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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-05-05 EDC Minutes EULESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES MAY 5, 1998 The Board of Directors of the Euless Development Corporation met on Tuesday, May 5, 1998, at the Texas Star Conference Centre, 1400 Texas Star Parkway, Euless Texas. The following persons were in attendance: Mayor Mary Lib Saleh, Chairman Mayor Pro Tern Charles Miller Council Member Carl Tyson Citizen Member Lefty Lynn Maloney Citizen Member Sonja Adams Citizen Member Glenn Porterfield City Manager Tom Hart, President Director of Economic Development David Witcher, Second Vice President Finance Director Loretta Getchell Director of Community Services Rick Herold .-- Parks Superintendent Johnnie Green City Secretary Susan Crim, Secretary CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:40 p.m. by Chairman Mary Lib Saleh. APPROVAL, MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 3, 1998 MEETING Upon motion by Charlie Miller and second by Glenn Porterfield, the minutes of the February 3, 1998, meeting were approved by unanimous vote. COMPLIANCE REPORT Chairman Saleh asked President Hart if the Compliance Report that former Board Member Ed Denari had requested had been prepared. Mr. Hart replied that the documents had been forwarded to the City Attorney and the letter will be ready for the next Euless Development Corporation Board meeting. REVIEW OF FINANCIAL REPORT, QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31, 1998 Tom Hart reported that revenues were up approximately five per cent from last year and that the Board budgeted nine per cent more this year over last year's actual collections. EULESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MAY 5. 1998 PAGE 2 Director of Economic Development David Witcher stated that there had been 387 new or expanded businesses in the City during the last year. He stated there was no record of how many businesses had ceased operations. Mr. Hart stated that a major portion of the City's sales tax comes from public utility sales. Director of Community Services Rick Herold stated that new weight equipment had been installed at the Midway Recreation Center, a new dance room has been opened, and usage was considerably increased. He reported that the identification signs for the City's parks had been installed and that playground equipment had been upgraded in many areas. Mr. Herold stated that a new sign was being prepared for the Midway Recreation Center. He also reported that the Parks and Leisure Services Board was working on a revised Master Plan for the City's park system. Lefty Lynn Maloney asked about improvements for the Senior Citizens Center. Mr. Herold stated that the windows had been changed out, acoustical work is planned and computers and a big screen television are being acquired. Charlie Miller asked if expenditures for Phase II of the Parks at Texas Star were going to be taken from the existing projects budget. Mr. Herold reviewed the items that are included in the existing park projects of the current year budget. David Witcher stated that the marketing survey was the primary expense this quarter for the Economic Development portion of the Euless Development Corporation budget. APPROVAL OF REIMBURSEMENT TO HURST-EULESS-BEDFORD INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR TAX INCREMENT FINANCING RESEARCH EXPENSE Tom Hart reported that the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District had incurred some expenses over the past several years for research and negotiations related to the proposed tax increment financing district for the purpose of bringing a mall to the City of Euless. More recently the City has had discussions with the School District regarding the back taxes on the Western Hills Inn, the site of the proposed new police and court facility. He stated that the School District has requested the City reimburse them for $20,000 worth of expenses related to the tax increment financing project in exchange for the delinquent property taxes on the Western Hills Inn. After discussion by the Board members, Lefty Lynn Maloney motioned to authorize the payment of$20,000 from the Professional Services line item of the Economic Development portion of the Euless Development Corporation FY 98 budget to the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District for the reimbursement of expenses related to the tax increment financing project in exchange for the delinquent property taxes on the Western Hills Inn. The motion was seconded by Charlie Miller and carried by unanimous vote. EULESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MAY 5. 1998 PAGE 3 UPDATE ON CURRENT PROJECTS Rick Herold reported that the City Council will be planning Phase II of The Parks at Texas Star as the Parks Master Plan is reviewed. He said there is a grant the City can apply for if Phase II is structured more toward recreational activities. The City's goal is to have Phase II open by the year, 2000. He stated he has had people from other cities tell him they have put their park plans on hold in order to come and look at our new facility with hopes of modeling their projects after the City of Euless. David Witcher reported that a development along Highway 183 between Westpark Way and Industrial Boulevard is progressing with a car dealership and office building underway. Additional plans call for a hotel, several restaurants and other businesses. The developer has approached the City about helping him with development costs of the floodplain with the benefit for the City being approximately $460,000 new annual revenue. The developer is asking for approximately $350,000 for infrastructure assistance. A part of the drainage plan for this development would be to build a pond at the back of the area to connect with the City's park behind it. Lefty Lynn Maloney expressed concern that the City would be contributing money to a businessman who is going to profit while the citizens pay the taxes to support the contribution. David Witcher explained how increased business in the City will bring in new revenue streams that will help alleviate some of the tax burden on citizens. Carl Tyson requested the City agree to contribute only when the entire development is completed. SCHEDULE NEXT REGULAR MEETING The next regular meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, 1998, at 4:00 p.m. at the Municipal Complex conference room. ADJOURN There being no further business before the Corporation, the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: us. Crim Mary Li Saleh Secretary Chairman