MINUTES

SUNNYVALE 4A DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

REGULAR MEETING

JUNE 7, 2007

7:00 P.M.

 

THE SUNNYVALE 4A DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MET IN REGULAR SESSION ON JUNE 7, 2007 AT 7 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.  THOSE PRESENT WERE: 

 

PRESIDENT                           BILL WHITEHURST

            VICE PRESIDENT                 JIM WADE

                                    MEMBER                               PAT WILEY

                                    MEMBER                               DANNY ALLEN

            MEMBER                               LAWRENCE BOYD

 

 

·       CALL MEETING TO ORDER

 

President Whitehurst called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

 

·       APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 3, 2007

 

Walt McCool, 4A Attorney, suggested 2 corrections to the minutes.

 

Board Member Boyd made a motion to approve the amended minutes of the May 3, 2007 meeting.  Motion was seconded by Board Member Wiley.   Motion passed unanimously.

 

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

 

President Bill Whitehurst recognized and introduced the Town’s new Finance Administrator, David Cranford.

 

·       DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS:

     1.  UPDATE ON AMERICAN MARAZZI TILE, INC. INCENTIVES

     2.  UPDATE ON FRY STREET/COLLINS CORNER PROJECT

     3.  CONSIDER UPDATES TO STRATEGIC PLAN AND FY BUDGET 2007-2008

     4.  PLAN FOR LATE SUMMER/FALL BUSINESS BREAKFAST AND OTHER

          MARKETING EVENT

 

Walt McCool, 4A Attorney, stated that the Economic Development agreement with Marazzi Tile was almost finalized and he anticipated it would be ready for the July meeting of 4A for consideration.  He further stated that the Town Council would soon be considering an ordinance amending the originally defined enterprise zone for the Marazzi project to properly reflect the property adjacent the site that Marazzi recently acquired. 

Mr. McCool also stated that the Town Council would also consider the tax abatement agreement at an upcoming council meeting.

 

Pam Mundo, Economic Development Coordinator/Consultant, stated that the Texas Department of Agriculture would be making a presentation to the Town for the Texas Capital Fund grant on June 28 at 10:00 a.m. at the Marazzi plant.

 

Board Member Wade asked if the 4A’s monetary contribution to the Marazzi project was protected in the event Marazzi did not meet the terms of the agreement, or satisfy the state requirements for the grant.  Walt McCool stated that the 4A requires that Marazzi repay 4A's contribution if Marazzi defaults on the agreement.

 

Pam Mundo stated that the Fry Steer project was well underway.  She stated that Fry Street had approached her about additional incentives for the closeout of the buildings and that she discouraged them from making that a formal request; however she did tell them we would be happy to talk to and encourage possible tenants.

 

Scott Campbell, Town Manager, stated that Fry Street did apply and receive a waiver of impact of 50% from the Town Council, approximately $50,000.

 

Pam Mundo reviewed the Strategic Plan with the 4A Board.  Board Member Boyd stated he would like to see the Strategic Plan include language pertaining to the promotion of existing business in Town, as well as language related to important infrastructure improvements such as improvements to Collins Road.  Pam Mundo stated that the she could set up breakfast or morning coffee meetings with her, the Town Manager and existing business owners to help better determine the existing business community’s needs/concerns.  Scott Campbell stated that the Town staff had analyzed and presented information to the Town Council on improvements to Collins Road, north and south of 80, as well as the bridge/intersection improvement.  He stated that the focus at this point was the bridge improvement alone, but planning is continuing on the other need improvements to Collins.  He further stated that the Town Council would consider the agreement with TXDOT for the bridge improvement at the next regularly scheduled council meeting.  Board Member Boyd expressed concern regarding developers receiving additional impact fee waivers after 4A incentive agreements had been reached.  Attorney Walt McCool stated that the impact fee ordinance specified the impact fee waiver appeal process, however the issue could be addressed in the actual 4A contracts with developers.

 

Pam Mundo reviewed the proposed budget with the 4A Board.  Scott Campbell stated that he felt an administrative services charge to cover staff time, and other miscellaneous charges should be included in the budget.  He stated that he and David Cranford were researching the estimated staff time to arrive at a fair and equitable figure for inclusion in the budget.  Board member Wade stated that the issue of an administrative charge had been discussed in the past.  Mr. Wade further stated that the all of the staff work for 4A was ultimately for the benefit for the Town as a whole, which should be part of the consideration of any administrative services charge.

 

Board Member Boyd expressed concern regarding engineering services for 4A, stating he would like to make sure that the 4A Corporation was not incurring unnecessary charges for engineering work that should be borne by the Town’s general fund.  Mr. Campbell stated that all of the engineer’s invoices are reviewed and he felt appropriate charges were applied to appropriate projects; however the staff would work with Mr. Cranford to make sure they are receiving adequate review.         

 

Pam Mundo addressed the ‘bond payment’ line item in the proposed budget.  Board Member Wade stated that he did not believe issuing debt was an appropriate measure for the 4A Corporation.  He stated that the presented information illustrates remaining funds for $758,696, and a $500,000 pledge to the hospital project would still leave over $250,000 for other projects, not including the continual monthly income.

 

·       EXECUTIVE CLOSED SESSION

5.     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.

 

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.

 

The Board did not meet in executive session.

 

·       CONSIDER ANY ACTION AS A RESULT OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

No action.     

 

·       ADJOURN

 

Chairman Bill Whitehurst adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.  

 

                                                                ____________________________

                                              President, Bill Whitehurst

ATTEST:

 

__________________________

Scott Campbell, Town Manager

 

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