HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999/10/19-Minutes-HEDC City of Fort Worth
City Council
Economic Development Committee
Minutes of the Meeting Held
Tuesday, October 19, 1999
Committee Members Present: Jeff Wentworth, Becky Haskin, Frank Moss, and Jim Lane
Other Council Members and Staff Present: Wendy Davis, Mike Groomer, Tom Higgins, David Yett,
Ardina Washington, James Horner, Lisa Pyles, Dana Burghdoff, and Nooshin Paidar
1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Wentworth at 2:08 p.m. The order of
the agenda was revised so that item #6 (Review of Information Presented by Siecor Relating to the
Impact of Annexation)was presented first.
2. Review of Information Presented by Siecor Relating to the Impact of Annexation: Mike
Groomer, Assistant City Manager, presented an analysis of the valuation of the Siecor property (see
attachment). Ken Gross, Plant Manager for Siecor, asked the committee to consider alternatives that
might be available to make the annexation more palatable to Siecor.
The committee discussed the following options: 1) disannexation and 2) a 380 agreement under Local
Government Code Section 380 for a rebate of all or a portion of the taxes. The Committee asked Mr.
Gross to provide the current number of Fort Worth & inner city residents employed by Siecor to Mr.
Groomer. The Committee agreed to consider the 380 agreement option upon receiving additional
information from Mr. Groomer's staff. Also discussed was the possibility of some level of abatement
on future expansion and increased employment. The Committee also asked Mr. Groomer to provide
Mr. Gross with the location of the nearest fire and police stations.
3. Update on Convention Center Expansion: James Horner, Assistant Director, told the Committee
that three concept plans had been developed by HOK/Carter-Burgess. HOK/Carter-Burgess is
currently consolidating the three plans to make two plans which will be presented to the Project Team
and the Architect Selection Committee during the week of October 18-22, 1999. They plan to present
the final concept to the Project Team and the Architect Selection Committee on October 28, 1999.
Salvage operations are scheduled to begin March 6, 2000, in the Theater. The last event scheduled in
the Theater is Sesame Street Live. The Committee asked Mr. Horner to provide periodic updates to
the full Council.
4. Presentation on Airport/Meacham Development: Lisa Pyles, Aviation Director, presented the
results of the Meacham Airport study conducted by consultants from the Todd Company of Arlington.
The consultants made 19 recommendations categorized into 5 areas (see attachment). After Ms. Pyles
presentation members of the Aviation Advisory Board and ACM Ramon Guajardo offered comments
and concerns about the recommendations. Ultimately, the Committee was asked for direction on four
items:
• Hiring a consultant to attract a regional airline,
• Redefining the role of the Aviation Advisory Board,
• Funding for terminal landscaping, and
❑ Determining if small aircraft will be charged a landing fee.
The Committee decided:
❑ To postpone hiring a consultant.
❑ The Aviation Advisory Board should continue as is and possibly expand its function at
a later date.
❑ Minimal terminal landscaping should be included in the department's budget.
❑ Small aircraft should not be charged a landing fee.
5. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Briefing: Dana Burghdoff, Senior
Planner from the Planning Department, presented a briefing on the CEDS (see attachment). Ms.
Burghdoff asked the Committee for any comments and for authorization to present the CEDS to the
City Plan Commission and to the full City Council for approval. Authorization was given by the
Committee. The CEDS is an EDA requirement for the City to submit grant applications.
6. Discussed of Proposed Enterprise Zone Boundaries and Incentives• Ardina Washington, Business
Development Coordinator, presented general information about possible enterprise zone boundaries
and possible incentives (see attachment). The Committee asked to include the Como community in
the enterprise zone, if possible, and to give provide a list of recommended incentives at the next
meeting.
7. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Wentworth at 4:47 p.m.
+. k
Approved By:
Jeff Wentworth, Chairman