SBHA Meeting September 1, 2009
First Baptist Church of Benbrook
Jess Jordan called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. There were approximately 125 in attendance.We no longer have a vice-president so the officers are Jess Jordan, Linda Conner - Secretary and Angela Farrell–Treasurer.
Minutes from last meeting was voted on. All in favor. Motion passed.
Treasurer’s report balance is $4,828.29. Motion made, seconded and passed.
The gas leases have slowed down – so the membership dues can be rolled over thru 2010. Motion made, seconded and passed.
Jess turned it over to the police chief. Data is uploaded every hour to www.crimereports.com. You can put in your address and it will show what is happening in your neighborhood. Wes Cooper, crime prevention officer showed a presentation on crime prevention.
Benbrook police help with courtesy calls (changing a flat tire, etc.). If you are going to be gone a couple weeks a police officer will drive by and check your home. Check your credit report once a year for identity theft. If you see any suspicious activity, call the police.
Jess introduced Sarah from the YMCA. They ran a summer day camp this summer. There were 2 girls 10 and 13. Their mom is a single mom. The fireman came to see if the Y could get them in. They have scholarships for people who cannot afford it. They are expanding the facility – the fitness area will double in size. The children’s area will expand. The current room will be larger for fitness.
Marcia Etie works for Kay Granger. She just popped in to see what is going on in the community. Her phone # 817-338-0909.
A representative from XTO spoke and answered questions. XTO operated in 15 states. There are 6 wells in the city of Benbrook. There are 2 wells on Ryffel property, 2 on Timbercreek and 3 on Edwards Ranch drill site. The downturn has affected the overall company. Also the price of the product. At its peak natural gas was $13 per cubic ft. Now it’s less then $2 a cubic ft. A drill site has to be established. Permit off that well. City of Benbrook has certain distances from a church, school, residences. The drill site has to be the size of a football field.
Dan Tully from EDC spoke next. Walmart secured the property back in February. They closed the deal on Aug 17, 2009. They wrote a check for $2.8 million. It is planning to build in 2011. They were under contract 3-1/2 yrs with 5 law firms. Original acres was 80. Walmart bought 21 acres. Vista Way to 377 will be commercial. Vista Way to RR tracks will be residential.
Congestion with a new Walmart and no pre-widening the road. The state controls Hwy 377. They do not care what businesses do. Walmart knows a wider road is coming. They are using the traffic light at Mercedes.
Question: How about a sit-down restaurant? There is no contract on any sit-down restaurant. Marketplace is changing. The economy is not good now to build a new restaurant. The demographics of Benbrook shows elderly people not spending money for instance. The demographics needs to be changed to persuade businesses to come in.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Submitted by Linda Conner, Secretary.
