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1996-03-11 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTES171 MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON MARCH 11, 1996, AT 6:00 P. M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS The hearing was called to order with the following present: Mayor Mayor Pro Tem/Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember City Attorney City Secretary Tom Reid Richard Tetens Jerry Richardson (came in at 6:25 p.m.) Helen Beckman Kevin Cole Amy McCullough Yolanda Benitez Others in attendance: Assistant City Manager Richard Burdine, Economic Development Director Jim Berry, and City Engineer John Hargrove. Absent from hearing: Councilmember Randy Weber, City Manager Paul Grohman, Assistant City Manager Glen Erwin. PURPOSE OF THE HEARING: TO CONSIDER THE CREATION OF A REINVESTMENT ZONE AND TAX ABATEMENT FOR METALLURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (MTI) LOCATED ON MYKAWA ROAD IN PEARLAND IN ACCORDANCE WITH 312.201 OF THE TAX CODE AND CITY OF PEARLAND RESOLUTION NO. R96-12. STAFF REVIEW: Assistant City Manager Richard Burdine reviewed the location involved and noted that the business adjacent to MTI, which is Texas Honing, is going to purchase a tract of land from MTI and do their own expansion. Mr. Burdine noted that this abatement will be the first that the City Council is acting upon. He also stated that part of the incentive package included the extension of water and sewer to the property and that is being done. Economic Development Director Jim Berry informed the Council that MTI's business is that of making thermal sprays for equipment for the aerospace industry. He noted the market is continuing to grow in this area. Mr. Berry stated that MTI will pay more taxes during the seven-year period than what they will be saving. PERSONS WISHING TO GIVE INPUT: None 172 QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: Councilmember Cole asked the following questions: 1) Is the 50% of taxes on new value only and does it include any inventory? 2) Can the City abate any inventory? 3) 50% of taxes for how many years? And, is the policy for up to 10 years? Mr. Berry answered as follows: 1) Yes, on the new property only and it does not include any inventory; 2) No, you cannot include the inventory; 3) For 7 years; and yes, the policy does allow for that. Mayor Reid asked the following questions: 1) Are the improvements being sought feasible? 2) Will these improvements benefit the reinvestment zone after the tax abatement agreement expires? 3) Is this proposed reinvestment zone reasonably likely to contribute to the retention or expansion of primary employment; or 4) attract major investment in that area? Mr. Berry answered as follows: 1) To the best of our knowledge, they are; 2) We believe that it will - not only do we expect that facility to be productive and paying 100% of taxes, we frankly expect it to be larger and have greater employment and provide opportunities for people in the reinvestment zone; 3) Definitely will create significant number of new jobs and maintains a specific number of existing jobs; 4) it will - the construction of the facility is a major investment in and of itself and the improvements to the land and infrastructure are all major improvements. Mr. Berry announced that Houston Lighting and Power will be co -sponsoring a reception tomorrow for MTI to show their support. Councilmember Tetens inquired about other uses for the thermal spray that MTI manufactures. Mr. Berry responded that it is applicable in other industries, and brochures will be available tomorrow. Councilmember Cole asked about whether this falls under the City's clean and safe industry which we have been targeting. Mr. Berry noted that it does as it does not contain any effluent, and it is very high-tech and very clean. ADJOURNMENT The hearing adjourned at 6:38 P. M. Minutes approv d as submitted and/or A. D., 1996. ATTEST: %inda C. Benitei,- corrected this C:?5—d day of Tom Reid, Mayor