Minutes September 17, 2001402
CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
September 17, 2001
The City of Denton City Council convened in a Work Session on Monday, September 17,
2001 at 12 noon in the City of Denton Work Session Room.
PRESENT: Mayor Brock; Mayor Pro Tem Beasley; Council Members Burroughs,
Fulton, McNeill, Phillips and Redmon.
ABSENT: None
1. The Council received a report and held a discussion regarding economic
development issues.
Mike Conduff, City Manager, stated that the Council and Chamber needed to be partners
in determining economic development objectives for the community. He reviewed
upcoming meetings and changes that would be happening with the Economic
Development Department. Staff needed direction from the Council on how to proceed
with economic development in Denton and a definition of success for Denton.
Council listed some of their priorities:
Council Member Burroughs stated that he would like to see a more regional airport, a
quality industrial park, and the development of at least one more headquarters site.
Council Member McNeill stated that he would like to see a quality development of Loop
288 such as a teqhnol0gy corridor similar to Loop 128 in Boston.
Mayor Pro Tem Beasley stated that she would like to see partnerships with the business
community besides the university communities and the passage ofa 4B sales tax.
Council Member Fulton stated that she would like to see another large hotel developed in
the City, possibly with a convention/arena center. The City needed to work on the
tourism area.
Council Member Phillips stated that he would like to see quality cooperation between the
development community and the City. Show a willingness to work with developers with
good communication.
Council Member Redmon stated that he would like to see increased job training in order
to access higher paying jobs for the residents in Denton.
Mayor Brock stated that she would like to see a greater exposure for downtown Denton.
Staff reviewed the partnership the City had with the Chamber of Commerce in terms of
funding and objectives.
City Manager Conduff asked what the Council was trying to accomplish with the above
statements and if all of the above were true, what would be the result.
City of Denton City Council Minutes
September 17, 2001
Page 2
Council responses to those questions included: raising the standard of living, an
outstanding school system, an economically complete community, a stand alone
community; a high quality of life, a cultural community, an employment center and
community harmony among the interest groups.
Council would like to limit environmental impacts on the community, limit tax exempt
property, limit low skill, low paying job development.
2. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction
regarding issues and priorities.
Mayor Pro Tem Beasley felt that the Council had not yet reached the goal to develop
processes and a culture that valued achieving consensus. She asked about the Consent
Agenda and why so many items were now placed on the Consent Agenda.
Mayor Brock indicated that often times the Agenda Committee determined if a
questionable item was to remain on the Consent Agenda.
Council Member Burroughs stated that the Council had a history of long meetings with
much discussion that bordered on management issues rather than policy issues. If the
items were management issues they should be on the Consent Agenda rather than on
Items for Individual Consideration.
City Manager Conduff stated that the quality of staff input would be upgraded so Council
knew what staff was proposing thus allowing the Council to dwell on policy issues.
Council was encouraged to call or e-mail staff with policy questions. He suggested
Council look more to the City Manger during meetings to help with staff presentations
and questions.
Council suggestions for smoother meetings included: providing citizens a list of Council
rules and procedures before the meeting began; different colored cards for those not
wanting to speak; the citizen must be present at the meeting to have his card read;
limiting the total speaker time on an issue, and Council needed to not get so involved
with debating with speakers and staff at the podium.
3. Council did not discuss possible future meeting dates.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:55 p.m.
~ ~,-, /~,,~/~ Euline Brock, Mayor
City of Denton, Texas
fi~.nnifellrWal~er~
~City Secretary
City of Denton, Texas
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