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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/08/21-Minutes-Fort Worth Local Development Corporation (FWLDC) CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS FORT WORTH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CALLED—SPECIAL SESSION MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 21,2007 Present: President Wendy Davis Vice President Chuck Silcox (arrived at 8:45 a.m.) Secretary Carter Burdette Treasurer Salvador Espino Director Mike Moncrief Director Danny Scarth (arrived at 8:40 a.m.) Director Frank Moss Director Jungus Jordan Director Kathleen Hicks City staff: Dale Fisseler, Assistant City Manager David Yett, City Attorney LeAnn Guzman, Assistant City Attorney Marty Hendrix, City Secretary Lena Ellis, Finance Director Tom Higgins, Director of Economic and Community Development Jay Chapa, Assistant Director of Economic and Community Development Henry Day, Sr., Management Analyst, Economic and Community Development Department Fernando Costa, Director of Planning and Development Department Andy Anderson, Assistant Director of the Engineering Department Other City staff in Attendance: There were many other City staff support individuals also in attendance at this meeting. Call to Order (Agenda Item I) With a quorum of the Board Members present, President Davis called the meeting to order for the Board of Directors of the Fort Worth Local Development Corporation at 8:25 a.m. on Tuesday, August 21, 2007, in the Pre-Council Chamber of the Fort Worth Municipal Building, 1000 Throckmorton, Fort Worth, Texas. CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS FORT WORTH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CALLED—SPECIAL SESSION MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2007 Page 2 Election of Officers (Agenda Item 11) Assistant City Manager Dale Fisseler advised the Board that at the City Council meeting held on August 14, 2007, all of the members of the Board had been reappointed for another two- year term office. He stated that it was time to reappoint the officers. He advised that the officer positions to be appointed were: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Director Moncrief and seconded by Director Espino, the Board voted seven (7) "ayes" and zero (0) "nays", with Board Members Silcox and Scarth absent, to elect the following individuals as officers for another term of office: President Wendy Davis Vice President Chuck Silcox Secretary Carter Burdette Treasurer Salvador Espino The motion carried unanimously. Approval of Minutes of May 1,2007, Meeting (Agenda Item III) President Davis opened the floor for a motion on the minutes. Assistant City Manager Dale Fisseler advised that one correction was necessary and that was to correct the words "Local Government Corporation" to "Local Development Corporation" in the header on all pages. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Director Moncrief and seconded by Director Espino , the Board voted seven (7) "ayes" and no (0) "nays", with Board Members Silcox and Scarth being absent, to approve the minutes of the May 1, 2007, meeting of the Board of Directors of the Fort Worth Local Development Corporation as corrected. The motion carried unanimously. Executive Session (Agenda Item IV) President Davis advised that it would not be necessary to conduct the Executive Session. Consideration of Financial Reports (Agenda Item V) Finance Director Lena Ellis. introduced Henry Day, Sr., Management Analyst in the Economic and Community Development Department and advised that he had produced the CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS FORT WORTH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CALLED—SPECIAL SESSION MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2007 Page 3 Consideration of Financial Reports (cont'd) (Agenda Item V) financial statements for the Corporation. She expressed appreciation to him for his work and to his department for making him available, when the Accounting Manager recently left the City. She added that the Finance Department had reviewed the statements and agreed with them as presented. She advised that Mr. Day would now review those for the Board Members. Mr. Day provided the Board with handout information on the Fort Worth Local Development Corporation Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2007 (unaudited). He reviewed the information for the Board and advised that the cash and cash equivalents were $1,306,714.26 and the accounts receivable was $220,986.98, with the total liabilities and fund balance at $1,527,701.24. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Director Moncrief and seconded by Director Espino, the Board voted seven (7) "ayes" and zero (0) "nays", with Board Member Silcox and Scarth absent, to receive and file the balance sheet as of June 30, 2007. The motion carried unanimously. In addition, Mr. Day also provided the Board with the statement of revenues and expenditures for the nine months ended on June 30, 2007 (unaudited). He pointed out that the excess of revenues over expenditures was $436,211.57. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Director Moncrief and seconded by Director Espino, the Board voted seven (7) "ayes" and zero (0) "nays", with Board Members Silcox and Scarth absent, to receive and file the report for the revenues and expenditures for the nine months ended June 30, 2007. The motion carried unanimously. Consideration of a Resolution Appointing an Administrator for the Fort Worth Local Development Corporation (Agenda Item VI) Assistant City Manager Dale Fisseler referenced a memorandum he had prepared to Jerome Walker, Director of Housing, and Tom Higgins, Director of Economic and Community Development, regarding the Fort Worth Housing Finance Corporation and the Fort Worth Local Development Corporation, a copy of which had been provided to the Board Members. He stated that it was his opinion that both of these corporations were going to have additional funds that would be maintained over the next several years. He felt these corporations needed an oversight administrator to become familiar with all financial information, contracts, bylaws, resolutions, policies and procedures of each entity. He explained that he had asked Cynthia Garcia. Community Development Manager in the Economic and Community Development Department CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS FORT WORTH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CALLED— SPECIAL SESSION MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 21,2007 Page 4 Consideration of a Resolution Appointing an Administrator for the Fort Worth Local Development Corporation (cont'd) (Agenda Item VI) to handle this administration. He advised that a resolution had been prepared for the Board's consideration for this appointment. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Director Moncrief and seconded by Director Jordan, the Board voted seven (7) "ayes" and zero (0) "nays", with Board Members Silcox and Scarth absent, to approve the resolution appointing Cynthia Garcia, Administrator, for the Fort Worth Local Development Corporation as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing a Loan of Up to $275,000.00 to the City of Fort Worth for the Acquisition of Public Art for the Lancaster Corridor (Agenda Item VII) Fernando Costa, Director of Planning and Development Department, presented a PowerPoint Presentation on the Lancaster Avenue Median Public Art. He advised of an informal report that had been part of the Council's agenda packet which explained the status of the Lancaster Avenue reconstruction project in downtown. He stated that an important component of that project was the installation of six (6) large pieces of sculpture in the median of Lancaster Avenue. He stated that these sculptures would give the street the name of "The Avenue of Lights." He advised that prior to 2006, the sculptures had been funded by the City. He stated the purpose of the presentation was to provide a briefing on the public art to be installed along the Lancaster Avenue median. It was also to secure approval of a resolution allocating funds for one of the six proposed sculptures. He provided an artist's rendering of the Lancaster Avenue redesign, showing one of the sculptures in the median. Mr. Costa stated that the median public art would be six sculptures over 30 feet tall designed by Cliff Garten, who was from California. Each sculpture would be constructed of approximately 120 1/4" thick stainless steel plates with tiny holes that transmit light. He added that the appearance would be opaque or transparent depending on the viewer's position and each sculpture would be lighted at night. Mr. Costa provided an artist's rendering of the sculpture locations along Lancaster, starting with east of Lamar Street and continuing with one at Monroe Street, Jennings Street, two on either side of Throckmorton Street, one east of Houston Street and one east of Commerce Street. Mr. Costa explained the costs and funding sources as follows: AOL CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS FORT WORTH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CALLED— SPECIAL SESSION MINUTES TUESDAY,AUGUST 21, 2007 Page 5 Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing a Loan of Up to $275,000.00 to the City of Fort Worth for the Acquisition of Public Art for the Lancaster Corridor(cont'd) (Agenda Item VII) Costs Sculptures ($250,000 x 6) $1,500,000.00 Infrastructure $248,400.00 Total: $1,748,400.00 Sources of Funds Street Fund (project contingency) $500,000.00 Capital Projects Reserve Fund $500,000.00 Lancaster TIF $275,000.00 Local Development Corporation Loan $275,000.00 HUD EDI Grant $198,400.00 Total $1,748,400.00 There was considerable discussion by the Board Members. Director Jordan requested clarification as to the original budget on this project. Mr. Costa advised that the project was estimated at around $1 million. He stated in that in the past it was estimated that it would go over the $1 million; however, staff was directed that it stay within the $1 million. He advised of the rising cost of steel and this factor had caused the price of the project to rise. Director Jordan then requested how the artist selection process was handled. Mr. Costa advised that the artist search was conducted nationally by competition. The designs were then judged by a distinguished panel of local community leaders and art experts. He added that the process was managed by the Fort Worth Public Arts Program. He advised that Martha Peters, the Executive Director was present at the meeting. Mr. Costa advised that the review by the panel was televised. He stated that the three finalist designs were presented to the City Council. He pointed out that the sculpture selected was recommended by the panel, the Lancaster Corridor Steering Committee, the Public Art Commission and was approved by the City Council in 2006. Director Jordan requested clarification on whether any additional City of Fort Worth general funds would be used to purchase the art sculptures. Mr. Costa reviewed again the sources of funding for the project. lie clarified that the sixth sculpture was to be purchased by a CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS FORT WORTH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CALLED—SPECIAL SESSION MINUTES TUESDAY,AUGUST 21, 2007 Page 6 Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing a Loan of Up to $275,000.00 to the City of Fort Worth for the Acquisition of Public Art for the Lancaster Corridor(cont'd) (Agenda Item VII) loan from the Local Development Corporation (LDC) to the City of Forth Worth in the amount of$275,000. He added that it would be repaid by the income to be derived by the sale of surplus city-owned property along the north edge of Lancaster Avenue. Director Jordan asked again if there were general fund monies as part of this source of funding for this project. Mr. Costa reviewed again the list and clarified that none of the funds shown were from the City's general fund. Director Hicks interjected that the proceeds from the sale of the surplus property would be from the City's general fund. Assistant City Manager Dale Fisseler advised that when the property is sold on the northside, those funds are generally not obligated to a particular project. He stated that the argument could be made if the money was not being used for the public art project then it could go into the City's general fund. Director Hicks pointed out the Mayor and Council Communication C-22334 that appeared on the City Council Agenda for consideration at today's meeting and requested a clarification of that item. She stated that as she understood it, it was the contract for the additional two sculptures, one of which will be purchased by the TIF and one from the loan by the LDC. She questioned the reason that the TIF designated for this area would not be paying for both of the remaining sculptures. Assistant City Manager Fisseler advised that when this request was presented to the TIF, the City was looking at the HUD EDI Grant for funding and that it was appropriate for the TIF to fund one of the sculptures, simply because of the anticipated income that was coming into the TIF. He stated that probably at some point both of the sculptures could be funded by the TIF; however, it was determined that a loan from the LDC made more sense. He advised of the sale of the property on the northside should go to the LDC for projects that would be derived from the overall project. Director Hicks questioned whether the loan was coming from the sale of the Oakbrook Mall. Assistant City Manager Fisseler stated that the loan monies were coming from the sale of the Fruehouff property. Director Hicks indicated that she was a member of the TIF Board and they wholehearted supported the other sculptures and she added that she was confused as to the reason that they were not all being funded from the TIF. She spoke about the creation of the TIF for this area. She added if the money was there in the TIF, then she questioned the reason it was not used for these sculptures. She added that she appreciated getting the information that was contained in the informal report about the Lancaster project. She pointed out that it was important to see public art throughout the City and it was needed in her District 8 in the southeast part of Fort Worth. She emphasized that she felt the funding for the remaining sculpture should hax°e been done through the TIF. CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS FORT WORTH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CALLED—SPECIAL SESSION MINUTES TUESDAY,AUGUST 21, 2007 Page 7 Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing a Loan of Up to $275,000.00 to the City of Fort Worth for the Acquisition of Public Art for the Lancaster Corridor(cont'd) (Agenda Item VII) President Davis pointed out that one of the challenges for the Lancaster Corridor TIF had been that two of the primary projects in the TIF were actually not committing incremental dollars to the TIF. The projects have historical abatements, which meant that they would not contribute to the TIF. She stated that those are the TMP terminal building as well as the TMP warehouse building. She stated the TIF had a uniquely challenged ability to create revenues compared to some of the other TIF's created in the City. She stated that this was not to say that perhaps the consideration should be placed before the TIF Board at their next meeting for the repayment of this LDC loan through TIF proceeds if the TIF deems it an appropriate use of their funds. Director Jordan advised that the Lancaster Corridor is a critical project for the City and everyone understood that point of view. He added that for the most part most of the Council agreed that arts were an important project in the community. He spoke about the 2% of the bond program that was dedicated for the arts. He stated that he would not want to send the expectation that the budgets could always be exceeded. (Directors Scarth and Silcox arrived at the meeting) Director Burdette spoke about the increases in cost of projects, whether it is an arts project or other infrastructure project. He felt it was important to carry out the installation of the six sculptures on the Lancaster Corridor and that they would set the character for Lancaster Avenue. He felt this was important as to what would develop on the north side of Lancaster. He stated that he felt it was important that the City had a corridor that would attract quality development on the north side of Lancaster. He indicated that this would be where the higher dollars to the TIF would be realized. Director Moncrief stated that he agreed with Director Jordan in that the Lancaster Corridor was one of the gateways into the City and all of the people that travel on IH35W would see this area in the day and night. He stated that the approach could be taken to be conservative and to stay within the four sculptures that were originally planned for this area. He felt this would be a mistake. He felt it would set in place for what happens here and to the east. He pointed out the feeling that the east side had been overlooked and underdeveloped. Vice President Silcox stated that he understood this project and that he felt it was not a matter of being conservative. He stated that it was a matter that the original request was for $1 million and now the cost was higher. lie felt the one thing that needed to be looked at in the CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS FORT WORTH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CALLED— SPECIAL SESSION MINUTES TUESDAY,AUGUST 21, 2007 Page 8 Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing a Loan of Up to $275,000.00 to the City of Fort Worth for the Acquisition of Public Art for the Lancaster Corridor (cont'd) (Agenda Item VII) City was especially regarding the arts projects and that the message that should be sent was that here were the set dollars for the project and staff should make their plans accordingly. He reiterated that if the City gave a set amount of money, then that was all the money that they were going to get. He pointed out as an example the escalation of the cost of the animal shelter. He stated that everyone needs to understand that they have to live within the amount that was budgeted. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Director Burdette and seconded by Director Moncrief, the Board voted eight (8) "ayes" and one (1) "nay", with Vice President Silcox casting the dissenting vote, to approve the resolution authorizing a loan of up to $275,000 to the City of Fort Worth for the acquisition of public art for the Lancaster Corridor. The motion carried. Consideration of a Resolution to Renew the Lease of L & W Supply Located at 1401 Meacham Boulevard (Agenda Item VIII) President Davis advised that this agenda item would be passed over at this time and delayed to the next meeting of the Local Development Corporation. Presentation of Policy and Procedures for Public Information Requests (Agenda Item IX) President Davis advised that this agenda item would be passed over at this time and delayed to the next meeting of the Local Development Corporation. Adiourn (Agenda Item X) With no further business before the Board, President Davis adjourned the called — special session of the Fort Worth Local Development Corporation at 8:47 a.m. on Tuesday, August 21, 2007. These minutes approved by the Fort Worth Local Development Corporation on the 6th day of November. 2007. CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS FORT WORTH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CALLED—SPECIAL SESSION MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 21,2007 Page 9 APPROVED: ?/ Wendy R. DaviOresidertf ATTEST: iwrc- fit{, , Carter Burdette, Secretary Prepared and respectfully submitted by: Marty Hendrix, T C/MMC City Secretary