Economic Development Board - Regular Meeting

November 17 meeting of the economic development board to order. And you're messing with my screen back there, aren't you? Well, we'll go ahead and get the business out of the way then real quick and, consider approval of the minutes of our meeting from, October 20. Anybody have any questions, comments, corrections? Motion to approve. Got a motion to approve. Do I have a second? Second. All in favor, aye. Aye. All opposed? That passes. Alright. And it's all yours. We're gonna discuss the the relaunch of open rewards program.

Okay. Awesome. Well, you guys have all gotten my emails, and thank you for I

know that you both or three of

you have your packages already. And I thought Nate gave me some really interesting feedback over the weekend. So I kinda wanted to open it up to you. But just a reminder, you know, if you haven't done your deliveries, please get them done before Friday. Friday would be probably the last day because we are relaunching on Saturday. It's been really cool to hear from businesses and residents that they've already started to see the materials out in the open. We're really hoping it's gonna be a successful campaign. So I'd love to hear some feedback from some of the ones that have gone out and started delivering and see if there's anything we should consider because we still have a few more days of deliveries.

Go ahead. You have you got lots of

notes. I'll let

you know.

Yeah. Well, I guess my zone that thank you so much for finding one that's close to my house was from Center Stage, maybe down to the water tower, kind of on 377 there. So didn't hit all the businesses, but I think we got most of them there. I guess some of the the big takeaway were, one, people were a little apprehensive. Like, why is this person coming here? What paperwork do I need to do? What is this gonna cost me? Is this person really from the city? So, like, once we once we got over that and we told them it's essentially free money, it's capped. But, you know, you essentially do that.

They were everybody was pretty receptive of it. We just had, you know, one business that gave some feedback that they were struggling. And, you know, it's really hard to pinpoint why a business is struggling. There could be a lot of different reasons, but I think there was a lot of angst directed towards the city, but I don't know if that was all fairly you know, if it should

have you know,

all the things that were brought up probably weren't necessarily the city's fault. But a couple of things were valid, and I heard it from other people along 377. I think it's stuff we've talked about in here before, that that area is really tricky because of the visibility to a lot of the businesses and just because of the the development history of the businesses along there. They don't really have a cohesive and inviting front to them, like, traffic is going by. I'm not sure that it's always clear to people that are driving by if a business is actually open and in business or maybe it that low in their minds, they might think that location is, unoccupied.

And then when a new person takes it over, they're trying to do everything in their power to try to get traffic off of 377. But once it's locked into somebody's mind that that's a closed business or it's been closed for a while, they just don't even see it. So thought about some ideas of, you know, maybe doing a water tower district or something along that road with some city approved signage or trying to think about common sense signage ordinances that would make sense to help give people more visibility. I know it's a really a tricky topic because of the exposed power poles. There's just a lot of visual clutter in there.

I'm not signage is always tricky because there's pros and cons to it, but that was one of the things that we heard was that all the businesses on 377 just need better draws for visibility. The other one that was brought up was how can we be more fair as a city when it comes to promotion when we have new businesses? And it seems like they get a lot of attention, which they need just like a new child in a family needs a lot of attention. But the some of the existing businesses that might be struggling, they might feel that they're they're left out. And so I was like, well, maybe if we promoted a directory or some kind of a Yellow Pages or place where all the businesses can be showcased and then the city or the businesses could then opt into that, where they wanna be listed on that page.

And then as new businesses come, like, we're promoting that page or that place, and it's not like we're singling out the business. So on that page, you could have the new ones towards the top, but then it doesn't feel like we're just showing special favoritism to the new businesses. So those are kind of the big talking points that came out of my business.

Yeah. So some feedback on the directory side of things. Melanie had been talking about how can we revamp our shopping and dining guide, not just the print edition, but potentially also the online edition because that is something where all the businesses get put into keep it in color, which is great, but you have to know that it's there. If you don't know it's there, then you know? So we're trying to figure out how do we revamp it, how do we make it user friendly, and do we maybe cut back a little on the printed edition? Still have some printed copies, but maybe we can then do something else for the online edition. So we're gonna be kind of looking at options for that moving forward. That's good to know that maybe there's another way to display it online too. So, yeah, we've we've been talking about that. So Awesome.

More on that later, like, year.

There was Like, the Water Tower District. That's, like, clever.

Yeah. And there were some concepts of some signs that I've looked at from other cities where you could kind of do the signage in the shape of, like, one of your key landmarks in your city. So you could have some signs that would be permanent. As businesses changed, you could change out the businesses that are posted in there. And they're all in a standard font there.

And it's it's one of the challenges is that in cities where you open up the signage, you could have all kinds of different signs. And you don't wanna make it where there's more work on the city staff to approve signage or things. But if you could kind of agree on a set standard up front and then for the next, you know, decade or so or more, you know, people kind of follow that same thing. It's hopefully less work for everybody.

What was the area that you had? The

It was from kind of Keller Parkway where the water tower is up to Center Stage, like, along 377.

Oh, along the way. Yeah. So

then as I drove it a few times and just looking, it was like, oh, yeah. There's there were actually businesses that yeah. They're just you know, you get the blinders on because you just drive and Yeah. You don't also, I think from a driver's perspective, I'm usually paying attention to traffic pretty closely in those areas just because of the speed and the complexity.

I don't Yeah.

I'm not really stopping and looking around to the sides as much as other parts of town.

Mhmm. Yeah.

That's fair. Yeah.

I did I did the bulk of my deliveries on Saturday. So to your point about initial apprehension when you show up. The way I overcame that was I wore my city of Keller polo and my name tag. So when I walked in, the the barrier for introduction was a bit reduced. So I simply introduced myself, said I was on the economic development board, and then, you know, conversation started that way.

In in one case, I had to sit down for about twenty minutes and convince the manager that it wasn't gonna cost the establishment, anything. Yeah. Actually, I had to walk him through downloading the app, setting it up, and then showing him that it was gonna go live Mhmm. Next weekend before I I I could see that kind of relief on his face once we get through all of that. So maybe that's something to do.

Anyway, as far as one observation, there were some businesses that they had a hard time with how they would have their clients get the 10% back. So, like, this indoor golf place here, and I think there's an art studio down there somewhere. Mhmm. They have, like, a subscription type model where people sign up and they pay monthly. Mhmm. So they were not quite sure how that would work with submitting a receipt and

guessing. Good feedback. Yeah.

Because I wonder if it could be their monthly membership to the Beck nine. Right. Maybe they submit that receipt and get cash back

from that.

Do they have also sell things there, like

food or drink?

The the places I went to, no. They they didn't. So they I had two two different outcomes. So the the artful mayhem

Mhmm.

She she was fine. Once I explained it, we kinda come kept an agreement that, yeah, you could have them send their monthly receipt. It turns out that they don't actually provide receipt. People provide a card number,

and Yeah.

They just get charged every month. So she said she'll send them email receipts, which can be uploaded to the app. Yeah. So so that's one approach. That's great. But the the the owner of the back nine, I was talking to him on the phone. He wasn't there physically when I arrived. We're chatting, and he didn't seem as open to

Mhmm.

That approach of sending email receipt. But I told him I'll ask and come back with

the information.

Well, and you know what? We've been in touch with him, so we're happy to kinda take it from here. Okay. Good. And then kinda work away to make sure that his customers can get the cash back. And maybe that will incentivize them to, I don't know, bring a friend or tell somebody. So thank you for that feedback. I'll give him a call.

Because there is the option to also link your credit card. So, I mean, we could check with Liv, but for a subscription based or maybe business that don't,

they should

they should be able to

leave the option. Credit card to the app as they use for that. Mhmm.

Yeah. I I don't think I we can double check with Lib, but I don't think that should be a issue.

Right. The the guy at Tehoon, Texas was able to do that. He's the one that had me sit down and walk him through everything.

Awesome.

He was able to get a card in and show how

it worked.

So That's good. Was it Andy?

I don't remember his name. Sorry.

That's okay.

Well, he's the

manager there.

Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Awesome. Okay. Thanks, Lindsay.

So I have I have a couple more

Oh, okay.

To do this week. And Mhmm. Thanks. Should be okay.

Did Thank you.

Anyone watch the video that

we did with Blueface? I I did. Yes.

Was it totally corny, or did it help? Well, I Or both.

I I extracted some talking points from there. Yeah.

That's good. Used. We we kinda

did a dry run just to see make sure we were hitting on all the high points. And then I did another dry run with Chris GIF there prior

to when

we shot the video just to see what kind of questions would come up so we could make it as good as possible and as short as possible. But it it and I did. I wore a city council shirt, so it it does help with that identity to to know that you're legit, then you're not but with most of the people that I talked to, the point of purchase or point of sale software was their first question. Mhmm. But and I'm like, you don't have to do it.

You don't have to make any modifications. So that's an important point that they need to understand is this doesn't doesn't require them to add another routine into their point of purchase system. And and then just understanding was limited time, limited funding, and the only thing they really needed to do is promote it. And if they wanted to promote it and then I I told all of them. I said, you can promote it however you want.

If you want to really try to drive people to your place and you wanna offer some kind of discount in addition to it, I said, go for it. You know, it's your business. We're trying to get people to come into your business like Jonathan at HTM. I mean, they're they're brand new. It's not overly crowded yet.

It's not getting a ton of people through there. So he was all over, wanting to figure out how he can get people to come in and try it with, with during this term. But I didn't have anybody that felt what you said about the city. So I'm kinda interested in finding out more about that and even going and talking to them directly, see what the the concerns are, and and if it's legitimate stuff, how we how we can help and address and and overcome it. I love your concept about signage.

I don't know that that's I am I'm open to discussing that, but I would rather see the businesses kinda go together Mhmm. And say, hey. We want to create some identity. We've got Old Town Cal. We've got Town Center. We've got Center Stage. Can we coordinate together and create a water tower district? I think the name is terrific because it it it would definitely identify where they are Better than even Old Town identifies. Yeah. It it you know, everybody knows where that water tower is.

And and so I would love to talk to all the businesses over there and just say we'll we'll help, But we would rather them because then they maintain it and update it. And if a business changes, they slide in the new thing. They they create the the identity. And then, know, this is something we were talking about at the last council meeting about how we're gonna use Bates Park. And, you know, that is really contiguous with that is that having an event that promotes all of those businesses up 377 and having them all go together and do some kind of event.

I wanna see Page Park or Page Street get used. Yeah. I wanna see it become something that creates enthusiasm that draws people to Keller, especially people from the Fort Worth, Roanoke, Watauga, you know, buffering cities to come into Keller. So I'll I don't wanna take us down that path, but I'd like to hear more about who it was and then see if we can go sit down. Yep. And say, hey. Yeah. We understand. And if we're if we're not doing what we should or if we're doing something we shouldn't, we wanna know.

Yep. Yeah. I will say I get the similar reaction. I've I've not delivered packets, but continue to go to some of the new places that open and always try to introduce. Usually first, it's not clear what we I mean by economic development board, even when I do have my badge. But then also it does, for me, similar experience to Nate. They'll just start talking about stuff they've got with the city that would have nothing to do with a specific topic. Right? But that's because that's what's on their mind. Right? That's primary. That's their interface and their experience so far. So they'll talk about zoning or permits or fire inspections or whatever it is.

Well, the only other point I had in in my notes is I want to make this more of a habit even without a promotion. Because I really created some connection with several of the business owners like Bill or his actual name is Bilal that owns my New York pizza right there by our dry cleaners. And we hadn't been there in a while. And so we decided to order it last Friday night. It was amazing. It was, you know, great. It's not you don't kinda expect it from the little place that it's in. Mhmm. But now Bill and I are on a first name basis. And and I think that is part of what I wanna see happen out of this and why I said about introducing yourself.

Because if you do frequent some places, they get to know that, oh, yeah. He's with them or she's with the economic development board. And and and they'll save up things that, you know, hey. I had a question about this, and so when you walk in.

They always appreciate it.

They do. They I was yeah. And I wouldn't surprise. This happens. This is people. This is, you know, this is what happens in a community when people start getting interested. Mhmm. And and my total interest was in their business and how can we help promote your business. Who wouldn't want that? Who what who's who would that not be popular with? Mhmm. But that interaction with Bill really created a different level of relationship. And he had a question and asked if I knew how to get ahold of somebody that that was with the city. He said, absolutely. Put him in touch.

And I gotta thank you back, you know, for putting them in touch. And so that level of relationship, a deeper level of racial lip allows them to give better feedback to us as a board of because I think the best ideas are gonna come from them, not necessarily from us. It's gonna come from people that are going, you know, hey. I found that this really worked, and we can be that clearinghouse that brings good ideas and then distributes them back out to other businesses, then, hey. Did you know what Claire did over here at or Jill did at at Gris Gifts.

And Gris Gifts had changed ownership. I wasn't even aware of it. So that was one of those things of like, oh, really? I didn't know. Should've known, but I didn't know. But Jill was amazing. It taught me, here's what it is. Here's who holds it now, but I'm kinda running everything on a day to day basis. And now I you know, Jill and I were on a first first name basis. And so even if I don't need to buy something, if I'm over there getting Jeremiah's or I'm going into lupus, I'm gonna drop through there if somebody's there and just say hi. And that's the kind of community I'm I'm wanting to see us foster more in in Sydney. So that was my last point.

It's just Yeah. No. We agree.

That's a

very cool.

A staff perspective, you know, the board helping us with what we would consider business retention visits is so helpful because we can't possibly get out there and see everybody constantly. And I love the idea of businesses having key contacts that when something comes up, they have a person that they call and then it comes back to us. And so it's really good teamwork. So I love that idea. Mhmm.

One thing I wanted to mention to y'all, it shouldn't change anything. But in case you get questions from friends, neighbors, businesses, Since the first open rewards launch that we did to this one, open rewards has changed from a dollars to point system. Doesn't really change anything. They said it's it's because they feel like that's the industry standard, and it makes them more flexible. To be honest, it's the same thing. So for example

I didn't get any royalty off of that idea.

That that's what I usually say. I feel like with rewards programs, they don't just tell you the dollars.

Usually have something

to buy.

But just so y'all know, just in case somebody was like, hey. It used to be this. I just wanted y'all to know that. It's gonna look a little bit different, but not really. So if you see it, this is why. They just launched it October 1, which our first one had already ended. So just now. So if you have, you know, 3,750 points, it equals $37.50. Alright. Just wanted to mention that.

We're gonna spend the rest of the week delivering to different, you know, key buildings across the city, more flyers and whatnot. We have a few deliveries from a few boats that couldn't make their own deliveries. So if anybody wants to volunteer, take an extra one, let us know. If not, Melanie and I have a plan, and we're gonna make deliveries ourselves, which we both have done already. We had our own staff list and it went great. It was awesome getting out there and talking to the businesses. So we're that. I think that's all I have for open rewards. I don't know if anybody else has questions.

Did That's what I was gonna ask. Did anybody did any of the business owners or managers come up with any questions that we had to discuss?

No. I ran into the same thing. So I went out before I had the packages and just started having conversations about it. And I did find a lot of the, like, retail stores didn't know anything about it, whereas, like, some restaurants were already familiar. So the feedback was positive from the perspective of just, like, glad that the city is taking part in some type of initiative that's gonna support small businesses. So overall, that was a really good consensus as far as conversations I was able to have. There was, like, just a little confusion about, like, the app itself and just the process. And so I'm like, don't worry. I'm coming back with more stuff. I'm just preliminary creating conversation right now.

So I just had we were out Fridays. Go and kick it, and so we were just roaming around old town. So I was just having preliminary conversations. So they're anticipating what I'm coming back with. So I need to get my my packets.

But other than that, I mean, like the feedback, like I said, was pretty positive. Mad Mexican is a client of ours. And so we make all their content and so he was like really gung ho about all of it and we actually even have the idea of him putting on every table. I've seen this in another town, not with open rewards but a different type of rewards program where they had just like, you know how like DeVivo Brothers has like where you put your number in the little stand? So I had suggested that if they had any types of stands that this way instead of handing out those cards and then running out, could just have it in there and people when they sit down at the table, it's literally just posted up on the table right in front of them and you could just scan it, join the app, and do that.

And so he was gonna set that up and then we were making content around it specifically to announce it. So Cool. Yeah. The feedback was really positive from the people that I did speak with. So Great.

Well, and and then to the QR code on all the materials actually leads you first to our frequently asked questions online. Yeah. So that if somebody goes, what is this? At least they can go through it. And then it gives you the option between, you know, Apple or Google. So

Yeah. I was I have to say just from just digital perspective, I was really impressed with just the amount of effort I was put into, and I did exactly that. I scanned it just to see. Because he was asking me questions. And then when I scanned it, I'm like, oh, look. It tells us right here. And so it was very self explanatory. But I was really impressed how everything was connected and how easy it was. So kudos to you guys for the the process that you guys put together for our team. It was great. Thanks. Correct.

So the only thing else we have is economic development update.

Yes. Okay. Let's go that way.

Okay. So we had seven new businesses in October. We had Living Hope Counseling at $18.58 Keller Parkway, Bold Us Lions Academy at 102 Keller Cakes Road. That is like a with private tutoring for homeschool groups. Grotogi Bistro, which you all heard me talk about a bunch. Kung Fu Tea going in at 900 South Main Street. Avala Taco, 154 Keller Parkway. It's been getting a lot of attention. Burke Insurance Services LLC at Farmers.

We went there. We enjoyed it.

Yeah. Mhmm. That's a Farmers Insurance at 950 North Main, and then Mehuya Industries, which is a construction type business at 2000 Whitley Road, Suite 100. So far this year, we've had a 111 COs, 63 of those being new businesses, and 11 of those being restaurants, which is what our residents are saying they wanna see more of. For December, we will have our new board members here, but also we're gonna have kinda like a year end recap for y'all.

So just know that that should be coming. As far as perm applications and things of interest, Moo's ice cream, Moo's with three o's, should be opening soon at 1540 Keller Parkway. They applied for their building permit. I've been trying to look through the window. They're not ready yet, but should be coming soon.

We went there because we saw the sign just to see if it was open yet.

I know. Everybody's like, come on.

We're gonna wait on opening day.

Yes. And then Wobby House, they postponed their opening to December 5, but they are still very excited and just needed a little bit more time. Updates on incentivized projects that Heller the Keller House collected at 207 South Elm. The update on that one is you remember that's the brewery slash pizza place on Elm. They realized that the building was built with power for office or residential, not necessarily commercial.

So they are working with Encore through that, and staff is trying to see if there's any opportunity to help them through that that process. City sports, they're still working through civil plans and working on some potential changes, but staff is working on that as well. We are in close contact with both of those projects.

Hope and rewards. I don't have to

tell you anything else except I've spammed you with enough emails, and thank you all for your help. Killer restaurant week, kind of an update. You know, we had given the restaurants a deadline of mid October to report their information back to us. We know that restaurants are busy busy people, so we didn't get a ton of, surveys back. And Melanie really tried.

So donations to the two charities, the two nonprofits, almost $2,000 out of 13 restaurants that give us their data back. So other restaurants might as you know, they they very likely gave their donations. They just didn't report it to us. As far as this survey, we only had six responses. The overall success was neutral or unsuccessful.

Did you see an increase in customer traffic during killer restaurant week? Hours response was moderate increase or no change. Would you participate again? Five yes, one maybe. And then the overall sales during killer restaurant week, it was kind of all over the place. To be honest, it's hard to really grasp if it was successful with six businesses responding. And even though some of the responses were not super positive, the fact that they also do try it again, it's like, okay. Well, maybe we just need to have a different focus. So something that we've talked about we talked about this at the work session with city council. Maybe we don't tie it to open rewards.

Maybe we find a different way to support restaurants in a we need to kinda reimagine the whole thing because we love the idea of restaurant week, but maybe we need to just make it its own thing and have a different kind of promotion and just do something different. So Did we

not do it during the DFW restaurant week? Because that could be, like, free marketing.

We did it a different time. However, it could get confusing if we if we did it at the same time just because the DFW restaurant week charges businesses to participate, and then they have pretty strict requirements on what promotions and deals they can run. There's just a lot that we probably need to work through if if we're gonna do it again.

I don't know if an average consumer would care or know about those differences. If if it was just if it was DFW restaurant week and I saw that some restaurants in Keller had Keller restaurant week, I would, you know, go to the Keller restaurants. Maybe.

Yeah. It's more from, like, do restaurants wanna participate?

Yeah.

Yeah. You know? So there's some confusion confusion around around that. That.

Oh, meaning they would be participants in both?

Or they might think that if they're gonna even if we told them that it's not gonna cost anything, if they think it's associated, they might not they might think it's that one. So they may not wanna pay to that one because it's, like, over a thousand

dollars or something.

Yeah. It was

it was very rough.

That would seem like it'd be a distinction you have to make. And we

have one business that participated in restaurant week. Yeah. Well, I don't know about this past year but last year. Yeah.

I think something else that we found is maybe, you know, there was really good intent with the date being kind of like a slow week for businesses. But I think what might have also happened is that people were wrapping up their summer vacations, and maybe people weren't totally engaged. I mean, it was the July. So maybe, you know, around back to school when people don't wanna cook as much. Or I don't know. We need to just kinda figure out, is there a different time of the year? Is there a different approach? Is there a way to include more restaurants? So we will definitely be coming back to you for ideas.

Maybe that's a question to ask the restaurants. Like

What was the date last year? Was it the same?

It was this was the only time. So it was July the July, the first two days of August.

And the year prior, it was the same?

We didn't have it the year prior. This was the first time.

This is first time.

Mhmm. Oh,

okay. Mhmm.

It's probably not a equal I guess when it comes to the restaurant business, the the ones that tend to be popular, they tend to not have a problem getting traffic. And then, you know, the sort of the ones that are kind of in the middle or in the lower third that are the ones that struggle. And that could be for a number of reasons. And so putting a promotion on top of a full restaurant, that's probably not a good proposition. But trying to find a a fair way to promote traffic to the ones that are maybe not as full.

How is it fully advertised? What was?

We did social media. We did flyers across the city. We did signs across the city. We did the billboard. We did what else? I mean,

all the restaurants also advertised you know, we we sent them some digital Yeah.

We had a couple journalists

that picked up the story. Chamber.

The chamber. We did a couple email blasts. I know

we sent out all to, like, the major areas of it. So,

like Yeah.

The Point, the library. Was there, like, a

landing page or anything?

Yeah. It

Yeah. I had every like, all the participating

Yeah. So the QR code linked back to the landing page and

all the menus. Even Yeah. Those this summer.

It's okay. We're just gonna look at

that next time and see how I

had one restaurant inquiry, but it was related to there there was a, at some point, a Indian restaurant that was in the process. It was near Teller Teller Teller Teller Square here.

Mhmm.

But then something happened and it it didn't come to fruition. But somebody had inquired about reviving that concept of restaurant. But I don't know if those people are still in the process of moving forward. Or

That's that's the one that's a medical building.

That's a medical building. Yeah.

It's a medical building.

Yeah. Was, like,

a restaurant slash grocery store

or something.

That was, I think, the initial concept, but it was a a pretty high amount to renovate that for a restaurant in a very big square footage with a very small parking spot parking lot before. Yeah. So this person was more interested in the concept of the the restaurant and more of the the area, not necessarily that particular property or location. So he was curious if that project was being moved to a different location or if

it just stopped. Yeah. We haven't heard

from the applicant in

years. Okay. Yeah. There is a reminder. There is an Indian restaurant in Keller. Yeah. Aromas.

You raised my mind. I was gonna say,

send them to a room.

So yeah. No. I will.

Yeah. So

very, very highly rated. So

It's really good.

Yeah. Toast. Super good. Yeah.

So are some of these new ones. We can't stop. And every weekend since they've opened, we've gone to that grutogi. Oh, yeah. Keep wanting

to get there. Keep hearing

good things. And the taco place is really good too. Think too.

Grutogi. What kind of food?

Grutogi? Yeah. Brunch ish, but not your standard brunch.

It's like salads and bowls and

Okay.

Yeah. It's very healthy. Yeah. Pretty clean ingredient. Yeah. Clean ingredients.

Especially I

would say for us, we're, like, holding back from because it's getting much love that we're just like we like to wait till so that way once that the hype kinda dies down, then we can kinda kick it back up.

You're gonna take our

table. Okay.

But I did go in and speak with the owner and really cool story. I'm gonna write a blog about it. How the art in there all throughout is actually kids with special needs

Mhmm.

That they showcase and from, like, all over the world. Some are local, but a lot of them are from the area where the family is from. Mhmm. But really cool just story behind it. So we're gonna cover that and write a blog about it,

but Sure.

We're kinda waiting. And same thing with Avila Taco. It's like it's getting so much love that I like I love that. So we're just like Mhmm. Holding off till we go and kick it. But, yeah, the feedback has been really great with the new stuff coming in. Mhmm. Sorry. We

okay. I just wanna give you guys an update too. We worked on executing our bus tour, annual bus tour for the commercial brokers and our annual brokers luncheon. We worked on that for a few months, and it finally happened on November 6. It was hugely successful.

We were at capacity for both events, and it's been really cool coming up after that. We've had a ton of follow-up meetings with brokers that are interested in some of those key development sites that we showed them. And we got to have the luncheon at Teijin at one of in one of their private rooms. Actually, both of their private rooms. And it was just really nice to get to show off one of our new businesses, and it was a lot of people's first time there. So that was a fun event, and we look forward to next year's. And just something coming up, we have our annual shop small scavenger hunt coming up in the next few weeks. And I'll let Melanie explain it more because she's been through it. I haven't.

Yeah. So it starts on small business Saturday and then which is November 29, and then it runs through in ends on holidays. So that is the we use the Shake's app. And so far, don't know what word the account I have to get with Eva. That's our intern. She's kinda leading. This is like one of her big projects that she takes ownership of. So a lot of businesses have signed up to participate. So just so you guys sign up, make sure you spread the word, get a team. We have some great prizes.

So yeah. So once it's all wrapped up, depending on, you know, how many missions, how many receipts you submit, you'll be entered into drawing. And then we'll have so many we'll have $15 prize, and the rest, you could, you know, win multiple, but just one grand prize just to make it pretty fair.

So

I'm excited about that. It's good. Hopefully, it brings good traffic to the businesses.

So Oh, yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. And that's really it for now. I just wanna say thank you for serving. So please take your cookie. It's from

Michael Sweeten Keller, and thank

you Basil for serving on our board. I know it's your last meeting, so we just wanna say thank you.

Oh, thank you. Yes.

I'll be a stranger.

Are you partying

with me?

10:12 seven.

I'll be here. Yeah. No. Not going too far. I think three economic development directors in the time I've been here. And they've all been awesome. The staff just is something to have tons of confidence in and

be very proud of as

a citizen of color. So thanks for the opportunity.

Yeah. Thank you.

Yeah. Back to you.

And Tag, by the way, the hidden benefit of your advice to us about going to all these places is we get to try all these places. There's legitimately good what's the quote that the mayor uses? The foodie Foodie town foodie Foodie capital? Foodie capital. Yeah. I mean, you could you could see it. I'm not a foodie, but I know we've got really good food.

We do have. We have a lot of good food. And I'm writing a bunch of notes down about restaurant weeks. Alright. Anything else?

Have one question related to the broker luncheon. We used to have the prop it's probably still up there. I just haven't checked in a while. There's a list of commercial properties in Keller. And I guess I was just curious if is that still being maintained? Okay.

Yeah. We have it online. Yep. We are gonna be switching to a different system in the next few months, but it's it's available. Okay. Mhmm.

Okay. Then I will entertain a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn. Only one moving things tonight. So I'm gonna say we're adjourned.