02/26/2007-4B-Minutes-RegularMINUTES:
MEMBERS
PRESENT:
MEMBERS
ABSENT:
OTHERS
PRESENT:
Sanger Texas Development Corporation
February 26, 2007
President Nel Armstrong, John Springer, Glenn Ervin, Thomas Muir and
Beverly Branch
John Payne and Kim Shaw
City Manager Jack Smith, City Secretary/ Asst. City Mgr. Rosalie Chavez and
Carron McNieU
1. President Armstrong called meeting to order
2. Approve Minutes: September 11, 2006
Motion was made by John Springer to approve minutes as presented. Seconded by
Beverly Branch. Motion Carried unanimously.
3. Review Financials.
City Secretary addressed this item and explained the balances in the money market
account and the certificates of deposit. The total investments in certificates of deposits
were $559,000. The revenue summaries and fmancials and sales tax collections for the
month of February were discussed. City Secretary advised the depository bank was
changed on January 1, 2007 so the interest is not as high as it has been in the past.
4. Update on Economic Development Activities
Ms. Carson presented a compiled report on her accomplishments and information on
projects that the 4B had funded. Ms. Carson advised that when she began her positio•
with the City, there were no missions or goals for economic development and from her
personal perspective for economic development she created a mission and some goals
to accomplish. Promoting existing development and rewarding employment
opportunities appeared to be the direction the community needed to proceed.
Identifying and recruiting businesses, providing for the economy, encouraging growth
and retention, encouraging development and development downtown in a pro-business
atmosphere were also items she felt were important.
She set short term goals in order to reach these goals. In this process she had to fi •d
out information concerning what the community had interest in and their desires.
This was accomplished by completion of a suney. This was also done by the 4A Board,
Chamber of Commerce Directors, Chamber Economic Development Committee,
representatives from the School Districts, and by talking to city staff.
The Master Plan Suney was conducted on-line, which allowed the citizens of the
community to express their interest and desires in the community. The suney
material was provided to the Steering Committee, which was appointed by Council,
and asked quality of life questions. The three critical issues were planning for growth,
quality retail development, and transportation and street conditions. The highest rated
item was employment opportunities and enhancement of downtown areas and in the
area of development, citizens strongly supported a grocery store. Ms. Carson indicated
that what she continues to hear is: sit-down restaurants, indoor entertainment, music
hall, and a skating rink.
Ms. Carson continued with the information she had complied for marketing purposes,
which is also posted on the Sanger EDC web site that was immediately created for
promoting Sanger. The information consists of population projections, school district,
work force, and tax rate analysis with comparisons. This information is essential for
economic development and is looked at by various developers and prospects.
Land Use analysis along with transportation and utilities is also provided. This
Information was added from the Buxton Study.
Ms. Carson advised that the web site has had about 1,2N hits since November.
Research proves that about 95% of prospects utilize the web site to gather information
about the community. The sangertexas.org web site, EDC and Chamber of Commerce
web site are all linked together.
Glenn Enin inquired on the population estimate for 2010 and how that information
was projected.
Ms. Carson advised that the information is based on projections of growth. She also
advised Co-Sene had a projection map that indicates a 2041/o growth in the City of
Sanger. This information is based on a guess; however, this is what sources were used
in the projections.
Ms. Carson continued with a summary of the Buxton Report consisting of the trade
area, where citizens spend their monies and the demographics. It also provides a
breakdown on the spending habits of the community. The top items for spending were
automotive, followed by household furnishings. It outlined consumer spending and
gave a listing of the matches that would be best prospects for Sanger. The high interest
areas were grocery store and sit down restaurants.
Bu.ton will continue this process in March by contacting all these vendors themselves
and providing them with information regarding the spending habits of the community.
Ms. Carson advised that Buxton has offered, at no additional cost, to do an analysis on
recreation, specifically looking at Lake Ray Roberts. The City Manager and she have
discussed this, and have agreed to proceed forward, unless there is an objection from
the board.
Beverly Branch asked how the retailers are picked.
Ms. Carson advised by the spending habits. They overlay those spending habits and
identify the profile of each of those retailers and businesses.
Discussion continued on the identifying the retailers and businesses.
Ms. Carson continued with discussing the last two projects she is currently working on.
She advised that on the town plan the city is currently working with Nelson Morgan on
the Phase Development for sidewalk construction of downtown. She also advised that
on the Historical Church Project she has met with Art Wineman to discuss an
agreement for the construction plan that is necessary to complete the three phases of tbe
church. This will include finisbing the exterior, interior and tbe electrical plumbing and
insulation. They anticipate this will probably not be completed until November or
December. The total allocation for the Church project was $135,000.
President Armstrong expressed a concern on whether the city was hiring someone to be
responsible for the project or a contractor.
Discussion continued regarding Mr. Wineman's services.
President Armstrong expressed that Mr. Wineman can be costly and she would like to
try to save money on this project.
Ms. Carson indicated there are certain requirements with the Texas Historical
Commission that had to be met.
S. Discuss Contract of Economic Development Director.
President Armstrong advised that she requested this item be on the agenda and it has
nothing to do with Ms. Carson personally. She recently got informed that Ms. Carson
has a contract and she is the only employee that has a contract. The other concern is
that the Board did not get a chance to review the contract. She expressed that out of
courtesy they should have had an opportunity to review the contract. The other
concern is that the contract is for two years and even though Ms. Carson is doing a great
job, tbe board agreed that after her evaluation tbey would decide to vote for anotber
year. She suggested that in the future if the board is paying tbe salary that tbey be kept
informed on what is going on.
City Secretary advised that when the selection committee was appointed there was a
representative from 48, Kim Shaw and 4A Vickie Jenkins. The both reviewed the
agreement and made necessary corrections prior to sending it to the City Attorney.
The only reason that a contract was drafted was due to the Exhibit A which was the
incentive package.
President Armstrong suggested that as courtesy to let the board know what is going on.
6. List of Future Agenda Items.
Ms. Carson advised she is working on Incentive Policy in addition to the current one in
place which was for Wal-Mart. She indicated they have some opportunities for retail
and hotels that Jack and she have discussed.
Ms. Carson provided some information on some advertisements. Southwest Airlines
bad an ad in November promoting Sanger, Texas Downtown Association which they
have received 4N inquires, and in November and December they had an ad in the Trade
and Development Magazine which is a resource guide.
7. President Armstrong declared meeting adjourned.
Approved