Minutes April 13, 2004CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 13, 2004
After determining that a quorum was presem, the City Council convened in a Planning Session
on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Council Work Session Room.
PRESENT:
Mayor Brock; Mayor Pro Tem Burroughs; Council Members Kamp, McNeill,
Montgomery, Redmon and Thomson.
ABSENT: None
1. The Council received a report, held a discussion and gave staff direction regarding
creating a vibrant cultural life in Denton.
Linda Ratliff, Director of Economic Development, presented a report on creating a vibrant
cultural life in Denton. She began with a definition on vibrant and noted other areas that could
be considered vibrato. Vibrato pros included an enrichmem of quality of life for citizens,
attracted creative people who tended to work in creative, high-paying industries, generated
activity 18-24 hours and stimulated tourism trade. Vibrato cons included an increase in crime,
parking problems and traffic congestion and complaints by residents. Ratliff listed vibrant
opportunities that included a fashion museum; performing arts space; conference center/meeting
space; downtown hotel; downtown residential development; entertainment district that
encouraged arts/entertainment related businesses to locate in the district and develop artist
live/work space; create a TIF/PID/BID/MMD for funding for infrastructure or management of
the district; public/private partnerships; and a downtown master plan that included "vibrant"
opportunities in the implementation of the Downtown Master Plan.
Herbert Holl, Greater Denton Arts Council, spoke on cultural facilities in Denton. Those
facilities included the performing centers at the two universities, the Campus Theatre, the Center
for Visual Arts, and area churches with performing cemers. He listed art galleries and visual arts
venues. Together all of these facilities provided year-round events for Denton. Opportunities in
Denton included an almost unlimited pool of local talent, proximity to DFW institutions for
partnership opportunities, a growing population of people who wanted to stay in Denton for
emertainmem, changing demographics, resources of educational community, and a prevailing
attitude that vibrant cultural life was necessary to the community. Challenges included the
reality of box office economics, the cost of land/construction, competing needs of a growing city,
and the nurturing of community wide support.
Council discussion:
· The need for a high quality recording studio could be an economic developmem
opportunity for DeNon
· Denton had a high degree of talent in many areas that provided for a multitude of
entertainment opportunities
Kim Phillips, Manager-Convention and Visitors Bureau, stated that Denton had a unique identity
over area cities in the metroplex. The Square and the Denton County Courthouse were
marketing icons for DeNon. Challenges for the meeting industry included a lack of a facility for
group business; cemral/permanem location that was easily accessible for unique collections such
as the gown collection at TWU; lack of transportation within the community; consistent
entertainment throughout the year such as upscale nightlife or more family entertainment
activities.
City of DeNon City Council Minutes
April 13, 2004
Page 2
Council discussion:
· Impact on workforce in DeNon from new conference/hotel facility in Grapevine
Jason Tiner, Denton Sports Commission-Convention and Visitors Bureau, presented statistics
regarding the economic impact of sports in Denton. He indicated that sports tourism involved
events that brought sports teams, individuals, or fans to the community to stay overnight or for
an extended time of the day. He listed several events that resulted in a large financial impact to
the City such as the USA Track and Field Junior Nationals, the SunBelt Outdoor Track and Field
Championships and the ASA Girls' 12 and under Class A Softball Toumamem. He estimated
the economic impact of sports venues in Denton for 2004 at $1.9 million. He noted the
cooperation among the various entities to assist participants in these events when they were in
Denton.
Council discussion:
· Effect of new high school football stadium on sports venues in DeNon
· Consider an ice hockey arena for DeNon
Scott Wilkinson, Campus Theatre, presented information on productions held at the Campus
Theatre including participants in the productions, patrons and the arts groups involved with the
Theatre. There was a crisis situation for performing arts groups in Denton as there was no place
to rehearse and nowhere to expand in terms adding other groups to a production schedule.
Council discussion:
· Commitmem from citizens for support for another Campus Theatre type project
· Revitalization of other areas near the Square area for performing arts
Eric Hill, owner of Hanna's and Hailey's, responded to Council's questions on how to help
revitalize the downtown area. He encouraged the development of more residences above the
businesses in the downtown area.
Council discussion:
· Regulations for residemial developmem near and around the Square
· Commuter rail in the future will positively affect the downtown area
· Infill incemives includes all areas of the city including the dowmown area
Consensus of Council was to have staff continue investigating means for developing a vibrant
cultural life in the dowmown area and bring options for Council to consider.
2. Suggestions for Agenda Committee on future agenda items and/or placement of items for
upcoming agendas.
City of Demon City Council Minutes
April 13, 2004
Page 3
Council Member Kamp requested information on panhandling in the dowmown area. She also
noted that the next Council clean up for the Council Adopt-A-Spot would be May 8 at 10:00 a.m.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
EULINE BROCK
MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
JENNIFER WALTERS
CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS