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Home My WebLink AboutEDA 2009-05-13 Minutes y .. City of North Richland Hills Economic Development Advisory Committee City or North Richland Hills Public Library Wednesday, May 13, 2009 MINUTES Board Members Present: Mr. Jim Makens, the Makens Company Mr. Dan Quinto, Roaring Brook Development Ms. Janet Golightly, Golightly's Gallery Mr. Randy Moresi, North Hills Hospital Ms. Cindy Brewington, Edward Jones Mr. Mark Sanders, Bates Container Mr. John Hunter, HealthMarkets Mr.Thomas Hervey,Allen Samuels Dodge Hyundai Board Members Absent: Mr. Mike Rigby, Liberty Bank Mr. Kevin Sutherland, Home Depot Staff Present: Mr. Jimmy Perdue,Assistant City Manager, City of NRH Mr. Craig Hulse, Economic Development Director, City of NRH Ms. Kristin Weegar, Marketing and Research Coordinator, City of NRH Ms. Phyl Baloga, Administrative Secretary, City of NRH • Mr. Makens, President of the Economic Development Advisory Committee, called the meeting to - order at 11:50a.m. • Previous minutes were approved unanimously at which point President Makens turned the meeting over to Mr. Hulse. • Mr. Hulse welcomed the group and introduced Mr. Tom Hervey as the committee's newest member. • After the welcome and introductions, Mr. Hulse proceeded to discuss the new business list which was placed at everyone seat. This list is compiled of new businesses since the beginning of 2009. Along with the business list is a postcard that will be taken to the International Council of Shopping Centers in Las Vegas. • Also presented was picture of Home Depot and their role they are playing in the Neighborhood Revitalization program. • Key Legislation that is being discussed in Austin right now revolves around the Transit Oriented Development. o Current discussion in Austin revolves around the Texas Local Option Transportation Act, or TLOTA which would be the funding source for the TOD and at some point be the reason for a special election o NRH has been granted two rail sites. One at Iron Horse @ Loop 820 and a second site at Smithfield @ Davis o NRH was in the heart of the moderate peak-period congestion in 1999 o In 2025 NRH will be in the heart of the severe peak-period congestion - 1 - o There are road improvements planned to ease congestion and some are being funded by TxDOT and some privately such as Loop 820 while other road projects will have an alternative source of funding o The planned rail project is called the Southwest to Northeast Rail Corridor(running from the heart of Fort Worth to the Grapevine area). NRH is fortunate to have two rail stop locations o By the first quarter of 2012 expenditures are predicted to be higher than expected revenue o Gas taxes have not been increased since the 1990's and is currently the major source for funding for TxDOT projects o Public opinion•obtained thru a survey listed congestion as the most serious issue in the • DFW area with air quality listed as number two o Commuter rail is the preferred method for reducing traffic congestion. The survey suggests that citizens said 10% suggested more lanes would-be sufficient, while 9 % said more highway and 8%with more buses O 90% of the survey said tax payers should be given the right to vote to approve funding O 85% of those surveyed would be willing to pay an extra $50 a year o• Driver's license fees and registration fees were the top two areas for additional funding' although there are other options however currently they are focusing on gas tax o There are conditions of TLOTA such as each county would retain money in separate accounts. All TLOTA fund information would be transparent to citizens O TLOTA is supported by 49 cities,five DFW Counties, 16 different Regional Organizations and 21 different Chamber of Commerce's o In.2013 the SW to NE Rail will happen and NRH feels fortunate to have two station sites;one at Smithfield/Main street near Jameson Fence and directly behind Sam's on the west side of Iron Horse Blvd o The City would like the endorsement of both bills in the Senate and the House from committee members Neichborhood Revitalization o Council goal—Quality development and revitalization. o The City of NRH continues to grow however the more mature areas primarily south of Loop 820 have not grown and are beginning to decay. There is also a decline in sales and property values. This will be a long term project with short term action. The City has ear marked'eight zone areas o The City is•focusing South of Loop 820, west of Boulevard 26 and east of Rufe Snow. o There is money allocated for further investment for streets, utility/public works projects as well as maintain the JoAnn Johnson trail. o NRH and RH working together again"in bridging rental property standards and having the police more involved o Between 2000 and 2008 this target area has decreased in population. There is zero growth. The City overall in that same time period has grown by 15%while this area has declined. Medium age in this target area is mid 40's and the medium age throughout the City is mid 30's. Average home value is $20,000 less then the rest of the City o The City has money set aside for the mall by helping with utilities and infrastructure o The City is hoping that homeowners will take advantage of this program and take new pride in their area o Home Depot is offering a discount to businesses and homeowners who purchase their material for the revitalization o The program is using Home Depot for materials and the City and Home Depot have recognized and promote North Richland Hills contractors -2- Business Improvement and Growth Program or the BIG Program o Business Improvement and Growth—this program is for small businesses. Code enforcement has mainly focused on residential but is also focusing on businesses with the intent of informing businesses of the money set aside to assist in renovation and sign removal o The City is planning on improving two intersections o The BIG Program offers assistance to independent businesses that want to rejuvenate the exterior of their business o Currently two businesses are participating in the BIG program with numerous other • businesses showing interest Applications have been sent out o The City does have a long list of target businesses and will work with them achieve a positive result o North Richland Hills is working with Richland Hills regarding the dual lanes and intersection improvements at Boulevard 26 and Glenview. A possible source of additional revenue is working together on a TIF(tax increment financing) o Another large project is the new bridge which stretches from the Medical Center to • North Hills Hospital • o The City is identifying areas that are in need of change. One is the zoning of property, another is rental property being in compliance with code and an amendment of the solid waste ordinance making sure it is out of view from the street o $11,000,000 has been approved by Council for street and sidewalk projects, and economic opportunities for the City from land acquisition o Code enforcement is currently recognizing buildings that remain vacant o Along with revitalizing small businesses citizens involved with the Neighborhood Revitalization will feel. like they have ownership in their neighborhoods which will provide momentum in rejuvenating the City both south of Loop 820 and north of Loop 820. • o There will be stakeholder meetings and the City would suggest HOA's be started to keep the momentum going o .Joann Stout, director of Neighborhood Services identified a homeowner, an elderly lady on a fixed income to be part of this program. Home Depot then turned this home into a kickoff home and asked their employees to volunteer to make a difference o The City is looking far any business that would be interested in offering their employees to volunteer, individually or as a company work day o Throughout this program the City will measure appraised values and use that as the benchmark for success o Randy Moresi mentioned that the biggest window into the City is the Boulevard 26/Loop 820 site and he doesn't understand why that eyesore is not one of the most important priorities of the City. Randy personally has had numerous conversations with Michael Kest and asked him to take the fence down. Michael Kest gave Randy the permission to take down the fence. Randy volunteered his people take the fence down because Michael has no desire to improve the area. About half way through Randy's people were told to stop removing the fence. o Jimmy Perdue said the City is actively working on cleaning not only the commercial but also neighborhoods. The City recognized that both those areas need revitalization o Craig Hulse did mention to the Committee that the relationship between the City and Michael Kest is positive and he sees both parties working together. -3- Update on Loop 820 o Construction is slated to start 2010 o Cleared for construction in 2011 o As the City is informed of dates and changes the City will keep you informed Craig's final comment was to ask the Committee for their support of TLOTA. Jim Makens adjourned the meeting at 1:05. • • -4-