HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999.10.14_OEDA MinutesOWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
MINUTES OF SCHEDULED REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, October 14, 1999
PRESENT ABSENT STAFF PRESENT
Gary Akin Brenda Lawrence Robert Tobias
Frank Enzbrenner Jeff Hancock
Mark Wilken Marsha Hensley
Tom Kimball Mary Jo Griffin
Brian Smith
Dee Sokolosky
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 SEPTEMBER 16, 1999
SPECIAL MEETING
Approval of minutes deferred until the next regularly scheduled meeting due to incorrect date
on submitted minutes.
ITEM 4: REQUEST APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
No Claims
ITEM 5: PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL REPORT
Mr. Kimball inquired into the rate of interest reported as earned on the financial report.
ITEM 6: DISCUSS STATUS OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Mr. Hancock briefed trustees on the status of the comprehensive plan indicating that it should
be presented to the board in December. Mr. Wilken informed members that Karl Fritchen had
been retained on a contract in order to complete the Comprehensive Plan for the City. Planned
approval date is early 2000. Special hearings are planned for November.
Mr. Sokolosky inquired as to what the comprehensive plan meant; is it a resolution, wish list,
or a binding agreement. Mr. Wilken explained that the comprehensive plan is like a policy
• statement that sets the tone and focus to develop new laws for future development, define a
course or direction and to assist the City in developing ordinances. Mr. Sokolosky then posed
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the question of when objections should be made to wording in the plan. Mr. Wilken explained
that the plan is a public process and that any concerns need to be addressed in public hearings.
Any written concerns need to be forwarded to Tim Rooney who will take changes to committee
for consideration.
Mr. Kimball emphasized the importance of having a comprehensive plan and requested that
when the plan does go before the council for approval, that process be put in place for periodic
review.
Other business relating to the comprehensive plan was the distribution of the land use maps.
Mr. Karl Fritchen is still in the process of digitizing the maps. Mr. Akin requested that as
soon as this process is completed, all trustees be given a map.
ITEM 7: DISCUSS PROGRESS ON PROGRAM OF WORK
Mr. Tobias recapped his memo dated October 14, 1999, which included discussion on
advertising, travel and training and our affiliation with other economic development
organizations in the area.
Mr. Tobias requested some guidance in putting advertising material together, perhaps creating
a committee to avoid duplication.
Mr. Hancock stated he would like to see the OEDA members attend some of the organizational
meetings mentioned by Mr. Tobias. Mr. Akin asked Mr. Tobias to inform the members when
meetings are being held, so the members can make arrangements to attend. At least one board
member should try to attend upcoming meetings. Mr. Akin then requested that a schedule of
opportunities be put together and distributed to board members. Mr. Kimball suggested that a
policy be developed for the board to follow requiring the Owasso area be represented in these
open forums. It is the duty of the board.
Mr. Tobias discussed coordinating a marketing trip to Austin Texas to meet with the regional
office of the Economic Development Administrator.. The Austin area has developed into a
high -tech area and would offer an excellent learning opportunity to see how this area has
attracted industries and coped with growth in the area.
There was a brief update on the "Owasso City Without Limits" program from Mr. Kimball.
He shared that there was a database being developed from all the entries in the lot give away
and that 63 % of the entries were from outside the Owasso trade area. This was better than
expected.
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ITEM 8: DISCUSSION OF DIRECTOR'S MONTHLY REPORT
Mr. Tobias briefed board on the Tulsa Technology Center. TTC will have a high tech
communications inflow to serve the Owasso campus. Staff plans to introduce TTC officials
with City, school district and other key allies for collaboration.
Mr. Tobias updated board on childcare survey from the Cherokee Industrial Park. He noted it
is going slow, but the companies are committed to responding to surveys.
Resolutions regarding the 70' Street Widening were delivered. More information relating to
this will be presented in the next board meeting.
ITEM 8: REPORT FROM OEDA MANAGER
Mr. Hancock discussed the 76' Street /Highway 169 interchange. They are looking at four
traffic signals for the area and modifications of the exit ramps. There are still some minor
negotiations pending. These should be finalized by the next meeting.
Mr. Hancock presented information from the traffic study for the 96`'' Street Corridor. The
study indicated that there would need to be additional improvements within 10 years, which
may include additional lanes as well as ramp improvements. Arrangements are being made
between SEAYCO and the City of Owasso regarding project funding. The building permit for
the new Wal -Mart center is anticipated on being issued in mid - December. The Owasso Market
area should begin turning dirt by the middle of November.
Dickinson Theatres was also discussed. The cinema project is proceeding at the old
Warehouse Market site on 86' Street North.
ITEM 9: NEW BUSINESS
The question was posed by members as to the legality of using the old Warehouse Market
parking lot to sell used cars by individuals. Staff stated that there is currently no ordinance in
place to address this issue. Unless the property owner complains, there is nothing the City can
do. It was recommended that staff look into state law regarding this activity as well as looking
into other communities to see how they handle this type of offense. Staff will provide a follow
up on this at the next board meeting.
LOther business included the Shop Owasso campaign. Mr. Akin stated that they are preparing
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for this event, which is to help support local business as well provide recognition to the area.
Participation in this program is not limited to chamber members.
Mr. Enzbrenner noted that in the last meeting the discussion of real estate was begun. He
would like to call a special meeting to further discuss this issue. A meeting was scheduled for
October 28, 1999 at 4 p.m.
ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Kimball moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Wilken. The vote on the motion was
recorded as follows:
Akin - Yes
Lawrence -
Smith - Yes
O Sokolosky - Yes
Enzbrenner - Yes
The motion carried 6 -0 and the meeting was adjourned at_�L-30 AM.
/ q C/
Date Approved
Chairperson