REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CANTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (CEDC) 5:30 P.M., TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2021 COUNCIL ROOM AT CANTON CITY HALL, 201 N. BUFFALO STREET, CANTON, TEXAS  MINUTES  The Board of Directors of the Canton Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) attended a regular meeting att the above mentioned date and time. CEDC board members present included: President Kevin Deibert, 1st Vice President Rhita Koches, 2nd Vice President Joe Zoubi, Gary Hatfield, Corley Ragle, Larry Morgan, DeAnne Callan and ex-officio member Lonny Cluck.Notin attendance was ex-officio member Mayor Lou Ann Everett. Executive Director Julie Seymore 1. Call to Order and Announce a Quorum - President Kevin Deibert called the meeting  and CEDC Asst. Director Stacy Crossley also attended.  to order and announced a quorum present at 5:30 p.m. 2. Invocation - Given by DeAnne Callan 3. Pledge of Allegiance - Led by Kevin Deibert 4. Declarations Regarding Conflicts of Interest - None  5. Public Comments - None  6. Consider Action Regarding Minutes of May 12, 2021 and May 25, 2021 Meetings Rhita Koches made a motion to approve May 12, 2021 and May 25, 2021 Meetings as presented. Joe Zoubi seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion 7. Consider Action Regarding May 2021 Financial Statements Motion to accept the financial statements as presented by Ms. Seymore was made by DeAnne Callan and 8. Consider Authorization for Expenditures Related to Landscaping, Benches and Trash Receptacles for Downtown Sidewalk Project - Ms. Seymore presented bids and discussed the strategic plan for downtown and the inclusion of trees, tree grates, benches and trash cans in the sidewalk renovation project. She noted these would not be covered by the grant and asked the board to authorize the expenditure of up to $25,000 out of the downtown redevelopment line item for these elements, Motion to approve the spending of up to $25,000 for the sidewalk extras as presented by Ms. Seymore was made by Gary Hatfield and Rhita Koches seconded. All voted in favor 9. City Project Updates and Community Announcements = Lonny Cluck None 10. Canton Visitors Bureau and First Monday Marketing Report and Consider Any Action Related Thereto - Julie Seymore gave the report in Austin Melton's absence. 11. Canton Main Street Report and Consider Any Action Related Thereto = Stacy Crossley reported on current downtown projects that included power washing the sidewalks, the adopt a block project, and the downtown beautification plan.  passed.  Rhita Koches seconded. All voted in favor and the motion passed.  and the motion passed.    Ms. Crossley presented a plan shade at the Farmers Market and asked the board to authorize expenditures upi to $20,0001 fort the project. Ar motion was made by. Joe Zoubi authorizing the expenditures of up to $20,000 to install the shade project upon the approval of the City Council and Rhita Koches seconded. All voted in favor and the Ms. Crossley continued to update the board on upcoming events and new businesses 12. Executive Director's Report and Consider Any Action Related Thereto Julie  motion passed.  that would be coming into vacant buildings.  Seymore A. CEDC Projects  Burnett Trail Road Extension Project had some rain delays, but they were I-20 Waterline Project had been completed, tested and was ready for tie-in. Downtown Sidewalk Project - Electric outlets had been added to the tree Downtown Wayfinding Project- Council approved the contract and staff was trying to work planning for the truck route signs into the contract. Van Zandt County / Rains County Job Fair - In an effort to address local concerns on lack of employees and to take advantage of the timing with the cancellation of extra funding for unemployment, CEDC initiated plans with Workforce Solutions and other EDC's and Chambers to host a County-wide TxDOT I-20 Corridor Study - Staff participated in the East Texas Working Group for the I-20 Corridor Study. They discussed widening I-20 and improving access roads long term, as well as Canton's desire for TxDOT to widen FM 859 and add better safety lighting at all I-20 intersections, Broadband Expansion = CEDC had been meeting with ETCOG and CIP to identify broadband expansion projects in the County. ETCOG will provide the engineering so there are projects ready for application oft funding. CEDC also met with Peoples and with Spectrum regarding fiber expansion projects. Plastec West and Fabtech Trade Shows Staff planned to participate in NETEA - Staff will be going on a business recruitment trip with NETEA that Sentinel Gardens is still working on licensing. They are working with the City on an agreement to use the Senior Citizens Building on a temporary basis Phoenix Food - A building permit was issued for the new 8000 sf warehouse and they provided a copy of their 10 year lease. Staff will process the first  scheduled for a final pour that Thursday. boxes and some concrete had been poured.  job fair at the Civic Center on August 26.  especially at Highway 64.  Oncor's booth at these trade shows for lead-generaton. included one on one meetings with qualified prospects.  for their emergency evacuation plan.  portion of grant funds upon receipt of aj jobs report. Panda Express was paid the 2021 sales tax rebate.  B. CEDC Business / Administration- Planning staff summer vacations and C. Local Development Activity- The Chamber is planning the 4th of July parade and hot dog eating contest, and CVB is planning for the upcoming Balloon Festival. Staff will be working on FY 2021 budget amendments and FY 2022  surgeries.    budget planning. The Leadership Van Zandt class will start soon and they were still looking for students. CO/permits had been issued for, Edward Jones, Southern Brew, Canton RV Park with new owners, the old Lucky food mart with new owners, the UT Health rehab center, the new Sonic Drive in, the storage facility for Phoenix Foods, Burnett Trail Apartments, Cluck & Hall, Ag Science building, Earl West Building, Sumner RV park, All Canton Floral renovations,  and Southern POP in the Southern Brew building.  D. Community Event Announcements  When necessary and warranted, a closed or executive session will follow pursuant to the provision of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas 13. Executive Session: The board convened in executive session at 6:10 p.m. to discuss  Government Code, Section 551.087. economic development negotiations. Lonny Cluck entered meeting at 6:11 p.m.  A. Section 551.087 -1 to deliberate commercial or financial information the CEDC has received from a business prospect, and to deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to business prospects, including Southern Brew Coffee Company, LLC, Bluegreen Development Project, Sports Complex Project, two downtown building renovation projects, and retention, expansion and recruitment of commercial, industrial, retail, hospitality, sports, and family entertainment prospects. 14. Return to Open Session and Consider Action, ifany, on Items Discussed in Executive Session - The Board reconvened in open session at 6:33 p.m. with no action taken. 15. Budget Work Session for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 - Scheduled for July 6, at 5:30 p.m. 17. Adjourn -The meeting was adjourned at 6:34 p.m. upon motion by DeAnne Callan and  16. Items for Future Agendas - None second by Gary Hatfield.  Deibert, President  ATTEST:      -  Stacy Crossley, Board Secretary