Economic Development Corporation

FINAL - MINUTES OF THE NEW BRAUNFELS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REGULAR MEETING OF THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2023 AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER President Kathy Meurin called the meeting to order at 5:02 PM. 2. ROLL CALL Present: President Kathy Meurin, Vice President Kristen Carden, Secretary Stuart Hansmann, Treasurer Don Austin, Directors Neal Linnartz, Shane Hines, and Larry Hammonds 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A) Approval of the minutes from the January 19, 2023 regular meeting President Meurin read the aforementioned item. Director Linnartz moved to approve the minutes of the January 19, 2023 regular meeting. Director Hines 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. None 5. TREASURER'S REPORT A) Presentation and discussion of March 2023 Treasurer’s Report President Meurin read the aforementioned item. Jared Werner, Assistant City Manager, presented a PowerPoint presentation providing an overview of the March 2023 Treasurer's Report. Mr. Werner identified that gross sales tax collections, for the month of December, increased by 5% against last year's collections. He also shared that the City received a large payment from one individual company, much higher than anticipated, and that City staff will work with the Comptroller's Office to ensure its accuracy. This outstanding payment has been removed from projections, moving forward. Mr. Werner also shared that the City is down 4.6% in Thursday, March 9, 2023 New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation Regular Meeting  January's sales tax collections which is positive considering loss expectations were between 10-15%. This is the final month we are comparing against last year with full HD Supply collections; February's activity will be a more apples-to-apples comparison. Mr. Werner provided graphs indicating projected revenues for FY 22 -27 and project commitments to include Texas State Technical College and Last Tuber's Exit expenditures, approved at the last meeting. 6. DISCUSSION AND ACTION A) Presentation and update on existing Capital Projects and Initiatives President Meurin read the aforementioned item. Scott McClelland, Assistant Director of Transportation and Capital Improvements presented a PowerPoint covering an update on completed, pending, and future projects and initiatives for the City. Mr. McClelland shared that his department is currently working on 74 projects, in various phases, to include Street Improvements, Drainage & Flood Control, Parks & Recreation, Economic Development, Public Safety, and Library Facilities. Mr. McClelland provided an overview of projects, in various stages, the NBEDC has approved as funding allows to include Castell Ave Corridor, Citywide Pedestrian Improvements, Downtown ROW Enhancements, Kohlenberg Rd, Landa Lake Dam & Spillway, Comal River Improvements, and the Dry Comal Creek Trail Segment. He also shared other funding sources for these projects and information on the 2023 Bond. Mr. McClelland answered questions from the Board. B) Public hearing, discussion, and possible action approving an expenditure of up to $215,000 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. Scott McClelland, Assistant Director of Transportation and Capital Improvements presented a PowerPoint for this item. Mr. McClelland shared that in 2016 TCEQ found the Landa Lake Dam hydraulically inadequate and in 2022 Freese and Nichols, Inc. (FNI) prepared a conceptual design report to modify the Dam to ensure its reinforcement, address erosion, and to coordinate with the Spring Fed Thursday, March 9, 2023 New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation Regular Meeting  Pool Master Plan. FNI recommended installing a toe block, a retaining wall, ACB crest armoring, and a sidewalk. The total project scope is $1,000,000, and the next step is final design and permitting in the amount of $215,000 - the item up for approval tonight. Mr. McClelland indicated the final design is scheduled to be completed in early 2024. Mr. McClelland answered questions from the Board. President Meurin opened the public hearing and no comments were made. President Meurin closed the public hearing. Director Linnartz made a motion to approve the $215,000 expenditure for a professional services agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc., Director Austin seconded the motion which passed unanimously. C) Public hearing, discussion and possible action approving an expenditure of up to $649,500 for a professional services agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for a project authorized under 501.103 of the Texas Local Government Code; and authorizing the President to execute said agreement President Meurin read the aforementioned item. Scott McClelland, Assistant Director of Transportation and Capital Improvements presented a PowerPoint for this item. Mr. McClelland indicated in 2022 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (KHA) prepared a preliminary engineering study for the reconstruction and redevelopment of Castell Ave from Bridge Street to Business IH-35. KHA recommended a phased implementation to accomplish the $38 million project; Phase 1 is being considered tonight. This phase will bring an underground drainage improvement down Coll Street from Castell to the Comal River as well as implement supplemental pedestrian improvements and right-of-way enhancements. The $649,500 expenditure for this item addresses final design and permitting which should be complete in summer 2024. Mr. McClelland answered questions from the Board. President Meurin opened the public hearing and no comments were made. President Meurin closed the public hearing. Director Linnartz made a motion to approve the $649,500 expenditure for a professional services agreement with Kimley-Horn and Thursday, March 9, 2023 New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation Regular Meeting  Associates, Inc. Director Austin seconded the motion which passed unanimously. D) Presentation and introduction of new Economic Development staff members at the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce and the City of New Braunfels President Meurin read the aforementioned item. Jonathan Packer, President/CEO of the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce introduced a new economic development employee, Tate Korpi, whose responsibilities are data management and business analytics. Mr. Packer also shared that the NBEDC has received another Economic Excellence Recognition Award by the Texas Economic Development Council, and this makes them one of two organizations to receive the award, consecutively, for the past 54 years. Jeff Jewell, Director of Economic and Community Development introduced a new employee to the ECD Department, Shannon Gildea, who has relocated back to the area and has put the department back to full strength. Ms. Gildea has a Masters Degree from Texas State and experience in human resources, organizational communication, and economic development having worked with three chambers of commerce. 7. 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: A) Deliberate Issues Regarding Economic Development Negotiations in accordance with Section 551.087 of the Texas Government Code 1. Project Lion 2. Project Rethread 3. Project New 4. PNC Bank 5. Frantic Holdings, LLC Deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real estate in accordance with Section 551.072 of the Texas Government Code Thursday, March 9, 2023 New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation Regular Meeting  1. Gruene 16, Block 1, Lots 1-3 President Meurin read the aforementioned item. The Board retired to Executive Session at 5:53 PM. Items were discussed in order of their appearance on the agenda. The Board returned to open session at 7:05 PM. No action was taken. 8. ADJOURNMENT President Meurin adjourned the meeting at 7:05 PM. By: ______________________________ KATHY MEURIN, PRESIDENT Thursday, March 9, 2023 New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation Regular Meeting