HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/07/2024 - Minutes - Economic Development Committee
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Economic Development Committee
Wednesday August 7, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
1207 Texas Ave. College Station, TX 77840
Minutes
Present:
Mayor John Nichols
Councilmember Bob Yancy
Councilmember William Wright
Staff Attending:
Bryan Woods, City Manager
Adam Falco, City Attorney
Aaron Longoria, Assistant City Attorney
Michael Ostrowski, Chief Development Officer
Brian Piscacek, Assistant Director Economic Development
Stacey Vasquez, Economic Development Coordinator
Daniel Smith, Business Services Manager
Jeff Kersten, Assistant City Manager
Jeffrey Capps, Deputy City Manager (remote)
1. Call to Order.
The Economic Development Committee meeting was called to order by Mayor Nichols at 3:00 p.m.
on August 7, 2024.
2. Executive Session Agenda
Executive Session is closed to the public and will be held in the Visit College Station Large
Conference Room. The committee may according to the Texas Open Meetings Act adjourn the Open
Meeting during the agenda and return into Executive Session to seek legal advice from the City
Attorney regarding any item on the agenda under Chapter 551, Texas Government Code.
2.1. Real Estate {Gov't Code Section 551.072};
Possible action. The committee may deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real
property if deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the
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City in negotiations with a third person. After executive session discussion, any final action or
vote taken will be in public. The following subject(s) may be discussed:
a. Approximately 28 acres of land generally located at Midtown Drive and Corporate
Pkwy in the Midtown Business Park.
b. Approximately 12 acres of land in the College Station Business Center at the
intersection of Gateway Boulevard and State Highway 6.
c. Approximately 1.5 acres of land located in the area of FM 60, Boyett Street, Church
Avenue, and College Main Street.
d. Approximately 8 acres of land located at 1508 Harvey Road.
2.2. Economic Incentive Negotiations {Gov't Code Section 551.087};
Possible action. The City Council may deliberate on commercial or financial information that the
City Council has received from a business prospect that the City Council seeks to have locate,
stay or expand in or near the city which the City Council in conducting economic development
negotiations may deliberate on an offer of financial or other incentives for a business prospect.
After executive session discussion, any final action or vote taken will be in public. The following
subject(s) maybe discussed:
Executive session was closed by Mayor Nichols at 3:52 p.m.
3. Hear Visitors.
At this time, the Chairperson will open the floor to citizens wishing to address issues not already
scheduled on today's agenda. Each citizen’s presentation will be limited to three minutes in order to
allow adequate time for the completion of the agenda items. Comments will be received and city
staff may be asked to look into the matter, or the matter may be placed on a future agenda for
discussion. A recording may be made of the meeting; please give your name and address for the
record.
There were no visitors in attendance.
4. Agenda Items
4.1 Presentation, discussion, and possible action on the minutes of the Economic
Development Committee meetings of February 7, 2024, and May 1, 2024.
Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve the minutes, second by Councilmember Yancy;
motion was approved 3-0.
4.2 Presentation, discussion, and possible action on the Tourism Advisory Committee
meeting of May 22, 2024.
Michael Ostrowski, Chief Development Officer, provided a summary regarding the Tourism
Advisory Committee meeting. Committee members discussed Christmas in College Station and
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the contract with Santa’s Wonderland.
4.3. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on Summer 2024 events.
Michael Ostrowski, Chief Development Officer, provided a summary of the Summer 2024
tourism events in College Station; Mexico vs. Brazil Soccer Match, George Strait concert, and
USA Track & Field Junior Olympics.
4.4. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on an entrepreneurial program.
Brian Piscacek, Assistant Director of Economic Development, presented on the Entrepreneurial
and/or Business Accelerator Program and the City’s role therein. Michael Ostrowski also
presented on Plug and Play.
4.5. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on a Convention Center Feasibility
Analysis.
Michael Ostrowski, Chief Development Officer, presented the Request for Proposal for
Convention Center Feasibility Analysis.
4.6. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on an Economic Development and
Tourism Department update.
Michael Ostrowski, Chief Development Officer, presented a summary regarding the recent
departmental hiring and recent job postings.
4.7. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on the creation of an annual Economic
Development and Tourism Plan of Work.
Michael Ostrowski, Chief Development Officer, presented Economic Development and
Tourism’s conceptual FY2025 Department Plan of Work. Committee members discussed the
potential of an industry focus on technology. Further discussion occurred regarding how the
Economic Development Master Plan would help identify additional areas of focus. Brian
Piscacek added a summary of the marketing topics as it relates to the Economic Development
and Tourism’s conceptual FY2025 Department Plan of Work.
4.8. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on economic development strategies.
5. Discussion and possible action on future agenda items.
A member may inquire about a subject for which notice has not been given. A statement of specific
factual information or the recitation of existing policy may be given. Any deliberation shall be
limited to a proposal to place the subject on an agenda for a subsequent meeting.
6. Adjourn.
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The Board or Commission may adjourn into Executive Session to consider any item listed on the
agenda if a matter is raised that is appropriate for Executive Session discussion.
Mayor Nichols adjourned the meeting at 5:13 p.m.
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