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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002/02/19-Minutes-HEDC A City of Fort Worth City Council Economic Development Committee Highlights of the Meeting Held February 19, 2002 Committee Members Present: Jeff Wentworth, Becky Haskin, Frank Moss City Staff Present: Jay Chapa, Bette Chapman, Dale Fisseler, Tom Higgins, Gary Jackson, Marcella Olson, Joe Paniagua, Gloria Pearson, Reid Rector, Bob Riley, Peter Vaky, Jerome Walker, Ardina Washington. Call to Order: Chairman Wentworth called the meeting to order at 2:55 p.m. Approval of Minutes from the Meetings held on January 15, 2002, and February 5, 2002: Committee Member Becky Haskin asked for one correction to the minutes of January 15. Otherwise, the minutes were approved as submitted. Discussion of the City of Fort Worth's Annexation Plan: Mr. Bob Riley, Director of Development, introduced Deputy City Attorney Marcella Olson, who discussed changes to the annexation laws that make it advisable to annex certain areas now, before the process becomes more cumbersome once the new law is fully effective in 2003. Ms. Olson added that the Committee might also want to consider how the proposed annexation would impact the new redistricting map, both population- wise and in racial percentages. Ms. Haskin asked if it was legally possible to take into account the annexation cases in regards to population, geographic or racial issues when redistricting. Ms. Olson said that the racial issues were very difficult to anticipate, but because of the population that would be annexed, some districts might need to be made smaller to allow room for future growth. She added that the city needs to clearly state its intention concerning the annexations as the redistricting plan is submitted to the Justice Department. Mr. Riley then presented the specific areas that are being considered for annexation. These include areas in the far north, far northwest, far west and far southwest of Fort Worth, as well as various enclaves scattered around the city. The land area totals 55 square miles and has a population of slightly less than 10,000. (See attached presentation.) The annexation of these areas will be finalized in three cycles to be completed by December 17, 2002. Mr. Wentworth asked if Mr. Riley had had opportunity to discuss the proposals with Council members. Mr. Rilev said that he had been able to speak to all Council members Page 1 of 3 whose districts would be impacted by these annexations, except the District 2 representative. Committee Member Frank Moss moved to forward the annexation plan to full Council. Ms. Haskin seconded the motion. It passed unanimously. Status Report on the Cultural District and Will Rogers Memorial Center Master Plan: Mr. Kirk Slaughter, Public Events Director, presented an update on the work being done in the Cultural District. He said that TXU is relocating some high voltage power lines and gas lines, and that contractors will soon begin widening Gendy Street from Hardy Street to Burnett Tandy. The project is still on schedule and on budget. This phase is to be complete by late May. A grand opening is planned in June. Discussion and Consideration of Renewing the Tax Abatement Policy: Ms. Ardina Washington, Business Development Coordinator, presented minor changes and clarifications made to the tax abatement policy that is being considered for renewal. (See attached.) The policy will be effective for two years from the date of adoption. Ms. Washington also explained that Economic and Community Development staff plan to meet with other departments to develop a comprehensive tax abatement policy that includes NEZ's and commercial corridors, and these changes would be incorporated over the next few months. Mr. Wentworth said that there would probably be a Council work session on how to incorporate the NEZ's and commercial corridors into the tax abatement policy. Mr. Moss asked when the policy expired. Ms. Washington said it expired February 28, 2002. Mr. Moss then moved to forward the policy with the outlined minor clarifications to full Council. Ms. Haskin asked if designated NEZ's would negatively affect potential tax abatement requests. Ms. Washington said that it would not, because tax abatements are available throughout the city, regardless of a NEZ designation. Chairman Wentworth said that the policy would be submitted to the full Council and asked staff to clarify the NEZ issue when the policy is submitted. He also requested that staff be prepared to discuss how NEZ's and commercial corridors will later be incorporated into the tax abatement policy. Executive Session: There were no items for Executive Session. Page 2 o f'3 Requests for Future Agenda Items: Mr. Moss requested that the implementation of land banking be placed on the next agenda. Adjourn: Mr. Wentworth adjourned the meeting at 3:25 p.m. The next meeting will be March 19, 2002. Approved by: Jeff Wentworth, Chairman Page 3 of 3