Ord. 1376 2009-02-09ORDINANCE NO. 1376
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, SUPPORTING THE CITY'S
PARTICIPATION IN THE TEXAS ENTERPRISE ZONE
PROGRAM PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS ENTERPRISE ZONE
ACT, CHAPTER 2303, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE (ACT),
DESIGNATING A LIAISON FOR COMMUNICATION WITH
INTERESTED PARTIES, AND NOMINATING NEELA, INC. TO
THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
8~ TOURISM (EDT) THROUGH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BANK (BANK) AS AN ENTERPRISE PROJECT (PROJECT).
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas (City) desires to
create an economic and social environment to encourage the investment of
private resources in productive business enterprises located in distressed areas
of the City and to provide employment to residents of such area; and
WHEREAS, Neela, Inc. proposes a project that is not located in an area
designated as an enterprise zone; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 2303, Subchapter 1= of the Act, Neeia, Inc.
has applied to the City for designation as an Enterprise Project; and
WHEREAS, the City finds that Neela, Inc. meets the criteria for tax relief and
other incentives adopted by the City on the grounds that it will be located at the
qualified business site, will create a higher level of employment and economic
activity; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing to consider this ordinance was held by the City
Council on January 26, 2009 at 6:30 PM; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND,
TEXAS:
Section 1. The City nominates Neela, Inc. for Enterprise Project status.
ORDINANCE NO. 1376
Section 2. The following local incentives, at the election of the
governing body, may be made available to a nominated project or activity of a
qualified business:
a) The City may provide enhanced municipal services to
businesses, including:
1) additional police and fire protection;
2) institution of community crime prevention programs; or
3) expedited permitting through the Development Review
Process for the City of Pearland
b) The City may provide improvements in community facilities,
including:
1) capital improvements in water and sewer facilities;
2) road repair; or
3) creation or improvement of parks
c) The City may assist in obtaining business and industrial
development services, including:
1) low-interest loans for business;
2) creation of special one-stop permitting and problem
resolution centers;
3) promotion and marketing services;
4) grants through the Pearland Economic Development
Corporation for job creation; or
5) tax abatements on eligible improvements
e) The City may assist in obtaining job training and employment
services to businesses, including:
1) retraining programs;
2) literacy and employment skills programs;
3) vocational education; or
4) customized job training.
Section 3. The enterprise zone areas within the City are reinvestment
zones in accordance with the Texas Tax Code, Chapter 312.
Section 4. The City of Pearland City Council directs and designates its
Executive Director of the PEDC as the City's liaison to communicate and
negotiate with the EDT through the Bank and Enterprise Project(s) and to
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ORDINANCE NO. 1376
oversee zone activities and communications with qualified businesses and
other entities in an enterprise zone or affected by an enterprise project.
Section 5. The City finds that Neela, Inc. meets the criteria for
designation as an enterprise project under Chapter 2303, Subchapter F of the
Act on the following grounds:
(a.) Neela, Inc. is a "qualified business" under Section 2303.402
of the Act because it will be engaged in the active conduct of
a trade or business at a qualified business site within the
governing body's jurisdiction, located outside of an
enterprise zone and at least thirty-five percent (35%) of the
business' new employees will be residents of an enterprise
zone or economically disadvantaged individuals; and
(b.) There has been and will continue to be a high level of
cooperation between public, private, and neighborhood
entities in the area; and
(c.) The designation of Neela, Inc. as an Enterprise Project will
contribute significantly to the achievement of the plans of the
City for development and revitalization of the area.
Section 6. The Enterprise Project shall take effect on the date of
designation of the enterprise project by EDT and terminate on March 3, 2014.
Section 7. Publication and Effective Date. The City Secretary shall
cause this Ordinance, or its caption, to be published in the official newspaper of
the City of Pearland, upon passage of such Ordinance. The Ordinance shall
then become effective ten (10) days from and after its publication, or the
publication of its caption, in the official City newspaper.
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ORDINANCE NO. 1376
PASSED and APPROVED ON FIRST READING this the 26tH day of
January, A. D., 2009.
ATTEST:
YO G LO ING, R
CI SECR TARY
TOM REID
MAYOR
PASSED and APPROVED ON SECOND AND FINAL READING this the
Stn day of February, A. D., 2009.
TTEST:
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Y SE RETAR
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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DARRIN M. COKJ ER
CITY ATTORNEY
TOM REID
MAYOR
VOTING RECORD SECOND AND FINAL READING
FEBRUARY 9. 2009
Voting "Aye" - Councilmembers Owens, Saboe, Beckman,
Kyle, and Cole.
Voting "No" - None.
Motion passed 5 to 0.
PUBLICATION DATE: February 11, 2009
EFFECTIVE DATE: February 20, 2009
PUBLISHED AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 3.10 OF
THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS
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