Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_EDAB_01.10.2001 Economic Development Commission Minutes of January 10, 2001 Page 1 of 3 Pages MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2001 Chairman F. Scott LaGrone called the meeting to order at 6:35 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: F. Scott LaGrone, David McLaughlin, Jack Pittman, Ann Clarke Snell, Paula Boggs, Daniel Vasquez, Johnny Lacy, Gordon Baker, David Hays, Bill Jones, and Ken Evans. The following ad hoc members were present: Bill Connor and Clark Thurmond Also present were: George W. Russell, City Manager, Shirley J. Rinn, Deputy City Secretary and Don Collier, Facilitator The following members were absent: Tim Harris, Mark Dixon and Will Moore A. Approval of Minutes from November 30, 2000 meeting. Motion by Johnny Lacy, Second by David McLaughlin to approve the Minutes from November 30, 2001. Approved (10-0) B. Presentation regarding Williamson County Transportation Plan – Commissioner David Hays David Hays gave a presentation to the Commission regarding Williamson County’s Transportation Plan. He discussed several road projects around Williamson County that would affect Georgetown, including SH 130, SH45, 183A, Inner Loop and DB Woods Road. C. Discussion concerning relationship between the Economic Development Commission, the Main Street Board, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board. The Commission discussed its role with regard to the Main Street Advisory Board and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. George Russell talked about the Economic Development Director’s role with regard to the Main Street Board, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board. Renee Hanson addressed the commission regarding a meeting between Economic Research Associates and the four (4) consultants being hired regarding Downtown and Main Street design guidelines. She said that the hope is to expand the Main Street District to include the downtown business district in order to make things easier for developers moving into the downtown area. There was additional discussion regarding the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau and its role in the whole process. There was further discussion as to some of the items that the Convention and Visitors Bureau needed to focus on in the meantime. George Russell told the Commission that the focus had narrowed to market Georgetown as a town someone could visit for the day. He also told the commission that CVB was in the process of changing its brochure and calendar of events and that the website was being modified in order to better market what Georgetown has to offer. There was further discussion as to how CVB fit under the Economic Development Umbrella. Economic Development Commission Minutes of January 10, 2001 Page 2 of 3 Pages Gordon Baker addressed the Commission about a Marketing Effort for the CVB from 1997. He said that it looked at how tourism tied into sales tax and that there was a direct correlation between tourism and of the amount of sales tax collected. He said that the CVB had a five-year plan and that it had been determined that Georgetown was not a destination city. He told the Commission that the CVB had begun to send flyers to businesses for day meetings and that they were just beginning to build a market around that concept. He said that Georgetown was able to market its golf courses and the lake. He said that he would like to the CVB Board to go back and look at the marketing plan once again. There was discussion about tourism and recruitment and how they go hand in hand. Renee Hanson told the Commission that one of the possibilities for the downtown area was a Public Improvement District. Scott LaGrone told the commission that he would like to wait until after the Retreat before making any decisions, but that when it was appropriate he would like to see subcommittees of the EDC address the areas of Main Street, Downtown, CVB, Parks, Lakes, etc. D. Progress report regarding preparation of economic plan, including vision, mission, objectives and goals. – Don Collier Items D & E were discussed together. E. Discussion of format and activities for the Economic Development Commission Retreat scheduled for January 13, 2001. Don Collier briefly addressed the Commission regarding the format for the Retreat planned for January 13, 2001. Scott LaGrone told the Commission that he would like to see an economic plan of 10 pages or less come out of the Retreat to take to the Public for its review/approval. There was discussion as to the need for all EDC members to step up and market the Economic Plan to the public. Scott LaGrone told the Commission that Ross Milloy would speak to the Commission on January 25, 2001. There was also a discussion as to whether or not Dr. Young’s class from Southwestern would like to make a presentation some point in the future. F. Status report from City Manager regarding the Economic Development Director position – George Russell George Russell talked to the Commission about the upcoming Economic and Technology Forecast scheduled for January 23, 2001. He also told the Commission that Gary Gwyn, the general manager for Brazos River Authority, had resigned. He also talked to the Commission about the Status of the Economic Development Director. He told the Commission that he hoped to have the candidates narrowed down and that the interviews hopefully would take place the first week of February. He told the Commission that he would like to see a few of the Commission members sit on the interview panels. He also told them that the panels would include members of the Council and the Chamber of Commerce as well. He also talked to the Commission about the importance of Economic Development Director position from a management standpoint. He said that he is concerned that looking strictly at Economic Development Commission Minutes of January 10, 2001 Page 3 of 3 Pages an economic development standpoint could limit the abilities of single individual. He told the Commission that he was also looking at the possibility of having a consulting/management firm that could be called in to pull together information and utilize the talents of a group as opposed a single individual to pull and tie information together. He is concerned that unless we find the right individual for this position, that the abilities of that individual might be limited when looking at business prospects. He talked about his concern that the Economic Development Director would get caught up in the day-to-day operations and that it would limit his ability to work on economic development. He also told the Commission that it was very important to have a business plan, as well as a strategic plan in place. He also talked about the different ways communities were utilizing their resources to attract new businesses. He said that Georgetown was at an evolutionary point in its history. There was further discussion by the commission regarding the possibility of having both an Economic Development Director as well as have the budget available to utilize outside firms as appropriate when the need arose. There was additional discussion regarding the expectations of the new Economic Development Director and the need for that person to have very clear direction from the very beginning. 8:17 p.m. recessed to Executive Session Executive Session In compliance with the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon’s Texas Codes, Annotated, the items listed below will be discussed in closed session and are subject to action in the regular session that follows. A. Sec.551.086 deliberation regarding economic development - Industrial prospect 8:44 p.m. o’clock p.m. Reconvened to Regular Session Regular Session G. Action from Executive Session No Action from Executive Session H. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 8:44 o’clock p.m.