HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000/04/25-Minutes-HEDC City of Fort Worth
City Council
Economic Development Committee
l Highlights of the Meeting Held
Tuesday,April 25,2000
Committee Members Present: Jeff Wentworth, Becky Haskin, and Frank Moss
Other Council Members and Staff Present: Wendy Davis, Mike Groomer, Tom Higgins, David Yett,
Peter Vaky, Dana Burghdoff, Costa Trianataphilides, Steve Price, and Ardina Washington
1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Wentworth at 12:28 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes from the Previous Meeting: Chairman Wentworth asked if anyone had any
corrections to the minutes. There were none. The minutes were approved.
3. Consideration of a Request to Remove the Historic Markeen Apartments from the TIF #4
District: Ardina Washington, Business Development Coordinator, reported that a request to remove
the Historic Markeen Apartments from the Southside/Medical TIF (TIF #4) had been received. The
Markeen Apartments are located at 210 St. Louis Avenue and owned by The Carillon Group, Inc. The
request was approved by the Southside/Medical TIF board. Ms. Washington reported a
recommendation for approval is being sought from the Economic Development Committee. After a
brief discussion, the Committee unanimously decided to recommend removal of the property from the
Southside/Medical TIF (TIF #4).
4. Tax Abatement Audit Results: Tom Higgins, Economic Development Director, reported that the
1999 Tax Abatement Audit had been conducted by the Internal Audit Department and that Ardina
Washington will be giving an overview of the audit results. The presentation (see attached) Ms.
Washington made included the total number of jobs created, total expenditures with Fort Worth and
M/WBE contractors, total supply and service expenditures with Fort Worth and M/WBE suppliers, a
list of compliant companies, a list of non-compliant companies, and recommendations for the non-
compliant companies. The following are recommendations the Committee made concerning non-
compliant companies:
• Bank One: reduce abatement to 0% for the 2000 tax year
• Minyard: no reduction if its determined that their "ethnic vendors" are being
certified by the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency
(NCTRCA); otherwise, reduce the abatement to 65% for the 2000 tax year
• Southwest Office Systems: reduce abatement to 80% for the 2000 tax year
• Star Uniform: reduce abatement to 20% for the 2000 tax year
• Sundance Square Phase II: no reduction if its determined that the vendor
whose certification lapsed is being recertified by the North Central Texas
Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA), otherwise, reduce the abatement to
65% for the 2000 tax year
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5. Proposed Expanded Inner City: Ardina Washington presented a proposed expanded inner city area.
Ms. Washington stated that the criteria used to develop the expanded area include: CDBG eligible
areas, enterprise zones, commercial corridors, growth centers and areas recommended by Council
members. After a lengthy discussion, the Committee unanimously decided the expanded inner city
(which will be called Central City) should be presented to the entire Council.
6. New Tax Abatement Policy: Tom Higgins presented a revised tax abatement policy. Each page of
the new policy was discussed. Chairmen Wentworth and members of the committee commended the
Economic Development staff on the revised tax abatement policy. After a lengthy discussion which
included some revisions, Chairman Wentworth asked that a revised draft be sent to each Committee
member prior to the May EDC meeting. Additionally, the discussion of the tax abatement policy
resulted in a the Committee deciding that the Economic Development staff should collaborate with the
Planning Department staff in developing the "Central City" area and make a presentation concerning
the Central City to the Committee at the May meeting. Chairman Wentworth acknowledged Bill
Thornton, Executive Vice President of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, and asked if Mr.
Thornton had any comments. Mr. Thornton said he liked the revised policy and thought staff had
done a good job. Chairman Wentworth asked that a copy of the revised policy be sent to Mr.
Thornton.
7. Adjourn: Chairman Wentworth adjourned the meeting at 2:16 p.m.
Approved By:
Jeff Wentworth, Chairman