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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - City Council - 1988 - 02/17 - Workshop41 11A DQKel YWAK414111:[N111 CALLED - SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION FEBRUARY 17, 1988 Present: Jerry Wilson, Mayor Pro Tem Council Members Rex Womack Bobby Glass Jim Wolfe Jim Pendleton (left at 8:30 p.m.) Jack Pennington City staff: Jon McCarty, City Manager Marty Hendrix, City Secretary Absent: Joe Farmer, Mayor With a quorum of the Council Members present, the called - special workshop session of the Allen City Council was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Wilson at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 1988, in the Council Chambers of the Allen Municipal Annex, One Butler Circle, Allen, Texas. Workshop on Economic Development (Agenda Item II) Mayor Pro Tem Wilson advised the Council Members present that this meeting had been scheduled to discuss any suggestions or proposals to pro- mote economic development. Mayor Pro Tem Wilson advised that Councilman Jim Wolfe had already prepared a proposal and Mayor Pro Tem Wilson turned the meeting over to him so that he could present his proposal to the Council. Copies of Mr. Wolfe's proposal had been distributed to the Council that their regular meeting held on February 4, 1988. Mr. Wolfe presented his proposal to the Council which was a business fair. Mr. Wolfe explained the primary purposes for the business fair, how it could be organized, how funds can be generated to hold the fair, when it should be held, how a business fair committee should be organized and what representatives should be on the committee. Mr. Wolfe suggested to the Council and city staff that before the fair is scheduled, there should be another citizens' survey conducted to find out what the citizens of Allen are interested in having in their community. There was discussion by the Council with Councilman Wolfe on the purposes of the fair, which were to show the local citizens what businesses are available to them here in Allen and also to encourage other business franchises to review and gather information through the fair about Allen in hopes that they will be interested in locating their businesses here. There was further discussion on the difference between this proposed fair and the "Community Fair" that was originally sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, and that is now being sponsored by the Allen Jaycees. The Council also discussed what time of the year this event should occur, how to attract people to this event and the need for a major draw, who supports the Allen businesses and why all Allen residents don't support their local businesses, and the need for a motivational approach. It was pointed out that the help for the local businesses needs to come from the local citizens. ALLEN CITY COUNCIL CALLED - SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION FEBRUARY 17, 1988 Page 2 Workshop on Economic Development (cont'd) (Agenda Item 11) There were discussion by the Council on the status of the economic development process and what the Economic Development Alliance would be discussing at their next meeting. Since Councilman Womack was not familiar with the Economic Development Alliance, the Council briefed him on how the Alliance had been developed. There was further discussion on how fast the progress was going to be in the economic development process. The Council discussed whether the city should go forward with an event such as the "business fair" before the Alliance has determined its final decision or build- ing block. There was further discussion on the conducting of another citizens survey and that a survey should also be conducted to obtain the price of goods in adjacent communities to see if prices in Allen are competitive. Mayor Pro Tem Wilson advised again that the purpose of the meeting tonight was to discuss Councilman's Wolfe's proposal, to see if any of the other Council Members had any suggestions and determine if the proposals or suggestions should be sent to the Economic Development Alliance for con- sideration and implementation. The Council discussed the need for more focus in the community on the Economic Development Alliance and their function in the community, and if a survey needs to he done and what questions should appear on the survey. Michael Stanger, Assistant to the City Manager, spoke before the Council on the flow chart that was prepared for the planning and implementation of the economic development programming. In the absence of the Mayor, City Manager Jon McCarty advised the Council of a plan that had been suggested by the Mayor to provide for better public communications. There were four elements of the plan. Those elements included a city-wide information network, issues advisory committee, individual dialogue sessions, and publications and reports. This would produce a formalized effort to get people involved. Mr. McCarty then provided a brief explanation of the details of each of the four elements. He also read off the responsibilities for the central advisory committee. The Council discussed their first reactions to this proposal and concluded that they would like to hear this proposal in more detail from the Mayor. There was discussion by the Council on just how many people in the community are members of the local churches and if this form of access could be used as a tool of the communication process. There was further discussion by the Council on Councilman Wolfe's proposal and if it should go forward to the Alliance as a viable project for economic development. There was also discussion on the need for funding for this project and if it could be self-supporting or if the funds established for economic development would have to be used. Again, there was discussion on the timing that would be appropriate for holding this event. Councilman Pennington recommended that Councilman Wolfe's proposal go forward to the Economic Development Alliance and he suggested that there needed to be a major attraction in order to draw a large attendance. The IL Council concurred in Councilman Pennington's suggestion. Mayor Pro Tem Wilson advised the Council that since he was the Council's representative to the Economic Development Alliance, he would take Councilman Wolfe's proposal and present it to the Alliance. The Council also discussed creating a current motto or slogan for Allen to use in promoting the city and economic development. ALLEN CITY COUNCIL CALLED - SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION FEBRUARY 17, 1988 Page 3 Items of Interest to the Council (Agenda Item III) City Manager McCarty advised the Council of receiving a telephone call from the city's attorneys in Austin regarding the Extended Area Service case. The information related to a meeting that was being held on Thursday, February 18, 1988, at which time the committee reviewing the rules and procedures to request Extended Area Service in the future would be making their report. The attorneys had contacted Mr. McCarty to see if the city wanted them to attend the meeting and present any opposition if public input was permitted at the meeting. Mr. McCarty advised the Council that he had advised them to attend the meeting and to present Allen's opposition to the rules if permitted. Adjournment (Agenda Item IV) With no further discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Wilson adjourned the called - special workshop session at 9:15 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 1988. These minutes approved on the 3rd day of MARCH , 1988. APPROVED: n v e yWilson, MAYOR O TEM ATTEST: Marty Hendrix, CFC, CITY SECRE A1T A