4A Wichita Falls Economic Development Minutes - 10/10/2017MINUTES OF THE
WICHITA FALLS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
October 10, 2017
PRESENT:
Dick Bundy, President § WFEDC Members
Reno Gustafson, Vice President/Secretary-Treasurer §
Leo Lane §
Darron Leiker §
David Toogood §
Stephen Santellana, Mayor
§ Mayor and Council
Jim Dockery, Deputy City Manager/CFO § City Staff
R. Kinley Hegglund, Jr., City Attorney §
Dana Schoening, Dir. of Community Development §
Karen Montgomery Gagne, Planning Administrator §
Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary §
Henry Florsheim, CEO § Chamber of Commerce and Industry
David Farabee §
Darrell Coleman §
Travis Haggard, V.P., BR&E §
Adrene Wike, Research Associate §
Brian Havins, Marketing §
Mark McBurnett, Sheppard Base Civil Engineer § Sheppard Air Force Base
Chad Schrecengost, 82d MSG Commander §
Travis Witt, Community Planner §
1. Call to Order
Dick Bundy called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes (9/21/17)
Leo Lane moved for approval of the minutes Seconded by Reno Gustafson the motion
carried 5-0.
3. Discussion of incentives for Sheppard Air Force Base main gate project
Mark McBurnett, Sheppard Base Civil Engineer, introduced his commander, Chad
Schrecengost, and Travis Witt, Community Planner.
Mr. McBurnett said Sheppard's Main Gate has not been in compliance with regulations
since September 11, 2011. A new regulation, the Unified Facilities Criteria ("UFC"), came into
effect in July, and will require even more effort on the part of SAFB to become compliant.
Sheppard AFB has garnered $2.7 million through the federal system (P-341, Emergent
MILCON). However, with the stringent requirements of UFC, ancillary funds are also needed.
Therefore, they are pursuing a $1.5 million DEEAG grant and are also requesting $1.5 million
from the 4A Board today. If such funds are granted, Shepard would have $5.7 million, which
would get it very close to being in compliance with the current regulations.
Mr. McBurnett showed a PowerPoint presentation of the current configuration of
Sheppard's Main Gate, and the design concept for the improvements. They are currently using
cones and water -filled barriers to queue traffic. The improved entryway curve would tighten and
increase to three lanes, to allow for more, but slower, traffic. In addition, there would be a defender
building similar to a turnpike -style structure, so the defender would be inside an enclosure,
protected from weather and able to take cover in an active shooter scenario. There is also to be a
new parking lot. Addressing storm water issues and moving utilities is included in the project,
which adds to the expense. An Air Force emblem and T-38 will also be part of this renovation.
David Toogood questioned how minor military funding was secured for a $5.7 million
project. It was his understanding that funds were restricted to projects whose scope was less than
$3 million unless for safety or defense (in which case, $4 million). Mr. McBurnett said only ATFP
items will be addressed with the military funding. Moving of utilities and the storm water issues
can be done with ancillary funds. The Corps of Engineers will manage these as separate projects,
and the P-341 will be a stand-alone project and include only hardcore ATFP measures.
Mr. Dockery said there is a limit of $5 million on DEEAG funding, and there is $20 million
appropriated for all military installations for the next two years. Karen Montgomery -Gagne said
Keith Graf of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission was aware of six pending applications;
some potentially requesting $5 million, while others may be asking for $3 million to $3.5 million.
The $20 million could be fully allocated with just a few applications/projects.
Mr. Bundy asked if those applicants who were awarded money in the last round would be
penalized in this round. Ms. Gagnd said that was not shared with her. While the Commission did
not say a match was required, they did state that documentation must clearly show there are no
local funds available to contribute to the project. They would expect no more of a request for a
DEEAG grant than 25% to 50%. Those scoring would certainly have concerns. The Commission
wants to make sure these projects are completed by the end of 2019 in the event of a potential
BRAC in 2021.
Mr. Dockery asked how the sum of $1.5 million was reached. It represents 26% of the total
project, while $2.8 million would be 50%. He wondered why the request for a DEEAG grant could
not be for $2 million. Mr. McBurnett said they did not want to ask for too much and jeopardize
their position, as they clearly need the ancillary funds.
2
Mr. Toogood asked why the project was not bundled for a major MILCON. Mr. McBurnett
said those have been on pause since 2010, and could be for another decade. The only major
MILCON funded now are medical projects, which compete across all branches of service.
Mr. Dockery asked if this will bring the Base into compliance. Mr. McBurnett said it will
bring the Main Gate into compliance, but not the Missile Road gate. Adrene Wike asked the
repercussions if this is not completed, as regulations are handed down without the money to fund
them. Mr. McBurnett said the repercussions are to carry the deficiency and concern into the future.
Ms. Gagne added that the Base could get picked up on the BRAC checklist.
Mr. Gustafson asked how many cars travel through the Main Gate on average daily.
Mr. McBurnett did not have that information, but there can be as many as 300 per hour, many
hours of the day. The Missile Road gate is for heavy transport deliveries and closes at 10:00 p.m.
Mr. Leiker asked what is the backup plan, should the funding not materialize; is there any
cost-cutting or value engineering that can be done? Mr. McBurnett said they might do just the new
curved road, and use some base program funds to address the storm water needs. They would save
the guard shack and parking lot until another opportunity.
Mr. Bundy thanked the Base personnel for their time.
4. Executive Session
Mr. Bundy adjourned the meeting into executive session at 3:58 p.m. pursuant to Texas
Government Code §551.087. He announced the meeting back into regular session at 4:37 p.m. The
subjects posted in the Notice of Meeting were deliberated, and no votes or further action was taken
on these items in executive session.
5. Discussion and possible approval of incentives for Sheppard Air Force Base main gate
project
Mr. Gustafson moved that the WFEDC grant $1 5 million for the Sheppard Air Force Base
main gate protect contingent upon approval of the Defense Economic Adjustment Assistant Grant
Program's matchmjz grant of $1 5 million Seconded by Mr. Leiker, the motion carried 5 0.
6. Adjourn
Leo Lane moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Gustafson the motion carried 5 0 The
meeting adjourned at 4.44 p.m.
Dick Bundy, Presiden