Following a public hearing last Thursday night, the Forney Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors OK’d a loan not to exceed @24,000.00 to assist SC Integrity in the relocation of its business to Forney.

The matter had been under discussion by the EDC Board, mostly in executive sessions, for several months. EDC Directors considered Integrity’s request for help pursuant to Section 4B(a)(3) of the Development Corporation Act of 1979, which allows financial assistance for certain 4B projects requiring an expenditure of $10,000.00 or more. The City Council passed a resolution in support of providing help to Integrity after determining that the project would provide new  and expanded business development to the City of Forney and that it meets the criteria of an eligible 4B project.

The public hearing took place shortly after Board President Bill Cates called the February 19 regular EDC Board meeting to order at approximately 7:00 p. m. with Executive Director Fran Owens and all Directors present except James Hatley, who was absent due to illness. After an invocation by Director Jay Calvin, the Board quickly approved the minutes of the January 15, 2009 EDC meeting and then opened the public hearing. Purpose of the hearing was to seek public input on the Integrity  project. Cates called several times for public comment, but although guests were present at the meeting, none were present to address the public hearing, and the public hearing was closed no more than two minutes after it was opened.

The monthly Treasurer’s Report was deferred until later in the meeting. The Board next heard the Executive Director’s report from Fran Owens, which included updates on the following:

• The Cirrus Group’s continuing effort to obtain funding to construct Forney Medical Plaza;

• The EDC-hosted first-quarter “Eggs, Issues and Updates” breakfast mixer, held January 21 at the Forney Cafe;

• Kaufman County Leadership Council;

• A report on a meeting of the Historic Business Îistrict (HBD) Focus Group January 29, which included the unveiling of plans to renovate the original Fire Station #1 on the northeast corner of South Bois d’Arc and Trinity Street and a plan by Precinct 2 County Commissioner Ray Clark to turn downtown property recently purchased by Kaufman County into a civic center and additional county offices;

• Improvements to the building now occupied by the EDC;

• An update on the 2007-2008 audit of EDC finances by Conway and Associates;

• A pending application by the EDC staff for recognition under the Texas Economic Excellence Recognition Program;

• An update on progress towards accepting a proposal to hire the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) to do a  labor shed study  for the immediate Forney area, assisted by Texas A&M University;

• Preparations for ICSC, which is set for May 17-20, 2009 in Las Vegas;

• An update on the SC Integrity project;

• A report on the first-quarter Bankers Profit, hosted by the EDC on Tuesday, February 10; and

• A report on what EDC staff learned during a public hearing regarding a proposal to go before FISD voters in May to make Forney a party of the Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) system.

Mr. Owens also informed the Board of one matter that was not listed on the agenda. Federal stimulus funding could be available through the North Central Texas Council of Governments to help fund the construction of the Forney Bridge to be located  between Forney and Windmill Farms. The bridge would be the first element of “spine” infrastructure in advance of a future development by Endeavor to provide a multipurpose shopping, commercial and residential venue north of U. S. 80. Later, the Board resumed discussion of this matter and reached a consensus that a resolution should be drawn up in support of accepting the available stimulus funds. No formal Board action was necessary.

After the decision on the stimulus funding, Treasurer Frank Burns presented his monthly report, which the Board accepted by unanimous “yes” vote with no discussion.

In the first of four discussion items on the EDC Board’s February 19 agenda, the Board held a general discussion of unique development opportunities that may be offered by certain Forney-area properties.

The second discussion item turned into a lengthy debate—the TEEX workforce study to be conducted by Texas A&M. Several key stakeholders, including TVCC and FISD, are potential investors in the study. Board Treasurer Director Frank Burns opened the discussion by stating his reservations about doing another study at this particular time. He said he isn’t against having the study done in principle, but that he doesn’t feel the study would generate any additional business for Forney right now. A lengthy discussion of the proposed study’s pros and cons ensued.

Discussion Item (c) on the agenda entailed a review of responses to Forney Business Park requests for proposals (RFP’s), and this discussion was also lengthy. At the end of the discussion, Cates suggested that a committee be formed to work with the state to find the best way to move forward. The EDC Board is in the process of selecting a firm to represent the EDC in real estate dealings in the business park.

In the final item under “Discussion Items”  on the agenda, the Board held a short discussion on the TVCC proposal to annex Forney into the TVCC system.

There were four action items on the February 19 agenda. During this part of the meeting, the Board:

• Authorized Executive Director Fran Owens to disburse funds to SC Integrity in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00 from the EDC to as financial assistance to facilitate economic development and create future economic benefit through job creation. Motion to authorize: Director Darren Rozell; seconding: Director Tyler Moore. All Directors voted in favor.

• Authorized the Executive Director to execute a check payable to Mustang Crossing LTD for fourth quarter 2008 sales tax abatement in an amount not to exceed $110,176.59. Motion to authorize: Director Jay Calvin; seconding: Rozell. All Directors voted in favor.

• Discussed deferring action on Item (c), which was to authorize the Executive Director to enter into a contract with a respondent to the RFP for a Real Estate Listing Agreement representing the Forney Business Park. This matter will  be on the agenda of a future meeting after a committee formed by the Board has narrowed down the list of responders. Motion to form the committee: Calvin; seconding: Moore. All Directors voted in favor.

• After further detailed discussion, the Board decided that Action Item (d) concerning the proposed TEEX agreement should be tabled until the next regular EDC meeting or to a special meeting, if appropriate, to pursue discussion of the matter between the EDC staff and potential outside investors. Cates said toward the end of the discussion that he wanted the EDC to ask TEEX if they felt it would be better to do the study immediately, or six to nine months later. The Board took no formal action on this matter.

The Board went into an executive session at 8:52 p. m. to discuss three matters: (s) Real property and contract issues related to Cirrus Group and Cirrus Health and matters related to the RFP project for Forney Business Park; (2) A discussion of downtown redevelopment opportunities in more detail; and (3) Real estate in the downtown area. The Board reconvened into open session at approximately 9:10 p. m. but took no action on the matters discussed in executive session.

There was no further business and no one who desired to speak  under “Public Communication” on the agenda. No Directors proposed any future agenda items, and the February 19 meeting of the Board was adjourned at 9:15 p. m.