Odessa Development Corporation

ODESSA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS November 9, 2023 A regular meeting of the Odessa Development Corporation (ODC) was held on November 9, 2023, at 2:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 5th floor, City Hall, 411 W. 8th St. Odessa, Texas. Members present: David Boutin, Melanie Hollmann, Kris Crow, Larry Robinson, James Kirk, and Jeff Russell. Members absent: Ismael “Mikky” Navarrete. Others present: City Staff: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, City Secretary; Dan Jones, City Attorney; John Beckmeyer, City Manager; Christina Buhnerkempe, Legal Assistant; Elizabeth Prieto, Downtown Executive Director; and ODC Contractors: Renee Earls, Chamber of Commerce; Tom Manskey, Chamber of Commerce; James Beauchamp, MOTRAN, Christi Callicoatte, Current Media; Chris Walker, Black Chamber of Commerce; and Others: Council member Steven Thompson; Peggy Dean and other interested citizens. A quorum being present, Mr. Crow called the meeting to order, and the following proceedings were held: Dr. Kirk gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge were recited. October 12, 2023 meeting minutes. Motion was made by Mr. Boutin and seconded by Dr. Kirk to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was approved by unanimous vote. Contractors’ reports: Economic Development Department, Current Media Partners, Black Chamber of Commerce, UTPB-America’s SBDC, MOTRAN, and City administrative support: financials. Mr. Manskey stated that Project Molecule had a site visit. Project Legion was moving forward. He stated that bank statements should not be sent with the board agenda packet as there were confidential account numbers. The Economic Development Department was required to be audited and auditors went through the bank statements. Mrs. Earls stated it was not good business practice to send bank statements for a public website. It was stated that the confidential information could be redacted. Mr. Manskey stated that the statements could be emailed. Mr. Crow wanted it to be part of the packet. Mr. Boutin stated that the contract should be amended. Mr. Manskey reported that a new hospital, Advanced Odessa Hospital and Clinic would be in Odessa. The Workforce Summit will be held on January 18 at Odessa College. Topics included housing, training, and childcare. He reviewed the BRE internet leads. More information will be given. He provided a return-on- investment of closed and completed projects that the Economic Development Department led from 1998 through September 2022. He reviewed the data. The return ODC Minutes November 9, 2023 Page 2 on investment for capital investment was $505.87/$1 and $98.68/$1 for incentives. The payroll amount was only during the term of the contract. Mr. Russell was looking to better understand how the economic developments work in the State of Texas. He hired someone to gather information from other economic development corporations. Mr. Crow stated that the study was with corporations in Texas above $15 million a year. Ms. Hollmann was concerned that it was not voted on by the board and the person may be representing on ODC’s behalf and may not be objective. Mr. Crow stated that the information will be shared with the board including how it tracked its process and marketing. Mrs. Hollmann stated that the paid study was with specific interest versus a person being paid by the board. Mr. Russell stated the information would be provided to the board as it was received. Ms. Hollmann did not know the person and asked why the study was not presented and discussed by the board. Mr. Boutin stated it was a lack of transparency and overstepping. He stated it should have been done differently. Ms. Hollmann stated it should have been a board decision. Mrs. Callicoatte reported that the workforce study would be on hold until the summit was held. New information was added to the website and was performing well. There would be new videos for the digital campaigns. Current Media was targeting attendees from the oil show and would report next month. She reported good strides were made after building the website, video, and the digital campaigns. Mr. Russell asked that ideas be brought to Current Media. Mr. Walker reported that social media was growing in its numbers. The Black Chamber had seven counseling sessions in October and assisted in promoting in getting out the vote. The second community cleanup was held in October. The Entrepreneurship seminar with UTPB was well received. Mr. Beauchamp provided information on the air service from Schlemeyer Field to Dallas and Houston as it was in line with existing costs from other airlines. He provided an update on the ODC leverage projects. He highlighted the projects that were completed. The Yukon and East Loop 338 interchange was under construction. The 2024 letting project was the I-20/Faudree interchange. The projects under planning and design were the US 385/South Loop 338 and the BI 20/Faudree interchange. The projects that have not started its planning and design were the West Loop 338 and 8th St. and the 56th/52nd and Loop 338 interchange. Mr. Crow reported the sales tax receipts as provided by the City. Tabled - Discuss and take any necessary action regarding EDA for infrastructure grant at 423 N. Grant with E&L Home Builders. Mr. Jones reported that the outside legal attorney has not signed off on the contracts. Mr. Manskey filled in the blanks using the City’s template. Motion was made by Ms. Hollmann and seconded by Mr. Boutin to table the item The motion was approved by unanimous vote. Tabled - Discuss and take any necessary action regarding EDA for façade grant at 423 N. Grant with E&L Home Builders. Motion was made by Ms. Hollmann and seconded by Dr. Kirk to table the item The motion was approved by unanimous vote. ODC Minutes November 9, 2023 Page 3 Tabled - Discuss and take any necessary action regarding EDA for façade grant at 406 N. Texas Ave. with by Amber Young. Motion was made by Dr. Kirk and seconded by Mr. Russell to table the item The motion was approved by unanimous vote. Tabled - Discuss and take any necessary action regarding EDA for infrastructure grant at 801 N. Grant with Scooter’s Coffee. Motion was made by Ms. Hollmann and seconded by Mr. Boutin to table the item The motion was approved by unanimous vote. Tabled - Discuss and take any necessary action regarding EDA for façade grant at 801 N. Grant with Scooter’s Coffee. Motion was made by Ms. Hollmann and seconded by Mr. Boutin to table the item The motion was approved by unanimous vote. Tabled - Discuss and take any necessary action regarding Project PAL. Ms. Dean stated that more information was needed. Motion was made by Mr. Boutin and seconded by Ms. Hollmann to table the item The motion was approved by unanimous vote. Discuss and take any necessary action regarding Project Ironman. Ms. Dean reported that the request was for infrastructure to the property line of the Parks Bell Industrial Park. The request was for $6.5 million. The City and the County agreed to split the sales tax. The Compliance Committee recommended the grant. Mr. Crow stated that the County Commissioners would have their attorney review the agreement for the sales tax. Motion was made by Dr. Kirk and seconded by Mr. Boutin to approve Project Ironman for a $6.5 million grant. The motion was approved by unanimous vote. Discuss and take any necessary action regarding engagement letter for audit services by Weaver to conduct an audit of the Economic Development Department of the Chamber. Mrs. Earls stated that an engagement letter would be provided for auditing the Economic Development Department. The board will receive the audit report. The ODC paid for the audit. Motion was made by Mr. Boutin and seconded by Dr. Kirk to approve the Weaver engagement letter for an audit. The motion was approved by unanimous vote. Discuss and take any necessary action regarding an ODC planning retreat in the next two or three months including potential date. Mr. Crow suggested a planning session between mid-January to mid-February. An email will be sent for suggested dates. ODC Committee and Officer reports: Partnership, Tax Incentive, Advertising, DOI Grants Design Review Board, and Compliance. The Partnership meeting had good reports. Closed Session the board may recess into Executive Session in compliance with section 551.001 et. Seq. Texas Government Code. No action. Citizens comments on non-agenda items. No comments. Upcoming dates for future ODC Board meetings. The next ODC meeting was scheduled for December 14, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. ODC Minutes November 9, 2023 Page 4 Motion was made by Dr. Kirk and seconded by Mr. Russell to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m. Revised by: Kathi Vaughn, Economic Development Specialist ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, TRMC, CMC Kris Crow City Secretary President