HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/05/2025 - Regular Minutes - City Council - Economic Development Committee(*hr""
How, afTeraiA& f University
February 5, 2025
College Station, TX
Meeting Minutes
City Council City Council Economic Development Committee
1207 Texas Ave, College Station, TX 77840
Internet: www.microsoft.com/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting
Meeting ID: 255 715 032 186 Passcode: N2F5e6wS
Phone: 979-431-4880 / Phone Conference ID: 833 345 516#
Present:
Mayor John Nichols
Councilmember Bob Yancy
Councilmember William Wright
3:00 PM
Staff in Attendance:
Jeff Capps, Deputy City Manager
Jennifer Prochazka, Assistant City Manager
Michael Ostrowski, Chief Development Officer
Adam Falco, City Attorney
Aaron Longoria, Assistant City Attorney
Brian Piscacek, Assistant Director Economic Development
Jeremiah Cook, Assistant Director, Tourism
Stacey Vazquez, Economic Development Coordinator
Lisa McCracken, Staff Assistant II
1. Call meeting to order and consider absence requests.
Visit College Station Large
Conference Room
The meeting of the Economic Development Committee was called to order by Mayor Nichols via
In -Person and Teleconference at 3:05 p.m. on February 5, 2025, in the Visit College Station
Conference Room, 1207 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77840.
The Regular Session adjourned at 3:35 pm and proceeded directly into the Executive Session.
2. Hear Visitors.
No Visitors provided comments.
3. Agenda Items.
3.1. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on the minutes of the November 6, 2024,
Economic Development Committee meeting.
Motion by Councilmember Yancy to approve the Minutes, second by Councilmember Wright;
Motion passed 3-0.
College Station, TX Page 1
City Council City Council Economic
Development Committee
3.2. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an update on Tourism initiatives.
Michael Ostrowski, Chief Development Officer, presented a review of the 2024 hotel
performance in College Station. Calendar Year 2024 ended with a year -over -year increase in
occupancy, average daily rate, and revenue per available room (RevPAR), along with an
increase in total hotel revenues. Increases are contributed to a myriad of factors, including large
events at Kyle Field such as George Strait, the International Friendly between Mexico and
Brazil, USATF Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships, growth in the meetings and
conventions market, and a strong football season. Staff also provided an update on strategic
planning efforts for tourism and the convention center feasibility study.
3.3. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an update to the Economic
Development Master Plan.
Brian Piscacek, Assistant Director Economic Development, provided an update on the Request
for Proposal (RFP) process for an updated Economic Development Master Plan. The RFP was
released on January 15, 2025, with proposals due on February 20 2025. It is anticipated this
plan will cover a period of three (3) to five (5) years and outline key goals, strategies, and action
items.
3.4. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on entrepreneurship efforts.
Brian Piscacek, Assistant Director Economic Development, provided update on recent
entrepreneurship efforts, including updates on a kickoff event for Plug & Play along with the
City's partnership regarding The Cannon's digital platform.
4. 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.
There were no future agenda items.
5. Executive Session.
In accordance with the Texas Local Government Code §551.072-Real Estate, §551.087-
Economic Incentive Negotiations, the Economic Development Committee convened into
Executive Session at 3:35 p.m. on February 5, 2025, to continue discussing matters pertaining
to:
5.1. Deliberation on the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property, to wit:
• Approximately 300 acres of land generally located at Corporate Parkway and Midtown
Drive in the Midtown Business Park.
Page 2 February 5, 2025
City Council City Council Economic
Development Committee
5.2. Deliberation on an offer of financial or other incentives for a business prospect that the Council
seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the City, to wit:
• Economic development agreement for a development generally located at the
intersection of University Drive and College Avenue.
• Economic development agreement with Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies Texas, LLC,
f/k/a Kalon Biotherapeutics LLC.
• Economic development agreement for a development generally located at the
intersection of Raymod Stotzer Parkway and State Highway 47.
Executive Session recessed at 5:07 p.m. No action was taken.
6. Adjourn.
Mayor Nichols adjourned the meeting at 5:07 p.m.
Page 3 February 5, 2025