Agenda Information Sheet
DEPARTMENT: Development Services/Economic Development Division
CM/ ACM: Jon Fortune
Date: August 16, 2016
SUBJECT
Title
Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding Ordinance No. 2015-074, relating to the Economic Development Partnership Board and its members’ qualifications and tenure.
Body
BACKGROUND
The City of Denton and Denton Chamber of Commerce first entered into an economic development partnership agreement in 1986. At that time, the City initially created its Office of Economic Development, and the Denton Chamber created the position of Vice President for Economic Development. Since then, the City has funded the operating budget of the Chamber’s economic development program from both General Fund and Utility Fund, and the Chamber solicits private sector funding to support other activities.
In 2003, an economic development retreat was held; it was facilitated by TIP Strategies and included representatives from the City, Chamber, University of North Texas, Texas Woman’s University, North Central Texas College, Denton Independent School District, and Denton County. A commitment to proactive economic development and a financial partnership resulted from that meeting, and one of TIP’s recommendations was forming a board to oversee economic development activities - thus the creation of the Economic Development Partnership (EDP) Board. TIP’s recommendations were reported to City Council at the May 20, 2003, meeting. The Council adopted the ordinance creating the EDP Board in August 2003 and appointed its charter members in September. The first meeting of the EDP Board took place in October 2003.
The original ordinance (2003-258) established the EDP Board with seven voting members (two City Council members, two Chamber Board of Directors members, two members from the top 20 City of Denton ad valorem or sales tax payers, and the President of UNT) and the Denton City Manager and Chamber President as ex-officio members. It has been amended three times:
• 2011-042 - added two members, one with general aviation knowledge or experience and an at-large position with specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to assist in the functions and responsibilities of the board;
• 2014-009 - added the Denton Independent School District Superintendent as an ad-hoc non-voting member;
• 2015-074 - added two members, one nominated by the Denton Black Chamber of Commerce and one nominated by the Denton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The EDP Board now has 11 voting and three non-voting members. All voting members except the President of UNT can serve up to three two-year terms; the President of UNT can serve unlimited terms but must be re-nominated upon the expiration of each two-year term. Since the adoption of the original ordinance, both City Council and Chamber Board appointees to the EDP Board may serve out all three terms even if they are no longer members of the City Council or Chamber Board after their original appointment, as long as they continuously serve throughout the three terms.
During its July 2016 meeting, the EDP Board voted unanimously to add a seat to the Board for the Texas Woman’s University President and Chancellor under the same terms of service as the President of the University of North Texas. This will require an amendment to the ordinance, which will be brought to Council at a future date.
STRATEGIC PLAN RELATIONSHIP
The City of Denton’s Strategic Plan is an action-oriented road map that will help the City achieve its vision. The foundation for the plan is the five long-term Key Focus Areas (KFA): Organizational Excellence; Public Infrastructure; Economic Development; Safe, Livable, and Family-Friendly Community; and Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship. While individual items may support multiple KFAs, this specific City Council agenda item contributes most directly to the following KFA and goal:
Related Key Focus Area: Economic Development
Related Goal: 3.1 Develop targeted policies and incentives to achieve desired economic growth
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1 - Ordinance No. 2003-258
Exhibit 2 - Ordinance No. 2011-042
Exhibit 3 - Ordinance No. 2014-009
Exhibit 4 - Ordinance No. 2015-074
Exhibit 5 - Presentation
Respectfully submitted:
Aimee Bissett
Director of Development Services
Prepared by:
Caroline Booth
Assistant Director for Economic Development