The Dublin City Council discussed incentives to draw businesses, city programs, re-zoning and the airport in a busy meeting Monday night.
The discussion of business incentives was spurred by Interim City Manager Cameron Ray and Councilmember Bo Kabala.
Ray said Stephenville officials had offered the sales tax rebate as a viable way for a city of Dublin’s size to draw businesses to town and grow. The Chapter 380 incentive allows cities to enter into agreements with businesses, providing a portion of the local sales tax collected as a loan or grant to help the business in paying for its development.
The percentage is provided for an agreed period and is able to be scaled down during the agreement. The agreement is subject to certain criteria including the value of the building and the annual collection of sales tax.
Kabala introduced the idea of a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, a program that commits additional tax revenue in a defined area into improvements (like infrastructure and beautification projects) to the area from which it was collected.
Kabala said TIRZ, while associated with larger cities, could work because it has been utilized in cities like Justin, Crandall and El Campo. Councilmember Sammy Moore said all options to make the city more attractive should be on the table but asked what area Kabala suggested.
Areas on the edge of town which will require utilities were suggested.
Dublin Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Noah Cullis and board president Paul Bradberry also engaged in the discussion with Cullis saying a TIRZ typically takes participation from a large property owner but can help with utilities. Bradberry checked for clarification on the way it worked and said he didn’t mind having a round table discussion if people wanted.
The populations of the cities mentioned above were questioned as cities above 5,000 residents fall under home rule guidelines and have different options for growth.
Ray suggested a rebate might be a more “stable way to capture growth” because in a TIRZ, the abatement will stay with the property regardless if the business closes. Ray still said he would check into how TIRZ works in home rule cities.
Both items were tabled for examination and future discussion.
Dublin Airport
The board was also presented with a contract from Dublin Aero LLC, following months of negotiation and examination by attorneys. The contract in review will move all present leases at Dublin Municipal Airport to Dublin Aero and allow them to build and own the hangars while the city owns the land. A new fuel tank was delivered to the airport and the Aero was set to receive fuel this week. Plans also include an on-site mechanic among its offerings to pilots while the city is responsible for an acceptable amount of runway maintenance as funds allow.
Councilmembers expressed concern at the length of the 50-year contact and questioned if there could be review periods within the contract. It was noted the length likely related to the amount of investment from Dublin Aero owners and Ray noted their commitment. Councilmember Nancy Williams reinforced that they were the ones putting in all the risk and the city didn’t have any capital for work. She also appreciated their commitment to working with local schools to inspire young pilots. The item was tabled for more discussion on the contract length/review.
Kabala also spoke to the council on the previously proposed Mayor’s Conference and a senior center. He asked if they could leave the meeting with approval to reschedule the conference which was set for Oct. 18 before scheduling problems were found. Mayor David Leatherwood, Ray and a few other councilmembers noted the condition of the city with its construction projects might cause issues for a large-scale meetup with representatives from other cities.
Kabala said he’d hate for another city to take the reins and steal a Dublin idea sponsoring cooperation between communities. Revitalize Dublin’s Carmen Andersen and Mindy Gardner were in attendance and the group had been involved in the planning. Andersen said it might need to be smaller as city officials preferred to hold it until next year following elections and the completion of work.
It was noted that a schedule for some of the talks had already been planned so it was suggested to table the item for next month when a smaller conference might be planned with city support.
Senior Citizen activities In discussing senior citizen activities, Kabala thanked Lori Beggs and Bobbie Nichols for spearing conversation about the community’s needs. (A meeting has been set for Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. at Three Oaks Assisted Living, 118 E. Live Oak.) Kabala said the city should pledge support as it can.
It was noted that a group of seniors meets at the Station Monday-Thursday mornings. The Legacy, open to all senior citizens in Erath County, community center in Stephenville also has activities for senior citizens monthly (a calendar can be found on page A7).
Board of Adjustments
The meeting also began with a public Board of Adjustments hearing regarding a manufactured home in the 400 block of Hawk.
Madison Phillipson spoke on the planned structure, noting the similarities between manufactured and modular homes in many cases and stated their plans are for a permanent structure on a slab with treated wood. She said the choice is a matter of cost for their young family, having reviewed all the options and finding that purchasing or building a traditional home would cost significantly more than the purchase, installation and upgrade of their planned home. She noted other manufactured homes approved within the last decade nearby and assured the plans are for an attractive, well kept home that will not decrease property values.
Two neighbors opposed the construction, noting the ‘conflict with neighborhood standards and cohesion’ as well as its effect of property values.
Concerns were also expressed about letters only being sent to neighbors within 200 feet of the property line and councilmembers requested those guidelines be examined.
Several family members spoke on behalf on the Phillipsons as hardworking and committed to the community with Madison having deep ties as a 5th generation Dubliner.
Brock Weems also spoke in favor, noting the difficulty young homeowners have in affording a property and stating their plans seemed thought out.
The council unanimously approved the variance.
Other council actions
Council also discussed rezoning the west end of town, off Elm, Betty and CR340 as Ray reported it was zoned industrial and largely the properties were manufactured homes. Ray suggested changing it to reflect the area accurately and make any violations easier to manage. Williams spoke in favor of the change, saying it would make the owners more accountable. The item was pinned for future discussion as the change would require zoning hearings and a vote.
The councilmembers unanimously approved Karen Wright as a board member of the Dublin EDC after Cullis reported three candidates were reviewed by EDC board members (after one withdrew their application) and a vote was held. It was noted Wright had 12 years of experience with the EDC. Councilmember Jacob McCullough asked Cullis how Wright’s status as the EDC’s office landlord would affect things. City Secretary Kim Seider had contacted the attorney and said she would just have to abstain from decisions involving the rental.
The council also approved the purchase of a chip spreader and equipment that would allow city crews to pave streets. The funds came through a FEMA reimbursement grant for road repairs after 2015 flood.