HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - Economic Development Corporation - 2012 - 12/05 - WorkshopALLEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (AEDC)
BOARD RETREAT
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2012 - 4:00 P.M.
ONE ALLEN CENTER - ALLEN CENTRAL PARK
700 CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY SOUTH, SUITE 210
ALLEN, TX 75013
Board Staff Guests
Susan Bartlemay Harry Whalen Don Powell
Scott Sutherland Dan Bowman Karen Cromwell
Joey Herald John Scriven
Greg Kennedy Pete Smith
Michael Schaeffer
Call to Order and Announce a Quorum Present
With a quorum of the Board present, the Board Retreat for the Allen Economic Development
Corporation (AEDC) Board of Directors was called to order by Vice -President Susan Bartlemay
at 4:07 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at the AEDC Office.
1 Discuss AEDC Goals & Obiectives: AEDC Work Plan as an Adjunct to the City of Allen's
Strateeic Goals
The AEDC Board was generally in agreement that the direction of the AEDC and the scope of
work established by Harry Whalen are in line with the objectives of the Allen City Council.
2. Discuss Communications Between AEDC and City Council and the Type of Pro rg ess
Reports Expected from AEDC Staff
Joey Herald stated that AEDC Staff Reports have been too long and detailed. Susan Bartlemay
explained that the reports were lengthened in the past because the City Council was not receiving
sufficient information. Greg Kennedy believes the reports should relate strictly to the primary
project categories.
The consensus of the Board was that the reports should be brief and only highlight significant
changes to major projects. Board Members and City Council should be briefed on large projects
and, if possible, included in meetings. Whalen's goal is to meet with each City Council Member
at lease once per quarter.
Suggestions from the Board included the implementation of a one-page Executive Summary
Report highlighting the important items and changes and/or presenting high-level projects at the
City Council meetings each month
AFDC Meeting Minutes
December 5. 2012 - Page 2
3. Discuss the Number of Director Positions on the AEDC Board of Directors and Possible
Amendment to the AEDC Bylaws
The Board agreed that a five member Board of Directors is optimal. The Board Members want
to change the Bylaws to require that at least three Board members vote in favor of an item in
order for that item to be approved, regardless of the number of Board members that are present at
a given meeting. Pete Smith will draft the amended Bylaws and present it at the next Board
meeting.
Harry Whalen would like the position titles of the Board Officers and some staff members
changed. Whalen wants the officer's titles changed from PresidentNice President to ChairNice
Chair. He also wants his title to be changed from Executive Director/CEO to President/CEO and
the Assistant Director's title changed to Vice President. Pete Smith will provide alternative
language for the Bylaws.
4. Discuss Board Meeting: Place, Date, and Time of Meeting
The Board wants to keep the meetings at the AEDC Office. Changing the date of the Board
Meeting to the first Wednesday of the month was acceptable to the Board.
5 Discuss AEDC Board Protocol: How Meetings are Conducted, Board Room Layout, Seating,
Guests, Meals, Presenters
In order to present a formal, professional atmosphere, the Board wants dinner completed prior to
entering the Board Room. Dinner should be served at 5:30 p.m. so the Board meeting can start
at 6 p.m. The dinner meal should only be for the Board Members, AEDC Staff, the City
Manager, and City Council members and should not be a full course meal.
According to Pete Smith, the Bylaws state that all City Council members, the City Manager, and
City officials can attend AEDC Board Meetings. City staff typically attend in order to answer
questions about projects, zoning, engineering and finance. There has not been an attendance
policy in the past, but historically city officials have attended for a variety of miscellaneous
reasons.
Joey Herald believes the City Manager should be seated at the table. Presenters should speak
from a podium and it should be easy for them to recognize the Board Members. Regarding
Executive Session, only the Board, Harry Whalen, Dan Bowman, Pete Smith and Peter Vargas
should he in attendance. Michael Schaeffer doesn't think comments by City Staff should
influence a vote by the Board.
6. Discuss Elections of New Officers for President. Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer
The Board decided to move the election of officers to the Regular Board Meeting.
AFDC Meeting Mmutes
December 5. 20/2 - Page 3
7 Overview of Incentives Available to Municipalities in Texas by Pete Smith
Pete South provided an overview of several municipal incentives that are available to the City of
Allen. These incentives include Public Improvement Districts, Tax Increment Financing (TIF),
Tax Abatement, Chapter 380/381 and Neighborhood Empowerment Zones.
The Village at Allen and the Allen Event Center received Chapter 380 funds, the Central
Business District and Montgomery Farms received TIF funds and Cisco was the last company
that received a tax abatement.
8. Overview of AEDC Impact Model by Dan Bowman
This agenda item will be covered at a later date.
9 Discussion of Operations. Communications and Functions of the AEDC
This agenda item will be covered at a later date.
10. Discussion of Plans for Allen Central Park
Don Powell, Boka Powell, gave a presentation which included the history of Allen Central Park
and future development plans for the area. Original development plans began in the 19908 when
David Pitstick was the President of the AEDC. The plans involved corporate headquarters, Class
A office buildings and hotels. Duke built the first building in the park at 700 Central
Expressway South.
During this time, the master planned community of Watters Creek was built. A few years ago,
the plan to further develop Allen Central Park was revisited and included entertainment along
with office and hotel components. Three development plans for the park were presented by Mr.
Powell. The plans indicated various combinations of office, entertainment and hotels with up to
35,000 square feet of convention space.
Karen Cromwell, with the City of Allen Convention & Visitors Bureau, provided input regarding
the convention space. She emphasized that the convention space for the Hilton Garden Inn and
the Marriott Courtyard are not adequate to meet demand. Ms. Cromwell's recommendation was
to build a 60,000 square foot convention center. Mr. Powell stated that the largest ballroom in
Dallas is 32,000 square feet.
These Minutes approved this 6'h day of February 2013.
Scott Sutherland, President Susan Bartlemay, Vice P 'idem