Elizabeth Borstad

The key discussions and actions of the meeting included the approval of the November 2025 Financials, which detailed sales tax revenue figures showing a decrease compared to the previous year. The new Tourism & Marketing Manager, Darin Hamm, was introduced. The Board approved the purchase of data collection analytics software (Placer.ai) via a two 2-year commitment with a 50% cost split with the City of Athens. Amendments were approved for the Performance Agreements for SSS Abbasi Inc. and Athens Hotel Group, LLC, extending construction and full term deadlines due to project delays. A one-year lease renewal for the SBDC was approved, increasing the rent to $1.00 per sq. ft. to match other tenants. Discussions were held regarding hosting a business forum, executive session procedures, and a development update which included a new Bitcoin Data Factory project. Further updates covered property purchase status, the Airport Layout Plan RFQ process, and planning for the Industrial Park development.

The meeting agenda includes consideration of items from the November 2025 and January 2026 Planning & Zoning Commission agendas. Key discussion items involve public hearings and subsequent action regarding proposed amendments to Chapter 22, Article IV, Section 22-32(o) and Appendix A, A-3. These amendments aim to establish the use of "Data Mining" and "Battery Energy Storage Systems" in the zoning use chart and provide corresponding definitions.

The agenda for the meeting includes several key items for discussion and action. These items cover the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting and the December 2025 Financials. The Board will also receive a presentation on the engineering cost for the Industrial Park expansion. Further discussions involve taking action on findings from feasibility studies concerning the purchase of property at 1000 Hwy 175, and approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Athens regarding Placer.ai. Additionally, the agenda specifies the discussion and necessary action concerning the approval of Grant applications, specifically for Community Development Grants (Henderson County Girls Softball Association) and Business Assistance Grants (Harvard Development Co. HTL LLC). Reports and updates will be provided by the Director of Development, and the City Manager and Community Development Manager on topics including a TVCC SBDC lease agreement, amended performance agreements, and NETRMA meeting updates. The agenda concludes with time for Board of Directors requests for future agenda items.

The agenda for this Special Session includes considering public communications regarding agenda items and non-agenda items, discussing the 2026 Annual Texas Aviation Conference, hearing an update on the Garver study, reviewing the Manager's report, and collecting requests for future agenda items from the Airport Advisory Board. The session also provided notice for a subsequent Executive Session to discuss matters permitted under various Texas Government Code sections, including private consultation with the city attorney, real property matters, personnel discussions, and economic development matters.

The key topics for discussion include the introduction of the City's Tourism & Marketing Manager, a brief overview of the Tourism Advisory Council's role, and consideration of recommending a reduction of Advisory Council Members from seven to five. Further items involve discussing past tourism experiences, the vision for tourism in the City of Athens, and determining big picture priorities for tourism in 2026. The agenda also provides for public communications and requests for future agenda items. Provisions for an Executive Session concerning legal consultation, real property, personnel, and economic development matters are also noted.