EDC approves more $ for downtown project

During its regular Oct. 12, 2017 meeting, the Forney Economic Development Corp. met and in summary:

• Financial report - Mr. Burrus said now 100% through year, tax revenue was within 2%, still being fiscally sound and staying within means.
  
• Directors report - Mr. Ketteman said the numbers are just about on target.
  EDC advertised for admin assistant via online, website, Messenger. Had over 60 applications, most live in Forney and work in Dallas. They have selected 8 finalists they will arrange for interviews on 24th. Lunch meeting w/ Mustang Creek business park along with Jennifer Johnson from SBDC, 10+ people from the business park who were surprised at free services.
  
• Discussed the October 7, 2017 Forney EDC Retreat items (includes target industries, 2018 goals and strategic planning)
     Janie Havel from Governor's office of Economic Development spoke. She said they have changed from Texaswideopenforbusiness.com to businessinTexas.com. Texas is 10th largest economy in the world, #1 job creator in nation - half of jobs in Texas created in DFW. State has created an industry cluster initiative. There is a business retention and expansion program. They have several incentives and financing options. There is a Governor's office of Small Business Assistance. Texas has 2.4 million Small and MEdium businesse (SMEs) which are 98.6% of employers. Companies with less than 100 employees provide 1/3 of jobs and 1/4 GDP.
     They provide business forums around the state. Assistance is available for business who do or want to export. Last year they surveyed 500,000 small business. Texas Workforce Commission offers some funds and grants. Private resources are SCORE and microlenders: PeopleFund, LiftFund and BCL of Texas. Governor's commission for women has programs and a Women's Hall of Fame. She said a lot of reports and charts are available on the website.
     Chmn. McBeth asked for additional info on incubators - she will send him some. Mr. McGregor asks about Amazon HQ2, even if it goes to Dallas and not Forney, we will feel effects. Ms. Havel said unemployment rate is 4.8%, below national average. Amazon is being very aggressive searching for a location, it's rare to know who is looking for space. Last time something like this happened was Boeing. Mr. Ketteman asks about rail from Dallas to Houston - it is still being considered.
     Mr. McGregor said a revised strategic plan should come before board next meeting. Mr. Ketteman said Smurfit-Kappa is a major recycler - worldwide, based in Ireland, about 300 employees here. Chmn. McBeth complimented the speaker at the retreat, Mr. Alex Phillips. Mr. Ketteman talks about downtown project - it is close to being open. There is an issue with crosswalks: they weren't included in the budget. Considered etching the crosswalk to look like brick, but the one company that does it is booked up, and the road would have to be closed. Painting with thermoplast is quicker and cheaper,
  
• Regarding trash receptacles, electrical outlets and drainage for Downtown:
     Mr. Ketteman said the downtown project was started by former board members, EDC issued bonds. Had one bidder for the project on two occasions (due to most contractors being busy), pared the project down, still had to add money and get additional money from city. Original plan had very fancy crosswalks, which were taken out due to cost, but no funds were added to stripe the crosswalks. Putting in taller light poles, due to banner arms being so low, could add outlets to poles. Trinity/Elm portion was removed from project. Still had drainage from Bois d'Arc, that got missed. Have a drainage pipe that goes into inadequate box culvert, it needs to be fixed. The headwall would get cleaned up. Estimate from contractor is 93k.
     Trash cans - 5k. Candy has ordered them & absorbed cost, would like to be reimbursed. Outlets - 5k. Drainage - 95k. Crosswalk - 10k, much less than etching. There will be 4 crosswalks. Chmn. McBeth asked if project is on budget - yes. Contingency fund is a bit over 100k. Ms. Browning asks about original bond - it was $2 mil, $1.7 usable. Mr. Ketteman said EDC put in $300k and city $250k, for a total around $1.4 mil, prices went outa whack, mostly concrete.
     Mr. Tayamen asked about the light pole plugs - there will be a single multi-plug outlet. Mr. Alexander asks about the meters for poles - they may be metered separately.
     Mr. Alexander asks what trash receptacles will look like - they are double-receptacle: recycle and trash, unobtrusive design. Public works may continue to empty the trash.
     Ms. Browning doesn't see EDC doing roads, wouldn't have voted for this, but needs to be finished - Mr. Ketteman would be hesitant to use all the contingency because project not finished. He suggested using 1/2 of the funds. Contingency funds left may be prorata returned to the city. Ms. Browning asks if city could put more money into it - Mr. Ketteman says budget is very tight, due to reduced tax rate. Ms. Browning says EDC wouldn't consider doing a road anywhere else.
     Mr. Thatcher said are essentially putting more money into contingency fund, it will be marked as EDC funds. Mr. Alexander asks if the only way project gets done - Mr. Ketteman said might be able to fund it another way. Ms. Browning asks who usually pays for crosswalk - Mr. Ketteman said whoever does the road project, he doesn't feel out of place asking for funds. Mr. Thatcher generally city's obligation to maintain - he agrees EDC not in road business, but can do projects that add to economic viability. Board has provided funds for infrastructure, which isn't sexy or cheap; it's part of the job.
     Board approved adding a max of $50k to contingency fund, w/ Mr. Alexander voting nay.
  
• Regarding the commitment of project expense funds from Fiscal Year 2017 to Fiscal Year 2018:
     Mr. Ketteman said this is solely on shoulders of the staff - board made commitments for incentive; staff did not carry over unspent monies into this budget. $100k downtown grants authorized but not capitalized on. Hampton authorized last year, Racetrak, Bush's Chicken, balance on Eno's. Need to move money out of fund balance, reallocate into line items. about $350k. Mr. Tayamen asked if were timelines for grants - Mr. McGregor said 90 days to pull permits, 1 year to complete.
     Item was approved.
  
• Approved moving the EDC Board Meeting for November 9, 2017 to November 2.
  
• Held a 65-minute executive session re:
  
  • EDC-owned property
    
  • economic development negotiations with current prospects

• Took no action on executive session items.
  
• Mr. McGregor encouraged members to attend the ICSC event. Chipotle is interested.
  
• Adjourned at 20:51