Item 4IM E M O R A N D U M
February 25, 2009
To:
Shana Yelverton, City Manager
From:
Greg Last, Director of Economic Development
Subject:Resolution No. 09-010 establishing a Southlake Business Council;
providing for appointments to the business council; and providing for
an effective date.
Action
Requested:
Consideration of Resolution No. 09-010 as noted above.
Background
Information:
The City of Southlake has enjoyed great relationships with many
businesses and their leaders from throughout the City. In
particular, the relationship between the City and its largest
employer, Sabre Holdings, has provided many positive interactions
and results.
As well, the City has long benefitted from the Southlake Program
for Involvement of Neighborhoods (SPIN) which provides a
conduit for back and forth flow of information between the City
and residents of the City.
The proposed Southlake Business Council (SBC) program is a
composite of benefits gained through relationships with the
community’s business leaders in a format similar to the long
established SPIN program.
The intent of the SBC program is to establish an advisory
committee composed of business “seats” representing diverse
business constituencies in the City. Proposed in the resolution are
the following seats.
Bank / Financial Professional Services
Commercial Developer Realtor / Residential Developer
Corporate / National Restaurant / Local
Hospitality / Hotel Restaurant / Franchise
Manufacturing / DistributionRetail / Local
Marketing / Public Relations Retail / Franchise
MedicalTechnology / Hi-tech
There will also be several non-voting “Ex-officio” members
including: Mayor, City Council Liaison, Southlake Chamber of
Commerce President and Chair of the Board, and representatives
from the City Manager’s Office, Carroll I.S.D., a rotating
representative from Keller I.S.D., and Grapevine-Colleyville
I.S.D., and the Director of Economic Development who shall be
responsible for administration and coordination of the SBC
activities.
As proposed in the resolution, members of the SBC shall be
appointed by the City Council for two-year terms. Should Council
approve this resolution, staff would solicit applications for
appointment to the SBC and provide Council a resolution making
the desired appointments at a future Council meeting.
The SBC Mission Statement and Goals would be established by
the members of the SBC. Anticipated goals at this time might
include the following:
1.Enhanced Communication: Provide a venue resulting in
better quantity and quality of communication between
businesses and City leadership
2.Strategic Intersections: Identify and strengthen programs
where strategic goals between business and the City intersect
3.Regulatory Issues: Provide feedback and guidance on the
development and implementation of regulatory codes to
ensure well-vetted public policy decisions
4.Business Climate: Monitor and provide feedback on issues
affecting the business climate of the City to ensure a
sustainable and positive business climate
5.Economic Tracking: Monitor and report on the global,
regional and local economy to ensure timely and appropriate
public policy direction
Financial
Considerations:
None
Strategic Link:
This item support strategy C-4 to “attract and keep top-tier
businesses to drive a dynamic and sustainable economic
environment.
Citizen Input/
Board Review:
Staff, along with Mayor Pro-Tem Terrell and Councilmember
Muzyka, coordinated a brief brainstorming session with several
business leaders on January 14, 2009 to flush out the intent of the
program and review draft goals and objectives. The general
feedback was that there was merit in the program and that it should
proceed to City Council for consideration.
Legal Review:
The City Attorney’s office has reviewed the Resolution.
Alternatives:
1. Approve the resolution as presented.
2. Approve the resolution with revisions as desired by Council.
3. Take no action on the resolution and pursue another direction.
Supporting
Documents:
Resolution No. 09-010.
Staff
Recommendation:
Approve Resolution No. 09-010 establishing a Southlake Business
Council.
RESOLUTION NO. 09-010
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS,
ESTABLISHING A SOUTHLAKE BUSINESS COUNCIL (SBC) FOR THE
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE; PROVIDING FOR APPOINTMENTS TO THE
BUSINESS COUNCIL; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
.
WHEREAS
, the City of Southlake Strategy Map includes initiative C-4 to “attract and keep
top-tier businesses to drive a dynamic and sustainable economic environment”; and
WHEREAS
, the Department of Economic Development’s mission is to help create a
diversified, vibrant and sustainable economy through attraction and support of business enterprises
meeting the vision and standards desired by City leaders; and
WHEREAS
, a primary goal of the Department of Economic Development is to develop and
implement programs to retain and support existing businesses; and
WHEREAS
, the City Council of the City of Southlake, Texas is of the opinion that a
Southlake Business Council would be of assistance to the City Council and City staff by providing a
more available form of business participation in the affairs of the City and to create a forum for
business-to-business and business-to-City communication; and
WHEREAS
, the City of Southlake Council desires to create such a committee by resolution
establishing the Southlake Business Council’s membership, terms of office, and responsibilities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, THAT:
SECTION 1.
The City Council does hereby create and establish an advisory committee to be known as the
“Southlake Business Council” (SBC). Such committeeshall be composed of fourteen (14) business
“seats” representing diverse business constituencies in the City, all of which shall be voting
members of the committee. Seat representation shall include the following:
Bank / Financial Marketing / Public Relations Restaurant / Franchise
Commercial Developer MedicalRetail / Local
Corporate / National Professional Services Retail / Franchise
Hospitality / Hotel Realtor / Residential Developer Technology / Hi-tech
Manufacturing / Distribution Restaurant / Local
All such voting members shall be employees of businesses in the City of Southlake, Texas
and shall work within the corporate limits of the City during the term of office for which the
business representative is appointed. Non-voting Ex-officio members shall include the Mayor, a
City Council liaison, the Southlake Chamber of Commerce President and Chair of the Board, and
Resolution 09-010 -Establishing a Southlake Business Council
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representatives from the City Manager’s Office,Carroll I.S.D., a rotating representative from Keller
I.S.D., Northwest I.S.D, and Grapevine-Colleyville I.S.D., and the Director of Economic
Development who shall be responsible for administration and coordination of SBC activities. A
quorum shall consist of seven (7) voting members for the purpose of conducting business.
SECTION 2.
Members of the SBC shall be appointed by members of the City Council, and shall be
appointed for a term of two (2) years. In the appointment of the initial SBC following the adoption
of this resolution, the City Council shall appoint seven (7) members for one (1) year and seven (7)
members for two (2) years. Terms of office shall be from May to April of the final year of said
appointment. Term limits shall be at the discretion of the City Council. Members shall serve
without pay.
SECTION 3.
The SBC shall adopt Articles of Organization to govern its activities and meetings. The
adoption and any amendment of these Articles shall be subject to approval of the City Council.
SECTION 4.
Ay member of the SBC duly appointed by the City Council shall automatically forfeit the
seat on the SBC in the event he/she 1) discontinues employment with the business constituency they
were appointed to represent, or 2) files for public office. The SBC may, by inclusion in the Articles
of Organization, establish additional grounds for forfeiture or removal from the SBC.
SECTION 5.
The SBC shall elect from its members a chairperson, vice-chairperson and secretary, who
together with the Director of Economic Development shall constitute the SBC Executive Committee.
SECTION 6.
The SBC shall meet at regular intervals a minimum of four (4) times a year or more
frequently as determined by a majority of the voting members, in order to communicate business
activities, needs and concerns to the Council and other Ex-officio members.
SECTION 7.
The SBC shall act in an advisory capacity to the City Council and the City Staff in the
planning and implementation of programs and activities involving business concerns.
SECTION 8.
This Resolution shall become effective from and after its passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED
this the _______ day of March, 2009.
Resolution 09-010 -Establishing a Southlake Business Council
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________________________
Andrew Wambsganss, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
City Secretary
Resolution 09-010 -Establishing a Southlake Business Council
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