VAEDC Minutes – 03 28 14

2014-07-21

VAN ALSTYNE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
228 E. Marshall
VAN ALSTYNE, TEXAS
Friday, March 28, 2014

1.Call to Order & Introduction of Guest(s): Called to order at 9:00 a.m.
Present: Art Atteberry; Nathan Petri; Kaaren Teuber; Mayor Teddie Ann Salmon; City Manager Frank Baker; and Kanita Larkins
Absent: Timmerle Kelly; Nick Williams
Guest(s): Lisa Hill-McCay and Cody Howell/Buxton; Laura Dapkus/Sheep Boutique; Mark Steele & Marion Moore/M Square Design.

2.Presentation by Buxton – Lisa Hill-McCay & Cody Howell: Lisa Hill-McCay made a presentation to the board members regarding the services provided by Buxton, a retail consulting firm. Buxton is a customer analytics firm that helps organizations identify who their customers are, where those customers are located, and the value those customers have to the organization. Buxton has the support and staff to assist with execution strategy to ensure success. In addition to their support and staff, Buxton also provides access to SCOUT, a new website tool that helps provide insights for retail within a given geography. Buxton also allows their clients to utilize its booth space at deal making events. Buxton will tailor its final report and presentation to proposed retailers and sit in on meetings with retailers if needed. They currently represent Anna; however, there would not be a conflict should the VAEDC board decide to use Buxton’s services. Buxton does not broker deals. The cost for a year is approximately $50,000 and that includes the SCOUT subscription.

3.Presentation regarding logo – Laura Dapkus/Sheep Boutique, Mark Steele and Marion Moore/M Square Design: A presentation was provided to the board members regarding a proposed new logo for Van Alstyne. The logo currently being used by the City, VAEDC and VACDC is approximately twenty plus years. The Van Alstyne Chamber of Commerce has recently changed its logo which was designed by M Square Design and it was hoped that all of the organizations in the City could be consistent with the Chamber. Ms. Moore explained to the board members the logo selected by the Chamber has two colors: the color blue (school color); and the second is gold. Blue would be the consistent color used by all other organizations and the second color would be a color of the organization’s choice.
Some of the concerns expressed were: this was a something that City Council would need to review and decide for the City; and the cost involved in changing logos on business cards, stationery, vehicles, signs, etc. It was recommended that this matter be presented to the Van Alstyne Community Development at their next board meeting. Other organizations should be considered as well and a committee should be created to discuss the proposed logo. Although the school district decides on its own logo, there should be some consistency. If after discussion the various organizations are in agreement to change the logo, it is to be presented to City Council for their decision. If accepted, the logo would be phased in gradually.
4.Minutes of Previous Meetings: The minutes for the February 2014 Regular Meeting were reviewed by the board. Kaaren Teuber made a motion to accept the minutes. Nathan Petri seconded the motion. Motion carried.

5.Treasurer’s Report: The balance sheet and profit and loss for the month of February 2014 were reviewed by the board. Nathan Petri made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report. Arthur Atteberry seconded the motion. Motion carried.

6.Up and Above Video: Kanita Larkins reported to the board members about the presentation by Troy Gelsky of Up and Above Video to the Van Alstyne Community Development Corporation as was requested by VAEDC board member and secretary, Nick Williams. Mr. Gelsky provided the VACDC board members with a demonstration of their UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) equipment that is used to make videos. Because the UAV is much smaller and safer than airplanes and helicopters, it allows them to get to places that most aerial photographer could never go. Mr. Gelsky explained that they could shoot a video for VACDC and VAEDC and other businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and the schools who wish to use of the video could share in the cost of making the video. Mr. Gelsky estimated the cost to be approximately $5,000.00. Board member Kaaren Teuber expressed her concern that Up and Above Video was not a local business and that we should support our local businesses.

7.Palladium: Kanita Larkins reports that Palladium representative Mary Henderson has received the combined letter of support from VAEDC & VACDC presidents, Arthur Atteberry and Andrew Sikes which Ms. Henderson will forward as part of the application process with Texas Department of Housing and Communities Affairs. Ms. Henderson has not received a letter of support from State Representative Larry Phillips. Kanita Larkins was instructed by the board to contact him after the meeting as today is the deadline to submit the letter. Mayor Teddie Ann Salmon reports that it will be six (6) weeks before a decision will be made by the Texas Department of Housing.

8.Retire in Texas: Kanita Larkins reports that she has been provided a list of retired persons from the Texas Department of Agriculture who are interested in retirement communities. She has visited with the Mayor about preparing a letter about Van Alstyne that will be signed by the Mayor to send to the interested parties. Additionally, Kanita Larkins was one of the first responders to an email from regarding a free full-page ad in the Houston Magazine, Senior Resource Guide. She is currently working with their ad designer in preparing the advertisement page. She will provide a copy of the ad for the board’s review.

9.Upcoming Training & Seminars: Kanita Larkins reminded the board members of upcoming TEDC (Economic Development Sales Tax Workshop (Richardson, May 16, 2014), Texas Rural Challenge (Waco, June 19-20, 2014), Texas Women in Economic Development Conference (Dallas, November 18-19, 2014). Kaaren Teuber advised Kanita Larkins to sign her up for Sales Tax Workshop in May as she is available to attend. Kanita Larkins will continue to inform and remind the board of upcoming training and seminars. City Manager Frank Baker also informed the board members that the City of Whitewright was hosting a seminar “TML Small Cities’ Problem Solving” on Friday, April 4, 2014.

10.Building Use & Key Agreement: The board members were provided copies of the Chamber of Commerce Building Use Agreement and Key Agreement. Kanita Larkins was instructed to add a revision to the Chamber of Commerce Building Use Agreement should include a phrase stating that the Chamber would make a good faith effort to review their budget annually (January) to determine if it could make payments towards the rent and utilities. As concerns the Key Agreement, Kanita Larkins was instructed to obtain three (3) copies of the key. In addition to executing the Key Agreement, a person requesting said key would be required to sign-out the key and sign-in the key within five (5) days.

11.SWOT (Strength-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) Analysis: Kanita Larkins reported she has talked to Dr. Spies, superintendent for the Van Alstyne ISD and he is interested in participating in the workshop. Dr. Kim Teel with Grayson College has a full calendar and will not be able to attend. David McGinnis with the Grayson-Collin Electric Cooperative (GCEC) will assign someone to represent GCEC & GCEC Telecom. Arthur Atteberry will represent the Van Alstyne Economic Development Corporation and Kaaren Teuber will represent the City Council. Kanita Larkins will meet with the Van Alstyne Community Development Corporation to determine if they wish to have a representative at the workshop.

12.Comments of President, Mayor and City Manager: Mayor Teddie Ann Salmon instructed the board members that they should proceed with caution should it decide to use a retail consulting firm. She recommends that the board members instruct staff to contact other surrounding communities who are currently using a retail consulting firms to determine if they are pleased with the services provided and whether it was cost efficient.

13.Adjourn: A motion was made to adjourn by Nathan Petri. Art Atteberry seconded the motion. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 11:41 a.m. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 25, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.

Minutes respectfully taken by Kanita Larkins 03/28/2014

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