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1995-12-12 PEARLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTESMINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE PEARLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD, OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12,1995 AT 6:00 P.M., IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS. The hearing was called to order at 6:00 p.m. with the following present: BOARD MEMBERS Chairman Dennis Frauenberger Vice President Tricia Holland Secretary Susan Lenamon Board Member Stella Roberts Board Member Bob Lewis Board Member Bill Berger EX -OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS Tritech Regional Council John Knox Mayor Tom Reid STAFF MEMBERS Executive Director Jim Berry Assistant Executive Director John Bowman Marketing & Events Coordinator Terrie Morgan Assistant City Manager Richard Burdine Administrative Asst. Perla N. Lehman Others in attendance: Mayor Tom Reid, Assistant City Manager Richard Burdine, City Attorney Amy Motes McCullough, and Councilmember Jerry Richardson. 1 Absent from Hearing: Board member Connie Beaumont. NUMBER SIGNING ATTENDANCE ROSTER: 16 PURPOSE OF HEARING : To consider allocation of a portion of the 1/2 cent Sales and Use Tax to develop an industrial park on approximately 100 acres of land located on SH35 within the City Limits of Pearland in accordance with the Development Corporation Act of 1979, as amended. Executive Director Jim Berry commented on the importance of having land under our control to be able to track and sell to businesses which can locate here. He stated there have been a number of occasions where businesses interested in property have been disappointed by a sudden increase in the original price or the zoning has been incorrect. Executive Director Jim Berry then opened the floor to David Miller of Prudential Allied Realty. A Presentation of the Proposed Industrial Facilities Proiect -Commercial Real Estate Broker David Miller presented a proposal to the Pearland Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) outlining an Industrial -Business Park project for Pearland located within 1-1/4 miles of Beltway 8. This property is raw, undeveloped land having road frontage along Highway 35 and rail frontage in the rear along the Santa Fe railroad. The proposal is that the PEARLAND ECONOMICAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (PEDC) purchase the land and provide the funding necessary to develop the road, water, sewer, and drainage improvements to the property. The benefits that the PEDC would obtain include: a project to market for the city, taking advantage of our geography/location; capital gains from the sale of improved property; more jobs, income derived from goods and services --more sales tax revenue; and greater control over the direction and growth of the economic base. Benefits to the City of Pearland would include: increase in revenues from property taxes, sales tax; increase in property values; jobs, more people living and working within the city; greater resident awareness of community and participation; as well as planned, progressive growth with purpose. At this time, Chairman Dennis Frauenberger opened the floor to those wishing to speak in opposition to the proposed industrial project. Persons wishing to speak in opposition to the proposed proiect - There were no speakers opposing the proposed industrial project. Chairman Dennis Frauenberger at this time, opened the floor to those wishing to speak on behalf of the proposed project: 2 Persons wishing too speak on behalf of the proposed proiect - 1. Mayor Tom Reid - The Mayor commented on the importance of having input and influence on the development of Pearland. He stated that in order to grab control of the elements that would make this community a better place to live in, a better place to work and a better place to invite businesses to come in and share our tax base and benefits that we offer, we'd have to be able to provide such things as an Industrial Park. The Mayor suggested opportunities such as this one should be grabbed before they cease to exist and stated he supported this proposed project wholeheartedly. 2. Councilman Jerry Richardson -The councilman stated that he was very excited about what the PEDC is doing and thinks that the proposed project is the right move. He said the PEDC is a group of doers for the good and the benefit of Pearland and as a representative of Pearland he gave his thanks for the time and for the hours of work and the study that everyone has put into this project. 3. Commercial Broker David Miller - Appearing as an individual stated that one thing that should be kept in mind is that the Industrial Park can be offered to everyone that meets the criteria eliminating the possible aspect of showing favoritism of one company over another by having to deal with each company on an individual basis. Mr. Miller also stated that this land remains as the only available property of its size and zoned (M-1) having such a location. He mentioned that this Industrial Park could serve as a signature thing for Pearland. 4. Mr. Rudy Garcia - Born and raised in Alvin, gave a personal insight of the impression made on him. Mr. Garcia, after just recently returning to this area after thirty years, has been attending city council meetings in Alvin and areas in northern Brazoria county looking for someplace to like. He stated that he was impressed with the fact that this project was being planned because it gave him a real good idea of what Pearland will look like in the future. At this time, Chairman Dennis Frauenberger opened the floor to board members wishing to comment. Comments by the PEDC board - Vice President Tricia Holland thanked David Miller for all of his work and thanked Mr. Garcia for his input. Secretary Susan Lenamon agreed with David Miller's comment about the signature idea and said she could see a better image created for Pearland. Board member Bob Lewis agreeing with comments made by Mayor Tom Reid, councilman Jerry Richardson and Mr. David Miller added that by going forward with this project, it would show that PEDC is not afraid of taking advantage of an opportunity. Chairman Dennis Frauenberger commented that our duty is to use our tax dollars to the best advantage to increase the tax base for Pearland. If a developer can do it for profit, we certainly should be able to do the same job, a little bit better, for non-profit. He stated it was our responsibility to carry through with it. Board member Stella Roberts commented that because of the fact that we can take control of what this first big centralized location of industrial development is going to be, it is going to make a strong positive impression on the people in Pearland who don't want to see what they consider to be industry. Board member Bill Berger stated that he is very optimistic that park will fill with businesses very quickly. Questions and Answers - Board member Stella Roberts asked to hear about the future schedule if authority is given to do the study. Executive Director Jim Berry stated that there would be several steps needed to be taken before a study could be made such as a Request For Qualifications from engineering firms to do the study and the PEDC's evaluations on all interested firms. He requested that the board grant approval to the PEDC to enter this project to determine whether or not the park will be bought by the PEDC. Mr. Berry said that once the feasibility study is done, there will be a lot more answers available to questions the board might have. At this time, Chairman Dennis Frauenberger closed the floor to adjourn the meeting. ADJOURNMENT Vice President Tricia Holland made the motion, seconded by board member Bob Lewis to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed: 6-0 Adjourned: 6:56 p.m. Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this A.D., 1996. ATTEST: S day of erla N. Lehman, Administrative Assistant 4