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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_EDAB_03.24.2004MINUTES OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2004 Members Present: Henry Carr, Dr. Ronald Swain, Joe Pondrom, Kathy Heidemann, Rick Smith, Ed O’Rourke, Tom Crawford, Ralph Nayman, Henry Boecker, Jim Hensley Members Absent: Joshua McClure Staff Present: Mark Thomas, Tina Dunbar A. Call to order A quorum of 10 members being present, the meeting was called to order by Chair Carr at 6:30 PM. B. Discussion and possible action regarding the minutes of the February 19, 2004, meeting. MOTION by Crawford and second by Nayman the minutes were unanimously approved. C. Discussion and possible action regarding the minutes of the February 28, 2004, retreat. MOTION by Swain and second by Smith the minutes were unanimously approved. D. Comments from the Chair. Chair Carr explained that he will have to resign from the Commission before he takes his seat as a council member. This will happen sometime in the next 60 days. Chair Carr went on to explain the process to replace him on the Commission. D. Section 551.087 Deliberation Regarding Economic Development – no exec. Session E. Action from executive session – no action taken F. Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding staff report – Mark Thomas Director Mark Thomas reported on the success of the TASUS Groundbreaking and extensive publicity achieved by the hiring of GX Creative Communications to leverage this event. The event and publicity was highly successful and the Commission wants thanks and congratulations extended to Mel Pendland at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and to Susan Davenport of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. The Commission also expressed its thanks and appreciation to Thomas and Tina Dunbar for their extensive work on this event. Mark Thomas presented the department’s recent activity including the posting of the department’s open marketing position. He reported on his participation at the Society of Automotive Engineering show in Detroit. Good contact was made with more automotive suppliers. The department’s Retention strategy is being implemented with a plan and staffing by Chamber of Commerce resources and Commission members. Thomas explained the department’s program to work with area real estate brokers beginning with the “roundtable” meeting held this week. During the reporting period there was one site visit and 5 proposals generated. Twenty (20) prospects received initial information proposals. A Biotech Commercialization Center concept is being explored. Tier 2 automotive suppliers have gone dormant all across central Texas at this time. This is probably normal. G. Discussion and possible action on summary report of the EDC retreat – Mark Thomas, Henry Carr Director Thomas reported that action items resulting from the Commission’s Retreat of February 28, 2004 all seem to point to interaction with the City Council. The first step in this list of actions is to appoint an “Executive Subcommittee” as permitted by the Commission’s bylaws. Chair Carr reported that he was prepared to act on that recommendation at this commission meeting. H. Discussion and possible action regarding schedule of 2004 regular Commission meetings – Henry Carr The schedule for future regular Commission meetings was discussed and a MOTION by Smith, seconded by Boecker was made to maintain the existing schedule of the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM. The motion was passed unanimously. I. Discussion and possible action regarding the formation of an executive subcommittee – Henry Carr Chair Carr and Director Thomas discussed the recommendation of the Commission’s Retreat actions to form an Executive Subcommittee. Carr suggested a five-person subcommittee consisting of the three officers plus two additional members, allowing for one of the two to be a former Chair if that person was still serving. The two additional members would be replaced on a rotating basis. Carr suggested Carr, Smith, McClure, Swain and Crawford be elected to serve on the subcommittee. MOTION was made by Smith, seconded by Pondrom to create Executive Subcommittee with suggested members - approved unanimously. J. Discussion and possible action on objectives for Japanese cultural awareness – Mark Thomas This topic was discussed and no formal action was taken on any objective. The suggestion was made that the most important aspect of this topic is for the Commission to be aware of this aspect of interactions with a prospect from any culture different from Georgetown’s culture. K. Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding subcommittee reports Mark Thomas gave the Freeport Subcommittee report. Progress is being made on this topic. L. Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding liaison reports – Henry Carr, GTEC; Ed O’Rourke, Regional Airport; Kathy Heidemann, airport noise study; Josh McClure, Main Street Board Carr reported on the GTEC projects and the Commission made the suggestion that a publicity effort is needed by someone from the City to keep citizens informed about the plans/status of external road improvements associated with the Wolf Ranch project. O’Rourke reported on the continuation of planning for a Regional Airport. Heidemann reported on the continuation of the airport noise study. There was no report about Main Street Board activity. Carr reported on the formation by the city manager of the “Downtown Alliance”, an umbrella organization of representatives from all organizations interested in Downtown improvements. Rick Smith is the Commission’s representative on that organization which will first meeting on March 31. Crawford reported on recent activity of the group promoting the Sports Complex. M. Discussion and possible action regarding future meeting dates and agenda items Smith requested that the Sports Complex project be discussed at a future meeting. Pondrom requested that the status/ideas for expansion of Liquor by the drink be discussed at a future meeting. N. Adjourn – 8:40 p.m.