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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 5725-03-2023A Resolution NO. 5725-03-2023 DESIGNATING A CERTAIN CONTIGUOUS GEOGRAPHIC AREA IN THE CITY OF FORT WORTH AS THE "FORT WORTH MOBILITY INNOVATION ZONE," A CITY OF FORT WORTH INNOVATION DISTRICT; AND CONTAINING OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE DISTRICT. WHEREAS, the City Council desires to promote innovation, research, and associated entrepreneurial and industrial activity together with increased economic productivity, new product development and commercialization, and support for new market opportunities in the field of mobility in that certain contiguous geographic area in the City which is more specifically described in Exhibit "A" of this Resolution ("District") through the creation of a new innovation district as authorized by and in accordance with the City of Fort Worth Innovation Districts Policy ("Policy"); WHEREAS , the City has evaluated the proposed District and finds it to sufficiently meet the requirements specified the Policy; and WHEREAS, the City has determined that designation of the District will support and promote the broader economic development goals and objectives of the City as described in the City of Fort Worth Economic Development Strategic Plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS: Section 1. DESIGNATION OF NEW DISTRICT That the City Council hereby designates the District described in the boundary description and depicted in the map attached hereto as Exhibit "A" as a City of Fort Worth innovation district pursuant to and in accordance with the Policy. This City of Fort Worth innovation district shall be known as "Fort Worth Mobility Innovation Zone." Section 2. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION In accordance with the Policy, the District will be administered by the City of Fort Worth Economic Development Department ("Administrator") except as may be permitted through a City Council authorized agreement with an outside party for district administration or governance. By and at the discretion of the Administrator, a Board of Advisors ("Board") may be established for the District provided that (i) membership of Board must be published on the City of Fort Worth website or by similar means that is readily accessible to the public, (ii) the activities and resolutions of the Board will be strictly of an advisory nature, and (iii) ultimate authority and control over the district shall remain exclusively with the City Council. Section 3. TERM OF DISTRICT That the District shall take effect immediately upon the adoption of this Resolution and shall not be terminated except by subsequent Resolution by the City Council. Section 4. NO ESTABLISHMENT OF FUND No City fund will be established for the District. Any funding or financial support necessary to the support or administration of the District will be incorporated into the departmental budget of the City of Fort Worth Economic Development Department or the Economic Development Initiatives Fund as presented in the annual budget adopted by the City of F ort Worth. Section 5. SEVERABILITY That if any portion, section or part of a section of this Resolution is subsequently declared invalid, inoperative or void for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining portions, s ections or parts of sections of this Resolution shall be and remain in full force and effect and shall not in any way be impaired or affected by such decision, opinion or judgment. Section 6. IMMEDIATE EFFECT That this Resolution shall take effect and be in full force and effect from and after its adoption . AND IT IS SO RESOLVED. Adopted this 21 st day of March, 2023 . ATTEST: By: Jannette S. Goodall, City Secretary EXHIBIT "A" DESCRIPTION AND DEPICTION OF THE DISTRICT The area to be designated as the Fort Worth Mobility Innovation Zone is depicted in the accompanymg map. Fort Worth Mobility Innovation Zone City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication DATE: 03/21 /23 LOG NAME: 17INNOVATIONDISTRICTPOLICY SUBJECT M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 23-0235 (ALL) Adopt Resolutions Establishing a Policy for the Creation of Innovation Districts in Fort Worth , Establish ing the Fort Worth Mobility Innovation Zone , and Establishing the Fort Worth Medical Innovation District RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council : 1 . Adopt the attached resolution establish ing a policy for the creation of Innovation Districts in Fort Worth ; 2. Adopt the attached resolution establishing the Fort Worth Mobility Innovation Zone ; and 3. Adopt the attached resolution establishing the Fort Worth Medical Innovation District. DISCUSSION: On December 17 , 2017, City Council accepted the Fort Worth Economic Development Strategic Plan (Plan) (M&C G-19192) which was subsequently revised and accepted on February 22 , 2022 (M&C 22-0113). The Plan includes multiple references to innovation districts , recommended the establishment of a Medical Innovation District, and called for the implementation of national best practices in the use of innovation districts to support economic development. Additional policy measures , including the Chapter 380 Economic Development Program Policy as amended on June 16, 2020 (Resolution No . 5241-06-2020) and again on January 26 , 2021 (Resolution No. 5338-01-2021) make reference to innovation districts to provide enhanced benefit to investment and business activity located in a formally recognized innovation district. Similarly, a variety of activities by staff, area stakeholders, and private investors have sought to evaluate, promote, and develop innovation districts in Fort Worth. However, there currently is no City policy defining Innovation Districts , describing their purpose and basic characteristics , nor any policy that guides the process for the formal establ ishment and recognition of innovation districts and their boundaries in the City of Fort Worth . Therefore, staff recommends that a resolution be adopted by the City Council that formally establishes an Innovation Districts Policy (Policy). The proposed policy is intended to accomplish the following: • Define Innovation Districts and their purpose • Guide the process for the establishment of Innovation Districts in Fort Worth, including application process and eligibility • Describe the role of publ ic , private , and institutional partners in support of Innovation Districts • Refer to Chapter 380 Economic Development Program Policy for any use of specific economic Development incentives • Provide for the eligibility and formal recognition of specific Nodes of Innovation , with the understanding that certain institutions and other private or civic assets might not be contiguous with an associated innovation district but nevertheless important to the support of innovation in Fort Worth • Allow for the establishment of formal districts with clear boundaries while identifying , linking to , and benefiting key nodes of innovation The proposed policy is attached and staff recommends its adoption. Once adopted, the amended Policy will be effective on February 15, 2022. Additionally and consistent with the Policy, staff also recommends the adoption of a resolution formally establishing the Fort Worth Mobility Innovation Zone and a resolution formally establishing the Fort Worth Medical Innovation District. The Fort Worth Mobility Innovation Zone will be generally located in the area surrounding Alliance Airport and the Alliance lntermodal Facility reaching north along Interstate 35 to include property surrounding Texas Motor Speedway. The Fort Worth Medical Innovation District will be located in the Near Southside with boundaries aligned to the present boundaries of Ta x Increment Reinvestment Zone Number Four. In recognition of multiple key institutional assets that, while noncontiguous with the proposed boundaries of the Medical Innovation District, are nevertheless important to the development and promotion of health innovation in Fort Worth , three formally recognized Nodes of Innovation will also be established in direct association with Medical Innovation District. These include the campus of the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas A&M School of Law, and the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute . Maps indicating the boundaries of the proposed Innovation Districts and Nodes of Innovation are attached. A Form 1295 is not required because : This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity. FISCAL INFORMATION/ CERTIFICATION: The Director of Finance certifies that approval of the above recommendations will have no material effect on the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget, and any effect on expenditures and revenues will be budgeted in future fiscal years and included in the long term forecast. Submitted for City Manager's Office by: W illiam Johnson 5806 Originating Business Unit Head: Robert Sturns 2663 Additional Information Contact: Michael Hennig 6024 Expedited