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2000-12-04 PEARLAND ECONCOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTESMINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE PEARLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ("PEDC") BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD MONDAY, DECEMBER 4,2000,7:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS. I. The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. with the following present: BOARD MEMBERS Chairman Dennis Frauenberger Vice Chairman Randy Ferguson Secretary Susan Lenamon Board Member Connie Beaumont Board Member Bill Chase Board Member Charlie Philipp EX -OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS Mayor Tom Reid Chamber of Commerce Billye Everett Interim City Manager Alan Mueller Not in attendance: Due to a conflict in schedule, Ex -Officio Board Member Jon Volkmer was unable to attend. STAFF MEMBERS Executive Director Assistant Executive Director Administrative Assistant Mike Chance Darlene Moody Janice Vega Also in attendance: Council members Larry Marcott, Woody Owens, and Klaus Seeger, and City Attorney Darrin Coker. Minutes of Public Hearing of December 4, 2000 Page 2 II. Purpose of Hearing: To consider use of the one-half cent sales tax proceeds for proposed PEDC projects. Proposed projects will include expenditures for any of the following: • Promotion of manufacturing and industrial facilities • Recycling facilities • Distribution centers • Small warehouse and storage facilities • Facilities to promote new and expanded business development • Facilities to promote job creation and retention • Job training facilities • Educational facilities and facilities for use by institutions of higher education • Targeted infrastructure • Parks and related public space improvements • Tourism and entertainment facilities • Commercial facilities • Certain public facility improvements • Transportation improvements • Infrastructural improvements • Other business-related improvements • Facilities related to any of the foregoing projects III. Staff Review: Executive Director Mike Chance stated the purpose of this hearing in accordance with state law. He stated that the Corporation has established its budget for the current year, and out of this it has been determined that there is $1,126,000.00 that is budgeted for available economic development projects. The projects noted above are eligible according to state law. IV. Citizen Comments: Mr. Larry Loessin, 3406 Nottingham, Pearland, TX 77581 Mr. Loessin questioned whether or not the PEDC was cost effective. He stated that over the past three years, only 20% of PEDC expenses actually went toward business incentives. According to the State Comptroller, $761,400.00 was spent on marketing and promotions. He would also like to see future projections of projects, so when a project is complete we can justify the expenditures. Dr. Bobby Stevener, 1905 Sleepy Hollow, Pearland, TX 77581 Dr. Stevener asked that the Board. consider spending funds on infrastructure. He stated that smaller businesses are having to spend money on sewer lines, etc., with no assistance from PEDC due to by laws or state law. He is expanding his current business and will be spending Minutes of Public Hearing of December 4, 2000 Page 3 $135,000.00 more to be in the Pearland city limits. Dr. Stevener addressed the board for a second time to comment on the retention system. He would like to see the City and the PEDC work together to build retention lakes that could be subscribed or sold as retention to land owners. Mr. Mark McDonough, 2705 West Oaks Blvd., Pearland, TX 77584 Mr. McDonough requested that the City and the PEDC look closer at future projections, as to what type of businesses they plan to attract to Pearland. With the area growing so rapidly, is it necessary to offer incentives and tax abatements. He asked that the PEDC not be in such a rush to generate tax dollars that it forgets about what the residents want. Mrs. Emma Vaughan, 2005 Cullen Blvd., Pearland, TX 77581 Mrs. Vaughan serves on the Cullen Road Steering Committee. She would like to see the PEDC involved in more things of this nature. She asked that the City work on infrastructure and the PEDC consider working on tourism and parks. She stated that she does not want to see Pearland become another Pasadena or LaPorte. Keep Pearland as one of the most desirable cities to live. Ms. Susan Fowler, 4809 Comal, Pearland, TX 77581 Ms. Fowler stated that she would like to see more retail businesses and restaurants. She is not particularly interested in the amount of jobs created from industries. She would not be opposed to paying higher taxes in order to do without bad industries. She protested ChemCentral and will do the same with any other chemical company wanting to locate in Pearland. Mr. Dick Spooner, 4014 Spring Brook Ct., Pearland, TX 77584 Mr. Spooner voiced his objection to Crest Chemicals. He also wanted to know what was being done to plan for infrastructure with the new school coming on Bailey Road.. Mrs. Diane Leaverton, 2310 Buckholt, Pearland, TX 77581 Letter submitted to file from Mrs. Leaverton who was unable to be at the meeting. V. Board of Directors/Staff Discussion: None VI. Adjournment: Secretary Susan Lenamon made the motion, seconded by Board member Connie Beaumont to adjourn the meeting. Motion Passed: 6 - 0 TIME: 7:26 p.m. Minutes of Public Hearing of December 4, 2000 Page 4 Minutes approved as submit ATTEST: A Janice Vega, Administrative Assistant