Jun 10, 2026 Economic Development Partnership Board on 2026-06-10 11:00 AM

Good morning everyone. We have a quorum of seven now so we 'll call the economic bill park before meeting for Wednesday, June 10th. I just ordered at 1110 and I don't see any members of the public during that portion so we'll go to items for consideration which would be the first one IMA, EDP 26-014, consider approval of the minutes from April 15th, 26th economic bill of partnership board retreat and special follow meeting. I think everybody received the minutes and the email. Were there any questions related to that? Move approval. Got a motion from Rick. Second? Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. I'll go to the same sign. Motion carries. Item B is EDP 26-015, consider making a recommendation to the city council of the adoption of the city of January chapter 312 tax abatement policy. Good morning. My name is Erica Sullivan. I'm the economic development program administrator here at the city and I'll be giving a presentation on the update to our tax abatement policy. So we'll begin with an overview and history, talk about the tax abatement considerations and then we'll go over those changes. We have a number of new members so I thought I'd give a brief overview of tax abatements. So chapter 312 of the Texas tax code is the governing statutory. The tax abatement is falling under the four new and expanded distances. There's a minimum capital investment required for our tax abatement policy. It's five million. That's exclusive to the tax abatement policy and not the Texas 380 policy. The chapter 380 policy we have, we wanted to be able to incentivize human capital. So a lot of times our technology members don't have that type of capital. So we can have those grants via chapter 3. So the property owner receives an exemption of all or a portion of their property taxes and that's done through the central apprais al discrete on their tax bill. And as for all of our incentives, we perform an economic analysis to determine the project costs and the ROI. And then one thing to note is that it's the incremental so only new, but state law we can't incentivize what's already existing under chapter 312. So new real property and new business. That could be two existing buildings or brand new buildings. So the policy history, our first policy was adopted in 1989 . We included sustainability incentives in 2010 and 12. And then we expanded the incentive to include chapter 380 of the local government code that gives cities a opportunity to give grants and loans in 2014 and then in 18 we address retail language, adding some definitions for sales and use tax for construction, and then we incorporated the investment fund in our base aircraft incentive all under one umbrella. And then 2020 we didn't have any significant changes because we were working on the strategic plan and wanted to incorporate that. So the plan was adopted in 2021. And then the policies were separated into two policies the tax payment policy and the chapter 380 policy at that time, and we aligned them with the city's core values and the strategic plan. The city plan has five guiding principles that we use to frame economic development that's core resiliency, future focused, inclusive growth, entrepreneurial spirit and cultural vitality. And there are also three major goals of the plan to accelerate recovery at that time, foster growth and strengthen community inclusion. So the last update that was performed in 2024, we rest ructured our strategic growth areas or SGA's under all of our public benefit factors under those. So we have connectivity, creative, sustainable and competitive. So we put all of our criterion under those in order to better align it with the plan, but I think that was found to be confusing. And then we also added this board recommended adding a comprehensive benefit package consideration. We also incorporated underwriting in 2024 after the Fine Arts Theater. So some considerations again, chapter 3 file the tax code is what governs it and state law requires us to update our policy every two years in order to be eligible to grant tax abatements. So they're only effective for those two years and then they expire and then during that period, if you want to amend it , you need to have three quarter vote or super majority in order to do that. And that's part of the reason we chose in 2022 to separate the tax statement policy and the chapter 3 policy so we could update the chapter 3 policy in that interim without super majority. And then also for times like this, where we had a board retreat, it gives us a little bit more time to work on the chapter 3 policy in order to incorporate some of those things in that. So it I think it benefited us by supporting the two policies. And then the chapter requires the governing body to hold a public hearing when adopting the tax abatement policy. Debt county is another consideration. They generally prefer to participate in tax payments with cities, but they have done a couple chapter 3, 8, 1, which is the county equivalent of chapter 3 here recently. So we're encouraged by that. So we'll go into the proposed changes to the policy. One of the considerations that we added was to address redevelop ment. That was one of the items that this board had recommended in the retreat. And we want to also encourage redevelopment in the downtown areas of the downtown tours. And then we also want to encourage projects that were identified or support the new master plan was approved in September of 24. I designed downtown plan. And then we have some general administrative cleanups of definitions and items not needed. We're trying to streamline the policy. So it's not as daunting. So a lot of the definitions, for example, could be handled in the agreement or were specific to a particular project. So we cleaned some of that up and then we updated the census maps with the qualified census tracks. We also align our policies to the city core values. So you can see here the current values and then the proposed that are aligned with the cities. So the new ones are in blue there collaboration, quality service and strategic focus. And then we also want to highlight the changes to the current policies dealing with our targeted industry sectors . So our current industry sectors are aligned with our strategic growth areas. And this is taken directly from our strategic plan. And these are organized by NAICS, the industry codes. And again, there are creativity, creativity, sustainability and competitiveness. Those were the four areas that the NAICS were organized under. And a lot of businesses and even our new staff found this confusing. So we are proposing, especially with our new marketing efforts, because we, you know, the Chamber and the City have taken on different roles. Chamber took on business retention. We took on marketing. So we are proposing aviation, aerospace, you see here on the right, drone and transportation, mobility, advanced manufacturing, biomedical, bioscience, like the Vardis, information technology, renewable energy, research and development. That was another item that came out of the board retreat. Supply chain and logistics, because where we're located, that's ideal at the apex of Dallas-Fort Worth. And then we also want to, you know, we have our own municipal electric utility and other utilities. So we want to incorporate significant consumers and municipal utilities. And then our unmanned aircraft systems, UA Aztec ecosystem that we want to support. So here is a change and some considerations that we looked at as a group. So again, the minimum five million capital investment for the tax evasion policy. Another item is that incentives may not be considered if a permit has been issued or if instruction has been issued. This addresses the but for with the business comp up for incentives. And then we added the targeted industry sectors that we just reviewed on that last slide. So you can look at them clearly. Just a quick update on the 2026 qualified census tracks. We added the new map with that. And we also made a change here. Any minimum job related thresholds will be at least 75% of the jobs in the application. Our previous was 90, but that's a little hard to achieve for some of our businesses. And then we also have a minimum threshold value performed. This is our timely completion date in 24 months. And so if they're constructing a new facility or expanding, they have to do that within that in order to be eligible for the incentive. And then the minimum threshold at least 75% of the value for new projects and 50% for expansion projects. We found that in span, expansion projects, expanding the same amount were not valued the same amount unless they changed the use . Increases higher wage knowledge based jobs. So we have an average of 65,000 for all jobs for 35,000. 25% maintenance, 75,000. We wanted to see if that was still something that we wanted to support and then pays a living wage for all new employees in accordance with the living wage calculator for NIC. So these are some things to consider. The options and recommendations for this board. The board can recommend proposed changes to the tax statement policy. The board can make recommendations to include or exclude items to provide other direction. And then I wanted to highlight the next step. So the tax abatement policy is right now scheduled to be considered on July 14. The Chapter 380 policy would go to EDP in July or August. And then the Chapter 380 policy by council in August or September. I'm happy to entertain questions. Thomas, anything? Well, actually I have one quick question. On the construction, is that the start construction within 24 months of finished construction? The final completion would be to finish. And that's typically what we allow in our policy. And it's December of that year. So it's not necessarily exactly 24 months, but typically it's two years after it's developed, but it's December 31. So it's more? A little bit. It depends when it falls exactly. Because my only concern is if you can't get an application in your permit period, it could take you 12 months. You're planning. And then 12 months in this big project could take a little longer. So that would be the only thing I think that we're going to be here. Probably if you could already be in your building permit. So I think there might need to just think about that timeline because I could put some people. 30 months, 36 months. That may be a better way that maybe better language. I'll say that we had two businesses that we had to deny incentives because they were yet applied for commercial alterations permit. And so I think we always refer back to the but for clause and Scott or Eric, you may want to review that real quick because that's what I think. Please talk about this item here. The minimum threshold tax value within 24 months. We're proposed changing that to 30. And then the but for incentives. But you may leave that up here. The second item, it says may not be considered a billing permit for new construction has been issued. That's not being added. That's already in existing. In existing. But these are things I want you to consider. So that's why they're up on this. So there's two things of both of those. First, let's finish on this. I think Lucy's comment on that 24 months after the building permits been issued just to make sure because that's real. Yeah. And then on the I think we need to be clear because we kind of said two different things there on building permit has been issued or applied for. So it's been applied for. I think you still should be eligible for incentives. But once it's been issued, I kind of I see both sides of that because somebody could spend the time saying, okay, we 're on a tight timeline. Like, we're trying to get this thing going. We're going to go ahead and move forward. I've seen companies move forward with permits in two cities actually at the same time, because whatever they're going to spend is worth and then see where they end up. Then on the flip side of that, I also see if they already got a building permit, why are we going to give them an incentive because they're coming here anyway. So that's kind of two sided going there. But because of the timeline, it takes to get projects done entitled, especially if they're zoning and planning. So, I'd like to hear other people's opinion on that because I'm kind of on the fence. Right? Like, why do we give incentives if they're already got a building permit? But then on the flip side of that, it takes a long time. I don't really like to hear. There is a caveat in this consideration too that's not listed here. So if they've already applied to us and later they get the permit, that's okay. We have to have an application in the house. Before they get their permit. They could be in the process of getting their permit, make application, but don't have it received it yet. That's currently what it is. But we've actually had some that have received a permit and have applied. It's rare, but it happens. So it's just a consideration. And as far as the 24 month time of completion, I think Tyson's done that. They constricted right after COVID. So that was part of the reason. So back to the permit. She said, but for what's that cause? When it happened, but for incentives, it's more of a legal case to you that we talk about. So, and Scott can chime in. So you don't want to give an un constitutional gift. You want it to be a public benefit. You don't want to give it if they would come anyway. I have the idea, but for incentives, we didn't give it to them. They come anyway. So, and this is probably just an education for me. If someone had a permit and then they presented a new opportunity, do they amend the permit or do they have to go through and get a new permit? If the scope of the work expands because of a new project, then they have an opportunity to do. So let's say a business is growing and they're going to do X. But now they have an opportunity to get a new contract with a new customer. And then now they need to increase the scope. Is there an amendment process through the planning development that we offer or do they have to start that entire process over to get a new permit? I can't see for development services permit process. I can tell you how we would apply our policy. Scott, I know you work with other departments. I don't know if you would be involved. I think there's a flow chart to that somewhere. I think it says if it's a percentage of change or don't quote me on this, but I think if it's more than 50% of buildings. I mean, there's a flow chart out there, so it's a complicated answer. So yes and no. So I guess my question would be if they have to do this additional scope of work, it falls under the existing permit. But they're not eligible to come to us at that point for an incentive to do that job or to do that work expansion. If a project were to expand, normally an expansion is eligible. If they got their application in before, then they would still be eligible. But in this case, they don't because the work is already ongoing and now it's changed. It is different for existing businesses versus the ones that are moving here, recruitment projects. So that's how we measure. We put this, we apply incentives that get considered if they apply for building permit for new businesses coming in. Existing businesses are exempt in the policy. That's the clause. It's not completely, but it is exempt in the policy . So if you're already here and you're expanding your exempt from the new permit. So yes, they would be able to. I guess if someone's coming in new here and they're not existing and then that happens, then they would just be out of work. They're new and then they chose to expand now. But we would tell them that the next expansion would be happy to work with them on that. We can still be ambassadors to help them through that process. It's normally too restrictive because you know, if you're trying to jumpstart your $5 million investment, you can't get any access to that. I got a project right now we're working on it therefore, and you know, put preliminary budgets together on it, but we don't know our final budgets until we get through the city. So we don't know if it's going to require incentives or not. So the good thing is, it seems like we can move incentives through fairly quickly if we choose to. So that's kind of another little catch 22 because I think you met with mass code services, right? And so it's kind of like, I don't know if we're going to need incentives because we don't know what engineering is going to require. You know what level of offsite or whatever it may be. You know, sometimes you don't know that until you get into that process. So that's sometimes kind of a catch 22. You might have a budget for your project and then all of a sudden you got to pull the water line from somewhere and you don't know that. So, but I guess the catch to that is you could go okay I'm not picking my permit may be approved, but I'm not picking it up to let it be issued I'm going to set there for six months, while I go through my sentence and I guess that's probably where we can educate people applying for incentives, although it may be approved. It's not issued until you actually go pay for it and pick it up. I think they're saying you can't apply for it. That's why I asked the question Jeremy on that is, is it submitted for building permits, or is it issued. Okay, an issue doesn't, you don't have your building permit to you've paid your impact fees, and all that so you could leave it sitting there approved. And then apply. Yes. They said you had to apply with us first. Regardless of application or the permits been issued but you applied in your eligible, but it's issued to be clear. You can apply while you're in the process. So I guess it's just us educating people like don't pick that permit up yet . Whenever we meet with them and they are talking about incentives I encourage them to apply early in process to maintain your eligible. Yeah, so I think we're okay there we just need to make sure we do not go pay for that permit. We do welcome through we all start to move semester incentive application as soon as possible and we work with them and they need to update their numbers throughout the process we can do that, because it's a negotiation process but we want to make sure that we do that before. And also because our approval process takes so long, we go through, you can be and then no actually see council procession, you can be the back to the city council. So we definitely stress that they need to turn in their installation. So the minimum five million capital investment was it previously, you say five million. The only thing that's changed is here it just want you to consider it's one thing considered lowering it for example. There's only about one incentive I can think of it was a 3 80 that we gave and that was so fun. So we gave them. I think it was a little over 2 million. And then again they were, it was a chapter three, he said we were a lot. Does you said that is a certain aspects of this don't apply to existing business or none of this applies to existing businesses. We call out specifically for this second item. If a permit has been issued and then we call out it excludes expanding businesses. So, but on the first one the five million capital investment doesn't apply for existing business. It's for all the only time it doesn't apply to when we're using policy to be clear trying to find the exact language. But is this something we looked at we looked at whatever cities were doing to and just something for conversation. The city of our cities of our size are usually higher. Pretty comfortable with that. If not, I want to say the motion to approve just to make sure I'm mostly approved changing the 24 months from the time. Building from issue. Correct. And I have that did you make that motion change? Yes, I'll make that motion. So we have a motion to accept as written with that change to the 24 months from after permit issue. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Motion to approve. We move to the work session called item A, 26 dash zero one six received report discussion regarding what plan goals partnership board retreat. Well, good morning everybody. So, as you recall, in March of this year, we hold our first boarders read. We should pick with opportunity strategies posted the event and we're two day retreat and she said that she was a great retreat and I also believe it was a great retreat. We had a lot of great goals that were accomplished. The board of six working goals and identify tasks to align with the overall goals of the city. As you recall, we broke out into groups to identify the goals and the purpose of this discussion is to collectively review all the goals listed on the sheet. That's on your desk. And to ensure that the goals are feasible and to address any other organizations that may be working on similar calls, since we broke out in the different committees, we may have knowledge of who else is working on other objectives. And so I want to make sure that we're all working on this together and we're checking off the boxes. Our goal is to share this with city council during an upcoming work session, either in July or August. And this won't be the primary focus will be general economic development update, but we will share this work plan. So, as a disclaimer, we're here to innovate if something has been done in the past, it doesn't mean we have to continue down the same avenue. And there's multiple ways to accomplish some of these goals. So it doesn't have to just be one goal that we work on. We can do this in multiple ways. So that's my goal here. I don't have a presentation. Alicia said that we probably need an hour for this. I don't know how much time do we have right now. Let's see. Oh, we have about maybe three minutes. Unless you want to go over a little bit. Chair, what do you think? I mean, when would that be another better time? I mean, if we don't have a bunch on the agenda now might not be a bad idea. Unless you think you would be more productive to have members here. That's kind of my only that's I know Amy was really involved with this and then it's a bright feedback as well. I mean, you don't think that it would be better to have more of a committee that's just the bare minimum form. Yes. Yeah. Why don't we just put it on? Questions now. Yeah . If you have questions, we can certainly address. We go over it. But I think it would make sense to do a more formal presentation when more of the board can be here. Okay, sounds good. Do you want to work through them just in case? And I can always go over these individually with Brian and Amy, whoever else may not be here. Very to address their concerns is the goal that consultant she wants to make this visually appealing. And so we listen this back to her pretty quickly so she can also pay sort of on a time. And and the presentation, the City Council is coming up in July. We have to post like a week or so. There's still time . I can be with them individually, too. Okay. So the first goal on your first development to establish a task force. The stakeholders to cultivate resilient, future ready talent under strategies. This group said under one point one, create a task force by building relationships that include universities, ISDs, employers and nonprofits. That includes CTE included in task force and United Way, DC W, SLT, the young professionals group to build soft skills and problem solving. And then the third template from the city of Fort Worth and TIA. Is there anyone that served on this committee here that maybe want to comment? Well, Jamie may serve on this one. I feel like Kim, you did too. Maybe Jason. One point. What is DCW SLT? That's a great question. So remember how everyone wrote down notes and with note cards to that's what the consultant put down on this list. And so she wasn't aware of what that is. But Jamie, I believe you may have served. No, Christina Davis on our team. She just recently retired. This is a group put on with United Way and Workforce Solutions, the Chamber and other organizations. They meet monthly or quarterly. So she was primarily handed in that task group. I think they've kind of been on the back burner, but I think there 's probably an opportunity to work with them to improve whatever their goals are. Great. And we don't want to recreate the wheels. So if that 's something that's already happening, maybe we can just have some kind of conduit for information with that. And then the young professionals, is that the current young professionals group at the Chamber? I believe that's what they're referring to. Yes. And then can we get a copy of the template from the city of Fort Worth and whatever TIA is? Yes. So we can see that. Okay. I don't know what TIA is. The city of Fort Worth is the Mayor's Fort Worth Council on our education and workforce development. And yes, and then we were put together. But yes, I can get that template of how they do it. They do quarterly meetings . So I'll grab that. Just to see what that is. We've got more information as we try to push out what the steps might be for making sure we 're not duplicating. And then let's keep going. And can we just raise our hand if we have questions or comments? Sure. This is an important discussion. Yes. Feel free. I was going to take it out of the way of what you all said. I would tag the Chamber under young professionals only because there's lots of young professional groups in the community. So if you want one strategic partner, we're happy to be there. Okay. [inaudible] I mean, I just have a question as to whether, more specifically, and I would think the county. They may already serve on that committee. I haven't had an opportunity to make it out until the meeting on my team. She's on vacation now. She usually attends. And then Jamie, I think you've attended a meeting, right? I have not attended one. They were quarterly. And since Christina was tired, I have not attended one yet. But I am on the email. I was reviewing my notes at the retreat and when she was giving the Georgia example, she has TIA's targeted industry analysis. No, I wasn't that. Didn't County workforce success leadership team. Thank you. I think I'm going to need more words. So a lot of these beings I've said it over the past 20 years for workforce development. It is like no disrespect, but it is the United way. Texas work for all the one and they're just giving you a bunch of stats, right? And I get more really quickly and leave. I think we need people like industry in town saying this is how we these are the skills that we need from people. And with T. W. and Texas and didn't ask the saying this is the curriculum. We need you to write for this. I know the president of you and teeth. I had dinner with him a few months ago and that was one of his main questions. What programs do we need to be standing up to actually have the skills? Because people walk in my office with college education. They don't know. They're not ready. You know, they don't they don't have to ask us specifically those. What are the skills so we can design classes? Because I think you and he's hearing that from. So I think some kind of coral takes his work for commission United way doing great work, but we need the business is telling us we need to be able to read about sheet. You know, force for this size of business or we need these guys to be able to do a marketing plan digital marketing plan or whatever that is. So I think engaging HR from the actual business small businesses and large businesses in town because that's kind of two different curriculums, right? That should be our focus to try to engage those guys at the highest level get their times going to be our but if they see like, hey, we're really we went back and put some classes together at you and more taxes to be able to provide this or bit nice in the welding program. Whatever. That's where we have to engage and that's what the Fort Worth Mayor's Council does it is Lockheed Martin. It's bell with the universities in the same room. That's exactly and that's why it's so successful. You know the nonprofits involved and it's becomes a money raising thing and I don't mean that in a bad way, but they they're in front of business owners now they're trying to raise money and step we need to make sure that it's actually what our goal is narrow. What kind of test course we need because again, there are all these other groups doing different components. What is it that we're saying is not being done. And the person that runs this I know that he would come here and show you how he established it and how it runs it. Well, I think the city of San Antonio a few years ago they set aside general fund monies to support workforce development from the entire city. I thought we're very innovative. So maybe that's eventually maybe we'll get to. Everything the thing that came out of this meeting, what I remember the most is if we have qualified workforce and can get a building permit quickly. That's if I remember I may be wrong but if I remember the top two things that came out of that how quick can we get you to work and can we get people. Even to the point that the consultant said incentives don't even matter as much if you can do those two things. And say those two things again get a permit quickly and get their building open and have people to fill it and work that that means more than even. That's right. There you go. So we back up and I know that we're kind of getting on this little bit of it. So we put in nonprofits. We have anyway we're not seeing like anyway but what are we seeking from the nonprofit. I think well it depends on what their goals are. I think their goals. This is our goal. Yes. Okay. So what is our goal. What are we seeking to get from that. Our goal is to collaborate and have priority objectives like Lee saying he says there's a needs engaged with industry to get feedback on what skills that they need. Do we feel like other groups are doing a satisfactory job or should we actually implement new programming we facilitate and creating a mayor's group to do something similar where all the right parties are involved or do we utilize this word to actually do it ourselves and put on those events. Right. It just it could be anything. So that's kind of the goal. I based on that goal I can see the businesses in the education piece but I'm not tying in the nonprofit. So I guess I need someone to explain what value the nonprofit is going to provide. They would just probably be a partner because they work with workforce solutions workforce solutions is a division of the Texas Workforce Commission. There's all types of skills development grants that they can help us with and they may be working on similar initiatives with specific industry partners. But maybe it's just prompting us to work with them to learn more about their goals is how we can collaborate. It's premature to consider the nonprofits of what we want to do and do you mind if I speak up. Yeah, I think as opposed to trying to create another organization I think at least initially, it should be this group. That actually listens to what kind of template there's been in the past and potentially ourselves put together a group meeting where we can ask the right people the right questions and then try to figure out how to implement that. I mean, this is just a suggestion but I just don't want to create a bunch of other administration and red tape. I think that's something that that's what kind of this group is trying to get the right people in the room and so we probably have the right people here that at least know the right people. I'm just going to keep saying people. It seems like we used to have quarterly meeting. I don't know whether sponsored by the chamber or this great . But it was usually held at a business location and we have people come talk about this kind of thing to try to inform the community of what things were headed. The last one I remember was out of the airport. Three or four years ago I haven't seen one since I could have been asleep. I mean, it seems like this group may be taking more lead is a correct answer. I like it. And sometimes when we implement new programs we just hear feedback that oh so and so is working on this. That's why we're just covering all of our faces. That's really difficult. Thank you for sharing that. Well, I think also we're kind of preventing if we have a nonprofit in there that we're thinking so and so is going to this is another party that we're going to be looking for answers and if they don't do it and they're a piece of it. And where does that leave us? Right. Right. So I think if we're going to I don't know that nonprofit maybe an answer, but it needs to be aligned with like there needs to be something we're going to benefit from. Not just have an online is awesome. Great point. I like it. All right. Be ready to be loved. And so the next school here is a program resources and messaging campaigns from T.W.C. didn't I see the whole industries and CTC by level was entry level professional and advanced. I don't know one database that collects all this information I'll say that our team is releasing a website that we also want this is called opportunity.com. So maybe that's a personal workforce resources or maybe another maybe we create marketing materials. Any comments on this one. All right. Well the next one one point three is established and actually working committees from the task force based on industry. So they wrote aviation media logistics defense manufacturing. Does anyone have anything else to add here. I think that we just invite those businesses that are here that are part of these industries into this template for this model that we're going to try to set up after this table. And we might also utilize what the chamber has done as far as they put together groups depending on industry to talk about. So what is it that they're happening in that industry so I don't go. So what is it that is discussed. Is it I know they've been like roundtables. So it would be like a targeted advisory group. So we look at aviation it would be a targeted advisory group on aviation focusing on whether it's the current F.P. O. there that airport management and then recruitment and retention of businesses and whatnot to try to figure out just that industry sector. And then we also have a lot of the industry that is going to be the one that is going to be the most important part of that to manufacturing. I think that's the one most recently is manufacturing heater bills and the team out there to try to figure out what do they need. Are we meeting it. Are we following short of it. How do we exceed it. We could have something where Jamie could add that into his reporting on the last meeting to this meeting. These are the industry specific roundtables that advance the economic goals. He would be I'm sure I can't speak for him but I'm sure he would be happy to provide updates from like listening sessions that occurred out there. Jamie I'm sorry as far as what is discussed in those roundt ables does it include what is it that you all need. What are what are these groups looking for in a lot of this response to business for just expansion. You hear roads here. Workforce and whatever the issues are we come back and share that information. It hasn't been that targeted from my standpoint by everyone to come here about. Workforce everyone can hear about the career centers. Yes we can get more targeted in smaller rooms and more specific topics. So we're looking at the same perspective to the chambers one piece of this ecosystem that we also have still coming out of our department as well. And so we just posted aviation roundtable at the airport because we own the airport right. And so we met with several aviation companies on the site to hear more about the challenges and how the city can better provide services to them. So we offer that as well and then Stoke has their own small business services. And so I know they host lines for like our groups for like media professionals as well. So do we want to maybe we just have more of a focus on the roundtables for these industries and we just promote it. So whether the chamber does or someone else does that we just promote them. How does that sound. So what we want to know is what are these industries looking for in the employee need. So if they're already meeting let's just have them be asked that. So it's a creating more city for work as it is. They have this working committee. They have all these people that are from the businesses of the higher education. And then if they're like a media we want to do more Taylor Sheridan. They have a subcommittee that breaks off the meets virtually. But they do the quarterly in-person meetings with everybody at the table and knock it out. Don't waste anybody's time. And then if there's more in depth you do your subcommittee. Yeah I keep thinking that gets everybody's at the table. It just seems for. We all these pockets. Because I need to go close because you know. Who are we asking help of because it can always be the city incentivizing sometimes. So she's the example where I came from because it's the same thing's happening with a out now. So the city I came from you got G a UPS. Other than the bus of urban and Churchill down. But when Ford retooled their line everybody thought all they go there's all these jobs. They did that work force actually increase what they needed with the problem. I just had a real course for the math skills to recalibrate the line. And so that's another problem. Social but you know you had a time that Louisville was cutting out all of their remedial math and everything else. So just want to do it as a person going to put it back. So how are you getting that communication to the university that there's a man there. Because we'll teach classes. I mean that kind of group you're talking about everybody's at the table. So you're in the same thing. And if there's necessary for some committees what we do we meet and then we have to update at the next quarterly meeting. And then we have to do that. So that's the biggest problem. The biggest problem in the industry as to use six foot of a tree. There's only so many trees that you cut the first six foot lose all the rest of it. So you got UK and UL right now researching trying to figure out if you could put stays together and not change the color and taste the taste of art. None of that would have ever happened. The university is too busy doing whatever it's doing and not listening to the business who's saying I have a need here. I'm all interested in this bourbon. I think we should try the bourbon from the six foot tree versus the five foot tree. That's a good point. Excellent point. So really this board just needs to be the lead of collecting that data from whether it's doing some of this. Maybe it's a small committee or maybe it's the chamber having the roundtables or if we're providing a roundtable, we need to make sure that all the boards invited and we report that data because I think that's the way that's structured right now. We're all we're all working on it. It's just how do we make sure that this board's involved. Excellent. Let's see what has any other comments on that one. Real quick going back on the goodwill industry. So what is what is that program's resources and messaging and I just educate me on what goodwill industries would provide there. So goodwill and remind you I did not put these together. This was a group. I think Kim and Stany serve on this group . Goodwill in certain areas of Texas, they will provide like workforce centers providing they'll actually open up center about their goodwill facilities to help people apply for jobs. I'll help them with resumes. I'll help them with skills development. And so that's how we would be connected to that. That's something we're interested in. Ready to go the next one. And goal number two, business retention expansion. As to grow and strengthen existing businesses and didn't by identifying and addressing local business needs, providing quality assistance and ensuring access to resources that support business retention and expansion. Item two point one is an advisory board council at potential task force. So multiple requests for task force here. Two point two is a silver tsunami connection to host small business workshops. And they put review and connect with small business resource partners develop plan identified by industry and include finance reverse job fair section planning for small businesses. And I believe this goal is probably just to coordinate all the small, small business resources into one, which we can use an opportunity to use another avenue. I have any suggestions. Any comments on that? The next one is two point three. And that's decide on BRE software that is shared with the city in the chamber. I did look into this and this was recommended in the chamber work plan for F.Y. 2526. Any updates on that? Jamie or Aaron? No, ideally, we want to be able to communicate together and share a CRM. So I guess the question is, do we get access to yours or do we have to create a new one or what? It was really creative new and I did check with our technology department and they said that it would be a necessary risk. It would if we were to give a contractor access. That's new because we did used to share, but we have new rules and standards. And I think back then this was different leadership for the new board members. There's been six different directors over the past fifteen years. And so not everything has been clean and functional. So that provides a large risk if an outside party was to gain access to our customer relationship management database. What are you asking? And you're saying we should have a shared BRE, but now you're saying we can't have a shared B RE. This was recommended. So it's the request that the chamber creates it and you all access to it because it not feels like you want us to take the risk. Does that make sense? So you guys aren't willing to go or legal doesn't allow, but you want us to do it and allow. Technology, we cannot label. If we want to allow, then legal probably won't allow it either. And it would be essentially like if you were going to share your database with outside parties. We did. We have providers that helps us with online banking and everything else. Like whenever you pull up an app on your phone for your banking, like your bank can go and create an IT team and develop that. Like there's a part of that. That's where we kind of talk in the meeting is there's gotta be some kind of agreement. So I guess where I would let me just let's revisit this later. But I guess what I would ask is that whoever is responsible with the city for that, why don't they come and present here and let's have a discussion about what is possible, not what is not possible. Make a recommendation. Well, I think I've managed to be a reprogrammed in the past and so there's multiple ways to achieve this goal. And that's not necessarily the same. We have our own city projects that we work on that are private and if that information were to get out, then sometimes that could cause a large risk. So there's survey monkey. There's other databases that you can use where everybody can if Jamie's meeting with a business, then he can enter the data. We all have access to it. Or maybe he just has access to it and we just have them complete a survey because we do various well, right? We're collecting that data. There's just there's multiple ways to accomplish the same goal. It's not just the way we've done it in the past, which Aaron's referring to. So I guess the question is how do we make it a two way street instead of a one way street? The city won't share their information. I don't care. We're all after the same goal. That's fine. We're not forgetting the business. We'll see it then if we want. And everything you have is open records requests anyway. So nothing you have to protect. That's not everything. I think the opportunity is for Brittany and I to sit down and have a conversation about what to use. I think Jill or Jeremy's phrase, but we can do within the parameters that exist and then bring that back. But I do think that the common core is we're doing the same jobs. We're doing them differently and we need to do them collaboratively together. So that could be a really great opportunity for this plan. Right and Stoke also does it too. I mean, we're not the only department in the city that also looks on BRE. So I think the perspective has been from the Chamber and hasn't been from the city. So we would like that consideration as well. So I don't think this should be a point of contention. We're working on other major projects right now. And so that's the priority. But yes, we can be an after this and Jeremy can attend to. We can just find another solution. I don't think you're hearing us. I don't think you're hearing us because I don't mean to be tough, but I hear you think you got this crown of information that you want to protect. But at the end of the day, if it's going to be, I want to control this and I want to protect this, none of this is going to work. Right? Because we got to look at all avenues because if I'm a business owner and I may or may not like who I'm dealing with at the city, we need to collectively put somebody else in place that that business may like. Or if I'm dealing with the Chamber and I don't like Aaron or whoever at the Chamber, we may want to place and go, we 're not getting anywhere with this. Let's put somebody else in here to help. So that's what I'm not saying that I understand their strengths, but I want to make sure that our goal is the same. It's not about I own this and I did this that our goal is to go get the businesses here and then we get employees and then however we get there. That's how we do it. I agree. That is a goal for us, too. I am hearing you, Lee. But I have not seen this in other cities that I worked in. I've been an economic development for the past 15 years. I don't care if you see it in another city. I've never done it, to be honest with you. It doesn't matter to me. I want to do what we can figure out to work best to get businesses and employees. I think the underlying theme and how much does this cost for the retreat? This cost, I'll have to look up, alright, maybe $6,000. $6,000. So one of the prevailing things which above was the reverse welfare and succession planning and all of that. I sense this, like I've heard a couple business people say that is a real issue and that they're having trouble. They're at the end of their career and they're trying to fare well with you. So that's a known issue. The other thing that was really a big issue was just working together . This is an avenue to try to work together and for the greater good of the city. And I think the city needs to figure out a way that we can make that happen. Well, we can definitely do that. And if this is a priority to you, this sharing data is a priority versus all the other work-free items, then we can make it a priority. But to me, we have other priorities. Then in that case, I think we're going to need additional feedback back and I think we do need to delay this going to council from next month in July so we can really have a time to go through it and look at it. Especially because the Chamber is contracted to do exactly this, so we need to be very specific and not step on each other's toes. But we can move on, right? Okay, this is recruitment to develop a robust plan to utilize available research for recruitment targets while achieving site readiness and availability and develop new businesses through pilot programs and technology ecosystem support. On 3.1, it says facilitate site readiness through a certified site program for proactive development efforts. So Charlie Rosendahl, he's now the director of development services. He stated that he wants to work with us to create this program. So that's great. 3.2 is review and update target industries in collaboration with UNT data, excluding regulatory prohibited businesses and community priorities for business community and citizens. So we didn't meet with him and Kim sent over a contact Ben McGill who is working on regional workforce initiatives. He 's going to present to this board in July, which we may have to postpone that July meeting to the end of the month. So, and they have worked on creating a regional industry study just for workforce development is what we learned. It 's not necessarily for industry recruitment, but it is for workforce development. So, something Alicia recommended was completing an industry study through a consultant since our economic development strategic plan needs to be updated. It wasn't it was created in 2020. And so we're about 6 years. Down the road, it's 87% completed. There's still a few items that we need to work on. But let's see here. Yes, if that's something we're interested in doing, then we need to ask council in the future for budgeting funds for the consultant. Some another cities economic development agencies, they will do these ambitious studies. Corporate is a great example. Instead of completing a strategic plan. They did that industry study where I did identified based on the existing businesses, which industries to recruit into the city. So they were able to land still dynamics and test the ref inery and purpose Christie, which created huge economic impact in the region still dynamics is when the largest still mills in the United States. They then brought on the suppliers. It's similar to a Peter belt. Right? And so that's something that we can focus on versus maybe updating the strategic plan in the future. Is that something you're open to? We say additional budget. I was what how much is that? It could range up 50 grand. Or more potentially. I don't think we want to go 50 grand. I support maybe as the county for help because we go in this budget season. Property taxes assessments are down. Sales taxes down. So we're not going to have more. We're going to have less. So just we might look at partnering with other groups. I think that would be a great. And I'm happy to take it to Andy if we put something together for me to share information with. We need to make sure we're okay. I'm going to use great. I utilize connections with existing local and countywide business leaders to recruit suppliers to didn't. So that's something that we're going to do. That could be part of Jamie's plan as well. We're being already established programs and policies for pilot programs and startup recruitment related mobility in the technology ecosystem. We host the mobility summit earlier this year. We're building up the framework of how to recruit some of those mobility startups to the city right now. And so we may do our chapter 380 policy update that will provide the next few months. We may see some updates that can support research and development funding. So that's one of them. Does anyone else have any ideas about to do this? Sorry, I don't have ideas. I have a question. Are we talking about like unmanned cars? Like what is this? I don't know what a program or policy related to what kind of mobility businesses would we be targeting? This is just my lack of knowledge. So drones because we're looking at our low hanging fruits. You need to just go on the largest testing facilities in Texas. The largest one before that was in focus Christie. So I work closely with the loan source center and focus Christie , who is one of seven FAA test sites in the entire nation. So they just strictly work on research and development with Texas A&M University. And so something I was working on with them is to start a startup fund to recruit some of those businesses into focus Christie. But this is when I took this job. So now I'm here. What I learned is that UNT Dr. Kamesh Navenduri has applied for a grant to build that testing page. So there's opportunity to do the same thing here. There's a lot of drone companies that are competing for the best technology right now. We can recruit them in. UNT is also applying for additional federal grant funding to support additional UAS like tracking systems and other just equipment. We also have land around our airport. And so many of you may be aware the airport master plan was completed earlier this year. And so a vertical site was identified and we'd like to see if we can maybe implement test pilots for some of those UAS companies there as well. So there's an opportunity. And then, but also UAS, but also logistics and supply chain. So Brian's not here, but he can speak to it. He's investing heavily into R&D for autonomous digital technology. I'm just going to stop you real quick. I think I've got real concerns about how these next elections are going to turn out and whether or not any of this is going to be implemented when it comes to the city. I don't know if you all saw that we had a unanimous vote in this board to recommend the incentives to the drone facility and it squeaked. Past. So, I mean, I'm just saying that, I mean, I think we 're on the right track. However, we also need to be cogniz ant of the politics around all of this and either lay the groundwork for it or abandoned for a time being, depending on who gets in office. I mean, I'm just trying to be realistic with our time. Definitely paying attention to that right now, but I think if this is drones are coming either way. And so, as they innovate, maybe we can take advantage of it. And if we don 't, we need to pivot, then we pivot to another supply chain. I can sell that deal saving emissions. Saving emissions. Look, we're saving the environment by drones. I don't want to get us off-turn. It was a very rough city council. It really was, Lee. I mean, it was very, I don't want to sit as a for failure. That's all. We can sell that. Love it. So, identify side readiness gaps , their cross reference of comprehensive and master plans across departments, quarterly meeting. So, this is a work in progress. Cassie, as an interim city manager, she's really focused on making sure that we're all collaborating and talking to each other. That'll be a work in progress. But again, elections have a lot to do with all this. So, but that's why I'm doing my best to make sure that your voices are heard at the top. And Cassie Aubin, she cares. That's why she came here. She had to leave another meeting, but we're doing our best. Let me tell you. All right. Goal number four. I think that's critical. The communication in our department. It is. It might make sense, but we can move on to number four. I just wanted to add that. Thank you. All right. Customer service excellence to prioritize top downstream lining of customer facing effic iencies throughout the development process to achieve regional and statewide recognition. So, for four point one, develop recognition comprehension from leadership regarding connection between development service, services processes and economic development. So, as you saw, I'm passing here. I think that's going to make a difference. We're talking to our directors and capital projects and development services to see how we can improve our process. But we have our own way of operating. So, it is the other departments. And are you still attending the developer meetings? So, we haven't had any with the transition. I think we got one scheduled, but we're working through the checklists each compliance plan checklist, trying to get some get what 's needed early. Anyway, we're working through redoing the checklist to streamline it to make it a little faster. And with Charlie getting that position, I think he's he's going to carry that torch. I think that's a very, very good decision. The city position, I think it would be good to have Charlie come to speak to this group. So, everybody knows him because he is. I think he does a great job. I think he did a great job. He 's been in the city for 20 years. He's been here a long time . So, he's established and I think he'll be established for a while. That's what's hurt the city is to turn over. But I think with development services, Charlie's working hard to get some of those streamlined. But I think for him to hear the impact, not just from you that has to get for doing your job to get a tenant here or business here to hear from all of us going, hey, this is when we came out of our work session. This is actually all number four. I feel like it should be going over to, but I don't care that much. But I wanted to make a point earlier that I think the numbering is not in order of importance. They're just definitely the numbers. But I think either today or next time we should actually work on what are the actual priorities that we feel are the first to tackle this. We can't do everything at once. It's a separate time and it 'd be good to be on the same page as far as let's accomplish this and this. I think something that I can come to one of those. Sure. It 's actually just a small committee that he put together with engineers and a couple of just to go through the checklist to go where you got struggling. What do you get the most comments back on? He's really working hard to say you people would have your mind going through a checklist like that. But I'd love to see you there. But one of those, I think, and then being able to represent the rest of council about what's happening might be helpful. And so that's why I'm saying maybe we'll reach out to Charlie. Sorry for the sidebar. But I think what he's doing helps. This is already working on his part. He's working on it. So I don't know that we need a subcommittee for this. I think Charlie is on his path. We can check. We did it. I think alongside Brittany, like along with Brittany, Charlie's been working on the next one or one down the road that's fostering relationships. So he 's been really getting out in the community, which I think between the three of us that could be a really strong partnership as well. He's he's for real. He said he does what he says he's going to do. He follows up like he's he's good. He doesn't tell you yes all the time because I mean, nobody in that position can do that. But it's it's yes. But let's look at what options. So he's right. All number four customers. So I'm already there. I'm sorry. All right. So goal number four customer service excellence for workers top downstream when their customer facing efficiency throughout. Did I say the 4.2 that I'm on. Yes. Advocate for fast tracking policies and process with development services. We discussed that 4.3 prioritize understanding the customer facing impact of the development experience through inter departmental actions and planning portal meetings. I think that's key because I think the above the services, not just development services, but engineering. That's like the next level. Right. We have third party engineers that are based out of some out of Colorado. Some other places, I think, hearing from us that, hey, this business, if it is from city council in this group, if this business is a priority, those engineers and everybody understanding, hey, we got to make sure this is right. We don't want to do anything that's wrong. It's going to be a problem in the future. But making sure that they understand it's a priority from council. We've approved these incentives. This is a priority to help you with your job. We can't get a permit. Yes, we get them as well. And I think it also comes with D BR tracking as well. That's something that I didn't focus. Christie is with 100 businesses a year. Everyone wanted to meet with me, but that's where you go and collect data and then to report back. And then you're working with different entities. So I work closely with the development services director to make sure that those permitting processes were clear. All right. Goal number five foster relationships to connect existing entities and intentional ways to foster economic prosperity. I want one states to identify the players who needs to be at the table and wants to participate. Who was served on this group? Does anyone remember? Okay, five point to develop an onboarding one on one. So when I got to the city , there was an official onboarding process. They just believe staff would update the board with a PowerPoint presentation orientation. Now we meet with them one on one. So that Kim, I met with you. I met with Lucy to discuss our board policies and what our goals are. Okay, so contracted partners, monthly check in relationship building. I believe some of that is on our contracts already with Stoke in the chamber. Five point four quarterly city and departmental meetings. That's stated twice. So I'm planning to delete one of those . What are the other contracted partners? It's just the chamber and so are there any others that you can still. Okay. And what is Stokes mission statement? You know, generally. To support their entrepreneur hub and they provide co-re view space and they also provide support for small businesses. I have to get some. It's probably you all think it's silly, but I think sometimes we're talking about fostering relationships. We can't call our partners contractors. I think that's a new term. So I would love to just call each other. Very maybe legally work contracted partner contract for service. But I think the semantics of it, the word contractor. Feels different. I know that's real touchy. It's a step between or something. So, just work with city leadership and share goals and impacts their development services and economic development . We're actively we work with Christine and Cassie on a daily basis. And so that is he worked on. University, I SD post listing sessions to identify opportunities and synergies. So the city meets with you and team TWA you want to quarterly basis. I believe to share common goals. And if that's something that and obviously both of you can and Jason represent both universities on this board. Do you feel like we should host more listening sessions from this group? I think if we put together that workforce development higher education committee that that will handle this and we do need to the city. It's it's only plus a year. I also think there was a discussion of adding NCTC to this. Yes, I think that there is a whole stream. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Okay. Well, number six storytelling to create a strong story that encourages visitors businesses and citizens to live work and invest includes time talent pressure and our unique community. Strategy six point one develop three to four elevator pitches for economic development. I think that's an excellent idea. We can do a definitely a better job promoting ourselves and some of our successes. Six point to tell the triangle story economic development 101 that tactics are part and shared by residents, tourists and businesses. So we are hosting Council orientations right now. We met with Jordan and Stevens a few weeks ago and we added a tax triangle on their presentation added to our presentations moving forward. Six point three utilize our existing new timelines and phrases where creativity needs commerce into our stories, which we've done that as well. Six point four onboarding develop some of these are people that at least I'm going to take some of these off. Six point five assign success stories by category. So currently we're working on updating one pagers play will be attending a bio life science conference in San Diego in the next few weeks. That's in partnership with the Dallas regional chamber chamber. That's another one of our partners that we work with. And we're going to update one papers for each industry, but we can also start including success stories as well so that you have those available to share six point six to create inventory of success store. Sorry, split assignment. Okay, it's kind of the same six point seven is little consistent aligned messaging. So, I think between all of our partners, slash contractors we can definitely do them. Do you know what the city stands on the overall comprehensive marketing. Our new board members, a city last year I believe maybe two years ago, they were working on implementing a new brand and campaign, and then we had financial challenges and so they put a hole to it. So it obviously costs a time to implement a new brand. So it's good. It's actually a good thing that we updated our marketing materials because we would not have anything to work with right now. So we're just using our, our brand until they get a new one. Who we need office should we recruit to see if we can recruit some money from the city. Yeah, we can. I think we have to have on this board. It's a city ordinance so it would. It has to go before and I have made a pitch regarding streamlining our boards and commissions and it adds changes to this group as well. So I will be sure to make sure that 's included but no no no but unfortunately I mean and I wish it was not that way. But it is a city ordinance that has the makeup of this and so we'll have to go before Council so, but I think it's a great idea and I already made a note and I believe my, the presentation on my pitch to help reduce some of our and merge some of our boards and commissions because we have twice as many as cities, twice our size, and we form issues, etc. Anyways, I think that's coming within a couple of months, but I'm sorry. Oh, wonderful. Thank you. Actually, I'm going to email city leadership. And that will help because we do have several boards and that's one of our challenges too is we got conflicting messaging from from this board from other boards and so we have to be honest and what all of our stakeholders wanted to we have over 52 board members. And so we're one of the smallest departments in the city. So, that's why we have to be strategic and what our priorities are and what you want to do right. So any other additions to this. I have one comment. I'd rather see 6.2 be next to last. I hate negative things up front. It's a call on the rest of the items we're discussing when we present to somebody else. Which one was that right 6.2 you said negative negative taxes. The problem with that one supplication is it's multifaceted . So I mean, telling the triangle stories really about talking to the elected officials and giving them an under span your own invest in one of these or the other and triangle plays some conversation. You're gonna make it on the before development forward you got to educate more than one audience sometimes like officials sometimes it's your public sometimes it's who are we trying to recruit. This is for that audience but this these are for the same these are the audience. But you make a good point because the messaging there's positive words and negative words and help people hear things so we can change that to make it. I get focused on that. They have been attention anything else you say. You might as well shut the switch off and go home because they have decided they're not going to do anything. And something we're doing right and that's this is also on our back burner is we want to work with finance to better understand what our triangle looks like desert calls you show different shapes like Orlando Florida has a different triangle shape. We want to understand what our triangle looks like. So that's again one of the other products. So, a little competition needs. So for storytelling without the city's marketing department that will do that or will that be a consultant. Sure, it would be a combination between probably us and our marketing. So, I guess. Between here the next meeting. I guess when you get feedback from all members but I don't think Jerry attended the first board retreat. I don't believe he did but who else are we missing. Yeah. I think probably best timing certainly doesn't permit me to discuss that but I think it'd be best probably to get feedback from all of them. Bring it back here next week so we can get the organization that the order. And I would recommend anybody on here sent you back to Britain, what your preference of order is what you think is more urgent, so that maybe we can make this a 15 minute topic next time instead of an hour. I think people who are here do bring a lot of value. Thank you. That's all I have. I will say, let me see if we don't make it in time for the work session, and maybe I can say that we are working on it separately. And really, depending on who gets mayor and how council looks I mean this could obviously change in terms of like who's working on what so that's probably good feedback as well. Like we may need to alter it a little bit depending on what we think. So that is not an action item or anything. But we do have item B, ADP 26 that year one seven, which is future agenda items. So, all right for now July, I think play we did confirm we have to push the meeting right. So we will find a new date and you have time after this to find a new time to me at the end of July, we have a project circuit and the words right now requested and since, and so that still has to go to City Council closed session with the new council members coming online in the 23rd of June. So we didn't want this to be the first item that's brought before the new council, we wanted to make sure that we had at least an orientation with them prior. And then we have a guest speaker Ben McGill with you and T. And then we have the quarterly directors report. The 23rd isn't a full council meeting that's the swearing in. So the next council meeting before anything comes before. We'll move to the business discuss or suggestions on what they wish to discuss the next week. And so our next will be at the end of July. Yes, at the end of July, date to be determined. So just make sure you let Britain here. Any more issues. It will be helpful at the next. It will take a couple of meetings but then we'll get another city council member appointed as well. And so that will help or hopefully having another member appointed since member bird is no longer serving and she was pointed out.