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03/05/2007-4A-Minutes-RegularMinutes: Members Present: Members Absent: Others Present: Sanger Industrial Development Corporation March 5, 2007 Richard Muir, Vickie Jenkins, Bill Fuller, Carroll McNeill Fred Yeatts City Manager Jack Smith, City Secretary/Asst. City Mgr. Rose Chavez and Woodrow Barton 1. President Muir called meeting of the Sanger Industrial Development to order. 2. Approval of Minutes: February 15, 2007 Motion was made by Carroll McNiell to approve minutes of February 15, 2007. Seconded by Vickie Jenkins. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Update on Economic Development Activities. Cecile Carson, Economic Development Director, addressed the Board and indicated that when she started her position in Sanger there was not any framework in place. The first thing she did was to talk to various people and go through sources to identify a mission, goals for the department and enhancing the quality of life in Sanger and existing development for meaningful and rewarding employment opportunities and a greater access to desirable goods and services. Ms. Carson advised there has been a lot of discussion about the history of Sanger and "-- preservation of the community and interest in growth and development. The slogan she attached to economic development opportunities was preserving the past and promote the future. The goals were identified in recruiting businesses, looking for retention and expansion programs for existing businesses and encouraging redevelopment of the downtown area. Promoting a business atmosphere among all the interested groups: the City, School District, Chamber of Commerce, Denton County and other parties. Ms. Carson discussed that to reach these goals some of the things that were done was to review the development codes, ordinances and conduct surveys. The creation of marketing materials is one of the pieces that is a profile on the Economic Development web site. According to statistics 95% of all economic development prospects start with the web site. The MPRG survey was conducted on line, which allowed the citizens of the community to express their interest and desires in the community. The three critical issues were planning for growth, quality retail development, and transportation and street conditions. The highest ranking in the quality of life was employment opportunities. This is a piece that is on the web site. Ms. Carson reviewed the Buxton Survey the marketing company that did a retail marketing analysis which was funded by the 4B Board. Ms. Carson explained the method in which this marking company tracks the spending monies of the citizens in the community. The study identified Sanger in a category of Sky Families and Mayberryville. A description of Mayberryville is centered back to the old fashion way of life. In these small towns, middle-class couples and families like to fish and hunt during the day, stay at home at watch TV at night with lucrative Blue Collar jobs and moderately priced homes. Their discretionary monies are used to purchase boats, campers, motorcycles and pickups. Blue Sky Families are scattered throughout the towns in America's Heartland. These families are young with a high school education and have turned blue-collar jobs into busy middle-class lifestyles. Residents like to play baseball, basketball, volleyball, in addition to going fishing, hunting, and horseback riding. These families buy every piece of sporting equipment on the market to keep their families entertained. Comparisons were done on spending and this identified retailers that matched those spending habits. Based on the information they have identified the sit-down restaurants and grocery stores. Ms. Carson continued and advised that Buxton will continue this process by contacting all the vendors that were identified and providing them with the information concerning the survey. Buxton has also offered to do an analysis on recreation specifically looking at Lake Ray Roberts. Discussion on marketing sources and promoting Sanger which was done in advertising in the Texas Downtown Association. There were 650 contacts as a result of this ad. There should be an advertisement in the Texas Co-op magazine. The web site has had at least 1500 hits since November. Cecile briefed on the need to modify the Incentive Policy and possibly having it as a future item on the agenda. The draft document will focus on the retail market and what it will offer Sanger depending on what a business offers will determine what the city will offer. Discussion on the marketing materials, best property deals, best property taxes and work force availability. Cecile discussed that they have talked with MPRG and as part of the master plan they will give the City a marketing phase. It will include a transportation map, land use map and a general overall goal of the city. Discussion continued on Ms. Carson's marketing approaches, information that is mailed out and prospects. Electric utilities were discussed as competitive in the market. The City of Denton conducted a study and Sanger was in the middle of about a list of 30 utilities that included TXU Electric, City of Denton and Brazos. President Muir inquired on how much land is available for business use on Interstate 35. Ms. Carson indicated there is about 500 acres that the City has designated as industrial commercial type use. Mr. McNeill expressed that the amount ofland available seemed low. Ms. Carson indicated that it could more and it depends on the location. Discussion that the uses of one way service roads were not a conflict and how it will eventually be in Gainesville. Mr. McNiell felt it was a disadvantage. Ms. Carson indicated that going South on Interstate 35 all the way to Laredo is one- way service roads. TXDOT is proposing to widen service roads to three lanes. State of Texas has indicated they are not building any more service roads since that is a benefit to the community and not a benefit to the Texas Department of Transportation as commented by one of their commissioners. President Muir concern is he wants the growth but not gridlock. Ms. Carson indicated that the City needs the planning documents to prepare for the infrastructure that meets the needs of the development. Discussion followed on an infrastructure. President Muir indicated he was surprised that downtown development scored high on the survey that was taken by the 447 respondents. Ms. Carson advised downtown had the second highest. It was in the top three of 15 categories and probably scored higher since it is retail. President Muir inquired that based on her experience with the job, did she see and problems or roadblocks in future that she might have to overcome to successfully do her job. Ms. Carson mentioned that having updated ordinances that will ultimately match the master plan is essential and trying to get everyone working in the same direction. Ms. Carson gave a progress report on MPRG completion deadline and the delay due to the vice president resigning to go work for engineering firm. Discussion that Razor Ranch Development in Denton has hurt Sanger. Ms. Carson expressed that she hopes to capture on the accessory side of that by promoting alternate locations. Discussion on the sewer line that was put in on the west side that was to open up for residential development. Mr. Smith advised that currently that is leaning more towards commercial. 4. Discuss Future Agenda Items. Ms. Carson advised that the incentive policy is scheduled as an item on the next agenda. She asked the members to review and if they had comments to contact her directly. The University of North Texas is conducting some research and once completed she will put it up for a vote by the 4A and 4B board members for recommendation to City Council. It might be May before they can meet again. S President Muir adjournment meeting at 3:12 p.m. Approved