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PEDC Board Meeting Minutes December 18, 2019 Page 4 of 5 strategic plan. Dr. Hashmi stated that in 2011 or 2012 the City brought in a consultant. The consultant went to PJC and copied pages from them and charged the City $150,000.00. Mr. Paris would like to engage the community in the plan. Mr. Pankaj said that a strategic plan is very important and gave the example in the Sales Tax Workshop where the attendees were asked who had a strategic plan. Most raised their hands except for Paris and a few other cities. He went on to say that we need to make our assessments of a consultant based on community input. Mr. Paris said that we should come back and put together an outline of our goals for the June presentation. Discuss direction in pursuinga workforce maw Ian to hi.•-hli, ht h!1F#Atafilt-iositio skill attainment in Lamar Count°� . — Mr. Paris told the Board that the unemployment in Lamar County is at 3.2%. PJC has surveyed the skill gaps that we have in Lamar County. We need to find creative ways to get our graduates into manufacturing. Communicating to the graduates, the disadvantaged, or those at a lower income what jobs exist in manufacturing and how much they pay. A person skilled in social media to put out social media campaigns in a format that the young people respond to. We will come back to the Board with a program of work and ask for your suggestions on how to proceed. Mr. Pankaj said that Paul Allen has done a phenomenal job with the Chamber and suggested that he be asked for input. Mr. Paris stated that he has asked for help from: Mr. Allen, Lamar County Chamber; Dr. Anglin, President of PJC; and Ms. Wilson, Executive Director of the United Way; Texas Workforce Commission; the Council of Governments. Mr. Hernandez said that temporary worker agencies should be included. Mr. Hamill stated that the 3.2% is the average unemployment rate with certain areas having a higher rate. One problem in Lamar County is getting some interested in. work. Ms. Bills commented that it would be beneficial to have people who looked like you in this group. She said that minorities should be a part of this. Amer can SViraiWeld Pi ____ date: • Phase II Transfer of the Brownfield to ASWP. All the paperwork has been completed and is being sent to the title company for signatures. We are waiting on a letter from Berg -Oliver concerning the wetlands. This letter will wrap up the wetlands and transfer them to American SpiralWeld. The environmental part with GHD is waiting on the state, when we hear from them construction will start of the brownfield. • Rail Construction Agreement. Two remaining components between, PEDC, American and Kiamichi Railroad: 1) who is responsible if costs go above $1 million, American has agreed to go up to $75,000.00 if there is a cost overrun; 2) penalties if construction is delayed, the timeline was between six and eight months with a fee of $2,500.00 a day penalty. We are moving the timeline to twelve months and keeping the fee. Mr. Hernandez asked why we have not seen an estimate of the cost of the rail. Mr. Paris stated that January first the costs will start changing due to market factors. We do have a scope of work ready.. Asset 1V%anaement As shown, this item was moved between Items 4 and 5. • RFB for Land Clearing • Opening Bids December 23, 2019 Convene into Executive Session: Executive Session was tabled under Item 11.