alliance Partner engineers. SATOP has assembled a unique network of engineers and scientists from NASA field centers, aerospace contractors, colleges and universities to provide up to 40 engineering hours of free technical assistance to provide solutions to technical problems. The program provides businesses with access to knowledge, skills and materials that were previously unknown or unavailable to the private sector. AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ("Agreement"), as described in PROPOSAL (Exhibit A) TO THE CITY OF LA PORTE is made effective as of the Effective Date (defined below) between the City of La Porte ("City") and the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership ("Contractor"), a Texas 501 (c)(6) not for profit organization. Contract Term: This Agreement is effective on the Effective Date and remains in effect for three (3) years thereafter, unless sooner terminated under this agreement. Services: Contractor agrees to provide the services described in Exhibit A. Pavment Term: The City shall pay $20,000 per year, in semi-annual installments, for Contractor's economic development services rendered under this Agreement. Initial payment to Contractor is due within thirty- (30) days of the Effective Date. Effective Date: This Agreement shall be effective as of January 1,2010. Termination for Convenience bv the City: The City may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving 30 days' written notice to Contractor. The City's right to terminate this Agreement for convenience is cumulative of all rights and remedies, which exist now or in the future. On receiving the notice, Contractor shall, unless the notice directs otherwise, immediately discontinue all services under this Agreement and cancel all existing orders and subcontracts that are chargeable to this Agreement. As soon as practicable after receiving the termination notice the City shall then honor payment terms for services rendered under this agreement unless the fees exceed the allocated funds remaining under this Agreement. TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND RECEIPT OF PAYMENT FOR SERVICES RENDERED ARE CONTRACTOR'S ONLY REMEDIES FOR THE CORPORATION'S TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE, WHICH DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A DEF AUL T OR BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT. CONTRACTOR 1 WAIVES ANY CLAIM (OTHER THAN ITS CLAIM FOR PAYMENT AS SPECIFIED IN THIS SECTION), IT MA Y HAVE NOW OR IN THE FUTURE FOR FINANCIAL LOSSES OR OTHER DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE CITY'S TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE. Termination for Cause bv Contractor: Contractor may terminate its performance under this Agreement only if the City defaults and fails to cure the default after receiving written notice of it. Default by the City occurs if the City fails to perform one or more of its material duties under this Agreement. If a default occurs and Contractor wishes to terminate the Agreement, then Contractor must deliver a written notice to the city manager describing the default and the proposed termination date. The date must be at least 30 days after the city manager receives notice. Contractor, at its sole option, may extend the proposed termination date to a later date. If the City cures the default before the proposed termination date, then the proposed termination is ineffective. If the City does not cure the default before the proposed termination date, then Contractor may terminate its performance under this Agreement on the termination date. To effect final termination, the contractor must notify the city manager in writing. Termination for Cause bv City: If Contractor defaults under this Agreement, the city manager may either terminate this Agreement or allow Contractor to cure the default as provided below. The City's right to terminate this Agreement for Contractor's default is cumulative of all rights and remedies, which exist now or in the future. Default by Contractor occurs if: (1) Contractor fails to perform any of its duties under this Agreement; (2) Contractor becomes insolvent; (3) all or a substantial part of Contractor's assets are assigned for the benefit of its creditors; or (4) a receiver or trustee is appointed for Contractor. If a default occurs, the city manager may, but is not obligated to, deliver a written notice to Contractor describing the default and the termination date. The city manager, at his or her sole option may extend the termination date to a later date. If the city manager allows Contractor to cure the default and Contractor does so to the city manager's satisfaction before the termination date, then the termination is ineffective. If Contractor does not cure the default before the termination date, then the city manager may terminate this Agreement on the termination date, at no further obligation of the Corporation. To effect final termination, the city manager must notify Contractor in writing. After receiving the notice, Contractor shall, unless the notice directs otherwise, immediately discontinue all services under this Agreement, and promptly cancel all orders or subcontracts chargeable to this Agreement. 2 Sienatures: The Parties have executed this Agreement in multiple copies, each of which is an original. ATTEST/SEAL: BAY AREA HOUSTON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP By: Bob Mitchell President By: Cindy Perkins Office Manager CITY OF LA PORTE By: Ron Bottoms City Manager By: Martha Gillett City Secretary 3 Exhibit A 1. Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership will assist the City of La Porte to work within the established framework as outlined in the City of La Porte's 2000-2020 Comprehensive Plan. . Provide the City of La Porte direct access to Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership's research capability for information regarding studies, forward planning and research. . Attract diversified industry that will contribute to the tax base as well as provide jobs for a variety of diverse workers in the community without conflicting with other land uses in La Porte, while encouraging younger citizens to remain in the community. . Ensure that all existing and future commercial development is attractive, highly utilized and without negative influence on adjacent residential uses. . Facilitate meetings with county and state officials in order to develop a positive working relationship; in regards to mutual goals for development of lands and thoroughfares within the city limits. . Assist the City of La Porte to improve the community character of La Porte to make it a more desirable place to live, work and visit. 2. Utilize Comprehensive Plan objectives to assist the City of La Porte achieve economic development goals. 3. Include the City of La Porte in specific Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership communications, as follows: . Inclusion of City La Porte material on the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Web site. . Inclusion of the City of La Porte in Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership printed materials and electronic newsletters. . Advise the City of La Porte in development of marketing materials for the city Web site and for print and video distribution. 4. Include the Mayor, other elected officials or city staff in two CEO visits per year. 5. Coordinate representation of the City of La Porte at two trade shows per year, with Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership staff working separately with city staff on the best methods to promote the City of La Porte's economic development objectives. 6. Include the City of La Porte and local businesses in four business workshops, seminars or similar programs each year. 7. Continue to engage industry representatives from the industrial complex, City of La Porte and Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership to identify constraints and barriers to economic vitality of the petrochemical industry and determine appropriate resolution. 8. Along with an annual written report documenting progress, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership representatives will meet every six months with the Mayor of the City of La Porte and/or his designated representative( s). 4