10/18/2016 MINUTES - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

PEDC Board Meeting Minutes October 18, 2016 Page 3 of 4 Mr. Paris said Mr. Brockman and Mr. Hughes accompanied him to the October 10, 2016, City Council meeting for a discussion with the City Council about constructing the Spec Building. Mr. Paris said he told that City Council that "Our mission as an Economic Development Corporation is to create jobs with whatever assets are available." We presented them with the bid, the contingency and the bid bond for a total of $774,260. Two conditions were added to the memo: the Spec Building could not be leased without City Council approval; the Spec Building could not be sold without City Council approval. A long discussion took place with the Council and good questions were asked. Today Mr. Paris was told by City Staff that they will not put this memo on the Council agenda for October 24, 2016, or any time because the perception is it would create a fight between Council members. We were told that the Council does not want to listen to anything about the Spec Building and certainly does not want to take a vote. Mr. Paris stated that we do not have an inventory of existing space to bring prospects to Paris. The Spec Building is a low risk venture that we will not lose money on. We offer many incentives, but our lack of inventory is holding us back. There were companies that went bad in the past, but the outcome with the businesses that came into those buildings has been outstanding. Mr. Brockman asked if Mr. Trenado, our City Council Liaison, would tell us what the Council is thinking by not wanting us to be on the agenda. Mr. Trenado told us that Mr. Paris is presenting the Spec Building very well and the problem with the Council not wanting to discuss or vote on it could be personal. Mr. Brockman asked Mr. Trenado if he would consider putting the Spec Building on the agenda and he answered that he would put it on the agenda. The Board is in agreement that they are looking for a "Yes or No" vote from the Council to determine the direction the PEDC will go with the Spec Building. Mr. Paris stated that we would work with Mr. Trenado to put the Spec Building on the City Council agenda. Executive Director's Monthly Report. • Our marketing efforts will be highlighting the parcels of land at the NW Business Park. We will be using Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn in our marketing plan. Constant Contact will send out email blasts that we create to email lists that we are collecting. The goal is to start with bi- weekly blasts and move up to weekly blasts. The marketing will focus on the land and buildings we have, it will highlight features that make Paris a unique place and it will talk about the PEDC. • Two travel opportunities have been cancelled IEDC meeting and IAMC meeting because of the work taking place at the office. Mr. Paris will attend the TEDC meeting is this week in Austin. There are two more marketing trips that he will be going to before the end of the year: the National Business Aviation Association and FabTech. • A new sign for the front of the building is on order with the sign company. This is replacing the framed bulletin board which is becoming an eyesore. The new sign is simple with our name, address, and website.