MINUTES

SUNNYVALE 4A DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

REGULAR MEETING

JANUARY 3, 2008

7:00 P.M.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SUNNYVALE 4A DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WILL MEET IN REGULAR SESSION ON JANUARY 3, 2008 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE SUNNYVALE TOWN HALL, 127 COLLINS ROAD, SUNNYVALE, TEXAS UNDER V.T.C.A., GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.041.  ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED AND ACTED UPON ARE:

 

 

PRESIDENT                           BILL WHITEHURST

            VICE PRESIDENT                 JIM WADE

                                    MEMBER                               DANNY ALLEN

            MEMBER                               LAWRENCE BOYD

 

 

·       CALL MEETING TO ORDER

President Bill Whitehurst called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

·       APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM REGULAR MEETING OF DEC. 6, 2007

A motion was made by member Boyd to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 6, 2007 and was second by Allen. Motion carried unanimously.

 

·       APPROVAL OF MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT FOR DEC. 31, 2007

Member Boyd asked how 4A money was invested as the financials showed no interest earned for the month.  Dave Cranford stated that 4A money is invested with a pooled investment account, TEXSTAR, and we currently earn about 5%.  Mr. Cranford further stated that the amount of interest earned last month was about seven thousand dollars, and the amount had not been posted for the current month.

 

A motion was made member Wade to approve the monthly financial report for December 31, 2007 and was second by member Boyd.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

 

·       PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: PERSONS MAY ADDRESS THE SUNNYVALE 4A DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.  PLEASE OBSERVE THE TIME LIMIT OF THREE (3) MINUTES.  CORPORATION AND ITS DIRECTORS CANNOT COMMENT OR DELIBERATE ITEMS OF PUBLIC COMMENT.

No public comment was made.

 

·       PRESENTATION OF FUNDING GRANT FOR THE AMERICAN MARAZZI TILE EXPANSION PROJECT.

President Bill Whitehurst presented David Carlyle with Marazzi Tile, a check for five hundred thousand dollars for the expansion project.

 

·       EXECUTIVE SESSION AGENDA

1.     PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.087 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE TO DISCUSS AND DELIBERATE COMMERCIAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM A POTENTIAL BUSINESS PROSPECT THAT THE BOARD IS SEEKING TO LOCATE OR EXPAND IN THE TOWN; TO DELIBERATE THE OFFER OF FINANCIAL OR OTHER INCENTIVE TO A BUSINESS PROSPECT.

 

2.     PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.071 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE TO CONSULT WITH THE ATTORNEY FOR THE SUNNYVALE 4A DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ON MATTERS FOR WHICH THE ATTORNEY'S DUTIES CONFLICT WITH THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

 

President Whitehurst adjourned into executive session at 7:15 p.m.

President Whitehurst reconvened the meeting at 8:30 p.m.

 

·       CONSIDER ANY ACTION AS A RESULT OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION 

 

·       ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS

A.    CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION OUTLINING TAX ABATEMENT OR OTHER INCENTIVES THAT MAY BE OFFERED FOR MILLARD REFRIGERATED SERVICES, INC. PROPOSED WAREHOUSE PROJECT AND REQUESTING TOWN COUNCIL APPROVAL.

The following motion was made by member Jim Wade:  The 4A Corporation contribute up to $250,000 toward the necessary water/sewer infrastructure improvements; and recognizing Long Creek Rd needs to be improved, 4A Corporation reimburse Millard for 50% of the cost of roadway improvements after it has been improved; but that the amount of the reimbursement not exceed $500,000; and that the form of the reimbursement as yet undetermined, be structured over a ten year period. The 4A will participate and pay for the cost of the application for the Texas Capital Fund Projects Grant; and the 4A Corporation recommend to the Council a granting of a 65% tax abatement to Millard for five years per phase, which covers a nine year period to include a cap of $500,000, recognizing that the abatement is at the discretion of the Town Council.  The motion was seconded by Member Allen, and was approved unanimously.  

 

B.    CONSIDER APPOINTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT TREASURER.

Pam Mundo, explained to the 4A Corporation why the appointments are necessary.

 

A motion was made by member Wade to appoint Scott Campbell as the Assistant Secretary and Dave Cranford as the Assistant Treasurer to the 4A Corporation. Motion was seconded by Member Allen.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

C.    CONSIDER RECOMMENDING TO COUNCIL TO UPDATE THE TAX ABATEMENT GUIDELINES

Pam Mundo stated that the abatement guidelines are required to be reviewed every two years and the Town Council looked to the 4A Corporation for a recommendation on the matter.  A motion was made by member Boyd to recommend to the Town Council to renew the existing Tax Abatement Policy.  Motion was seconded by member Allen. Motion carried unanimously.

 

D.    CONSIDER UPDATING APPLICATION FOR INCENTIVES DUE TO CHANGES IN STATE LAW REGARDING HIRING PRACTICES

Walt McCool, 4A Attorney explained that state law now requires that any application for a public subsidy, which includes an abatement or 4A grant, must include a statement certifying that the applicant will not, or will not knowingly employ, and undocumented worker; and if a business is convicted of violating unlawful employment of aliens, the business will repay the public subsidy amount with interest within 120 days after notice. 

 

A motion was made by Member Wade to approve an authorization by Pam Mundo and Walt McCool to update the application for economic development incentives to comply with the new state law.  Motion was seconded by Member Allen.  Motion was approved unanimously.

 

E.     CONSIDER BOARD ATTENDANCE AT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAMS

Pam Mundo described some of the trade courses available to the 4A Corporation members and stated that the 4A Corporation did include this type of training in the budget.  Member Boyd asked Pam Mundo if she believed the classes to be beneficial and she responded that any related economic development education would be valuable and beneficial to a 4A board member.  Member Boyd stated that if the Board did not object, he would like to attend some of these sessions.  There was board consensus that such training would be beneficial to the 4A Corporation.   

 

No action was taken on this agenda item.

 

F.     CONSIDER PLANS TO HOLD A JANUARY 17, 2008 STRATEGY PLANNING SESSION.

 

Bill Whitehurst asked Pam Mundo to ask the Council if they are available on January 17, 2008 for a planning session with the 4A Development Corporation.

 

G.    PRESENTATION OF REPORTS OR DISCUSSION OF ACTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED AT FUTURE MEETINGS.

Pam Mundo explained that this agenda item was simply to allow the Board an opportunity to convey to the staff any concerns, or request any reports or information on any subject matter related to 4A projects.  No action taken. 

 

H.    PLAN DATE OF NEXT MEETING, FEBRUARY 7, 2008 OR OTHER DATE

There was a Board consensus to maintain the regular meeting date of February 7, 2008 for the next meeting.

 

 

Member Allen made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Member Boyd.  Meeting adjourned at 8:45.

 

 

 

 

The undersigned presiding office certifies that this is a true and correct record of the proceedings.

 

 

 

                                                                ____________________________

                                              President, Bill Whitehurst

ATTEST:

 

__________________________

Scott Campbell, 4A Secretary

 

A TAPE RECORDING OF THIS MEETING IS ON FILE AT TOWN HALL.  THESE MINUTES ARE CONDENSED THEREFROM