Midland Development Corporation Board of Directors met March 3.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Directors of the Midland Development Corporation convened in regular session in the Midland City Hall Council Chamber, 300 North Loraine Street, Midland, Texas, at 10:00 a.m. on March 03, 2025.
Board Members present: Chairman Lourcey Sams, Director Elvie Brown, Director Brad Bullock, Director Zachary Deck, Director J Ross
Lacy, Director Jill Pennington, and Director Garrett
Donnelly
Board Members absent: None
Staff Members present: City Manager Tommy Gonzalez, Assistant City Manager Jose Ortiz, Assistant City Attorney Nicholas Toulet
Crump, Chief of Staff Taylor Novak, Deputy City
Secretary Rachel Guentensberger, and Chief Deputy
City Secretary Vanessa Magallanes
Council Member(s) present: Mayor Lori Blong, Councilwoman Robin Poole, Councilwoman Amy Stretcher Burkes, and Councilman
John Burkholder
MDC Staff Members present: Executive Director Sara Harris and Business Engagement & Marketing Gabrielle Franks
1. Call meeting to order.
Chairman Sams called the meeting to order at 10:00 am
2. Motion approving the minutes of the February 03, 2025, meeting of the Midland Development Corporation.
Director Lacy moved to approve the minutes of the February 03, 2025, meeting of the Midland Development Corporation., seconded by Director Pennington. The motion carried by the following vote: AYE: Sams, Brown, Bullock, Deck, and Donnelly. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None.
3. Presentation from the University of Texas Permian Basin Office of Innovation & Commercialization.
Brian Shedd Executive Director of the Office of Innovation & Commercialization gave a presentation over the University of Texas Permian Basin Office of Innovation & Commercialization.
4. Resolution authorizing payment in the amount of $103,815.46 to the University of Texas of the Permian Basin pursuant to that certain Incubator and Makerspace Grant Agreement between the Midland Development Corporation and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Director Bullock moved to approve Resolution ED-493 authorizing payment in the amount of $103,815.46 to the University of Texas of the Permian Basin pursuant to that certain Incubator and Makerspace Grant Agreement between the Midland Development Corporation and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.., seconded by Director Donnelly. The motion carried by the following vote: AYE: Sams, Brown, Pennington, Deck, and Lacy and Donnelly. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None
5. Resolution authorizing the execution of a lease agreement with Firehawk Aerospace, Inc., for certain real property described as an 18.69-acre tract of land out of Section 33, Block 40, T-1-S, T&P RR Co. Survey, Midland County, Texas.
Director Pennington moved to approve Resolution ED-494 authorizing the execution of a lease agreement with Firehawk Aerospace, Inc., for certain real property described as an 18.69-acre tract of land out of Section 33, Block 40, T-1-S, T&P RR Co. Survey, Midland County, Texas., seconded by Director Bullock. The motion carried by the following vote: AYE: Sams, Brown, Deck, and Lacy. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Donnelly. ABSENT: None.
6. Resolution authorizing signatories on Midland Development Corporation bank accounts.
Director Lacy moved to approve Resolution ED-495 authorizing signatories on Midland Development Corporation bank accounts., seconded by Director Brown. The motion carried by the following vote: AYE: Sams, Deck, Pennington, Bullock and Donnelly. NAY: Lacy. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None.
7. Presentation on the February 2025 monthly expenses and economic development activity report from the Midland Development Corporation Executive Director and staff.
Sara Harris gave an overview of the month’s expenses, revenues, and economic development activity. Gabrielle Franks updated the board on social media stats and marketing.
Board recessed into executive session at 10:30 a.m.
8. Pursuant to Texas Government Code §551.101, the Board of Directors will hold an Executive Session, which is closed to the public to discuss the following matters as permitted under the following Texas Government Code Sections:
a. Section 551.071, Consultation with Attorney
i. Discuss a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the Midland Development Corporation under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of
Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code.
b. Section 551.072, Deliberation Regarding Real Property
i. Discuss the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property.
c. Section 551.087, Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations
i. Discuss business prospects that the Midland Development Corporation seeks to have, locate, stay, or expand in or near the City of Midland, Texas, and discuss possible incentives, and discuss contract compliance on the part of businesses.
Board reconvened into open session at 11:48 a.m.
All the business at hand having been completed, Chairman Sams adjourned the meeting at 11:50 a.m.
https://www.midlandtxedc.com/media/userfiles/subsite_15/files/mdc-minutes/2025-03-03%20MDC%20Minutes.pdf