HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-29-24 LPDCOF
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE LA PORTE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
May 29, 2024, 5:30 p.m. - City Hall Council Chamber
604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, 77571
Members present: Nancy Ojeda, Richard Warren, Chuck Engelken (left at 7.40
p.m.), Danny Earp, Amanda Gerrish, Brent McCaulley
Members absent: John Blakemore
Council -appointed Corby Alexander, City Manager; Clark T. Askins, City Attorney;
officers present: Lee Woodward, City Secretary
The La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors met in a meeting on
May 29, 2024, 2024, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont
Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 5:30 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Without objection. President Oieda called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
2. CITIZEN COMMENT
{Generally limited to five minutes per person, in accordance with state law, the time
may be reduced if there is a high number of speakers or other considerations.)
There were no comments.
3. AUTHORIZATIONS
a. ZoomProspector and REsimplifi— Updates - Presentation, discussion,
and possible action to authorize the funding by the La Porte
Development Corporation of a three (3) year agreement between the
City of La Porte and GISPlanning, Inc. for ZoomProspector for site
selection software in the amount of $5,000.00 per year with a total
allocation of $15,000.00 and/or to authorize the funding by the La Porte
Development Corporation of a three (3) year agreement between the
City of La Porte and REsimplifi, Inc. for commercial building and site
data services in the amount of $5,000.00 per year with a total allocation
of $15,000.00. [Haley Bowers, Economic Development Manager]
Q
Open Rewards Software - Presentation, discussion, and possible
action to provide staff with direction on funding the Open Rewards
program for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. [Haley Bowers, Economic
Development Manager]
The Board requested an estimate of potential costs of the program from
staff.
C. APB Properties, LLC - Enhancement Grant - Presentation, discussion,
and possible action to approve an enhancement grant in the amount
not to exceed $36,383.10 to APB Properties, LLC for the
enhancements to the business, APB Properties, LLC located at 908 W.
Main Street, La Porte, Texas. [Haley Bowers, Economic Development
Manager]
Member Engelken moved to approve an enhancement grant in the amount
not to exceed $36 383.10 to APB Properties. LLC for the enhancements to
the business. APB Properties. LLC. located at 908 W. Main Street, La Porte.
Texas: the motion was seconded by Member Warren; the motion was
adopted. 6-0.
d. Main Street Master Plan - Presentation and discussion on the Main
Street Master Plan. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager]
Assistant City Manager Matt Daeumer provided a presentation of several
options for the Main Street Master Plan.
e. Pre -Budget and Strategic Planning Session - Presentation and
discussion on the Pre -Budget and Strategic Plan presentation. [Haley
Bowers, Economic Development Manager]
Asst. City Manager Matt Daeumer reviewed projects proposed for the FY24-
25 City budget, including:
- Recreation Center, Phase II - $1,500,000
- Wave Pool Enhancements - $250,000
- Enhancement Grants - $250,000
- Five Points Plaza Improvements - $550,000
- Brookglen Restroom - $200,000
- Little Cedar Bayou Trails - $350,000
- Golf Course Gateway Project - $200,000
- Disc Golf (3-hole practice) - $25,000
- Lomax Arena Improvements - $1,000,000
The Board asked that the feasibility of a full-sized disc golf course be
considered for Little Cedar Bayou and Northwest parks. Mr. Daeumer said
the City was looking into trail and bridge pricing Member Earp had asked
for.
Economic Development Manager Haley Bowers provided a presentation on
'primary jobs', as defined in the Texas Local Gov't. Code (LGC) 501.002
and the projects that do and don't have to create them under the Type B
guidelines, in considering the Board's potential strategic plan. She said the
City Council has set the following goals for economic development:
- Establish/encourage family entertainment venues
- Promote the Bayfront
- Communicate how La Porte can support redevelopment and infill
development, what types of density and entertainment options are
needed.
The Board chose to add consideration of
- a project at the airport, such as a viewing area
- studies of additional retail corridors, perhaps on Broadway
- pursue family entertainment venues (perhaps movies, bowling, places for
children's birthday parties, etc.)
- microbrewery/beer garden with parklike outdoor area that handles pets
and families well
- consideration of property purchases for controlled future development
(land -banking) in opportunity zones
- pursue completion of citywide trail system
- possible uses for the Happy Harbor property next to Seabreeze Park and
whether it should be declared a park
- a place for shared workspaces, and
- possible development of the City -owned building at the airport (Member
Engelken left during the discussion of this item).
Enhancement Grant Policy Updates - Presentation, discussion, and
possible action to direct staff to amend the Enhancement Grant Policy.
[Haley Bowers, Economic Development Manager]
Economic Development Manager Haley Bowers provided a presentation on
possible changes to the LPDC Enhancement Grant Policy. The Board
commented on the following:
- increasing reimbursement cap to $75,000 after an investment of $150,000
- increasing from 1/2 to 2/3s the possible match for businesses zoned to the
Main Street Overlay District, perhaps with increased LPDC approval of the
project details or paying more for upgrades (perhaps for fire and safety)
- that the Enhancement Grant Policy be amended to include language that
the LPDC has the distraction to waive policy requirements, including the La
Porte vendor requirement
- consideration of change in policy or practice of not awarding grants after
work has begun, if an administratively completed application was submitted
prior to work beginning, including a disclosure of such on the application
and reflective changes in wording in the program guidelines
- consideration of a rental assistance program for new family -friendly
businesses in certain locations.
4. STAFF REPORTS
Economic Development Manager Haley Bowers discussed programs from the
Small Business Development Administration and their upcoming meet and greet
at the Police Department.
5. SET NEXT MEETING
Without objection the next meeting was set for June 24 at 5 p.m.
6. BOARD COMMENTS
Board members thanked staff for their efforts and hearing the Board's concerns.
7. ADJOURN