HomeMy WebLinkAbout14 0717 Council minutesThe City Council met on Thursday, July 17, 2014 at 11:45 am, at the Plainview
Convention Center, 2902 W 4th Street, Plainview, Texas. The agenda for this meeting
was posted in the City Hall at 9:45 a.m. on July 14, 2014. Mayor Wendell Dunlap
presided. Councilmembers present were: Charles Starnes — District 1, Norma Juarez —
District 3, Teressa King — District 4, Susan Blackerby — District 5, Eric Hastey — District
7. Council member Lionel Garcia -District 6 and Larry Williams -District 3 were absent.
Staff members present were: Jeffrey Snyder -City Manager, Sarianne Beversdorf-
Director of Finance, Rusty Powers -Fire Chief, Ken Coughlin -Police Chief, Isauro
Gutierrez-lnformation Technology Specialist and Judy Rasher -Community Services
Secretary.
News Media Present: Caleb Hatch, Plainview Radio and Homer Marquez,
Plainview Herald
Guests Present: Beverly McCaskill, Linda Morris, Kevin Carter, John Bertsch and
Aaron Farmer
Councilmember Charles Starnes led in the Invocation.
Guest speaker, Aaron Farmer, vice president of Retail Coach, presented to the
Councilmembers and guest, a presentation of The Retail Coach. Retail Coach has
partnered with the City of Plainview in its retail economic development plan, designed to
recruit retailers and developers to the City of Plainview. Mr. Farmer presented a 12
month proposal for continuation with the Retail Coach, which represents more than 250
communities nationwide. Mr. Farmer gave an overall analysis of Plainview's population,
race, growth, education, age, information on vacant buildings, psychographics, interest
and lifestyles of Plainview. Mr. Farmer states that he can match which
retailers/developers would be a good fit for Plainview.
Mayor Pro Tem Teressa King asked Mr. Farmer the difference between the
retailers/developers in the downtown area versus the businesses along the highway.
Mr. Farmer said with his experience that many retailers/developers do better along the
highway and leave the downtown area for local businesses. Mayor Pro Tem Teressa
King asked Mr. Farmer if he has done any comparable pricing for square footage and
rental fees of commercial properties. Mr. Farmer stated that the fees are based on
other communities and their location of the properties. To bring in the business to
Plainview, we may have to negotiate the rental fees and square footage at a lower rate.
Councilmember Susan Blackerby wanted to know who was point of contact for this
project. Mr. Farmer stated that City Manager, Jeffrey Snyder would be the person to go
to on this.
Mayor Pro Tem Teressa King asked if we should focus on franchise businesses only, as
they would be less of a risk. Mr. Farmer agreed that franchise businesses would be
less of a risk, but corporate businesses would also benefit Plainview.
Councilmember, Eric Hastey wanted to know if it would be possible for retailers to bring
in other retailers. Mr. Farmer said they would match businesses around the retailers.
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July 17, 2014 Page 1 of 2
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He gave an example of Walmart. You will find the same retailers around Walmart in
most cities you travel to.
Mayor Pro Tem Teressa King wanted to know if outlet stores would do well in Plainview.
Mr. Farmer stated that outlet stores tend to go to larger cities. Mr. Farmer feels that
outlets would do well in Plainview, because we are between two larger cities, Lubbock
and Amarillo.
Sarianne Beversdorf, Director of Finance for the City of Plainview, presented the
quarterly investment report from April 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014. The beginning
balance in the operating funds was $20,646,097. The interest earned for the quarter
was $8,838.00, bringing the ending balance to $20,659,054. The beginning balance in
the demand deposit was $20,977,584. The interest earned for the quarter was
$7,295.00, bringing the ending balance to $21,080,883. Council unanimously approved
the quarterly report from April 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014.
The Council and staff reviewed the agenda for the City Council meeting of July 22,
2014.
There being no further business, Mayor Dunlap adjourned the meeting at 12:39 p.m.
J dy
Community Services Secretary
City Council Minutes July 17, 2014 Page 2 of 2
