Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee Minutes - 01/09/2018MINUTES
LAKE WICHITA REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE
January 9, 2018
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Steve Garner, Chair ■ Members
Penny Miller, Secretary
Sam Bownds
Jesse Brown, City Council
Jack Browne
Pete Gill
Kendrick Jones
Ford Swanson
Jake VanDonge
Tom Lang, Ex-Officio
Terry Points, Parks and Recreation ■ staff
Jim Dockery, City Manager's Office
Kinley Heggland, City Attorney
Davis Powell, Engineering
Vikesh Desai, Engineering
Claire Kowalick, Times Record News ■ Guests
Vicky Payne, CFRE
Stephen Santellana, Mayor
ABSENT: Michael Chapman, Kathie Forehand-Chaddick, Larry Scott
I.Call to Order and Introductions
Steve Garner called the meeting to order. Members, staff and guests introduced
themselves. Steve Garner introduced Vicky Payne, CFRE. Ms. Payne reached out to
him to offer her assistance writing grants. She has worked as a consultant to nonprofits
since 1993. Kathie Forehand-Chaddick will send her everything done so far in terms of
grants. Steve Garner expressed his thanks for her offer to assist the committee.
II. Approval of Minutes
Motion made to approve the December minutes. Motion passed.
III. Discussion of Grant Projects
Davis Powell reported he has received proposals for the Boardwalk/Boat Ramp RFQ
from two very qualified firms. He will interview both companies. He needs to meet with
Steve Garner in order to set up a meeting before the end of the month. After that
meeting, the will discuss the statement of work and negotiate fees. Once there is
agreement on those items, it will go to Council for approval —probably in March. Expect
the project to be six months in design.
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The Engineering Department is now working on design of the trail section between
Larry's Marina.
IV. Discussion of Brick Sale Campaign
Steve Garner stated that orders continue to come in intermittently. We need a push.
Tom Lang needs a list of who has ordered to reconcile to the financials. Steve Garner
will have Alex Nelson send him a spreadsheet.
V. Discussion of Fundraising
Steve Garner reported there will be two large donations, one of approximately
$100,000 from one individual (anonymous.) We have a commitment from Mr. Patterson
for $250,000 in 2017 for the Veteran's Plaza. He and Tom Lang will be meeting with
other individuals who can make a large gift during the first quarter of 2018.
The owners of Popular Flooring made a $5,000 donation for the fourth year. This year
they are putting it out as a challenge —details are being worked out.
Tom Lang made a pitch for working with congress to get reservoirs included in the
infrastructure bill. We should talk to Rep. Thornbury's office about getting Lake Wichita
into the bill. Steve Garner asked Penny Miller to set up an appointment with
Congressman Thornbury's office to discuss the issue when he is in the District in
February. Jim Dockery suggested a document for Congressional Committees with an
interest in similar topics.
VI. Website
Kendrick Jones asked multiple people to review our website, both online and with a
mobile device. Based upon feedback and his own observations, he would suggest the
following:
• Short video to start playing as soon as a person accesses the site
• Update information —there are several things that are not current
• Pictures of the bricks don't load
• Add the newest concept drawings
• The last update to the News tab was April 2016
• Viewers are looking for more pictures on the site to see the projects
• The pictures that are on the site are very good
Tom Lang stated the Hoegger Communications updates the website, but we have to
provide the content. Jake VanDonge will provide updates news links. Tom Lang said we
have great tools, we just don't have an integrated approach. Steve Garner asked
Kenrick Jones and Jake VanDonge to get with Hoegger Communications and discuss
the website.
VII. Other Discussion
Tom Lang will be doing a short update on the Lake project on ESPN radio this
upcoming Saturday.
Tom Lang met with Alex Nelson and Dr. Masuoka at MSU to discuss the watershed
plan. The 86,000-acre watershed of Lake Wichita is not all of the same value in terms
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of benefit to the lake. Some areas should have priority in reducing sedimentation and
increasing water flow.
Tom Lang asked committee members to reach out to their circle of influence for those
willing to be Ambassadors and assist on some subcommittee.
The City Council planning session is scheduled for January 23, 24. Tom Lang wants
to be sure all Council members are up -to -speed on the Lake Wichita project as they
discuss priorities. Jim Dockery will let Steve Garner and Tom Lang know when the
Council is scheduled to talk about Lake Wichita projects is they want to be available
to answer questions. He estimates the Council discussion on Lake Wichita and parks
will be around 10:30 AM on the 23".
Vill.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
le Gar er, Chairperson Date
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