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McKinney Community Development Corporation
Regular Board Meeting
December 16, 2009
The McKinney Community Development Corporation (MCDC) met in regular session in the Dowdy conference room located at 321 N. Central Expressway, Suite 200, McKinney, Texas at 8:00 A.M. on December 16, 2009.
Board members present were Chair Ray Eckenrode, Vice-chair Bill Campbell, James Lane, Tracy Rath, George Fuller, Kevin Griffin, and council liaison Geralyn Kever. Staff present was Administrative Assistant Connie Gibson. There were several guests present.
Mr. Eckenrode called the meeting to order at 8:00 A.M. He then called for discussion and action on the minutes for November 18, 2009 and December 8, 2009. There was one change made to page two of the November 18th minutes. Bill Campbell made a motion to approve the minutes with the one change. George Fuller seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (6-0).
Mr. Eckenrode stated that the review of check requests would be skipped. The monthly review of check requests will begin in January.
Mr. Eckenrode said that the liaison reports would be given next. There was no Parks and Recreation report. Jim Young brought the MEDC report. He reported that two firms are looking at locations on highway five. Both are in green manufacturing. Between the two firms, that will be approximately 130,000 square feet, and result in 500 new jobs.
Jason Burress entered the meeting at 8:04 A.M.
Bill Campbell brought the Chamber of Commerce report. He stated that the new board was installed at the Chamber board meeting. Mr. Campbell will be the new Chamber chairman.
Citizen comments were given next. Jason Weeks stated that there were no financials for the month of December. He reported that the sales tax for December was down 8.1% from December, 2008. January would be a key month for tax projections. January reports represent the November sales.
Diann Bayes gave an MCVB report during citizen comments. She stated that the MCVB Open House had been very successful, with around 200 attending. Her office will be doing some travelling in January. The MCVB strategic planning meeting will be held on Saturday, February 20th. The Irving Executive Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau will be the facilitator.
Frank Ragan discussed the Economic Development Summit that had been held by the City Council. There was much discussed. Mr. Ragan proposed that the city focus on five areas of economic development. The five areas are: The 121 corridor, the Gateway/Bridge street area, the airport and surrounding area, the highway five railroad corridor, and a regional retail center north (543 / 75 area). He also proposed that the city entities that have economic development as a portion of their mission work together. He suggested that three members from the groups that have a main agenda of economic development (MEDC, Chamber) and two from the groups that have economic development as a portion of their mission (MCDC, MADC) form the committee. He also proposed to the Council that he pick the members from each group to form the committee. A consultant will be hired. He hopes to have the committee formed by the end of January. He stated that the intent is to have a draft plan in place by the end of the year.
Ray Eckenrode addressed the issues regarding the natatorium project. The project was tabled by the City Council. Geralyn Kever stated she felt that the project will proceed. The school board is not as educated on the project, and the school board would like the new superintendant to become familiar with the project.
Mr. Eckenrode called for a break at 8:31 A.M.
The meeting was called back in session at 8:50 A.M.
A conference call with Eric Peterson from Waverly Partners began at 8:50 A.M. Mr. Peterson has been hired by the MCDC board to facilitate the hiring of an Executive Director. Mr. Peterson stated that he will draft a position profile after the conference call. The board was asked what they viewed were some of the good qualities of MCDC. Tracy Rath stated that MCDC is a good partner with other organizations. MCDC has become more proactive with the partnerships that have been established. Expectations of the new Executive Director were listed. The board stressed that the new Director would be available to attend community functions, would be out in the community, and would become well known in the community. Living in McKinney is a requirement, and 4(b) experience is not mandatory.
The conference call ended at 10:07 A.M.
Kevin Griffin seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting made by Tracy Rath. The motion passed unanimously (7-0).
The meeting was adjourned at 10:08 A.M.
_____________________________________
RAY ECKENRODE – Chairman
Attest:
_________________________________
Connie Gibson – Board Secretary
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