HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GEDCO_12.17.2012Minutes of the Meeting of
the Georgetown Economic Development Corporation
and the Governing Body of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
Monday, December 17, 2012
The Georgetown Economic Development Corporation of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on
Monday, December 17, 2012.
Members Present:
Rachael Jonrowe, Hugh Brown, Jolm Marler, Tommy Gonzalez
Members Absent:
Bill Sattler, Tormny Gonzales
Staff Present:
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Meeting was called to order at 4:32 p.m.
A. Discussion and possible action regarding the Project Progress Report, including Airborn,
Enflite, Radix BioSolutions, Lone Star Circle of Care, Grape Creek Winery, Georgetown
Winery, Difusion Technologies, Inc., and Georgetown Independent School District. --
Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director and Paul E. Brandenburg, General
Manager.
Thomas told the Board that there were no substantive updates. He did indicate that Enflite
was close to their compliance date.
B. Consideration and approval of the minutes for Georgetown Economic Development
Corporation for the Regular Meeting held Monday, September 17, 2012—Rachael Jonrowe,
Secretary
Motion by Jonrowe, second by Brown to approve the minutes for Georgetown Economic
Development Corporation for the Regular Meeting held Monday, September 17, 2012.
Approved 3-0 (Sattler, Gonzalez Absent)
C. Consideration of the November 30, 2012 Financial Reports--Micki Rundell, Finance
Manager
Rundell provided the financial report to the Board. She told them that the October sales tax
was 22% greater than the October of the previous year. She told them that building
materials is making up a large portion of the sales tax collections. She also told them that
she would check and see if Chris Foster could come to the next meeting to provide a
variance report. She also told the Board that Grape Creek is planning to open in
Mid -February. Brown told the Board that at the Angelou Conference they were told that
our area was lagging a little in sales tax collections compared to other areas. Rundell
provided a possible explanation for the variances between regional communities. She also
told the board that it is anticipated that we will have good collections through December
and then that the next few months will probably be somewhat flat.
D. Discussion and possible action regarding the use of Promotional Funds in 2013—
Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director
Thomas reminded the Board that it approved the usage of 4A funds for Marketing. He
provided a list of marketing items that he would like to utilize funds from the 2012-13
budget. He told the Board that we did receive several site visits from some of the marketing
events he has attended. He also told them that the Opportunity Austin is also a good
investment. He also said he and Paul discussed increasing the amount contributed to
Opportunity Austin. We are receiving site visits from this marketing effort. He also
indicated that advertisement is also important in some key publications but are harder to
measure than the marketing events. He also provided an overview of his experience with
Bisnow and their events. He said that he has now developed a name recognition
relationship with this marketer to the extent Georgetown is now being mentioned during
some of their presentations. Thomas said that there appears to be an uptick in data center
development. He said that there is still about $18,000 left from last year that combined with
this year's request would provide a good marketing effort. Mark told the Board that Mike
Douglas is the new TLCC President and indicated that he would also like to have the
GEDCO pay for Dr. Davis attend some of the bio events with him and that it would go a
long way in the development of the relationship with him and the TLCC.
There was also a brief discussion regarding availability and affordability of rental housing
in Georgetown, as well as discussion as to how much of the marketing efforts impacted the
Downtown. Mark told the Board that this marketing effort was more indirect vs. direct to
the impact downtown. The goal is to draw higher paying jobs with folks who will bring
their disposable income downtown to retailers and restaurants such as "Gumbo's and
Grape Creek".
GEDCO Minutes/December 17, 2012
Page 2 of 4
Motion by Marler, second by Brown to approve the use of Promotional Funds in an
amount not to exceed $80,350 for the Economic Development 2013 Marketing/Promotion
Plan, including the travel expenses for Mike Douglas, the TLCC President, to bio events he
attends with Mark Thomas. Approved 3-0 (Sattler, Gonzalez Absent)
E. Discussion and possible act -ion regarding development areas in south Georgetown at
IH35 and Inner Loop Road —Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director
Thomas provided a map of areas in south Georgetown at IH35 and Inner Loop Road
and told the Board that staff has been discussing the possibility of doing a
re -branding effort for these areas and whether or not GEDCO would be willing to
financially support that effort. There was discussion as to how these areas are
attractive to the biotechnology business and also the medical industry. Thomas told
the board that this area includes Data Center, Bio Tech, and Hospitals all in the same
area. There was additional discussion regarding the need to have landowner buy -in
as to how the area will be branded. Bruce Barton was in the audience representing
Longhorn Junction, who is one of the landowners. Thomas provided the names of
the multiple developments in the area. The Board indicated that it was supportive of
having an identifiable and cohesive brand for the area.
Recessed to Executive Session at 5:00 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Georgetown Economic Development Corporation will meet in closed executive session as allowed by
Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 551), as follows:
F. Section 551.072. DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL PROPERTY
Discussion and possible action to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property
for purposes authorized by the Development Corporation Act which discussion in open session
would have a detrimental effect on negotiations with third persons.
G. Section 551.087. DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NEGOTIATIONS.
Deliberation regarding commercial or financial information that the corporation has received from a
business prospect that the Georgetown Economic Development Corporation seeks to have locate,
stay, or expand in or near the territory of the City of Georgetown and with which the Corporation is
conducting economic development negotiations; and/or cleliberation regarding the offer of a financial
or other incentive to a business prospect that the Corporation seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in
or near the territory of the City of Georgetown.
--financial incentives for TASUS Texas
H. Section 551.071. CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY
Consultation with attorney regarding legal issues related to agenda items and other matters in which
the duty of the attorney to the Georgetown Economic Development Corporation under the Texas
Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas.
Reconvened into Regular Session at 5:06 p.m.
GEDCO Minutes/December 17, 2012
Page 3 of 4
I. Action out of Executive Session
Motion Marler, second by Jonrowe to direct Mark Thomas negotiate a Performance
Agreement with TASUS up to $145,000 under the terms outlined in Executive Session.
Approved 3-0 (Sattler, Gonzalez Absent)
Meeting was adjourned at 5:07 p.m.
Attest:
Rachael Jonrowe, Co
President
GEDCO Minutes/December 17, 2012
Page 4 of 4
