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McKinney Community Development Corporation
Regular Board Meeting
July 30, 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 July 30, 2009 .
Board members present were Chair Ray Eckenrode, Vice-chair Bill Campbell, Dr. Carrie Alfieri, David Melton, Joe Maxey, T.J. Lane, Tracy Rath and council liaison Geralyn Kever. Staff present was Executive Director Mike Gibson and Administrative Assistant Connie Gibson. There were several guests present.
Mr. Eckenrode called the meeting to order at 8:00 A.M. He asked for discussion and action on the board minutes for June 25, 2009. There was one revision made. T.J. Lane made a motion to approve the minutes with the revision. Bill Campbell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (7-0).
Jason Weeks brought the financial report. The sales tax receipts for June were $621,456. This is down approximately 3.7% from June, 2008. The July sales tax summary shows $604,294, which is down 5.9% from July, 2008. The projected sales tax for the year is approximately 8.1 million.
Next, a public hearing was held to discuss, consider and act on a cost sharing proposal between MCDC, MISD, and the City of McKinney for the development of a recreation center and aquatics facility with the MCDC percentage of the project totaling nineteen million dollars. Frank Ragan, City Manager, spoke. Tom Crowe, school superintendant, and Brian Loughmiller, Mayor, were also in attendance. Mr. Ragan suggested that the option with the fifty meter pool be considered. This is large enough to be used for competitions, and would have a moveable floor. MISD has agreed to put in up to fifteen million dollars on the project, and have agreed to go fifty-fifty on the engineering. MISD would cover subsidy of the pool in the early years. Mr. Ragan stated that Mr. Crowe and he are committed to have an agreement in place before the end of the year, for everyone to see that the City and MISD are working in partnership. Superintendant Crowe commented it is time to take this next step for the community. The school district is committed to the land for the project. The land is across from Cockrill Middle School on Hardin. This location is very centrally located. There are huge benefits for the community if MISD, the City, and MCDC are able to do this project. Mayor Brian Loughmiller said he hears from citizens comments about the tax rate and what are they getting in return. 4A and 4B funds are always being looked at to be used for public transportation. To issue debt would protect money to be used for future projects. He feels that this is a good project, and expects the council to be supportive of the natatorium project. Darrin Carpenter, vice-president of the McKinney Sea Lions spoke in support of the project. Diann Bayes, MCVB Executive Director spoke. She stated that in other cities she has worked in, a natatorium brought in a lot of overnights and a lot of sales tax dollars spent from swim meets held at natatoriums. Lemuel Randolph, Parks and Recreation Director, spoke in favor of the natatorium. Mr. Eckenrode asked if there were any other comments. Hearing none, he asked for a motion to close the public hearing. Bill Campbell made a motion to close the public hearing. Joe Maxey seconded the motion. The motion was voted on and passed (7-0). Joe Maxey thanked Mr. Ragan and Mr. Crowe for their work on the project, and for bringing MCDC in early on the planning. He asked who will pick up the operating cost deficiency on the facility. The answer was MISD. Who will do scheduling and operations for the pool? Parks department will operate and manage the facility. In regards to scheduling, the fifty meter will not be available to the public during swim meets. Have funds from a previous bond election been earmarked for a natatorium project? The answer was yes. Will the natatorium be rolled into an MISD bond issue with other projects? Mr. Crowe stated that yes, it would. Dr. Alfieri asked who would cover cost over runs. Mr. Ragan stated if there was cost over runs they would redesign to bring the costs down. The City would not be coming back to MCDC for more funds. Geralyn Kever asked if there had been anything worked out about the draw down on the project in regards to the percentages each entity is paying into the project. Mr. Ragan stated that on another project they are paying out based on what portion of the facility is being worked on. Mrs. Kever asked Mr. Crowe if there were funds set aside from a previous bond issue for the natatorium. Mr. Crowe said that there were twelve and one half million dollars set aside for a stadium and natatorium complex. The school district would go to the voters for the entire package, and leave the twelve and one half million to be used for a stadium at some point. Mr. Campbell stated he does not want MCDC to end up having to fund annual costs of operation. The fees need to be kept at the right point. Mr. Randolph was asked what the fees would be tentatively. He reported they would be $6.00 for adult’s daily fee, $5.00 for children. Yearly membership would be $300.00. David Melton asked if funds were being requested now. Mr. Ragan stated that funds were needed now to get started on the project. Mr. Lane stated that he had not heard until today that $1.6 million would be diverted from the parks acquisition fund. This is a great concern to him because this will hinder the city’s ability to acquire park land. Geralyn Kever stated that MCDC has to do a careful balancing act to meet all the needs and priorities of the McKinney citizens. Joe Maxey asked who will own the land when the project is finished. Mr. Ragan stated that would be worked out. Tracy Rath asked Mr. Crowe what would happen if the bond issue failed. He stated that he would work with the City, but is not concerned about the bond issue passing. Geralyn Kever asked Mr. Randolph about the proximity of the project to the park system. He stated that the project is in direct proximity to a 250 acre park site south of the natatorium location. The park will serve as a key focal point for the city. The trail system is part of a regional trail system. Mr. Eckenrode wanted clarification that the council was wanting a decision today. Mrs. Kever stated that she felt the council was supportive of the project and were hoping for some response at this meeting. Joe Maxey made a motion to approve the nineteen million dollar project with the caveat that all the agreements are in place and approved by the board before any bonds are sold. Carrie Alfieri seconded the motion. The board voted and the motion passed (6-1) with T.J. Lane opposing.
Mr. Eckenrode called for a break at 9:07 A.M.
The meeting was reconvened at 9:16 A.M.
Mr. Eckenrode announced that the board would move into Executive Session at this time. He called the meeting into Executive Session at 9:17 A.M.
The meeting was called back into Open Session at 9:32 A.M.
Mr. Eckenrode announced that the next item on the agenda would be to discuss, consider and act on an application submitted by Williams Cemetery Association requesting nineteen thousand, four hundred and fifty dollars for fencing, stump removal, grading and shrubs. Mr. Gibson first gave an update on project money available. There is a little over two million dollars available. William Bonney with the cemetery association spoke. The cemetery was founded in 1848. The association has no paid staff. With the development of the area the cemetery is becoming surrounded by houses. Fencing to surround the cemetery is needed. Bill Campbell asked if other funding sources had been sought. Mr. Bonney stated that none other had been. David Melton made a motion to close the public hearing and fund the fencing material and installation for a total of sixteen thousand, eight hundred dollars. The motion was seconded by Tracy Rath. The motion was voted on and passed (6-1) with Ray Eckenrode opposing.
The next item on the agenda was a public hearing to discuss, consider and act on an application submitted by North Texas History Center. Mr. Gibson introduced Vicki Day, Executive Director of NTHC. Mrs. Day stated that the museum is in need of repairs and renovation. Tracy Rath stated she would like to see a breakdown on the salary expense shown on the financial statements. David Melton asked if the old paint in the foyer is lead based. Tracy Rath made a motion to table the request until the question concerning the lead based paint could be answered. Joe Maxey seconded the motion, and stated that he had some questions concerning previous funding to the Farm Museum that he would like to have answered. The motion was voted on and passed unanimously (7-0).
A public hearing to consider funding an application submitted by Heard Natural Science Museum was next on the agenda. The museum had requested eighty-four thousand dollars for roof replacement. Sy Shahid, Executive Director, spoke. He stated that the building is forty years old. The building was build with a flat roof, which has caused many problems. The bid Mr. Shahid has received includes materials with a ten year warranty, and labor with a seven year warranty. Mr. Gibson stated that he would recommend funding the project. He asked Mr. Shahid if the museum had any money to contribute to the project. The answer was yes, there was twelve thousand that could be used on the project. T.J. Lane commented that he thought this project would be a good opportunity for MCDC. The museum is very good for the community. Mr. Lane made a motion to fund the request as submitted. There was no second. Joe Maxey made a motion to close the public hearing and fund the project seventy-two thousand dollars with the understanding that the Heard has twelve thousand to contribute to the project. Bill Campbell seconded the motion. The motion was voted on and passed (6-1) with David Melton opposing.
A request for funding by Community Lifeline Center was next on the agenda. Mr. Lane recused himself from the discussion because of a conflict of interest. He left the meeting at 10:23 a.m. Christine Hocken-Boyd spoke. She reported that the Center is seeking funds for a new telephone system, desktop computers, software and other equipment. Sheila Miller, Executive Director of Volunteer McKinney Center spoke. She stated that she is a board member of Community Lifeline, and she was very impressed with the work Mrs. Hocken-Boyd had done in the short time she has been here. Bill Campbell made a motion to close the public hearing and approve the funding request of twenty-four thousand, nine hundred and twenty-eight dollars. The motion was seconded by David Melton. The motion was voted on and passed unanimously (6-0).
Mr. Eckenrode announced that a public hearing to consider a request for funding submitted by Avenues Counseling Center was the next item on the agenda. Hank Wich, Executive Director, spoke. He stated that the corrected amount request was Seventeen thousand, one hundred forty nine dollars and eight cents.
At 10:32 a.m. Mr. Lane came back into the meeting.
Mr. Wich informed the board that Avenues Counseling has partnered with Lifepath Systems. They will remain in their current building. This has created a need for some modifications to be made to the building, as well as some equipment updates. Neil Sperry and Sheila Miller both spoke in favor of Avenues Counseling. Tracy Rath made a motion to close the public hearing and fund the request. The motion was seconded by T.J. Lane. The motion was voted on and passed unanimously (7-0).
Mr. Eckenrode called for a break at 10:38 a.m.
The meeting was called back into session at 10:47 a.m.
The next item on the agenda was to discuss and consider requests for promotional funding by six different organizations. Tanya Green with the Boys and Girls club spoke first. Her organization had requested twenty thousand dollars to be used for the Day for Kids event held on September 12, 2009. The event will be held at Finch Park. Their goal is to have 700-800 people at the event. The City of McKinney Parks department presented next. Lemuel Randolph spoke. They were seeking funds for the Red, White and Boom event held on July 4th.
Jennifer Arnold with the City Planning department spoke next. Her department had requested $21,412 to be used to publish the quarterly Town Center Connection newsletter, and for postage. Crape Myrtle Trails had the next two requests. They were requesting $5,000 to be used for collateral material, and for maps. They were also requesting $11,740 for the Crape Myrtle Trails Run that will be held on October 3, 2009. Neil Sperry spoke, and then Susan Owens spoke. Ty Lake with McKinney Main Street spoke next. She had submitted an application to promote the Dickens of a Christmas event held Thanksgiving weekend. Her request was for $15,000. A request by Volunteer McKinney Center was last. Sheila Miller, Executive Director, spoke. The funds would be used for Take a Hike, Volunteer Solutions and Make a Difference Day. She was requesting $12,699.
Chairman Eckenrode shared with the board the committee recommendations. The committee recommended funding: Boys and Girls Club - $10,000, Crape Myrtle Trails - $3,250, Crape Myrtle Trails Run - $0, City of McKinney Parks Department - $15,000. City of McKinney Planning Department - $0, McKinney Main Street - $15,000, Volunteer McKinney Center - $10,000. David Melton made a motion to fund the recommended amounts. Carrie Alfieri seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (7-0).
Mr. Gibson next gave the Executive Directors report. He stated there will be a reception for the new television station on August 12th. The council budget retreat will be held August 7th.
He next discussed the 2009-2010 budget. He stated that the finance committee would meet before the August board meeting. MCDC is looking into purchasing a license for a grant research program (eCivis). Carolyn Lovell, Grants Coordinator with the City spoke about the program. The program would assist non-profit groups seek other grants that are available.
T.J. Lane gave the Parks and Recreation report. He reported that there would be a tour of the natatoriums of several cities on Saturday, August 1st.
Jim Young brought the MEDC liaison report. He said they have been working with Emission Solutions, Inc. This company takes diesel engines and converts them to natural gas. The business is expanding and MEDC is looking at ways to assist them. The MEDC is working with a start up medical device company. The company has four principles that have raised one million dollars. They are building a 40,000 square foot building. The company makes syringes. There is an 85,000 square foot build to suit project that should be announced very soon.
Bill Campbell gave the Chamber of Commerce report. He stated the Chamber has narrowed their search for President. They should be bringing in a person soon.
Chairman Eckenrode asked for a motion to adjourn. David Melton made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Bill Campbell. The motion was voted on and passed unanimously (7-0). The meeting was adjourned at 12:12 p.m.
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RAY ECKENRODE – Chairman
Attest:
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Connie Gibson – Board Secretary
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