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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_MSTAB_11.21.2002 CITY OF GEORGETOWN BOARD MEETING FOR THE GEORGETOWN MAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD Conference Room at City Offices 103 W. 7th Street, Georgetown, Texas Thursday, November 21, 2002 at 8:00 a.m.: Attending: Patty Eason, Bryant Boyd, Virginia Stubbs, Ellie Skross, Glenda Overfelt Absent: Joshua McClure, Judith Manriquez Staff Present: Charlie Walker, Verna Browning Guests Present: Mark Silverstone I. Call to order – Meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. II. Discussion and possible action regarding approval of September 19 and October 17, 2002, minutes – Minutes approved as presented. III. Discussion and possible action regarding work to be completed by January 2003: a. Plans for establishment of Development Corporation  The Board thanked Mark Silverstone for attending and his willingness to help with the creation of a Development Corporation, to implement downtown improvements as recommended in the ERA report and those that will be recommended in the Downtown Master Plan currently being created by Winter and Company. Before – or during the process of - creating a corporation, another effort to create a funding mechanism needs to be taking place. Walker provided a handout on types of special districts to fund improvements: TIF Zones and PIDs. Walker explained aspects of the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Zones and reviewed the differences from a Public Improvement District (PID). The City Council must appoint a 5- member board to oversee a TIF, which might be the Main Street Advisory Board. Then financial and project plans are required, and boundaries of the district must be set. He reported that he discussed the Board’s interest in creating a TIF with the City Attorney, and requested she attend this meeting but within the past day she notified him she has a conflict and cannot attend. He clarified that the City Attorney will handle the TIF process issues and Silverstone will handle the corporation process. Walker reported that the Council will meet with the Board during the December 9th Council Workshop and the Board can make a recommendation to the Council at that time on funding mechanisms. Meetings will need to be held with the County Commissioners, to get their approval as well. There was discussion of time frames, and setting a goal to have the TIF created within 120 days. Options for the amount of the increased tax value recommended to go to the TIF were discussed: 100%, 80% or other. Options were discussed for the recommended boundaries as well: historic district, downtown business district, other. Problems that might arise were also discussed, such as what would happen if property values decrease. Boyd reported he has not been able to make contact again with Northville, but is still trying. Their funding is from state and local sources, with some abatement types of funding as well. Boyd noted that the Board has decided that no matter what happens with the development of a TIF, it is important to create a development corporation and so that process must continue. The Board will meet with the City Council in the Development Services Conference Room for a workshop discussion about the TIF on December 9th at 4:00 pm. It was agreed that the Board will meet at 3:00 in the CVB conference room to prepare for the discussion. b. Plans for 2003 Red Poppy Festival Overfelt gave an update of planning committee’s progress. She reported that the Longhorn Corvette Car Club is participating and is a real asset because of their knowledge, interest and contacts. David Osmar is the new Sponsorship chair, and is enthusiastic with good contacts. Tiffany Ake attended the last meeting, representing the Special Permits Committee and it is a plus to have that group involved at this early stage. VFW representatives from Dallas and Ft. Worth as well as Georgetown participated in the Red Poppy Planting workshop, and are interested in the Festival. Poppy seeds have been planted along College Ave., at the entrances to and in San Gabriel Park, and Downtown in the pocket parks. Boyd suggested that the committee consider working with the VFW to showcase their granite placards with veterans’ names during the Festival. c. Solicitation of Façade Fund applications with all 2003 applications to be received by end of December One application has been received. Boyd requested that another press release be issued, to be sure the public is aware of the solicitation of applications. There was discussion about making personal contacts with some building/business owners to be sure they have application forms. d. Provision of education and technical assistance services Browning reported that we submitted a proposal to host the TDA’s mid- year conference, as a way to provide training to our businesses and at the same time bring in others to help with expenses and expand what we would be able to provide. However our proposal was not selected and the mid-year conference will be in Huntsville. The annual conference will be in Austin and there was some discussion by TDA about including Georgetown as a field trip, so some opportunities might be available then. e. Development of business recruitment assistance information McClure was not present to report. Walker reported that Mathew and Company has just about finished with the economic development recruitment brochure, and it is expected to be completed by the last week in January. A new contract is being developed for TIPPs, as the economic development contractor, and it will include a specific element on downtown. IV. Discussion and possible action regarding guidelines for banners The Board agreed to table this item until January. Walker will provide suggestions to Overfelt, who will bring a recommendation to the Board. V. Staff Report Walker reported that he spent Saturday showing available and potential properties, including those downtown, to representatives of Bodacious BBQ & Siversmithing, and has been steering several other private companies toward second floor properties downtown in order to increase employment downtown without taking away from retail space. A downtown parking architect from Ft. Worth is interested in Georgetown and will be in early next year with some designs and a presentation on the Hewlett property. It was reported that a direct mail campaign is being used for the Masonic building to attract restaurants also needing corporate space as well as Austin restaurants looking for another location. There was discussion about the need to add density to downtown, and ensure it is walkable and a place for living, work, and play. Browning reported that Georgetown won TDA’s award for the best marketing program, and that Georgetown was recognized as a National Main Street City for the first time in several years. VI. Discussion and possible action regarding agenda items for the next meeting of the Board. Mark Silverstone will attend and report on establishment of the Development Corporation. Discussion and possible action of City Council workshop issues. Discussion of guidelines for banners will be on the January agenda. IX. Adjourn The next meeting is scheduled for December 19, 2002 at 8:00a.m. at the Conference Room at City Offices, 103 W. 7th Street, Georgetown, Texas. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m.