Loading...
4A Wichita Falls Economic Development Minutes - 08/29/2018MINUTES OF THE WICHITA FALLS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION August 29, 2018 PRESENT: Leo Lane, President § WFEDC Members David Toogood, Vice -President § Reno Gustafson, Secretary -Treasurer § Darron Leiker § Dave Lilley § Stephen Santellana, Mayor § Mayor & Council Bobby Whiteley, Councilor at Large § R. Kinley Hegglund, Jr., City Attorney § Jim Dockery, Deputy City Manager § Administration Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary § Henry Florsheim, CEO § CCI Kevin Pearson, V.P., Economic Development § Travis Haggard Jana Schmader, Executive Director § Downtown WF Dev. Cody Magana, President § Jeanette Charos, Marketing Director § 1. Call to Order Leo Lane called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. 2. Financial Report (as reported by Jim Dockery) Revenues are set at $5.335 million, the majority coming from sales tax revenues, totaling $3.7 million. The Board will be reimbursed $1.5 million from DEAAG funds for the Sheppard AFB main gate project. Nine months of sales tax revenues show receipts to be 6.67% ahead of this time last year. The revenue collected, $3.984 million, is the projected number for next year's budget. Overall, the Board has $5.547 million in expenditures, $15.7 million in cash, and $10.8 million in encumbrances. It therefore has an estimated current year ending unreserved fund balance of $4.867 million. If the budget is approved, expenditures are projected at $1.9 million, $2.2 million in uncommitted funds for 2019, and about $7 million in reserves. 3. Appointment of Officers Reno Gustafson moved to nominate Leo Lane as President David Toogood as Vice President, and himself as Secretary Treasurer beginning July 31, 2018 through July 31, 2019. Seconded by Darron Leiker, the motion carried 4-1, with Mr. Lilley voting in opposition. 4. Approval of Minutes (7/26/18) Mr. Leiker noted that Mr. Gustafson was erroneously listed as Vice -President on the minutes. With that correction, he moved for approval. Seconded by Mr. Toogood the motion carried. 5. External Agency Budget Process Henry Florsheim spoke on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said his job is to secure resources, assemble a team, and take the lead on implementation of an economic development strategy. The Chamber's request is $985,144. Staffing: — Kevin Pearson, Senior VP of Economic Development. Duties include finding prospects, putting together proposals, managing properties. — Travis Haggard, VP of Business Retention and Expansion. Duties include identifying work force issues, threats, and expansion opportunities. — Adrene Wike, Research Analyst. Duties include conducting research; cost -of -living rankings. Assembled research advisory council in conjunction with MSU. — Sarah Harpole, Executive Assistant. Monitors economic development contracts for compliance, bookkeeping, records maintenance. — Vacant Director of Marketing position. Market Wichita Falls to targeted prospects and consultants, assist staff, educate public on new strategy and successes. — Proposed Wichita Falls Talent Partnership position. Coordinate activities of partnership. New pathways for citizens to employment. Economic Development. • Business research and expansion — online tracking and analyzing of activities. • Refine targeted outreach campaign; develop social media campaign directed toward aerospace executives, general manufacturing and business support services. • Staff and organize talent partnership position. Strategy: • Peer city visits • Software for business retention and expansion • Diversity business council creation Mr. Lane said the Talent Partnership position will provide another arrow in the Chamber's quiver for recruitment. Mr. Florsheim said it is a vital initiative. It will provide some short-term relief for employers, but will also work develop long-term programs, such as early childhood education programs to get children thinking about the area's key industries. 2 Mr. Leiker asked the time frame for hiring of the two positions. Mr. Florsheim said the marketing position could be filled within 2-3 weeks. He has taken no action on the other position pending financial approval by this Board; however, he believes he could have a person in place by the end of October. The position calls for someone who is a good organizer and facilitator. Dave Lilley asked Mr. Florsheim's plans to measure progress on how the Chamber meets milestones. Mr. Florsheim said they have a new strategy and a lot of the milestones will be easy to track. In addition, they have new software for business retention and expansion that will track progress. Otherwise, they are open to conversation about the type of milestones the Board wants to see. Mr. Leiker added that Market Street will come back for a review in one year. Mr. Lilley stated he does not question the Chamber's efforts, but is interested in measurable results. Downtown Wichita Falls Development Cody Magana, Chairman of the Board, said 2017-18 was a rebranding year. The "You're Invited Too" ad campaign has been successful. Meetings have been held with downtown merchants and property owners to involve everyone and improve relationships. Jeanette Charos, Marketing Director, said their group put money last year into public art. They have installed a public bike rack and have three more in production. CDC welding students will also make more traditional racks. They are installing art in the crosswalk at 7t' and Indiana, and have garnered the attention of the Texas Downtown Association for introducing the public to art. Every Friday, they release a video of highlighting various downtown business owners. There are billboards on US 287 and in Lawton. Jana Schmader said the Central Business District's values increase each year, which adds to the impact that DWFD is able to make. The first three festivals of this year created a $3 million economic development impact. There are some events whose impact cannot be fully tracked, but are very successful, such as the After Hours Art Walk and the Farmers Market activities. They created the Hotter'n Ale event this year in just 16 days to coincide with the Hotter'n Hell 100 bike race, to stop the riders from participating in the race and then leaving town. The race registrations showed that 5 states and 21 cities were represented. Last year's funds were spent on branding, creating an identity and inclusion. This year, they want to grow rather than circulate the same dollars. They want to advertise to the traffic on the I-44 corridor to draw some of those 75,000-165,000 weekly travelers off the road. In addition to advertising directly to peer cities and Texas Highways, they plan to appeal to rural residents by advertising in their local newspapers to spend a day in Wichita Falls. The Wichita Falls Regional Airport provides advertising opportunities with door wraps and screens identifying what is happening downtown. There are a number of properties downtown that need developed, and they want to start a direct mail campaign to highlight the area as being full of possibilities to develop as retail or office space. They will send this campaign to partners in the Metroplex, as well. There was discussion regarding the need for an ombudsman -type position to help individuals through the City's development process and with questions regarding the various Codes. There is consensus that such a position is needed, but not a clear idea where it needs to be housed. Mr. Toogood asked what role Downtown Development plays in physical improvements. Mr. Magana said they participate in many volunteer activities, such as tree trimming, street cleaning, and bench repair. They rehabilitated and sold the former Zales building, and are now trying to decide on their next project. Ms. Charos added that they maintain all the trash cans. Mr. Lane asked why they were asking for a 50% increase. Mr. Magana said they are doing well with Wichita Falls dollars, but the city needs an influx of out-of-town money. Mr. Lilley applauded their ability to enumerate their accomplishments. SMAC Glenn Barham said the last legislative session included a bill limiting wind farm development within 25 miles of a military installation with a flying mission. However, there is proposed legislation that would allow wind farm encroachment into low level military training routes (MTRs). Wind farms are building turbines reaching heights of 600-700'. Sheppard's MTRs are at 500', and that encroachment would create a serious issue for its training missions. SMAC will work at the state and federal level to alleviate this threat or find a compromise solution. The Air Force is due to announce soon which base gets the new T-X Trainer. SMAC is lobbying for Sheppard to be second on the list. It is already at Randolph AFB, which trains all instructor pilots with the exception of those at Sheppard, which trains its own instructor pilots due to the multi -national NATO coalition. SMAC is seeking a $15,000 increase from the WFEDC. The SWOT analysis performed in the spring recommended a presence on twitter and Instagram, and an improved website. Part of those funds would go to hire someone to handle this social media effort. They sent out over 60 invoices in a fundraising campaign, and have had responses from all but a few, resulting in a shortage of approximately $8,500. However, Mr. Barham is confident those who have not yet responded will do so. He also noted that accounting fees are being raised and rent is subject to an increase. i.d.e.a. WF Mr. Lane noted that Scott Manley submitted materials on behalf of i.d.e.a.WF, but was unable to attend today's meeting due to illness. The Board decided to invite him to make a presentation at their next meeting. 6. Braun Intertech Mr. Pearson said an environmental audit was performed on the former Atco building. The final report was received in June, revealing elevated levels of trichloroethylene. A proposal from Braun Intertech is before the Board today to determine the source of this environmental contamination. 7. Executive Session Mr. Lane adjourned the meeting into executive session at 4:06 p.m. pursuant to Texas Government Code §551.087. He announced the meeting back into regular session at 5:13 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. Mr. Leiker moved to approve a contract with Braun Intertech for work at the former Atco building in the amount of $91,770. Seconded by Mr. Gustafson the motion carried 5-0. The Board then discussed holding a retreat to decide, among other issues, what the Board wishes to accomplish with public money and the measurement for progress and success of the various outside agencies it funds. Mr. Florsheim said it would help with expectations the Board may have of the agencies. Mayor Santellana suggested the Board hire a facilitator. Mr. Dockery added that the workshop would cost approximately $15,000, and would focus on the Board's policies and staff. Mr. Lilley volunteered to serve on the subcommittee to assist with developing the proposal and list of topics. 8. Adjourn Mr. Lilley moved to adjourn the meeting at 5.23 pm Leo Lane, President DOCUMENTS OF RECORD RETENTION INFO. DEPARTMENT TYPE OF DOCUMENT RETENTION RETENTION SCHEDULE NO. PERIOD LEGAL 8.29.18 Minutes of the 1000-03 PERMANENT WFEDC (4A Sales Tax Board)