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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-01 ECC Minutes EULESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES MARCH 1, 2005 The Board of Directors of the Euless Development Corporation met on Tuesday, March 1, 2005, in the Mayors Conference Room of City Hall, 201 North Ector Drive, Euless Texas. The following persons were in attendance: Mayor Mary Lib Saleh, Chairman Council Member Carl Tyson, Vice Chairman Council Member Veva Lou Massey Council Member Charlie Miller Citizen Member Sonja Adams Citizen Member Carmen Deithloff Citizen Member Wayne Marrs City Manager Joe Hennig, President Director of Economic Development Bill Ridgway, Second Vice President Assistant City Manager Loretta Getchell, Treasurer City Secretary Susan Crim, Secretary Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald Library Administrator JoAnn Rogers Deputy City Manager Gary McKamie, First Vice President was not present. CALL TO ORDER Chair Mary Lib Saleh called the meeting to order at 5:55 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 16, 2004 MEETING Upon motion by Wayne Marrs and second by Carmen Deithloff, the minutes of the August 16, 2004, meeting were approved by unanimous vote. Charlie Miller noted that in the August 16, 2004 minutes, he stated that a claim should be filed against the engineering firm and the manufacturer for the expenses involved in repairing the Library ceiling and that Mr. Hennig had stated that the City would send them a bill for the cost of the repairs to be made. He asked if that had been done. He said they should have been sent a letter that they were going to be sent a bill as prior notice. He further stated that he believes the notice should be sent to the architect instead of the engineering firm. EULESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MARCH 1,2005 PAGE 2 Charlie Miller made a motion that the City notify the architect and the manufacturer that the library ceiling product is not working and that the City will be sending them a bill for the repairs which will include materials and labor. Carl Tyson asked if the installer should be included. Mr. Miller said to add them. Sonja Adams seconded the motion and it carried by unanimous vote. FISCAL YEAR 2004 COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL AUDIT Assistant City Manager Loretta Getchell introduced Brad Jay, Weaver and Tidwell, LLP, who presented the Financial Report for the Euless Development Corporation for the year ended September 30, 2004. Mr. Jay stated that the audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and received an Unqualified Opinion, the highest possible rating. He reviewed the highlights and gave an overview of the Euless Development Corporation's financial standing. He pointed out that the Balance Sheet indicated the fund balance in the General Fund was $2,203,025 and in the Capital Projects, $443,367 for a total of $2,646,392. The total revenues for the year ended September 30, 2004, were $2,343,832 and expenditures were $2,055,227. Upon motion by Wayne Marrs and second by Sonja Adams, the Euless Development Corporation Independent Auditor's Report from Weaver and Tidwell, LLP, for the year ended September 30, 2004, was accepted by unanimous vote. REVIEW OF FINANCIAL REPORT, QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2004 Loretta Getchell reviewed the Financial Report for the quarter ending December 31, 2004, indicating that there were expenditures of $34,936 in the capital projects fund for this quarter, primarily for the splash pool at South Euless and other park improvements. She stated the remaining balance in the capital project fund for projects not yet completed is $244,773, primarily for remaining splash pool expenditures, the hike/bike trail and a variety of park improvements. Ms. Getchell reported that sales tax collections as of the first quarter were $608,909, which represented 25% of budget. Operating expenditures were within budget at $486,114. She stated that undesignated capital project funds in the amount of $190,130 remain available for allocation to approved projects. She reported that Acme Brick was not operational yet, therefore sales tax collections are less than were expected at budget time. EULESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MARCH 1, 2005 PAGE 3 AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND CURRENT BEALL CONCRETE LEASE AGREEMENT City Manager Joe Hennig briefly described the background of the lease between Beall Concrete Enterprises, Ltd., and the Euless Development Corporation. Bill Ridgway stated that Beall is doing some expansion, and they have asked that an amendment be executed to extend the sales and use tax rebate to coincide with the ending date of the lease. Mr. Ridgway further stated that if Beall outgrows the current location and has to secure a second site, they have agreed to also make that location in Euless. In response to questions, Mr. Ridgway acknowledged that there is no guarantee that they would stay in Euless, but he stated that their sales tax rebate is substantial and they will want to remain in Euless to continue to receive it. Upon motion by Veva Lou Massey, second by Sonja Adams, and a unanimous vote, the current Beall Concrete Enterprises, Ltd., sales and use tax rebate agreement with the Euless Development Corporation was extended to coincide with the ending date of their lease on the property located at 1100 Westpark Way in Euless. SIGN AMORTIZATION DISCUSSION City Manager Joe Hennig stated that City Council Members recently discussed the possibility of a sign amortization program for businesses that have signs that are not in compliance with the current sign ordinances. He said there have been mixed feelings among the council members in deciding direction on this issue. He stated that Braums Ice Cream and Dairy Store on Main Street is one of two businesses that did not choose to participate in the Main Street signage program that was implemented during the renovation of Main Street, because they believe that 27% of their business is generated by their marquee sign. He said Central Self Storage is the other one. Mr. Hennig briefly described the extensive process of amortization which includes appointment of a Board with very specific membership, payment to businesses of the full cost of their current signs, cost of replacement signs and possibly damages, with lawsuits likely. He said that he did not recommend proceeding with the amortization process at this time. Sonja Adams requested that Chevron Oil Company be contacted again now that their merger is complete to see if they would remove the pole sign in front of their business. She also stated that she is still concerned about the Central Self Storage sign. Mr. Ridgway responded that he believes Central Self Storage is still trying to develop their remaining property and they will do a monument sign along with the new development. Charlie Miller stated that since the City of Euless spent $7 million on the Main Street renovation project, he is willing to spend as much as necessary per business to get them to comply with the sign ordinance. He also believes the Amortization Committee could be used in other projects in the future. EULESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MARCH 1,2005 PAGE 4 Carmen Deithloff said she had previously understood that the Main Street sign program was voluntary and that businesses could not be forced to comply. She said she did not believe it was worth getting into litigation over the remaining signs. She said there were other things on Main Street she would like to see the City concentrate on eliminating. She suggested staff go to the owner of Braums and ask them what it would take to get them to take their sign down before further consideration is given to the amortization program. Chairman Saleh said she did not think it would send a very good message to citizens if we forcibly removed the signs of these businesses. Carl Tyson stated that since the City spent $7 million benefiting those businesses, they should be forced to comply with the program that others have complied with. Charlie Miller and Carl Tyson said that the Braums stores in The Colony and Plano have monument signs. Chairman Saleh requested that Braums, Central Self Storage and Chevron be contacted again and be shown pictures of the signs that have been completed on Main Street. Charlie Miller motioned for the Euless Development Corporation to recommend to the City Council that they proceed with the appointment of an Amortization Board for only the signs at Braums Ice Cream and Dairy Store, Central Self Storage and Chevron. Sonja Adams seconded the motion. Board members voting in favor included Charlie Miller, Carl Tyson, Sonja Adams and Wayne Marrs. Board members voting against included Mary Lib Saleh, Veva Lou Massey and Carmen Deithloff. REPORTS ON CURRENT AND UPCOMING PROJECTS Parks and Community Services Director Ray McDonald stated that Phase 3 of the Parks at Texas Star is progressing slowly because of the weather. They are at the stage that is most sensitive to the weather, including grassing and grading, etc. He reported they have planted more than 100 trees, but they need two to three weeks of sunny weather. Mr. McDonald reported that the splash pad equipment has been delivered and the contractor has 60 days to complete the project. Mr. McDonald stated that the contract for construction of the Preserve at McCormick Park will be considered by the City Council on March 8 and construction should begin by April 1. Completion including the bridges should take about five months. He said EULESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MARCH 1,2005 PAGE 5 the residents in Fountain Park are extremely excited about the Preserve, and many citizens city-wide are excited about the trail system going from SH157 to SH360. Librarian JoAnn Rogers reported that funding from the Euless Development Corporation is helping the Library keep their collection current. She stated they recently participated in the HEB Business Expo. They have also implemented a leasing program to keep titles while they are popular and send them back when they are no longer needed. She said they also work with Meals on Wheels to deliver books along with the meals. She reported that on March 11, the Tarrant Art Guild will have displays, classical music and food for an event at the Library. Carmen Deithloff reported that she has used the Library quite extensively recently and was very pleased with the staff and the assistance they provide. Director of Economic Development Bill Ridgway reported that the Harrington property has a very interested developer looking at it. He stated that Luxury Linens has moved out of Euless Town Centre and Conn's is moving in. Joe Hennig stated that several properties on SH121 are being looked at. In response to a question from Sonja Adams about the activity adjacent to Albertson's on Main Street, Mr. Ridgway stated it would be a strip shopping center. Carmen Deithloff asked about the Chinese group who had been interested in the former Kmart building. Mr. Ridgway replied that he had not heard from them recently, but that the building had been sold and a corporate office and retail businesses will be moving in. ADJOURN There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. APPROVED: ATTEST: Air 7kPtaC:46.40-1-A- / Ai - Mary Lib ieh usan Cri Chairman Secretary