2003-09-08 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTESMINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2003, AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
The meeting was called to order with the following present:
Mayor
Mayor Pro -Tem
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
City Manager
City Attorney
City Secretary
Tom Reid
Richard Tetens
Woody Owens
Larry Marcott
Klaus Seeger
Bill Eisen
Darrin Coker
Young Lorfing
Absent: Councilmember Charles Viktorin.
Others in attendance: Deputy City Manager Alan Mueller; Executive Director of
Community Services Tobin Maples; Executive Director of Economic Development
Corporation Fred Welch; City Engineer Doug Kneupper; Public Affairs Liaison Lynn
Munford; Director of Finance Mary Ross; Parks & Recreation Director Thomas Grieve;
Project Director Joe Wertz; Assistant Police Chief Johnny Spires.
PURPOSE OF HEARING — To consider the creation of a reinvestment zone and tax
abatement for South Texas Properties to be located on Halik Road in Pearland in
accordance with §312.201 of the Tax Code and City of Pearland Resolution No. R2003-
121. Mr. Darrin Coker, City Attorney.
STAFF REVIEW OF PROPOSED BUDGET
City Manager, Bill Eisen, stated this is part of a process in consideration for tax
abatement. He stated this particular project is on Halik Road. It would consist of three
additional buildings. This process involves creating a Reinvestment Zone. This Public
Hearing is to discuss the Reinvestment Zone.
City Attorney, Darrin Coker, stated there were questions earlier regarding the
reinvestment zone, and he would like to make some clarification. This is different from
a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. The Reinvestment Zone is for the purposes of
granting a tax abatement. It is different from a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone,
which was used for Shadow Creek Ranch Development. Essentially, this Public
Hearing is to determine whether or not the improvements sought for this property, and
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tax abatement that is being proposed, is feasible and practical for this property,
benefiting the property and ultimately the City. He stated these are the findings that
would take place by an adoption of an Ordinance creating a Reinvestment Zone.
Executive Director of Economic DevelopmentCorporation, Fred Welch, stated his
department has been working with South Texas Properties for the past 2 to 3 months.
He gave a brief description of the area of the property. Mr. Welch stated the company
is proposing to put three buildings on this property. The first building would be the
facility for the South Texas Properties to conduct business in Pearland. The facility
would be used for distribution. The improvements to the property would bring the
appraisal value up from $67,000 to approximately $3.6 million at the end of
construction. Mr. Welch further stated in addition, the facility would bring additional jobs
as well.
City Attorney, Darrin Coker, stated the Public Hearing and the later agenda item is just
for the creation of the zone and not for the actual Tax Abatement Agreement adoption.
Executive Director of Economic Development Corporation, Fred Welch, stated prior to
coming back in October for voting, Council would receive a copy of the negotiated Tax
Abatement Agreement and any other incentives being provided by Pearland Economic
Development Corporation. He stated at this point, the incentives are still in the
negotiation process.
Mayor Reid stated law requires the Public Hearing. Before Council could go into the
negotiation process, the Public Hearing had to take place.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Christy Owen, South Texas Properties, addressed Council and stated the property is
already owned by South Texas Properties. It would consist of three buildings used for
office and warehousing. She gave additional information about the company and the
Houston location. Ms. Owen stated the Pearland Economic Development Corporation
has been working with the Company and has been very helpful in this process. She
stated the initial investment would be about $3.5 million and it is a great project to bring
to Pearland.
COUNCIVSTAFF DISCUSSION
Mayor Pro -Tem Tetens asked if the property backs up to the railroad at Settler's
Cemetery or if there is another set of tracks in between.
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Mr. Randall, South Texas Properties, stated it backs up to Settler's Cemetery, but there
is another set of tracks in between, and the cemetery is on the West side.
Councilmember Marcott asked if it was some distance away from Hwy 35.
Mr. Randall, South Texas Properties, stated it is about 600 feet from Hwy. 35.
Councilmember Seeger asked if parts of the buildings would be essentially leased out
and also bringing in the South Texas Properties Company. He also asked about the.
types of company business that would be conducted at the location.
Christy Owen, South Texas Properties, stated it would be the home-based office for --
South
South Texas Properties. All of the drafters and engineers would be working from this
location.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this the 29th day of September ,
A.D., 2003.
Tom Reid
Mayor
ATTEST:
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