Min - City Council - 1991 - 09/23 - Special CalledALLEN CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL CALLED INFORMATION/ INTERACTION SESSION
STORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SEPTEMBER 23, 1991
Present:
Joe Farmer, Mayor
Councilmembers•
Kevin Lilly
Mickey Christakos
David Bishop
Mike Nichols
Steve Terrell
Gary Edstrom, Mayor Pro Tem
(�^ City Staff:
Judy Morrison, City Secretary
Joel Blaylock, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator
Barbara Buehler, Library Director
Richard Carroll, Chief of Police
Bill Petty, Director of Community Development
David Pitstick, Economic Development Coordinator
Rhoda Savage, Director of Parks and Recreation
Charlotte Smith, Finance Director
Dave Whitehead, Director of Public Works
Call to Order, Welcome and Introductions (Agenda Item I)
Mayor Farmer called the Special Information/ Interaction Session of the Allen City
Council to order at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, September 23, 1991 at Story Elementary School,
1550 Edelweiss, Allen, Texas.
Mayor Farmer welcomed everyone who was present for the meeting and introduced
the panel of speakers for the program. Mayor Farmer indicated that Councilmember Lilly
would review the problem of property value decline during the years of 1987-1991. David
Pitstick, Economic Development Coordinator, will be reviewing with the audience the
economic development alliance and what has been done up until this date. Mayor Farmer
will review an opportunity for the future called the "Development Corporation Act." After
the formal program, small group discussions and interaction sessions will be held and
citizens' input will be solicited.
I
ALLEN CITY COUNCIL
INFORMATION/ INTERACTION SESSION
SEPTEMBER 23, 1991
PAGE 2
A Review of the Problem -- Property Values 1987-1991 (Agenda Item II)
Councilmember Lilly discussed the shift of the tax burden to residential property
owners throughout the years, especially since 1987. He reviewed the decline of the
assessed valuation since 1986 and the assessed valuation per person against population
growth, by classification such as residential, commercial, industrial, undeveloped and the
tax increases since 1988 due to loss assessed valuations. He discussed the ultimate build-
out of the City of Allen showing that there will be a total of 16,566 acres within the city
limits. Councilmember Lilly indicated that the city needs to provide services and that need
is rising whereas the ability to pay for those services is falling.
What Has Been Done -- Allen's Economic
Development Alliance (Agenda Item III)
David Pitstick, Economic Development Coordinator, discussed the background of this
item. Leaders recognized the need to stimulate economic development in our community
several years ago. The results of a survey developed in 1985 indicated that the city
needed to take an active role in economic development leadership. Therefore, the Allen
Economic Development Alliance was formed. The economic development office has made
Allen more attractive to businesses. He discussed some of the accomplishments of the
economic development office:
Action Plan
• Business Incentive Programs
• Freeport Tax Exemption
• Matra Communication Solidification
Mr. Pitstick shared with the audience a list of businesses who have moved into the
City of Allen or expanded their present size of operation in the past year. He indicated
that the City of Allen needed to develop Allen as "the city for businesses." It is important
to increase day -time workers in the City of Allen and in order to do that, light industrial
businesses must be increased.
A New Opportunity -- The Development
Corporation Act (Agenda Item IV)
Mayor Joe Farmer gave an overview of the Development Corporation Act:
Allen is eligible
Five member board of directors
Maximum 1/2 cent sales tax if approved by voters
ALLEN CITY COUNCIL
INFORMATION/INTERACTION SESSION
SEPTEMBER 23, 1991
• Principal uses of sales tax revenues include:
• promotion (10% max)
• • buy land/build buildings/ purchase equipment
• loans or security for loans
• repay principal, interests, and other cost of bonds
• Voters can dissolve corporation
• May not be used for infrastructure unless directly related
to industrial development project
PAGE 3
Mayor Farmer discussed the functions of the Board of Directors. They will develop
a marketing strategy, review applications and recommend financial incentives, and monitor
business development activities.
Mayor Farmer also reviewed anticipated revenues projecting for the year 1991-1992
$156,750 if the election were to pass in November. A five year total would reap $2,139,108
through the year 1996.
Program goals for the City of Allen are as follows:
• Expand facilities and employment opportunities
in light industry
• Increase the number of light industrial facilities
and operations
• Enlarge and diversify tax base
• Stabilize property values
• Reduce city tax rate
• Reduce the percent of financial support for city and
schools paid by individual residents
In conclusion, Mayor Farmer revealed that the City Council believes this program is
in the best interest of the community, is necessary to be competitive with area cities, and
that it requires understanding input and support of Allen residents.
Small Group Discussion and Interaction (Agenda Item V)
Council, staff and interested citizens broke into small group discussions and
interaction at this time.
ALLEN CITY COUNCIL
INFORMATIONIINTERACTION SESSION
SEPTEMBER 23, 1991 PAGE 4
Citizen Input (Agenda Item VI)
A "citizen evaluation and input" form was distributed to all those present for the
evening session. They were asked to complete the form and return it to the City Secretary
for tabulation. Mayor Farmer discussed the results of the input at this time.
Adjourn (Agenda Item VII)
Mayor Farmer and the Council adjourned the meeting as scheduled.
These minutes approved on the 3rd day of October, 1991.
ATTEST:
(�ar 2k` / /6iC/I iS��c-!nth
Jt y Morpson, CITY SECRETARY
C
APPROVED:
Joe Farmer, MAYOR