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Home My WebLink About06-01-15 Meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors minutes RICHARD WARREN,PRESIDENT MIKE CLAUSEN,BOARD MEMBER F MIKE COOKSLEY,VICE PRESIDENT j � T®09 RANDY WOODARD,BOARD MEMBER CHUCK ENGELKEN,BOARD MEMBER v m NANCY OJEDA,BOARD MEMBER JAY MARTIN,BOARD MEMBER *exae MINUTES OF LA PORTE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 1, 2015 The City of La Porte Development Corporation Board met on June 1, 2015, 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 Richard 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, Ojeda, Clausen, Engelken and Woodard. Absent: Vice-President Cooksley. Staff Present: Corby Alexander, Patrice Fogarty, Scott Livingston, Traci Leach, and Clark Askins. 2. AUTHORIZATIONS (a) Consider approval or other action of minutes of the meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation Board held on May 13, 2015—S. Harris Board member Engelken moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation Board held on May 13, 2015. Board member Clausen seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: President Warren, Board members Woodard, Ojeda, Engelken, Clausen and Martin Nays: None Absent: Vice-President Cooksley (b) Consider approval or other action regarding a development agreement with "Gantstein Esquire, LLC.",for an amount not to exceed $300,000.00 and authorizing Board President Richard Warren to sign and execute such economic development incentive agreement — S. Livingston Economic Development Coordinator Scott Livingston presented a summary and two options for a development agreement. Board member Woodard asked whyBoard members are being resented the two options if terms of 9p p a development agreement in an amount not to exceed $300,000.00 had been previously agreed upon. Economic Development Coordinator Scott Livingston advised the past practice has been for the Board to approve the project; the project is then presented to City Council; and at a later date, the agreement comes back to the Board to be authorized and executed. Mr. Livingston also advised City Council has requested to see the terms of the development agreement before authorizing the expenditures for the project. Board member Woodard asked if the second option being presented is Page 1 of 3 June 1,2015, La Porte Development Corporation Board Minutes requested to see the terms of the development agreement before authorizing the expenditures for the project. Board member Woodard asked if the second option being presented is acceptable to Gantstein Esquire, LLC. Mr. Livingston responded no. Board member Woodard asked if the second option is a request from City Council. City Manager Corby Alexander clarified City Council was not comfortable authorizing the expenditure before viewing the actual terms of the development agreement, and the second option is not a request of City Council. Board member Woodard moved to accept and approve Option A for a development agreement with "Gantstein Esquire, LLC." in an amount not to exceed $300,000.00, and authorized Board President Richard Warren to sign and execute the economic development incentive agreement. President Warren seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: President Warren, Board members Woodard, Engelken, Clausen and Martin Nays: Board member Ojeda Absent: Vice-President Cooksley Board member Ojeda commented she does not like either Option A or B and disagrees with the section that states, "No payment will be made for annual taxable retail sales which are less than $3.75 million." Board member Ojeda commented $3.75 million is a very high number with the economy being unpredictable and also advised she supports the full pro-rata scheme, and is in favor of the Pipeline Grill project. 3. DISCUSSION OR OTHER ACTION (a) Discussion or other action authorizing staff to submit any proposed revisions and/or amendments to the Bylaws of the La Porte Development Corporation to the La Porte City Council for approval— S. Livingston Economic Development Coordinator Scott Livingston presented a summary. Board member Woodard suggested a workshop meeting to discuss the current bylaws. City Manager Corby Alexander asked Board members to consider forwarding any input pertaining to changes and/or additions to the bylaws within the next two weeks to staff so an outline of suggested changes can be prepared. Board member Clausen suggested Board members review the bylaws; send items that may need to be changed to Corby Alexander or Scott Livingston for a list/outline, and staff can propose paragraphs to speed the process along. City Secretary Patrice Fogarty advised Board members she will forward the latest signed copy of bylaws for their review. (b) Discussion or other action authorizing staff to document rules and/or a policy for La Porte Development Corporation meeting norms, which the La Porte Development Corporation Board may wish to adopt—S. Livingston Economic Development Coordinator Scott Livingston presented a summary. Board member Ojeda proposed establishing guidelines for meeting standards that will enhance productivity during future meetings. Page 2 of 3 June 1,2015,La Porte Development Corporation Board Minutes Board member Engelken commented the Board should be following Robert Rules of Order. Board member Ojeda commented she does not feel the rules express how to act courteously and respectfully during a meeting. Board member Ojeda also added City Secretary Patrice Fogarty would be a benefit to the Board by speaking and addressing Robert Rules of Order. Ms. Fogarty advised she will be willing to do so. Board Member Ojeda stated the issue is not so much how to conduct a meeting, but the focus should be on meeting decorum. 4. SET DATE FOR NEXT MEETING—S. Livingston Board members set the next meeting date tentatively for Tuesday, July 7, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. 5. STAFF REPORT (a) Receive Financial Report— M. Dolby Finance Director Michael Dolby was absent from the meeting. Economic Development Coordinator Scott Livingston provided the Financial Report that was presented at the last meeting. 6. 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. Board member Ojeda asked Economic Development Coordinator Scott Livingston if he researched the legality of unused workforce funds for possible scholarships. Mr. Livingston advised the information will be provided at the next meeting; and Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins stated he is researching it. President Warren thanked everyone for attending the meeting. 7. ADJOURN There being no further business, Board member Engelken moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:53 p.m. Board member Woodard seconded. MOTION PASSED. Respectfully submitted, aww--,) Patrice Fogarty,(91ySe tary Passed and approved on this 7th day of July, 2015. President Feichard Warren Page 3 of 3 June 1,2015, La Porte Development Corporation Board Minutes