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Home My WebLink About08-18-14 Meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors minutesRICHARD WARREN, PRESIDENT MIKE COOKSLEY, VICE PRESIDENT CHUCK ENGELKEN, BOARD MEMBER JAY MARTIN, BOARD MEMBER MIKE CLAUSEN, BOARD MEMBER RANDY WOODARD, BOARD MEMBER NANCY OJEDA, BOARD MEMBER MINUTES OF LA PORTE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 18, 2014 The City of La Porte Development Corporation Board met on August 18, 2014, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 5:00 p.m. to consider the following items of business: 1. CALL TO ORDER President Warren called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. The following members of the La Porte Development Corporation Board were present: Board members Martin, Clausen, Engelken and Vice President Cooksley. Vice -President Cooksley arrived at the table at 5:04 p.m. - Staff Present: Corby Alexander, Sharon Harris, Scott Livingston, Michael Dolby, Clark Askins and Traci Leach. 2. CONSENT AGENDA (All consent agenda items are considered routine by the La Porte Development Corporation Board and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Board member requests an item be removed and considered separately.) (a) Consider approval of minutes of the meeting of La Porte Development Corporation Board held on August 11, 2014 — S. Harris Board member Clausen moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Board member Engelken seconded. Ayes: President Warren, Board members Woodard, Ojeda, Clausen, Engelken and Martin Nays: None Absent: Vice -President Cooksley 3. DISCUSSION OR OTHER ACTION (a) Discussion or other action regarding basic plan for moving forward with Retail and Restaurant Development in the next twelve (12) months — S. Livingston Economic Development Coordinator Scott Livingston presented prospective Retail and Restaurant Development in the City for the next twelve (12) months and his working efforts that are also in process. Mr. Livingston also advised Board members he is fulfilling all request for information from each of the contacts at the recent ICSC Show that was attended in Las Vegas. Board member Martin questioned how many acres are located behind the Jack -in -the -Box on Fairmont Parkway. Economic Development Coordinator responded he think it is about 12 acres. Pagel of 3 August 18, 2014, La Porte Development Corporation Board Minutes Board member Engelken questioned if there is an option for development for property located behind Discount Tire on Spencer Highway. Economic Development Coordinator responded it maybe an option and developers may be looking in the area. Board member Woodard left the table at 5:21 p.m. and returned at 5:22 p.m. Economic Development Coordinator Scott Livingston advised Board members Dollar Tree is open and will have the sign up on the building this week and Rob Johnson is looking for prospective tenants for the other two spaces available next to the Dollar Tree. Mr. Livingston informed Board members Rob Johnson has a prospective retailer interested in purchasing the property south of his current development. Mr. Livingston also advised Board members of his conversations with shopping center owners at the intersection of S. Broadway and W. Fairmont Parkway regarding development projects. Board member Martin left the table at 5:53 p.m. and returned at 5:54 p.m. Vice -President Cooksley questioned if it City bay front property that Economic Development Coordinator Scott Livingston will be promoting commercial development. Mr. Livingston responded yes he is always looking for prospective developers. Board member Ojeda questioned if Developer Rob Johnson has expressed feedback or difficulties filing spaces in La Porte since spaces are filing up at the property located across from San Jacinto College in Pasadena. Economic Development Coordinator Scott Livingston responded he has been told retailers prefer to be closer to other retailers that are already currently established and La Porte is considered too far East as per a demographic analysis conducted by some of the retailers. Mr. Livingston also advised, Developer Rob Johnson is pursuing some of the same retailers that are located in Deer Park and Pasadena. (b) Discussion or other action regarding La Porte Development Corporation Board priorities regarding the variety of projects for which the Board may wish to consider awarding financial incentives. — S. Livingston Economic Development Coordinator Scott Livingston presented the Tax Abatement Policy and a Project Score Card and discussed priorities regarding the variety of projects for which the Board may wish to consider awarding financial incentives. Mr. Livingston informed Board members of businesses along Broadway St. that express interests for being awarded financial incentives and his review of La Porte's current Tax Abatement Policy. Board member Woodard questioned if staff is requesting the La Porte Development Corporation Board to look at the Tax Abatement Policy. City Manager Corby Alexander responded no staff is suggestion the policy is a tool for new businesses the City has as a whole in the recruitment and retention process. Board member Woodard then questioned if City Council and the La Porte Development Corporation Board members would like for the La Porte Development Corporation Board to look at the Tax Abatement Policy along with the incentive grants when new companies come to La Porte. Board member Martin commented he does not have a problem with Economic Development Coordinator Scott Livingston using the policy as tool if a prospective business requested the policy be utilized and then presented to the board for City Council's consideration if required. City Manager Corby Alexander asked Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins if he recalls the last Tax Abatement Agreement. Mr. Askins responded the Tax Abatement is exclusive to City Council in which it is written to law in the Tax Code. Finance Director Michael Dolby added the last agreement has been a long time ago and as a Finance Director he does not care for the particular agreement. Page 2 of 3 August 18, 2014, La Porte Development Corporation Board Minutes Economic Development Coordinator Scott Livingston advised Board members, Tax Abatement is a difficult process but payments can be given in lieu of the Texas Local Government, Chapter 380 through the La Porte Development Corporation Board. Board member Clausen commented his decision for lending is based on when the La Porte Development Corporation Board reviews a project, decide on an amount to be given for the project and also considers the payback period for the investment. Economic Development Coordinator Scott Livingston commented staff will use the Project Score Card as a tool when preparing incentive proposals for their consideration. 4. SET DATE FOR NEXT MEETING — S. Livingston Board members set the next meeting date for Monday, September 22, 2014 at 4:45 p.m. 5. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS regarding matters appearing on agenda; recognition of community members, city employees, and upcoming events; inquiry of staff regarding specific factual information or existing policies. There were no comments. 6. EXECUTIVE SESSION — The La Porte Development Corporation reserves the right to meet in executive session on any agenda item should the need arise and if authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Title 5, Chapter 551, of the Texas Government Code. There was no executive session. 7. RECONVENE into regular session and consider action, if any, on items discussed in executive session. There was no executive session. 8. ADJOURN There being no further business, Board member Engelken moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:38 p.m. Board member Woodard seconded. MOTION PASSED. Respectfully ssugbmitted, /l, Sharo O(IjAW,) Harris, Assistant City Secretary Passed and approved on this 22"d day of September, 2014. PresidenkAichard Warren Page 3 of 3 August 18, 2014, La Porte Development Corporation Board Minutes