Minutes November 12, 2002CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
November 12, 2002
After determining that a quorum was present, the City Council convened in a Planning Session
on Tuesday, November 12, 2002 at 4:30 p.m. in the City Council Work Session Room at City
Hall.
PRESENT:
Mayor Brock; Mayor Pro Tern Burroughs; Council Members Fulton, McNeill,
Montgomery, Phillips, and Redmon.
ABSENT: None
1. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding future
Convention/Conference Centers and/or Arenas in the City of Denton.
Linda Ratliff, Director of Economic Development, reviewed the definitions of a convention
center and a conference center. Elements supporting a convention center included proximity to a
large airport, public transportation, hotel rooms, restaurants, shopping opportunities,
entertainment venues, and unique attractions. She reviewed current facilities in Denton and an
analysis of the supportive elements as they related to facilities in Denton. TIP Strategies, Inc.
prepared an assessment of whether or not Denton and the downtown area could support a
conference center. Factors in the assessment included the size and strength of the Denton
economy suggested more meeting space would be beneficial; the corporate base could serve as
an excellent source of meeting activity; Denton would face challenges, especially in competing
with Metroplex facilities; and a lack of a resort quality hotel. She reviewed the statistics for
several surrounding convention centers.
Christine Gossett, Convention and Visitors Bureau, reviewed current facilities and the amenities
each had relative to square footage for meeting space. She reviewed some of the proposals that
Denton was not able to host due to lack of facilities.
Scott Wilkinson, Campus Theatre, reviewed the facilities available at the Campus Theatre. He
suggested looking at a multi-purpose building as opposed to strictly a conference center.
Ratliff presented information regarding equestrian arenas. Denton County was known as "horse
country". She reviewed the current facilities in Denton. Findings indicated that the horse
industry was strong in Denton County, there were no large arenas between the Fort Worth and
Oklahoma City area, the industry would support arenas, the Fairgrounds was inadequate and
partnerships were possible.
Comments from Council included:
· There was a need for some type of conference-convention center
· Look at some of these issues during budget discussions and future bond programs
· Look into partnerships with private industry
· Look into feasibility of updating current facilities such as the Civic Center
· Possible partnership with UNT
· Policy questions dealing with size limitations on the "vision"
City of Demon City Council Minutes
November 12, 2002
Page 2
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
EUL1NEBROCK
MAYOR
CITY OFDENTON, TEXAS
JENNIFER WALTERS
CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS