Odessa Development Corporation

ODESSA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS March 20, 2024 A regular meeting of the Odessa Development Corporation (ODC) was held on March 20, 2024, at 2:04 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 5 th floor, City Hall, 411 W. 8th St. Odessa, Texas. Members present: David Boutin, Kris Crow, Melanie Hollmann, Tim Harry, Larry Robinson, and Jeff Russell. Members absent: James Kirk Others present: Dan Jones, City Attorney; Christina Buhnerkempe, Legal Assistant; John Beckmeyer, City Manager; Kaylie Banda, Director of Finance; Elizabeth Prieto, Downtown Executive Director; Tom Manskey, Office of Economic Development; Kathi Vaughn, Office of Economic Development; Tracy Jones, Office of Economic Development; Lindsey Simpkins, Office of Economic Development; Christi Callicoatte, Current Media Partners; and Others: and other interested citizens A quorum being present, Mr. Crow called the meeting to order, and the following proceedings were held: Larry Robinson gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge were recited. Plaque presentation to outgoing ODC Board Member Mikky Navarette. Mr. Crow thanked Mr. Navarette for serving on the Odessa Development Corporation board. Mr. Crow welcomed new member Mr. Harry to the ODC Board. Minutes of February 15, 2024, Mr. Boutin stated that additional information is needed on Resolution No. ODC-2024R-05 EDA with ICA Development, LLC. The minutes need to include not only what ODC does but why the resolution was approved. Motion was made by Mr. Boutin and seconded by Mr. Robinson to approve all 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 reached out to Nacero and 1PointFive for a presentation to the board, both had schedule conflicts but plan to be at the April or May ODC meeting to give an update. The Economic Development Department, Willie Taylor and Gail Dickenson with PB Workforce, Dr. Price and Kristi Pruitt with Odessa College, Renee Earls and Christi Callicoatte had a zoom meeting to discuss follow up on the Workforce Summit. One project from the summit is called ODC Minutes March 20, 2024 Page 2 Project Cohort which is “Working with New Americans”. Working to develop a pathway to individuals who are already here but may not be able to be placed in our workforce because they are not here legally. The economic development team is working with Theresa Servin, Regional Director of LULAC and will get UTPB, BCOC, and others involved. The chamber applied for a grant through the American Chamber of Commerce Executives and received it. Look at possibly getting translators involved to assist with language barriers. Mr. Russell stated that we need ESL classes but also SSL classes and would like Mr. Manskey to keep him informed on this project. Project Molecule, the ancillary project to 1PointFive, is working through 312 agreements with taxing entities. A good month for BR&E visits. Mr. Manskey gave all board members invitations to the UTPB State of the University event. RSVP by April 3rd. Mr. Manskey shared the Chamber Annual Report with the board. Tracy Jones and Lindsey Simpkins received their Business Retention & Expansion Coordinator certification through the Business Retention & Expansion International program. Mrs. Callicoatte discussed the Target Industry Analysis. A lot of data and good information and an overview was shared with the Advertising Committee during the Monday, March 19th meeting. Still reviewing the information before Current Media shares the data with the board. Mr. Callicoatte reviewed new creative campaigns with new ads with the board. The goal is to stand out from other cities. A new workforce article has been posted on the ODC website that recaps the Workforce Summit. Mr. Russell stated that one of the tasks given to the Current Media team is increasing the local public awareness of ODC, increasing press releases and signage for projects ODC is involved with so people are aware the project is brought to you by ODC. Mr. Crow stated UTPB SBDC had a good month. Mr. Russell encouraged everyone to sign up for their emails, great things happening. Ms. Banda reviewed the ODC Investment reports for the 1st Quarter of the year. The West Texas National Bank CD renewed in September at 3.96%. First Bank and Trust will mature at the end of April should be able to get a good interest rate. On November 2023 Reserved Fund Balance, ICA and Liberty need to be added. Ms. Banda is waiting on those to reach her desk. Mr. Crow requested that the board would like to see how much is coming out of the ODC investments each month, the in and the outs. Ms. Banda shared a list of Outstanding Incentive Projects. Ms. Hollmann stated ICA Development for $4,000,000 should not be under Outstanding Façade / Infrastructure Projects those are the Downtown projects. Mr. Russell stated Parks Bell needs to be added to the Incentive Projects list. Liberty and 1PointFive are not on the Incentive Projects list. Mr. Jones advised the agreement from 1PointFive has not been signed. Ms. Banda discussed moving money from Frost to the TexPool investment. Ms. Banda will visit with the Frost team. Discuss and take any necessary action regarding the appointment of (2) two Tax Incentive Committee Members from the ODC Board, (1) one appointment shall be and ODC Board member appointed by the ODC Board, and (1) additional person, at large, to be appointed by the ODC Board, each of whom shall have voting power. Currently the ODC members appointed are Mr. Boutin and Ms. Hollmann with their terms expiring March 31, 2024. Ms. Hollmann and Mr. Boutin volunteered to serve on the Tax Incentive Committee. ODC Minutes March 20, 2024 Page 3 Motion was made by Mr. Robinson and seconded by Mr. Russell to approve the appointments of David Boutin and Melanie Hollman to the Tax Incentive Committee. The motion was approved by unanimous vote. Resolution No. ODC-2024R-08 – Consider Resolution approving Economic Development Agreement for both Downtown infrastructure and façade grants at 413 E. 8th Street with Advanced Wireless Communications, LLC. / Syed Ahmad, Owner. Ms. Prieto stated this is for a small space located at 413 8 th Street that would be used for rental space for businesses. The request is for a Façade Grant of $25,000 and Infrastructure Grant of $78,055.99. Motion was made by Mr. Boutin and seconded by Mr. Robinson to approve the resolution for the façade and infrastructure grants. ODC Committee and Officer reports: Partnership, Tax Incentive, Advertising, DOI Grants Design Review Board, and Compliance. Mr. Crow stated a Partnership meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 4, 2024. Advertising met March 19, 2024 as discussed by Ms. Callicoatte. DOI Grants Design Review Board has other potential projects Ms. Prieto is working on. The Compliance Committee met March 18, 2024 and will be presenting a couple of projects to the board in the near future. 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 Board meeting is scheduled tentatvely for April 11, 2024 2:00 p.m. Motion was made by Mrs. Hollmann and seconded by Mr. Harry to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved by unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 3:29 p.m. PREPARED BY: APPROVED: Kathi Vaughn Kris Crow Economic Development Specialist President ATTEST: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, TRMC, CMC City Secretary