Meeting Minutes from Monday, April 2, 2007

NEDERLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Minutes
April 2, 2007

MEETING

A meeting of the Nederland Economic Development Corporation was called to order at 5:30 p.m. at the Nederland Economic Development Corporation Office, 1903 Atlanta Avenue, by President Larry Ducharme.

QUORUM

Board members present: Paul Baker, Larry Ducharme, Mike Guidry, Billy Neal, Nick Phillips and Bert Rogers. Absent: Dick Nugent. Others present: Jim Wimberley, NEDC Attorney; Tracie Killian, Executive Director and Marlinda Eastberg, Secretary, NEDC. Guests present were Kenneth and Loretta Dumesnil, Beauty Basics.

MINUTES

A motion was made by Bert Rogers and seconded by Nick Phillips to approve the minutes of January 15, 2007 and January 25, 2007. Motion carried.
Ayes: Baker, Ducharme, Guidry, Neal, Phillips and Rogers.
Noes: None. Absent: Nugent.

PUBLIC HEARING

The regular meeting was recessed at 5:35 p.m. by President Ducharme for the purpose of conducting a public hearing regarding the potential expenditure of funds for an economic development incentive to Kenneth and Loretta Dumesnil, doing business as Beauty Basics.

Mr. Kenneth Dumesnil reported Beauty Basics is a beauty supply store currently located in Port Neches, Texas. The Dumesnil's have been in business four and one half (4 1/2) years. Mr. Dumesnil stated they are currently renovating the eleven thousand (11,000) square foot building located at 1203 Nederland Avenue and plan to be finished by July or August of 2007. They plan to occupy approximately four thousand (4000) square foot with a beauty supply store and hair salon and have approximately two thousand (2000) square feet on the left side of the building and an additional five thousand (5000) square footage on the right side of the building that will be available for lease.

Linda Tait with Small Business Development Center, Lamar State College-Port Arthur stated that she has been working with them since the beginning of this project and reported they are a good, solid business which would be an asset to the community.

A discussion was held concerning employee numbers and leasing of additional building space. With no more questions and/or comments, President Ducharme adjourned the Public Hearing at 5:42 p.m.

BEAUTY BASICS

Mrs. Killian reported that the Impact Analysis Committee (IAC) had met and recommended that the NEDC approve an expenditure of funds not to exceed ten thousand dollars and no/100 ($10,000.00) with a payback period of 2.3 years (27 months) to Kenneth and Loretta Dumesnil, doing business as Beauty Basics for the development of a beauty supply store to be located at 1203 Nederland Avenue, Nederland, Texas.

Motion made by Bert Rogers and seconded by Nick Phillips to approve the expenditure of funds, not to exceed ten thousand dollars and no/100 ($10,000.00) to Kenneth and Loretta Dumesnil, doing business as Beauty Basics for the development of a beauty supply store to be located at 1203 Nederland Avenue, Nederland, Texas.
Ayes: Baker, Ducharme, Guidry, Neal, Phillips and Rogers.
Noes: None. Absent: Nugent.

FINANCIAL REPORTS

The Board reviewed the income and expenses for the NEDC ending February 28, 2007.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The regular meeting was recessed at 5:50 p.m. by President Larry Ducharme for the purpose of conducting an Executive Session as authorized by the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.087, to discuss the offer of an incentive to a business prospect; Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.071 to discuss litigation and/or legal advise; and Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.072, to discuss acquisition, exchange, and/or release of property.

RECONVENE

The regular meeting was reconvened by President Larry Ducharme at 7:15 p.m.

President Larry Ducharme announced no action is needed on Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.087, to discuss the offer of an incentive to a business prospect; Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.071 to discuss litigation and/or legal advise; and Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.072, to discuss acquisition, exchange, and/or release of property.

COMMUNICATION

Tracie Killian presented the Board with a written Executive Director's Report with each item detailing activities of the NEDC office since the last board meeting.

Each Board Member was presented with an excerpt of The Strategic Plan for Economic Development for Nederland, Texas for their review. Team City Nederland approached the Nederland Economic Development Corporation about updating this ten (10) year old plan.

Mrs. Killian reported the parameters for the Cost Benefit Analysis form used by Impact Data Source are in the process of being updated. She is working with the City of Nederland and the Nederland Independent School District gathering data. This was last updated around 2002.

Mrs. Killian reported she is working with Wanda Hollier, Executive Director, Nederland Heritage Festival on an economic impact study of the Heritage Festival. This study will provide valuable information as to what the festival brings to Nederland.

Mrs. Killian stated she recently attended LSET (Leadership Southeast Texas) in Austin. She said that this conference was well organized and gave her the opportunity to speak and meet with many of our representatives and/or their staff members.

Mrs. Killian made the following announcements:

The ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) Retail Show in Las Vegas will be on May 20-23, 2007. She stated that preparations are being made to participate in the Entergy booth and she is making appointments to meet with various retailers who will are participating.

ADJOURN

There being no further business, a motion was made by Larry Ducharme and seconded by Bert Rogers that the meeting be adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Motion carried.
Ayes: Baker, Ducharme, Guidry, Neal, Phillips and Rogers.
Noes: None. Absent: Nugent.

END Meeting Minutes from Monday, April 2, 2007