HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000/05/16-Minutes-HEDC City of Fort Worth
City Council
Economic Development Committee
Highlights of the Meeting Held
Tuesday, May 16,2000
Committee Members Present: Jeff Wentworth, Becky Haskin, Jim Lane, and Frank Moss
Other Council Members and Staff Present: Tom Higgins, Fernando Costa, Peter Vaky, Dana
Burghdoff, Phil Dupler, and Ardina Washington
1. Call to Order: Chairman Wentworth called the meeting to order at 2:10 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. Proposed Central City: Tom Higgins, Economic Development Director presented a brief overview
of the collaborative efforts employed to develop the proposed central city definition. He then
introduced Fernando Costa, Planning Director, who explained the logic used to develop the definition,
listed current programs that could be affected by the definition, and discussed the definition (see
attachment). It was mentioned that the tax abatement policy could utilize the proposed central city
definition plus other areas e.g. CDBG eligible areas for maximum benefit to Fort Worth citizens. After
a lengthy discussion, Chairman Wentworth asked staff to develop criteria for"central city plus."
4. New Tax Abatement Policy: Tom Higgins presented a revised tax abatement policy (see attached).
Each page of the new policy was discussed. Chairmen Wentworth and members of the committee
ds'
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. Additionally, Chairman Wentworth asked the Committee members to
review the revisions and to consult with Tom Higgins or Peter Vaky, Assistant City Attorney, if there
are any questions. If no questions are received from Committee members, Chairman Wentworth
directed staff to present the new policy to the entire Council. Tom Higgins mentioned that a
presentation would be made to Council in about two weeks along with proposed central city
definition. 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 it was a better instrument than before. Chairman Wentworth
asked that a copy of the revised policy be sent to Mr. Thornton.
5. Adjourn: Chairman Wentworth adjourned the meeting at 3:14 p.m.
Approved By:
Jeff Wentworth, Chairman