Economic Development Corporation

FINAL - MINUTES OF THE NEW BRAUNFELS NEW BRAUNFELS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CO REGULAR MEETING OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023 AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER President Kathy Meurin called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Don Austin, Kristen Carden, Larry Hammonds, Stuart Hansmann, Shane Hines, Neal Linnartz, and Kathy Meurin Absent: None Also Present: Mayor Rusty Brockman 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A) Approval of corrected minutes for the regular meeting and workshop on September 21, 2022. President Meurin read the aforementioned item. Director Linnartz moved to approve the corrected minutes of the regular meeting and workshop on September 21, 2022. Director Austin seconded the motion which passed unanimously. B) Approval of the minutes from the November 22, 2022 and December 15, 2022 meetings President Meurin read the aforementioned item. Director Linnartz moved to approve the minutes of the regular meetings on November 22 and December 15, 2022. The workshop minutes on November 22 and December 15, 2022 were approved with the requested change to remove the words "Regular Meeting" from the workshop minutes header. Director Austin seconded the motion which passed unanimously. 4. CITIZEN'S COMMUNICATIONS This time is for citizens to address the Board on issues and items of concerns not on this agenda. There will be no Board action at this time. Thursday, January 19, 2023 New Braunfels New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation Reg  None 5. TREASURER'S REPORT A) Treasurer’s Report Jared Werner, Assistant City Manager, presented this item for November 2022 with a PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Werner presented gross sales tax collections at a 2.7% decrease as compared to last November which was a smaller reduction than projected due to the loss of the HD Supply sales tax. Despite seeing a negative trend for the month, positive growth is being seen. Projected revenues shown are fiscal year 2023 through 2027, along with current commitment projections and projected capacity through fiscal year 2025. The proposed Texas State Technical College expenditure, up for approval this evening, was included in the three-year cash flow projections. 6. ADVISORY TEAM REPORT A) Quarterly Advisory Team Report Michele Boggs, Vice President of Economic Development for the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, introduced two new Chamber of Commerce staff members. She also presented a fourth quarter 2022 economic development pipeline report including lead information, business retention and expansion efforts, and marketing activity. Ms. Boggs presented the NBEDC Confluence Plan which is a guiding document for economic development collaboratively created with public and private partners. The Plan includes strategies to attract quality jobs, in target industries, create competitive office and industrial spaces, and to align and optimize the workforce. Ms. Boggs also presented plans to implement the Confluence Plan in Q1. Jonathan Packer, President and CEO of the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, introduced other elements of the Confluence Plan including improving mobility and transportation options, and executing proactive land use and development strategies. Ms. Boggs and Mr. Packer answered questions from the board. 7. DISCUSSION AND ACTION A) Public hearing, discussion and possible action approving up to $1,000,0000 to Texas State Technical College for a project expenditure authorized under Chapters 501.101 and 501.105 of Texas Local Government Code. Thursday, January 19, 2023 New Braunfels New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation Reg  President Meurin read the aforementioned item. Jeff Jewell, Director of Economic and Community Development, presented this item for discussion with a PowerPoint presentation including an overview of the Texas Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) initiative as well as the project funding, overview, and progress. The funding agreement with Texas State Technical College (TSTC) has not yet been finalized as of this meeting. Mr. Jewell indicated the project expenditure may be approved at this meeting, and the final contract language be completed at a later date which City Council may then approve. President Meurin opened the public hearing. No comments were made by the public. President Meurin closed the public hearing. Director Hansmann made a motion to approve the TSTC project expenditure up to $1,000,000. Director Linnartz seconded the motion which passed unanimously. B) Public hearing, discussion and possible action approving an expenditure of up to $162,812 for a professional services agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc. for a project authorized under 505.152 of the Texas Local Government Code; and authorizing the President to execute said agreement. President Meurin read the aforementioned item. Garry Ford, Transportation and Capital Improvements Director, presented this item with a PowerPoint presentation including a project overview and description of Phase 1 and next steps for improvements to the infrastructure of the Comal River. Phase 1 includes the final design updates to the Last Tuber's Exit to be completed in Fall 2023. President Meurin opened the public hearing. No comments were made by the public. President Meurin closed the public hearing. Mr. Ford answered questions from the board. Director Austin made a motion to approve the expenditure of up to $162,812 for a professional services agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc. Director Carden seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Thursday, January 19, 2023 New Braunfels New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation Reg 8. EXECUTIVE SESSION In accordance with the Texas Government Code, Section 551.071, the Board reserves the right to retire into executive session concerning the items listed on this agenda to consult with its attorney. In addition, the Board may convene in executive session on any of the following items, with any final action being taken in open session: Deliberate Issues Regarding Economic Development Negotiations in accordance with Section 551.087 of the Texas Government Code. a. Project New Deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real estate in accordance with Section 551.072 of the Texas Government Code. a. Union Pacific Railroad President Meurin read the aforementioned item. The board retired to Executive Session at 5:48 p.m. The Union Pacific Railroad Project was discussed first, then Project New. Directors Linnartz and Hammonds recused themselves from the Project New discussion. The board returned to open session at 6:18 p.m. No action was taken. 9. ADJOURNMENT President Meurin adjourned at 6:18 p.m. By: ______________________________ KATHY MEURIN, PRESIDENT Thursday, January 19, 2023 New Braunfels New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation Reg