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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HOUAB_11.21.2016City of Georgetown, Texas Housing Advisory Board Minutes November 21, 2016, at 3:30 p.m. Historic Light and Waterworks Building, 406 W. 81h Street Georgetown, Texas 78626 Members present: Richard Glasco, Chair; Joseph Gonzales; Randy Hachtel and Harry Nelson Members absent: Brenda Baxter, Vice Chair; Nikki Brennan and Marion Goforth Staff present: Jennifer Bills, Housing Coordinator; Michaela Dollar, Economic Development Director; and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary Call to Order by the Chair at 3:32 p.m. with reading of the opening remarks. A. Welcome to guests. Legislative Regular Agenda B. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the October 17, 2016 meeting. Karen Frost, Recording Secretary Motion by Gonzales, second by Hachtel to approve the minutes as presented. Approved 4 — 0 — 3, Baxter, Brennan and Goforth absent. C. Introduction of Michaela Dollar, Economic Development Director and presentation on new economic development initiatives. Dollar discussed the business retention program that is in place and stated it will be growing in the future. She explained the different types of sales tax that fund economic development in the city. 4A is the 8 cents sales tax, and 4B is the extra tax that is used for transportation projects. She reported that a workforce study is being done in 2017. It will help define the workforce and help project what the market resources are. There is an Economic Development Symposium being held on November 29th that she invited the Board to attend. Dollar shared the recent Retail Market Study results that show 45 different types of retailers are needed, or could be supported in this area. Businesses that could be developed here, to stop the local residents from driving to Austin or other cities to spend, are specialty grocers, regular grocery stores, department stores, sporting goods and large restaurants. She reported that the population in Georgetown is getting more competitive and they are seeing growth in the younger family demographics. High tech, life sciences and medical devices and supporting businesses are expected to grow. However, there is still a need by employers for lower income, minimum wage type employees. She encouraged the board to visit the website: invest.georgetown.org for more information. Board members discussed the workforce dynamics of the area and future studies. Housing Advisory Board Page 1 Minutes November 21, 2016 D. Upcoming items: Jennifer reported that the next round of tax credit apartment development applications is due by January 3, 2017. The next regular meeting of the HAB will be November 21, 2016. Motion by Gonzales, second by Hachtel to adjourn. Meeting was adjourned at 3:34 pm. Approved, Richard Glasco, Chair Attest, Joe Gonzales Housing Advisory Board Minutes November 21, 2016 Page 2