Downtown Redevelopment Authority Board of Directors met March 14

Downtown Redevelopment Authority Board of Directors met March 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority (the “Authority”) convened in regular session, in person and open to the public, at the Authority’s office, located at 1221 McKinney Street, Suite 4250, Houston, TX 77010, on the 14th of March 2023, and the roll was called of the duly constituted officers and members of the Board, to wit:

Curtis Flowers Chair

Michele Sabino Vice Chair

Barry Mandel Secretary

Regina Garcia Director

Keith Hamm Director

James Harrison Director

Sherman Lewis Director

Tiko Reynolds-Hausman Director

William Taylor Director

and all of said persons were present except for Director Lewis. Also present were Allen Douglas, Executive Director; Kris Larson, President; Jana Gunter, Director of Finance; and Jamie Perkins, Executive Assistant & Paralegal, all with the Authority; David Gwin, Economic Development Manager; Albert Sanchez; Director of Strategic Initiatives; and Ann Taylor, Director of Engagement; all with Central Houston, Inc. (“CHI”); Brett DeBord, Director of Operations & Capital Projects; and Lonnie Hoogeboom, Director of Planning & Urban Design; all with the Houston Downtown Management District (“HDMD”); and Algenita Davis, Government and Community Affairs Officer.

Additionally, guests invited to present at the meeting included Mike Nichols, President & CEO and Catherine Villarreal, Director of Communications, both with Coalition for the Homeless. Andrew Busker with the City of Houston Office of Economic Development attended from the public.

DETERMINE QUORUM; CALL TO ORDER

Chair Flowers conducted a roll call. A quorum was established, and the meeting was called to order at 12:10 PM.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS

Chair Flowers invited all meeting attendees to introduce themselves and welcomed all. Next, he asked if there were any comments from the public. There were no comments from the public.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Board considered approving the minutes of the February 14, 2023 regular joint board meeting. Hearing no questions or need for discussion; Chair Flowers made a motion, moved by Director Harrison and seconded by Director Garcia, and the minutes of the February 14, 2023 regular joint board meeting were approved as presented.

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

Check Register – February 2023

Chair Flowers called on Jana Gunter to provide updates from finance and administration. Ms. Gunter shared highlights from the check register for the month ending February 28, 2023. None of the Directors had questions and discussion did not take place.

A motion to accept was entertained by Chair Flowers; moved by Secretary Mandel and seconded by Director Harrison, and the February check register was accepted as presented.

PRESENTATION: HOUSTON’S PROGRESS ON ENDING HOMELESSNESS

Next, Chair Flowers called on Executive Director Douglas to introduce Mike Nichols, President & CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless. Executive Director Douglas introduced Mr. Nichols and provided a brief background of the Authority’s involvement with the ongoing community-wide effort of ending homelessness. Mr. Nichols shared a thorough presentation on the Coalition’s efforts and strategies used in working with local and governmental agencies to streamline services and remove barriers to housing homeless individuals. Questions were asked and answered. No further action was required.

OTHER BUSINESS

Goal-Based Updates

Executive Director Douglas referred to the Goal-Based updates in the materials previously provided, which contained notable items and updates based on each goal for the month of March. Discussion ensued and questions were asked and answered. No further action was needed.

CHI’s Top 20 for 2023

President Larson gave a brief overview of Central Houston’s Top 20 projects for 2023. He referred to the trifold handout provided which summarizes these projects and touched on each effort, including More Space Main Street 2.0, repairs to the Cotswold Fountains, consolidating and refreshing the brand identity of the Association and affiliate organizations, additional murals for the Bigger Art, Bigger Change project, and a pilot for a new farmers market. Discussion ensued and questions were asked and answered. No further action was required.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion was called to adjourn at 1:28 PM.

https://downtowntirz.com/downtownhouston/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/230411-DRA-TIRZ3-Board-Materials.pdf