REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CANTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (CEDC) 5:30 P.M., TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020 CANTON CITY HALL, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 201 N. BUFFALO STREET, CANTON, TEXAS  MINUTES  The Board of Directors of the Canton Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) attended a regular meeting at the above mentioned date and time. CEDC board members present included: President John McKeehan, Gary Hatfield, DeAnne Callan and Joe Zoubi, and ex- officio member Lonny Cluck. Also attending were Executive Director Julie Seymore, CEDC Asst. Director Stacy Crossley and Austin Melton. Not in attendance were 1st Vice President Kevin Deibert, 2nd' Vice President Rhita Koches, Larry Morgan and ex- officio member Mayor Lou Ann Everett. 1. Call to Order and Announce a Quorum - President John McKeehan called the meeting  to order at 5:30 p.m. and announced a quorum present. 2. Invocation - Given by Gary Hatfield 3. Pledge of Allegiance - Led by John McKeehan 4. Declarations Regarding Conflicts of Interest - None  5. Public Comments - None  6.  Consider Action Regarding Minutes of May 26, 2020 Meeting - DeAnne Callan made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Joe Zoubie seconded the motion. All 7. Consider Action Regarding May 2020 Financial Statements = Julie Seymore presented the financial report and noted that even though the March First was closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, sales tax revenue for that month was down only 4%1 from the same period the prior year. Motion to accept the financials was made by Gary Hatfield and DeAnna Callan seconded. All voted ini favor and the motion passed. 8. Discussion and Action Authorizing Certain Financial Assistance up to $5,000.00 each for Businesses Located within the City of Canton, Texas Who Have been Significantly Impacted by COVID-19 Restrictions - No new applications to present. Julie Seymore expressed concern for businesses having difficulty filling positions. She will look for 9. Retail Attractions Report - Ricky Hayes addressed the board and reported that capital was as cheap as it had ever been and retailers were aggressive during this time. He stated that we will see a reshaping of malls and that soft goods were struggling; however, Ross and similar retailers were doing well. Back-filling empty spaces would 10. City Project Updates and Community Announcements - Lonny Cluck reported touring the new ER at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances and he was very impressed. He explained doctors would rotate from Tyler and the facility would be a great asset to the community. He noted most city capital projects were shut down with some smaller 11. Canton Visitors Bureau and First Monday Marketing Report and Consider Any Action Related Thereto - Austin Melton gave his report with a focus on the Facebook and Instagram numbers. He reported the previous First Monday was well attended and  voted in favor and the motion passed.  ways CEDC could help.  become easier.  projects finishing up.  they were looking forward to the 4th of. July weekend.    12. Canton Main Street Report and Consider Any Action Related Thereto Stacy Crossley reported that Canton Main Street received its 2020 Nationally Accredited Main Street Program designation. She noted that the old Hilliard Hardware building had been purchased and she updated the board on upcoming events. 13. Executive Director's Report and Consider Any Action Related Thereto - Julie A. CEDC Projects - Ms. Seymore reported grant checks would be distributed to Applebees Restaurant and Sarah Clayton State Farm Insurance. She gave an update on current partners with ongoing construction projects: the West building received a building permit for façade improvements but not for the inside, Burks's Outlet build-out was progressing, a development meeting was scheduled to review plans for the two suites in the Eubank Builidng, Sentinel Gardens assisted living building renovation was progressing, as well as Aaron's building addition. The TXDOT water line contract had been signed, TXDOT was initiating annexation, and they had begun engineering. The downtown sidewalk project was progressing in the engineering phase and the wayfinding signage, planters and crosswalks project was still in the early planning phase. The BRE formal plan was wrapping up as was the Target Industry Study. The NETEA recruitment trip planned for September would be virtual. Ms. Seymore said the Farm Bureau Board asked CEDC for signage at Highway 19 that indicated all the businesses down Burnett Trail and in the proposed 60-acre park. Mr. Cluck indicated off-premise signage was not allowed. Ms. Seymore was asked to see what options were available and if it could be incorporated in with the planned C. Local Development Activity - Ms. Seymore reported Murphy USA had reopened following its renovation, Southern Accents Boutique opened in downtown, Canton Guns and Ammo was open in its new location, and Baker Remodel & Restorations. Trade Up Nutrition who was moving to a new space in downtown and RJ's Transmission had also applied for certificates of occupancy. In Other Commercial Projects: Nat 24 was finishing up and the new daycare on Highway 198 was waiting for State inspections. Claire's was progressing and the Sumner RVI Park was installing a sewer line. Easley's Restaurant was doing some light remodeling and a new front awning. The Veterans Memorial was bringing their building up to code for their new space. Residential projects were ongoing on  Seymore  development for the 60 acres. B. CEDC Business, /Administration  Kimberly Lane and Chester. 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 The board convened in closed session at 5:54 p.m. to discuss the following: They were joined by Rickey Hayes and Derrick and C.J. See for deliberations under Item A.  Government Code, Section 551.087 and 551.072.  14. Executive Session:  A. Section 551.087 - to deliberate commercial ori 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 but not limited to a mixed-use development project, a local business retention and expansion project, a local capital investment project, a downtown retail rent subsidy prospect, and recruitment of new commercial, industrial, retail, restaurant, hospitality, and family entertainment prospects. B. Section 551.072 - to discuss or deliberate regarding the potential purchase, sale, The Board reconvened in open session at 6:35 p.m. with no action taken. 15. Work Session on FY2020-2021 Proposed Budget, Programs and Projects - The board discussed several major items. The proposed budget would include sales tax revenue equal to projected year-end figures and hotel taxes would be reduced by 10% in view oft the Covid-19i impact. The board agreed to include a 5% salary increase for a 2% cost of living increase and additional for competitive salary adjustments. Existing EDC Agreement commitments totaled $245,000. $70,000 was committed for the sidewalk grant match and $250,000 was committed for the TxDOT water line project. Ms. Seymore asked for $10,000 for airport renovations and $10,000 for maintenance of the walking trails as in the previous year. She also noted $30,000 was budgeted again to go toi the City fort the $65,500 First Monday marketing contract with Audience Media Group. $18,000 was budgeted for EDC marketing, $39,000 for Retail Attractions' recruitment contract, $12,500 for NETEA recruitment efforts, $10,000 for the I-20 Economic Alliance that included a Wage Study, $100,000 for downtown development including signs for the truck route and wayfinding signage. CEDC also anticipated $1,500,000 for roads in the Northeast Corner development. Ms. Seymore asked for input and other ideas or projects the board wanted to include. She discussed the possibilities for the 60 acres, including extension of the road, the sign at Burnett Trail, Billy Jack Deen's desire to finish out the road at Industrial Park 1, and the need for investing in broadband. She noted the budget would be using reserve funds for the capital projects and the possibility ofb borrowing for the NEC road  exchange, lease or value of real property  project.  16. Items for Future Agendas - None and second by. Joe Zoubi.  17. Adjourn - The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m. upon motion by DeAnne Callan  N  Kevin Deibert, 1st Vice President  Stacy  55