Odessa Development Corporation

ODESSA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS November 14, 2019 A regular meeting of the Odessa Development Corporation (ODC) was held on November 14, 2019 at 2:00 p.m ., in the Council Chambers, fifth floor, City Hall , 411 W. 81h St. , Odessa, Texas. Members present: Betsy Triplett-Hurt, Tim Edgmon , Ted Tuminowski, Gene Collins and Mayor David Turner, ex-officio . Member absent: Melanie Hollmann. Others present: City Staff: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, City Secretary; Natasha Brooks, City Attorney; Robert Carroll , Assistant City Attorney; Cindy Muncy, Interim City Manager; ODC Contractors : Craig Van Amburgh , CVA; Tracy Jones, Economic Development; Angel Garcia, UTPB-SBDC; Bryan Bierwirth , UTPB-SBDC; Renee Earls, Chamber of Commerce; and Others: Council member Mari Willis and other interested citizens . A quorum being present, Mrs. Triplett-Hurt called the meeting to order and the following proceedings were held: Mr. Collins gave the invocation . October 16, 2019 minutes. Motion was made by Mr. Edgmon and seconded by Mr. Collins to approve the minutes. The motion was approved by unanimous vote. Contractors report: Economic Development: Odessa Chamber, CVA Advertising and Marketing, UTPB-America's SBDC, MOTRAN, and City Administrative support. Mrs. Jones reported that American Standard was working on their application. The Recycle Project was working on obtaining more funding . The Solar Project was meeting with taxing entities. Information was sent to companies for expansion purposes. Ranching families owned the land in the opportunity zone. A few export companies were provided Certificates of Origin that was sealed by the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Van Amburgh reported that the marketing was active . There were new podcasts from Ray Perryman and Russell Tippin . There was also a new segment for the Spirit of Odessa. New creative testimonials were being made. The social digital went down as it leveled off but was still very effective . Mr. Garcia reported that Odessa's capitalization was $250 ,000 for October. Four jobs were created in Odessa . There were 212 counseling sessions with 229 counseling hours. There were three seminars with 90 attendees . Mr. Bierwirth reported that the Business Challenge marketing was being prepared and the ads would start soon with television . The orientation was scheduled on January 14, 15, and 16 at the CEED building . Mr. Beauchamp provided an overview of the WIFl/Broadband Study, Part 2. There were gaps in levels of service. A map identified the areas that lacked the service. The private sector was the solution to fill the area . For West and South Odessa , there was 17.3% with no connection . He reviewed the cost of services. He stated that Connected Nation ODC Minutes November 14, 2019 Page 2 was updating the mapping. The study recommended issuing the final report on broadband service after the January mapping updates and to provide the report to the area providers. There would be follow-up meetings with the providers to discuss the plan. Mrs. Muncy reported on the September financial statement. She stated that total assets were $58 ,355,768 . Unreserved funds were $21 ,591 ,858 . She reported the 4-A sales tax receipts. The sales tax for October and November decreased. Mrs. Muncy stated that there would be additional expenditures that would include the UTPB payment and the Odessa College Sewell Center. Total investments were $58 million. Discuss and consider newly drafted ODC bylaws. Mr. Carroll reviewed the changes made on the bylaws as requested . Mr. Tuminowski asked about the new process of the ODC members' appointment by Council. He stated that with the new appointments, there were three members from the same district and it was not a fair representation of the City. He stated fair representation was needed . Mrs. Triplett-Hurt stated that there was no residential requirement. Mayor Turner explained the process through a ballot with a list of interested individuals. He stated it was the most efficient way for Council. Council member Willis understood and everyone needed the equal opportunity to apply. She encouraged people to apply and those interested were considered. Mr. Tuminowski asked if it was ethical to have members from the same district. Mr. Edgmon called the question . The process was changed and the bylaws would be in-line with the City Councils process. Mr. Tuminowski stated that one of the appointed members was a under direct supervision of a Council member. Mr. Collins was concerned with the disclosure of those members involved with economic development. He asked that there should be a policy for transparency and full disclosure. Mr. Edgmon called the question. Motion was made by Mr. Edgmon and seconded by Mrs. Triplett-Hurt to approve the ODC bylaws. Motion was made by Mr. Collins and seconded by Mr. Edgmon to table the bylaws for additional discussion on transparency. The motion was approved by unanimous vote. Mr. Edgmon and Mayor Turner left the meeting at 2:54 p.m. Mr. Collins stated that there should be no speculation and the conflict of the interest should be clarified in bylaws. He wanted the conflict of interested explained . UTPB second annual incentive payment based on compliance with the Economic Development Agreement. Mr. Carroll stated that the UTPB information was submitted , reviewed , and in compliance with the agreement. The Compliance Committee recommended that the payment of $1 .5 million be paid . Motion was made by Mr. Collins and seconded by Mr. Tuminowski to approve the UTPB payment. The motion was approved by unanimous vote. Discuss potential nominees to fill pending vacancy on 2020-2021 Compliance Committee. Mrs. Triplett-Hurt stated that three members on the Compliance Committee would roll off. A representative was needed from the Black Chamber of Commerce. It was recommended that the member have a specific job skill such as banking , financial or legal. ODC Minutes November 14, 2019 Page 3 ODC Committee and Officer Reports. Mr. Collins stated that meetings were held to develop areas around Downtown. Grant would be developed as a streetscape and options were being considered such as widen sidewalks and removing the medians. Mrs. Triplett Hurt stated that Partnership would meet in December. The meeting adjourned at 3:09 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, TRMC , CMC Tim Edgmon City Secretary Board President