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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999.09.23_OEDA Agenda_SpecialPUBLIC NOTICE OF THE MEETING OF THE OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TYPE OF MEETING: Special DATE: September 23, 1999 TIME: 11:00 a.m. PLACE: Tulsa County Administration Bldg, Rm 315 500 South Denver, Tulsa, OK Notice and agenda filed in the office of the City Clerk and posted on the City Hall bulletin board at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 20, 1999. Marcia outwell, City Cl rk AGENDA The Owasso Economic Development Authority and the Owasso City Council will meet with Tulsa County Commissioner Wilbert Collins for the purpose of delivering resolutions relating to the widening of 76th St N from U.S. Highway 75 to U.S. Highway 169. NO ACTION WILL BE REQUESTED NOR TAKEN. NOTICE OF MEETING CANCELLATION OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY The regular meeting of the Owasso Economic Development Committee scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 9, 1999 has been canceled. Notice of cancellation filed in the office of the City Clerk and posted on the City Hall bulletin board at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, September 3, 1999. PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE MEETING OF THE OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TYPE OF MEETING: DATE: TIME: PLACE: Regular September 16, 1999 10:00 a.m. Owasso City Hall Lower Level Conference Room 207 S Cedar, Owasso, OK Notice and agenda filed in the office of the City Clerk and posted on the City Hall bulletin board at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 13, 1999. Marci Boutwell, City Clerk AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Request Approval of Minutes of the August 12, 1999 Regular Meeting and August 31, 1999 Special Meeting. Mr Akin Attachment #3 OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SEPTEMBER 16, 1999 PAGE 2 4. Request Approval of Claims. Mr Akin Attachment #4 5. Presentation of Financial Report Ms Bishop Attachment #5 6. Consideration and Appropriate Action Relating to Resolution #99-01, a Resolution Adopting a Position Regarding the Need to Widen 76th Street North Between U.S. Highway 75 and U.S. Highway 169 and to Designate This Corridor as a Major Economic Development Priority. Mr Akin Attachment #6 7. Discussion of Director's Monthly Report Mr Tobias Attachment #7 OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SEPTEMBER 16, 1999 PAGE 3 Report from OEDA Manager Mr Hancock 9. New Business 10. Consideration and Appropriate Action Relating to a Request for an Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing the Acquisition of Real Properties, Such Discussion Allowed Pursuant to 25 O.S., Section 307-B(3). Mr Akin 11. Adjournment OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES OF SCHEDULED REGULAR MEETING Thursday, August 12, 1999 PRESENT ABSENT STAFF PRESENT Gary Akin Robert Tobias Tom Kimball Sherry Bishop Mark Wilken Jeff Hancock Brenda Lawrence Brian Smith Dee Sokolosky Frank Enzbrenner ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Gary Akin called the meeting to order at 10:05 AM and declared a quorum present. ITEM 2: ROLL CALL ITEM 3: REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JULY 8, 1999 REGULAR MEETING Mr. Kimball moved to approve the minutes of the -July 8, 1999 Regular Meeting with a correction on Item 6 striking the first portion of the third sentence. This sentence should read as follows: Mr. Kimball made a motion to renominate Gary Akin for Chairperson. Mr. Wilken seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was recorded as follows: Akin -Yes Lawrence -Yes Kimball -Yes Smith -Yes Wilken -Yes Sokolosky -Yes Enzbrenner -Yes The motion carried 7-0. ITEM 4: REQUEST APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Ms. Bishop stated that there is one claim for NOEDA/Tulsa Area Partnership in the amount of $1,115.00. Mr. Enzbrenner moved to approve the claim, Mr. Smith seconded the motion. OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY August 12, 1999 Page No. 2 The vote on the motion was recorded as follows: Akin -Yes Lawrence -Yes Kimball -Yes Smith -Yes Wilken -Yes Sokolosky -Yes Enzbrenner -Yes The motion carried 7-0. ITEM 5: PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL REPORT Ms. Bishop briefed the Authority on the financial report. ITEM 6: PRESENTATION BY WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION REGARDING GROWTH ISSUES. Mr. Tobias introduced Whirlpool Division Vice President, Tom Toth. Mr. Toth outlined issues impacting company growth. The major issues included job retention attraction, continuing education and the need for a number of transportation and traffic improvements. Mr. Toth also proposed the need for a truck stop and a daycare center to serve major employers at Cherokee Industrial Park. ITEM 7: PRESENTATION BY MCI WORLDCOM REGARDING GROWTH ISSUES. Mr. Tobias introduced Mr. Tom Pipal of MCI WorldCom. Mr. Pipal also outlined issues impacting company growth. Most of the issues were similar to Whirlpool. A previous meeting between MCI WorldCom officials and Governor Keating and se~~eral members of his cabinet, contributed to the decision to create OSU-Tulsa. The lack of quality, technical and engineering labor continues to impact the company's ability to grow with high paying jobs in Tulsa. However, an urgent issue was the need for traffic improvements «~ithin Cherokee Industrial Park to facilitate the movement of employees during the rush hour and lunchtime. ITEM 8: DISCUSSION OF DIRECTOR'S MONTHLY REPORT Mr. Tobias provided the monthly report and introduced Mr. Dwayne Henderson, Special OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY August 12, 1999 Page No. 3 Projects Manager for the city to solicit input on the proposed Main Street improvements. Several comments were made that staff will incorporate into planning. ITEM 9: REPORT FROM OEDA MANAGER The OEDA Manager provided no report. ITEM 10: NEW BUSINESS No new business to report. ITEM 11: ADJOURNMENT Mr. Smith moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Kimball. The vote on the motion was recorded as follows: Akin -Yes Lawrence -Yes Kimball -Yes Smith -Yes Wilkin -Yes Sokolosky -Yes Enzbrenner -Yes The motion carried 7-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 11:45 AM. Gary Akin, Chairperson Date Approved OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING Tuesday, August 31, 1999 The Owasso Economic Development Authority met in special session with the Owasso City Council on Tuesday, August 31, 1999 in the Lower Level Conference Room at Owasso City Hall per the Notice of Public Meeting and Agenda posted on the City Hall bulletin board at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 26, 1999. , ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER Chairman Akin called the OEDA portion of the meeting to order at 5:54 p.m. PRESENT Gary Akin, Chair Brenda Lawrence, Secretary Dee Sokolosky, Trustee Frank Enzbrenner, Trustee Mark Wilken Trustee ABSENT Brian Smith, Vice Chair Tom Kimball, Trustee STAFF Robert Tobias, Economic Development Director Jeff Hancock, OEDA Manager Ronald D Cates, OEDA Attorney Sherry Bishop, Finance Director Marcia Boutwell, City Clerk A quorum was declared present. ITEM 2: THEREOF. The OEDA discussed jointly with the Owasso City Council the need for some type of industrial access road to Cherokee Industrial Park. David Charney spoke to the issue, relating details of two meetings he had with Tulsa County Commissioner Wilbert Collins relative to providing access from the Cherokee Industrial Park into the City of Owasso. Two possible alternatives were discussed. The first would provide for the raising and widening of 76`h St N from Sheridan east to Owasso. Although this scenario would not eliminate all flooding of the roadway, in most instances flooding would not be a ~roblem. The second alternative would provide for the widening of Sheridan Rd between 76` St N & 86`'' St N, and the widening of 86` St N east from Sheridan into Owasso. It was pointed out that there would most likely be some right-of--way issues related to the second alternative, and that 86`" St N already carries a large amount of truck traffic. Councilor Voss said that most of the people coming into Owasso from Cherokee Industrial Park want a "straight shot" into the community, and 76`h St N would provide that. Mr Akin pointed out that the OEDA, the City Council, and the Chamber of Commerce must take a unified position on the issue and present that position to Commissioner Collins. After discussion, both bodies arrived at a consensus that raising and widening 76`h St N is the most desirable alternative. The OEDA and the City Council will adopt resolutions at the next regular meeting of each body reflecting that consensus. Mr Akin said that the issue would be taken to Owasso Economic Development Authority August 31, 1999 the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for a resolution or position statement. The resolutions and/or position statements will then be forwarded to Commissioner Collins. ITEM 3: ADJOi_JRNIVIENT Ms Lawrence moved, seconded by Mr Enzbrenner, to adjourn. AYE: Lawrence, Enzbrenner, Sokolosky, Wilken, Akin NAY: None Motion carried 5-0, and the OEDA meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Gary Akin, Chair Brenda Lawrence, Secretary -2- OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OWASSO, OKLAHOMA RESOLUTION NUMBER 99-01 A RESOLUTION OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DESIGNATING NEEDED MAJOR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO MEET TIDE EXISTING AND FUTURE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF THE CITY OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA AND PORTIONS OF NORTHERN TULSA COUNTY, OKLAHOMA, IN PROXIMITY TO THE CITY OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA, AS WELL AS PRIORITIZING SUCH NEEDED MAJOR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS. WHEREAS, the City of Owasso, Oklahoma, is one of the fastest growing communities in the State of Oklahoma; and, WHEREAS, proper planning and development of major transportation infrastructure improvements is essential to the safe movement of an increasing amount of vehicular traffic as well as the orderly growth and economic development of not only the City of Owasso, Oklahoma, but also a significant portion of northern Tulsa County, Oklahoma; and, WHEREAS, presently there exists a need for substantial transportation infrastructure improvements to the two major transportation corridors serving the City of Owasso, Oklahoma, and northern Tulsa County, Oklahoma, such improvements consisting of elevation and widening of 76`~ Street North between U.S. Highway 75 and U.S. Highway 169 as well as widening of 86`h Street North between U.S. Highway 75 and U.S. Highway 169; and, WHEREAS, it is recognized that present local, county and state funding availability is not sufficient to meet both of the foregoing designated major transportation infrastructure improvement needs; and, WHEREAS, it is likewise recognized that present local, county and state funding availability is not sufficient to accomplish complete elevation of 76`h Street North out of the flood plain areas through which such corridor traverses and also widen such to a four lane road between U.S. Highway 75 and U.S. Highway 169; and, WHEREAS, however, it is recognized that although climatic conditions for the area supports a conclusion that there will be occasional impediments to traffic flow on an improved four lane 76`h Street North, such infrequent occurrences do not, per se, provide a legitimate basis for foregoing the opportunity to achieve a vitally needed major transportation infrastructure improvement for the City of Owasso, Oklahoma, and northern Tulsa Count<•. Oklahoma; and, - WHEREAS, in recognition of the foregoing, it is determined that the most immediate major transportation infrastructure improvement that would presently provide the greatest beneficial impact in terms of enhanced safety for vehicular traffic movement as well as orderly growth and economic development for the City of Owasso, Oklahoma, and portions of northern Tulsa County, Oklahoma, in proximit<~ thereto, would be the widening to a four lane road of 76`h Street North between U.S. Highway 7~ and U.S. Highway 169. NO~V, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TRUSTEES OF THE OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, OWASSO, OKLAHOMA, that the widening of 76`x' Street North between U.S. Highway 75 and L?.S. Highaa~ 169 is hereh~ established as the priority major transportation infrastntcture improvement for the City of Owasso, Oklahoma, as well as portions of northern Tulsa Count, Oklahoma. and that the Authority should actively pursue private and public sector support and the appropriate funding to expedite the construction of such major transportation infrastructure improvement for this major transportation corridor. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of September, 1999, by the Trustees of the Owasso Economic Development Authority, Owasso, Oklahoma. OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY By: Gary Akin, Chairman ATTEST: Brenda Lawrence, Secretary APPRO AS TO FORM: onald D. Cates, Trust Attorney 2966-024.res 1 MEMORANDUM TO: THE OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY CITY OF OWASSO FROM: ROBERT M. TOBIAS, JR DIIZECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBJECT: MONTHLY REPORT DATE: September 9, 1999 The following represents an overview of the various activities on which staff has been working: OEDA Initiatives: Professional and Technical Services. Staff is working with a couple of projects that may require additional expenses related to the need for legal and engineering services. One project is related to an industrial prospect considering a site within the city that will need to be rezoned. The other project is related to a commercial development considering a location that was recently annexed and lacks the appropriate wastewater and roadway infrastructure. Advertising. Staff is compiling the various marketing materials previously used and is assessing the production of new materials that would complement the new marketing theme for Owasso, "City Without Limits." We would propose that an OEDA committee be created to work with staff on this assessment. Travel and Training. Staff is continuing to work with Oklahoma Department of Commerce officials to identify the site selection consultants that should be contacted about the advantages of an Owasso business location. Upon receipt of this list of site selection consultants, staff will solicit input from OEDA officials to focus on the groups to be visited and staff will work to coordinate marketing trips in the spring of 2000. Staff has recently met with representatives of the Grand Gateway Economic Development Authority, the Council of Government (COG) serving Rogers County, to explore the feasibility of an EDA grant to finance infrastructure northward to the intersection of State Highway 20 and 145' East Avenue to complement the development of a high tech incubator. EDA funding is not available in Tulsa County, but can be accessed in Rogers County. We are exploring the possible development of a high tech incubator in collaboration with the Tulsa Technology Center, Rural Enterprises, Inc. (REI) and the Grand Gateway EDA This would be Tulsa Technology Center's first high tech incubator in their service area. REI has developed and manages a number of incubators throughout the State of Oklahoma in cooperation with the Votech system. Grand Gateway EDA has requested our support in meeting with their Regional Director out of Austin, Texas. The Regional Director is Pedro Garza. Grand Gateway EDA hopes that our presence may produce Mr. Garza's first visit to the State of Oklahoma, as well as strengthen the relationship between Oklahoma economic development officials and the EDA regional staff in Austin. As Austin is home to several public/private, high tech consortiums, Sematech and Micro Computer Consortium, as well as many high tech firms, it may also be appropriate to conduct a marketing trip to begin collaborations with many of these entities about expansion to Oklahoma. This marketing trip would complement the OEDA's goal of meeting with companies and consultams to attract high tech companies to the Owasso service area. Meeting Expenses. Staff is renewing their membership to the Oklahoma Economic Development Council, Tulsa Area Partnership and the Northstar Economic Development Council. We are attending monthly meetings in OKC and other locations to maintain and build upon Owasso's emerging visibility as a fast growing, high tech community. MAJOR ECONOMIC CONIlVIUNTTY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS: Tulsa Technology Center. Communications with the Tulsa Technology Center continue to finalize the site donation and acquisition of the tract targeted for their Northeast campus. It may be appropriate for the OEDA and other community leaders to communicate their interests in the name of the campus, as recently done by Broken Arrow. Broken Arrow leaders lobbied for the name to be changed from TTC, Southeast Campus to TTC, Broken Arrow Campus. Vision Owasso 2000. Lephus Brooks, Chairman of the Vision Owasso initiative has requested a meeting to coordinate the activities of the various committees of the Vision Owasso program. A coordination meeting is being scheduled in early October. Cherokee Industrial Park Initiatives. As a result of the recent discussions between the OEDA and Whirlpool Corporation and MCI WorldCom officials, OEDA Trustee Tom Kimball coordinated meetings with a number of companies to address the commercial development needs and concerns expressed by these corporate officials. Included in these discussions were the need for daycare facilities and a convenience store/truck stop. Preliminary discussions have been very productive. Staff will keep the trustees apprised of further developments. Discussions related to the transportation improvements required to facilitate continued growth and expansion of companies at Cherokee Industrial Park, as well as enhance traffic movements between the park and commercial locations in Owasso continue. A joint meeting of the OEDA Trustees and the Owasso City Council was called to discuss various issues related to the proposed improvements. There was a consensus to reaffirm the community's interest in widening 76`~ Street North between Cherokee Industrial Park and U. S. Highway 169. Resolutions are forthcoming from the OEDA, the city and the Owasso Chamber. Oklahoma Building Blocks: Business Retention and Expansion. Staff met with FannieMae officials to explore the application of a number of housing programs. We are considering the applicability of an employer assisted housing program to some of the service areas largest employers. In a period of low unemployment, this could be a job recruitment and retention tool that employers throughout the Owasso service area could benefit from. We plan to coordinate meetings with major employers to determine the need and interest in further assessing the implications of this housing program. Business Recruitment. There are a number of commercial concerns exploring a location at German Corner at the old Wal-Mart center. If successful in recruiting the companies interested, they would occupy almost the entire complex that encompasses over 65,000 square feet. The decision to retain the alignment of State Highway 20 on its existing alignment, the long-term plan to widen 116' Street North between U. S. Highway 75 and 169, the plans to develop a boulevard culminating at German Corner, the accessibility to other North Tulsa County communities from Owasso, and other community development initiatives have spurred this recent interest. Work also continues with the Tulsa Chamber in attracting companies to Cherokee Industrial Park. One of the companies is a high tech company that would become one of the largest employers at the park. The company would be consolidating a number of operations to the park and encompass several thousand jobs. Staff also has bcen involved on various projects with the Northstar Economic Development Council and the Tulsa Area Partnership to enhance our marketing capabilities. Work is progressing on the creation of brochures and other complementary marketing materials. Other Activities. Also, as a result of our collaboration with MCI WorldCom, we are coordinating a Vendor Day for ,Owasso businesses to display and market their products at the comparry's Tulsa headquarters located at Cherokee Industrial Park. Coordination for this activity is taking place between staff and the Owasso Chamber of Commerce. Preliminary plans are to conduct this activity in mid to late October. The first meeting of the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Policy Review Committee is being planned in October. This committee is charged with exploring. the manner in which this innovative financing mechanism could be used to facilitate the development and financing of infrastructure in targeted areas of growth, such as in downtown Owasso. Staff is also working with INCOG to pursue participation in the: CDBG Small Cities Set-Aside grant program. This will be the first year that Owasso can participate, as communities that participate must have populations of at least 15,000. However, there are charges under consideration by HUD for this. grant program that may increase the minimum qualification to 25,000 in population. Owl representatives will be available to communicate to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and. INCOG the need to maintain the current program criteria, as the program could significantly impact a number of Owasso community development initiatives.