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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_EDAB_09.25.2000MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2000 Interim Chairman, Scott LaGrone, called the meeting to order at 5:30 o’clock p.m. in the Police Department Training Room located at 809 Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, Georgetown, Texas The following members were present: Jack Pittman, Will Moore, Gordon Baker, Mark D. Dixon, F. Scott LaGrone, Ann Clark Snell, Daniel Vasquez, Ken Evans, Bill Connor, Johnny Lacy, and Clark Thurmond Also present were: Facilitator Don Collier and Deputy City Secretary Shirley J. Rinn Members Gordon Baker and Ann Snell were sworn in by Rinn. A. Discussion and possible action on selection of regular meeting times, dates, location, and topics for discussion by the Commission for the balance of 2000. It was decided that the Economic Development Commission would meet on the following tentative schedule: DATE TIME Monday, October 9, 2000 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 26, 2000 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Monday, November 13, 2000 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 30, 2000 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Monday, December 11, 2000 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Monday, January 8, 2001 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 25, 2001 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. There was some discussion about the meeting place for the meeting. The two locations that were discussed were the Police Department Training Room and the Holiday Inn Express. B. Discussion and possible action on adoption of by-laws for operation of the Commission. A sample copy of by-laws was passed out to the commission members for their review. There was a brief discussion about the by-laws for the Commission. Ann Snell volunteered to review the example of the by-laws provided by Marianne Banks and to give her a call to discuss them. She said that she would bring a draft back to the commission. C. Discussion concerning memorandum from City Attorney outlining Commissioners’ responsibilities under the Texas Open Meetings Act and/or scheduling a date for a workshop with the City Attorney for the Ethics Seminar required by City Ordinance There was a brief discussion regarding open meetings. There was also discussion regarding the attendance policy for commission members. D. Discussion concerning job description and proposed salary range for Economic Development Director There was a lengthy discussion regarding the broad responsibilities described in the Job Description for the Economic Development Director, as well as the proposed salary range. Several of the commission members expressed concern that the salary range was not sufficient to recruit the best candidates that are available, as well as whether or not the City would be able to offer “pay for performance” incentives in the employment contract. It was noted that Council would have to approve additional funding to increase the salary range. There was also discussion as to how the Economic Development Director would not only have to interrelate with the new IRR contractor once it is chosen and the companies who fall under the definition of “industrial”, but also with recruiters and CEOs of hotels, restaurants, and other companies that relate to tourism. There was additional discussion regarding the need for the Economic Development Director to have a very diverse background as well as a strong management background. The members of the commission also indicated that it was very important that the Economic Development Director be an integral part of and work closely with the Commission on its charge. Ann Snell volunteered to review the proposed job description and present her recommendations to the City Manager for his review. E. Discussion and possible action on preparation of vision, mission, objectives and goals for Commission. Scott LaGrone briefly talked about the growth predictions for our area. He indicated to the commission that the growth predictions didn’t take into account whether Georgetown has a Economic Development Commission or not and that the growth was coming to our area regardless of any measures to “control the growth.” There was a discussion of the “vision” each of the commission members has for Georgetown and the desire for Georgetown to maintain its small town charm, its identity and its historical nature. The Commission discussed how they did not want Georgetown to become a “bedroom community” for Austin. They discussed a need to keep Georgetown economically viable without losing its identity, and for it to be a special town with a “climate of opportunity” for everyone. The commission expressed the need to bring “service businesses” to our city, and not necessarily major manufacturing businesses that would “change the look” of Georgetown, but at the same time, the commission felt the city should support the creation of viable jobs within the community. They wanted Georgetown to be special and for travelers to know that they had been here. There was a general consensus among commission members that Georgetown needed to continue to support its downtown square and to encourage travelers to visit the square. There was additional discussion regarding the need to preserve Georgetown’s town square and its historical nature, the County Seat, the Courthouse its parks and rivers, as well as Southwestern University. The Commission discussed other unique cities that have dealt with similar growth issues in Texas. Some of the cities mentioned were Grapevine, Frisco, Westlake, and Highland Park, Texas. Don Collier was asked to compile information on these and other cities regarding their planning efforts for the growth issues they were facing. Mr. Collier mentioned that the Task Force did something similar and that several of the committee members contacted each city for information and brought it back to the committee. There was also discussion regarding the need to take a look at Georgetown’s Century Plan Element. Commission members were given a copy of property tax valuations for the last three years. There was a brief discussion regarding the same. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 o’clock p.m.