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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_EDAB_10.26.2000 Minutes of Economic Development Commission October 26, 2000 Page 1 of 4 Pages MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2000 Gordon Baker called the meeting to order at 5:30 o’clock p.m. in the Large Conference Room at Development Services, located at 904 South Main Street, Georgetown, Texas. The following voting members were present: Gordon Baker, Jack Pittman, Will Moore, Ann Clarke Snell, Paula Boggs, David Hays, Bill Jones, Daniel Vasquez, Ken Evans, Johnny Lacy, David McLaughlin. The following ad hoc members were present: Mark Dixon and Clark Thurmond Also present were: George W. Russell, City Manager, Marianne Banks, City Attorney, Shirley J. Rinn, Deputy City Secretary and Cathy Riedel, Assistant City Attorney and Don Collier, Facilitator The following members were absent: F. Scott LaGrone, Bill Connor, and Tim Harris A. Approval of Minutes from October 9, 2000 meeting. The minutes, as amended, were approved. Approved (8-0) B. Discussion and possible action regarding selection of Chair and Vice-Chair for Economic Development Commission. Gordon Baker opened the floor for nominations for Chair and Vice-Chair. Marianne Banks informed the commission that elections had to be done by a public vote. F. Scott LaGrone was nominated as Chair. Approved (11-0) Gordon Baker was nominated as Vice-Chair. Approved (11-0) C. Presentation and discussion regarding the City of Georgetown’s Economic Development Strategic Plan Element of the Century Plan – Mark Dixon Mark Dixon discussed the City of Georgetown’s current Economic Development Strategic Plan Element of the Century Plan. There was an extensive discussion between EDC members regarding the current economy in Georgetown and how that fits with the current Century Plan. The general consensus among the commission members was that the Century Plan did not need to be completely overhauled, but that it should be amended in certain areas to meet the current economic needs of the community. The Commission talked about the need for diversity in the types of jobs that are available in Georgetown. They talked about the need to broaden and diversify the tax base in areas that would help relieve the burden on the service industry and on the ad valorem taxes citizens have to pay. There was a discussion regarding communities that rely too heavily on one industry or employer and the ramifications in the community if the economy were to change directions. There was an indication by some of the commission members that they would like to see some documentation as to the identity of the different industries in Georgetown, as well as Minutes of Economic Development Commission October 26, 2000 Page 2 of 4 Pages the current inventory of buildings and sites within the City of Georgetown. Mark Dixon indicated that GIF should have copies of some of this information. However, the information is boxed up and it would take a little time to compile it. The commission discussed whether or not the City of Georgetown participated in Trade Shows to promote our City. Mark Dixon indicated that Georgetown was ahead of other communities its size in the area of promotion of our City. There was also discussion as to whether or not the promotional videotape/CD for the City of Georgetown should be updated. Bill Jones indicated that he would check and see if someone at Southwestern could work on this project if it is determined that the video needs to be updated There was also discussion regarding the life-long educational opportunities in Georgetown and the need to encourage more of those opportunities within our City, as well as discussion regarding the need to continue to encourage the aesthetics and beautification of our City in our Century Plan. The commission also talked about Georgetown becoming a “Center of Government” and a “Center for helping People” and that there should be an additional categories within the Century Plan to address these. There was additional discussion regarding the change of demographics within our community since the Century Plan was developed. The commission discussed how the income levels of people attracted to Georgetown has changed over the years and how these changes will affect the types of businesses we need to attract to Georgetown. It was indicated that Georgetown is “a specialized community within the metropolitan area,” that the city needed to find its niche or function within the metropolitan area and that it was a “gear in the machine” and that it needed to determine which “gear” it wants to be. The commission also talked about how Georgetown will continue to be affected by the surrounding area, but that it needs to be sustainable at the same time. They talked about Round Rock’s concern about diversity. Dell Computer is its largest employer, which could be a problem if there was ever a downturn. Georgetown is diverse, which will be a positive if there is ever a downturn in the economy. There was also a brief discussion regarding affordable housing, as well as the cost of services provided to the community. It was mentioned that Urban Design wasn’t as big an issue in 1989 when the Century Plan was developed as it is now with the changing demographics. There was discussion about LaFrontera in Round Rock and the choices it offers and how Georgetown residents now take their tax dollars to Round Rock because they don’t have comparable choices in Georgetown. D. George Russell, City Manager: 1. Discussion regarding the role of the Economic Development Commission; George Russell talked about the role of the Commission and how the members were to carry out the recommendations of the Economic Development Task Force, which were approved by the City Council. He assured the Commission that the members would be Minutes of Economic Development Commission October 26, 2000 Page 3 of 4 Pages kept informed and updated on the process of hiring the Economic Development Director. He also told the members he would provide them with a copy of the Job Description, as well as the job posting and where it would be posted. There was also a discussion regarding salary issues with regard to the hiring of the new Economic Development Director. George indicated that the salary for the Economic Development Director would have an impact on the city’s current pay scale. George also told the commission members that he was the contact person for any new businesses that were interested in locating in Georgetown. He said that he would keep the members informed as to any business prospects. He also told the commission that at this point the City was not actively recruiting businesses, but that it was following up on any prospects that contacted the city. There was a brief discussion regarding the role of the Economic Development Director and the diversity of his role with regard to tourism, commercial and industrial recruitment. George Russell told the commission that a team would need to be built to work together to help bring expertise in each of these areas to the Economic Development Director. There was additional discussion regarding the goals of the City Council and the need to have common goals with the Economic Development Commission. George Russell also gave an overview of the council decision to freeze non-essential expenditures for the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Main Street Program and the Economic Development Division until the new Director is hired. 2. Discussion regarding term limits of Commission Members; and George Russell informed the commission that the City Council had set the Economic Development Commission terms for two years, with the exception of Paula Boggs’ term, which was for 18 months. He told them that at the expiration of their terms they would have the option of reapplying for an additional term if they chose to do so. 3. Discussion and possible action regarding the need for EDC meetings to be held at a time when there is not a conflict with a City Council meeting- George Russell, City Manager. George Russell told the Commission that their current meeting schedule did not allow him or the City Attorney, Marianne Banks, the ability to attend all of their meetings. He requested that the Commission change their meeting schedule so that they both could attend the meetings. The Commission agreed to change their meetings dates to the 2nd Wednesday of each month and the 4th Thursday of each month. They also changed the meeting time from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. E. Discussion and possible action on adoption of by-laws for operation of the Commission. The Commission briefly discussed the by-laws. Ann Clarke Snell provided the most recent draft of the by-laws and requested that each commission member review them carefully and to contact her before the next meeting with their comments and/or suggestions. Johnny Lacy said that he would provide language for an executive committee in the by- laws. Minutes of Economic Development Commission October 26, 2000 Page 4 of 4 Pages F. Discussion and possible action on preparation of vision, mission, objectives and goals for Economic Development Commission. This item was not specifically addressed during this meeting. The members of the Commission briefly discussed scheduling a 4-hour workshop to finalize the vision, mission, objectives and goals for the Commission. G. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.