Economic Development Corporation

FINAL - MINUTES OF THE NEW BRAUNFELS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REGULAR MEETING OF THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER President Meurin called the meeting to order at 5:04 PM. 2. ROLL CALL Present: President Kathy Meurin, Don Austin, Neal Linnartz, Stuart Hansmann, Larry Hammonds, Kristen Carden, & Shane Hines Also Present: Mayor Rusty Brockman 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A) Approval of the minutes from the April 20, 2023 regular meeting President Meurin introduced this item. Director Linnartz motioned to approve the minutes from the April 20, 2023 regular meeting. Director Carden 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 the May 2023 Treasurer’s Report President Meurin introduced this item. Jared Werner, Assistant City Manager, presented a PowerPoint addressing the May 2023 Treasurer's Report. Mr. Werner addressed the large sales tax payment the City received in March from a business-to-business manufacturing sales company, at first confirmed as accurate by the Comptroller's Office but ultimately identified as incorrect and received in error. March's sales tax payment has a negative adjustment of $1.1m. Projections for FY23 is still $738k over budget. Mr. Werner reviewed forecasted revenues, the EDC's project Thursday, May 18, 2023 New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation Regular Meeting  commitments, capacities for other projects, and the overall fund balance. 6. DISCUSSION AND ACTION A) Presentation and update on the Downtown right-of-way (ROW) Enhancement project President Meurin introduced this item. Scott McClelland, Assistant Director of Transportation and Capital Improvements, presented a PowerPoint to update the Board on the Downtown right-of-way enhancement project which aims to develop hardscape and softscape elements to enhance the pedestrian experience Downtown. Mr. McClelland reminded the Board the preliminary design was completed during the 2023 Bond Preliminary Design process and that Phase 1 ranked fifth on the Board's priority list. As a recap, the project will be broken into three phases based on the timeframe of each step. Phase 1 addresses Market, Academy Ave, and Mill Street but leaves off the Union Pacific right-of-way as this process will be taken care of during Phase 3. Plans are to improve traffic signals, infill sidewalk gaps, improve existing walkways, ensure ADA compliance, add crosswalk bulb outs, evaluate landscaping, and add lighting and wayfinding where appropriate. The estimated costs for the final design of Phase 1 is $475,000 with $3.9m in construction costs. Mr. McClelland reviewed additional construction funding sources to include the 2023 Bond, Highway Safety Improvement Program, and the Downtown TIRZ. Mr. McClelland answered questions from the Board. B) Presentation and update on the New Braunfels National Airport President Meurin introduced this item. Jeff Jewell, Economic and Community Development Director, presented a PowerPoint providing the Board an update on the New Braunfels National Airport to include a brief history of the airfield as it originally opened in 1940, a summary of the 2011 Business Plan, an overview of the NBEDC investments into projects at the airport, the revenue changes and growth since 2011, and the transition from Municipal to Regional to National Airport. Mr. Jewell also provided metrics on the increase in overall airport operations, fuel sales, and total revenue growth with additional discussion on the development Thursday, May 18, 2023 New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation Regular Meeting  plan, upcoming projects, hangar development, and overall forecasted needs through 2025. Mr. Jewell answered questions from the Board. 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 Camp Unicorn 2. Project Gale 3. Project Charge 4. Project Care Package 5. Project Lion Deliberate the pending/contemplated litigation, settlement offer(s), and matters concerning privileged and unprivileged client information deemed confidential by Rule 1.05 of the Texas Disciplinary Rules or Professional Conduct in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code. 1. Texas Titos 2. Detex President Meurin introduced this item. The Board retired to Executive Session at 5:53 PM. Items were discussed in order of their appearance on the agenda. No action was taken. The Board returned to open session at 6:17 PM. 8. ADJOURNMENT President Meurin adjourned the meeting at 6:17 PM. By: ______________________________ KATHY MEURIN, PRESIDENT Thursday, May 18, 2023 New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation Regular Meeting