SOUTH EAST TEXAS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (SETEDD)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETING MINUTES
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DATE: October 16, 2014
TIME: 11:30 AM
PLACE: District Operations Center, Lumberton Municipal Utility District
625 FM 421, Lumberton, TX 77657
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I. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Mr. Dean Robinson, SETEDD President, welcomed board members and guests. He requested introductions from all present.
II. UPDATE ON PORT OF BEAUMONT’S EDA ORANGE COUNTY EXPANSION PROJECT
- John Roby, Director of Customer Service, Port of Beaumont
Mr. John Roby was unable to attend this meeting.
III. OVERVIEW OF NEW DISTRICT OPERATIONS CENTER FOR LUMBERTON
MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT
-Roger Fussell, District Manager, Lumberton Municipal Utility District
Mr. Roger Fussell, District Manager, Lumberton Municipal Utility District, stated that the Lumberton Municipal Utility District was established in the early 1970’s and covers sixty three square miles. Currently it has nearly 9,000 meter connections and 32 employees. The District recognized the need for a new facility as they had outgrown the former space that had been occupied since 1983 with nine employees. Construction was completed in March of 2014, has 18,000 square feet, is self-contained, can sustain winds up to 140 mph, is impact resistant, and windstorm ready.
The building has many innovative functions, is energy efficient, and cost $5.1 million. He informed the committee that the design includes low maintenance concrete floors, lighting management software, closed circuit TV, employee identification key card access to the building, and locker rooms for men and woman with washing machines and dryers. It also has a cistern that will harvest up to 15,000 gallons of rain water used for irrigation and washing heavy equipment in the car wash bay on the property.
Mr. Fussell went on to say that the facility can be used by the public for meetings, showers, or weddings for a nominal charge. He also offered a tour for those interested when the meeting adjourns.
IV. DISCUSSION OF TOPICS FOR NEXT BOARD MEETING
No topics at this time. Mr. Dean Robinson, SETEDD President, requested that Mr. Paul Latiolais, Director-Innovation Center, Lamar University, give a brief update on the Commercialization Center at Lamar University. Mr. Latiolais stated that the Center for Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship, or CICE, is a partnership between Lamar University’s colleges of business and engineering and the Southeast Texas business community. The facility is a conduit for industry and university interaction, including projects, on-going research, student experiential learning, special events and training. It will also house the Small Business Development Center. There will be heavy emphasis on student development and training in order to prepare students by exposing them to real-world projects. New businesses are technology-focused providing products and services for existing and future industry. Mr. Latiolais advised that a ground breaking ceremony will be held on December 5, 2014 and construction will begin on December 11, 2014.
V. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
No questions at this time.
VI. SET NEXT MEETING DATE
No meeting date was decided. Location may be the Port of Port Arthur.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Eddie Arnold Commissioner, Jefferson County
Jimmie Grimes Council Member, City of Bevil Oaks
Dean Robinson SETEDD President, Insurance Agent, Silsbee, TX
Scott Hall General Manager, Lower Neches Valley Authority
GUESTS PRESENT
Paul Latiolais Director-Innovation Center, Lamar University
Sandra Womack Executive Director, Lumberton Chamber of Commerce
Roger Fussell District Manager, Lumberton Municipal Utility District
SETRPC STAFF PRESENT
Bob Dickinson Director, Transportation & Environmental Resources
Jimmie Lewis Transportation Planner III
Paige Callaway Administrative Assistant