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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDA 2007-12-06 MinutesCity of North Richland Hills Economic Development Advisory Committee City Hall Pre-Council Room Thursday, December 6, 2007 MINUTES Board Members Present: Mr. Alan Young, Alan Young Pontiac-Buick-GMC Trucks Mr. Jim Makens, The Makens Company Mr. Dan Quinto, Roaring Brook Development Mr. John Hunter, HealthMarkets Mr. Vincent Lara, Super Wal-Mart Ms. Janet Golightly, Golightly's Gallery Mr. Glenn Wallace, sitting in for Randy Moresi, North Hills Hospital Mr. Mike Rigby, Liberty Bank Board Members Absent: Ms. Linda Timmons, Bates Container Ms. Cindy Brewington, Edward Jones Staff Present: Mr. Jared Miller, Assistant City Manager, City of NRH Mr. Thad Chambers, Economic Development Director, City of NRH Ms. Kristin Weegar, Marketing and Research Coordinator, City of NRH Ms. Phyl Baloga, Administrative Secretary, City of NRH Chairman Young called meeting called to order at 11:50. • Previous minutes approved unanimously. • Chairman Young then turned the meeting over to Mr. Chambers • Mr. Chambers wanted to review the four goals that relate to Economic Development o Goal # 1 is: Quality Community Development and Revitalization o Goal #2 is: Efficient and Effective Transportation System. o Goal #5 is: Preserve Positive City Image o Goal #7 is: Targeted Economic Development. Goal #1-Quality Community Development and Revitalization' Providing Redevelopment Incentives to Owners of the Former North Hills Mall Property. Discussion centered on the following: • Status of litigation • Latest development activity/inactivity • Gas drilling Development incentives Complete Intersection Improvements Along Boulevard 26. Intersection improvements along Blvd 26/Glenview and Blvd 26/Rufe Snow were presented and discussed -1- City plans are being reviewed Half a million dollars has been allotted for each intersection Waiting on the state for their approval Examine Future Fundina Sources for Boulevard 26 Public Improvements Leverage existing TIF 1 (Tax Increment Financing) for improvements TIF No.1 has performed very well TIF Board is in favor of expanding the boundaries of TIF No.1. TIF No.1 area is in the southern most tip of NRH where it joins with Haltom City Expansion of the boundary extends northeast along Blvd 26 ending near Loop 820, not including the mall site Acauire Land for Proposed Rail Stations. Currently no discussion regarding this subject from the committee members. Land Bank Specific Properties. This topic relates to land for rail stations however the City does not have a line item for purchasing large properties. Goal #2- Efficient and Effective Transportation System; Support Sales Tax Increases to support Reaional Rail in North Richland Hills Detailed discussion centered on the following topics: Council supports a sales tax increase to fund regional rail in North Richland Hills. The committee expressed concern about method of financing The sales tax option discussed by the committee included the following elements: o State would need to approve any raising of the 8.25% cap o This would be voted on by the citizens as a local referendum. o The law would have to be written specifically for mass transit o Cities with existing rail would be exempt (like Richland Hills). At this point, the Committee requires more information to better understand, specifically to address the following questions: Concern about an equitable sales tax across the area, not just in NRH What a light rail could bring to NRH from a employment standpoint to address low wage jobs Proper use of sales tax dollars Timing of NRH's involvement relative to other NRH cities to ensure NRH is not the first and only city Goal # 5---Preserve Positive City Image: Create "Construction Update" on NRH UpClose Website that Addresses Citizen Questions. Construction update on the NRH Upclose website exits. Examples of projects are; The Tower at North Tarrant and Davis while under construction, also North Tarrant Crossing, the center behind Chili's. -2- Continue Branding Efforts for Boulevard 26 This is a project that is continuously ongoing with the intersection improvements. The NRH Parks dept. indicates no hard date has been established as to the widening. Certain businesses have already been paid by TXDOT for right of ways Market the City to Potential Investors Outside Our Citv Boundaries in an Effort to Create Future Successes. NRH has a line item for actual advertising and market activity Goal #7-Targeted Economic Development Review and Update Targeted Businesses for Our Community Targeting businesses like and similar to Fry's, Costco. Continual research and communication of targets for North Richland Hills. Research Market to Determine Business Opportunities Ongoing. Work with Businesses to Assist in Finding Locations Within Our City Fitz Manufacturing just recently occupied the smaller of the two Kimberly Clark buildings. Continual action on ongoing basis outside the area and in this region Create Targeted Mail Campaign for Family Restaurant Establishments Interest was shown on a recent City survey, primarily for grocery stores A direct mail campaign to everyone in the ICSC retail database for sit down restaurants Bedford-Euless road and North Tarrant and Davis are target areas. Continue Participation in ICSC to Promote Vacant Buildings and Sites Mr. Miller, Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Chambers to attend the ICSC Convention this year. Maintain Inventory of Available Non-Residential Tracts and Vacant Buildings Currently managed and updated by ED department Continue Quarter) Meetin of the EDAC to Further Inform Business Leaders and Seek Their Direction An actual action item. City Council realizes how important this group is and the need to continue these meetings. Mr. Chambers stressed consensus on the three strategies that were in the existing Economic Development Plan. Mr. Chambers reviewed new business additions and upcoming plans around Venue at Home Town Chairman Young asked the committee when they would like to meet again and a February date was discussed. Chairman Young adjourned the meeting at 1:25 p.m. -3-