Houston Daily

Brays Oaks Management District Business & Economic Development Committee met March 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Brays Oaks Management District Business and Economic Development Committee held a meeting via Zoom video conference on March 05, 2025, at 10:00 am.

District Board and Committee members present: Sheri Cortez, Ralph Rieger, Sylvia Rivas, Marsha Fisk

Staff members present: Josh Hawes, Andrea Duhon, Cosme Garcia

Public present: Shavonnah Robers Schreiber – SNR Creative, Brenda Jackson, Brian Barragy, Cynthia Demery, Gwen Smith-Johnson

Committee Chair Sheri Cortez called the meeting to order at 10:02 AM, and the committee meeting adjourned at 10:45 AM.

THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING:

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comment

a. No public comment.

3. Minutes of 02/05/25 B&ED Committee Meeting

a. Committee meeting minutes submitted for reference.

4. District Updates & Recommendations

a. Development Properties

i. Director of Services Garcia advised the structure at the food truck park has been walled in.

1. Director Cortez requested staff reach out to the owner of the property to determine how many trucks are expected to be on the property.

ii. Director of Services Garcia remined the cmte. of the Starbucks opening.

1. Additionally, SNR Creative is working on the press release.

a. Ms. Schreiber advised they needed a quote and contact information for the press release. Cmte. Chair Cotez advised she would provide contact details for the developer.

2. Chairman Rieger inquired into the invitation flyer. Director of Services Garcia advised the flyer was provided by the store manager.

a. Executive Director Hawes advised the District is following the policies outlined by Starbucks Corporate.

b. Branding – SNR Creative

i. Ms. Schreiber reviewed recognition ideas involving the DA’s office. Cmte. Chair Cortez advised that some of the ideas are more aligned with City of Houston enforcement. Additionally, she will share an updated brochure template to review. 

ii. Executive Director Hawes mentioned that one program to combat illegal dumping is being implemented through the Beautification Cmte. Cmte. Chair Cortez advised that HPD Major Offenders may be able to assist with cameras.

c. Permits & Platting

1. Permits

a. Executive Director Hawes reviewed the permit report and answered questions from the cmte.

2. Platting

a. Executive Director Hawes reviewed the plat report and answered questions from the cmte.

d. Business Incentives Program

i. Valuation

1. Director of Services Garcia advised the cmte. that EquiTax will give the board a brief presentation on the property cap mechanism.

a. Chairman Rieger requested a list of capped properties.

i. Executive Director Hawes will make the request.

e. METRO

i. No update.

f. Discuss Economic Development Initiatives

i. Executive Director Hawes advised staff sent out a business mixer survey and responses probably don’t align to what the District wants to achieve with the mixer. ii. Cmte. Chair Cortez advised perhaps the district could do something in the atrium of the building where the District has its office.

1. Executive Director Hawes advised staff will investigate the best way to invite business owners to a future event.

g. Discuss Business Improvement Grants

i. Executive Director Hawes advised that documentation will be posted to the website and staff will begin to get the word out.

5. Adjourn

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS:

• The committee had no recommendations for the board.

https://www.braysoaksmd.org/meeting-schedule/