1996-08-26 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTES63
MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON AUGUST 26, 1996, AT 7:00 P. M. IN THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
The hearing was called to order with the following present:
Mayor Tom Reid
Mayor Pro Tem/Councilmember Jerry Richardson
Councilmember Helen Beckman
Councilmember Richard Tetens
Councilmember Larry Wilkins
Councilmember Kevin Cole
City Manager Paul Grohman
City Secretary Yolanda Benitez
Others in attendance: Assistant City Managers Richard Burdine and Glen Erwin, Police
Chief Mike Hogg, Assistant Economic Development Director John Bowman and City
Engineer John Hargrove.
PURPOSE OF THE HEARING:
To consider the creation of a reinvestment zone and tax abatement for Kemlon
Products & Development Co./WHK Family Interests Partnership Ltd. located on
State Highway 35 in Pearland in accordance with §312.201 of the Tax Code and
City of Pearland Resolution No. R96-12.
STAFF REVIEW OF PROPOSED ANNEXATION
Director of Economic Development Glen Erwin presented an overview of the tax
abatement application submitted by Kemlon Products. He noted that the site of the
proposed project contains approximately 29.9 acres, and the company expects to have
their project built out around the middle to latter part of 1997. Actual construction will
begin in March, 1997. Mr. Erwin introduced his Assistant Director John Bowman.
Mr. Bowman stated that Kemlon will be bringing 150-160 new jobs to Pearland. He
noted that Weatherford Enterra is currently the city's largest employer with 190
1
ID 4 employees, and Pauluhn Electric is the second largest with 135 employees. Mr.
Bowman commended PEDC Board Member Bill Berger for the role he played in bringing
this company to the City of Pearland. He stated that several visits have been made to
the company's present location. The Building Inspector and Fire Marshal have both
conducted inspections and have given the company very positive ratings. Kemlon has
been given several awards from the City of Houston, the highest being one for their
clean, environmental standing. The average wage is $10 per hour, and the company is
bringing a $3.6 million dollar payroll to Pearland. However, they will not be bringing
additional children into the school district since many of the employees live either in
Pearland or in the surrounding communities. Mr. Bowman provided additional
information and statistics regarding this project.
PERSONS WISHING TO GIVE INPUT:
None
QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD:
Councilmember Cole inquired about who would make purchases from Kemlon that would
warrant paying sales tax. Mr. Bowman replied that oil companies and other clients
currently in the city of Pearland will pay sales taxes.
Mayor Reid posed the following questions:
1) Are the improvements being sought considered feasible for the purpose of an
investment district?
PEDC Director Glen Erwin stated that they are, particularly in light of the economic
benefit which the city will derive from the construction of the improvements.
2) Would you (Glen Erwin) consider them as being practical improvements for a
reinvestment zone?
Mr. Erwin said he would consider them practical because of their location.
3) Do they plan to have a siding put in from the railroad track to the property?
Mr. Erwin stated that they do not plan to at this time.
4) Does the property extend past the railroad track?
Mr. Erwin stated that it did not.
5) Will the improvements benefit the land in the proposed reinvestment zone?
Glen Erwin stated that he feels it will contribute greatly to the value of the land.
6) Will the improvements benefit the land inside the City itself?
Mr. Erwin stated that they will, particularly if the City is looking at this general area
as some type of industrial park. There has been quite a bit of growth during the
past 6-8 months, and it is anticipated even more growth will occur in that area,
which accounts for putting in the water system.
Councilmember Cole inquired as to how long the company has been in business, and
Mr. Erwin responded that they started the company in 1950. Councilmember Cole also
asked about how many nights per week will the company be utilizing the Best Western
Motel. John Bowman stated that these figures had not been included.
PEDC Director Glen Erwin added that Kemlon is currently using a piece of machinery
which Mr. Ring had designed and built in the early 1950's. Therefore, if they need a
piece of machinery, they can build it.
Councilmember Richardson expressed his appreciation to the PEDC staff (Glen Erwin,
John Bowman, Terrie Morgan, and Perla Lehman). Mr. Erwin stated that he has a very
good group of people, but he especially thanked the PEDC board for their support.
ADJOURNMENT
The public hearing adjourned at 7:25 P. M.
M' ute a Prov d as submitted and/or
A. D., 1996.
ATTEST:
da C. Benitez, lity Secretao
corrected this 7 2K/ day of
'07o7'i
Tom Reid, Mayor