4A Wichita Falls Economic Development Minutes - 12/20/2018LU_iu __ I r:1
WICHITA FALLS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
December 20, 2018
PRESENT:
Leo Lane, President § WFEDC Members
Reno Gustafson, Secretary -Treasurer §
Darron Leiker §
Dave Lilley §
Stephen Santellana, Mayor
§
Bobby Whiteley, Councilor at Large
§ Mayor & Council
R. Kinley Hegglund, Jr., City Attorney
§
Jim Dockery, Deputy City Manager
§ Administration
Paul Menzies, Assistant City Manager
§
Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary
§
Henry Florsheim, CEO
§ CCI
Kevin Pearson, V.P., Economic Development
§
Travis Haggard, V.P., Business Retention & Expansion
§
Katie Britt, Marketing Director
§
Adrine Wike, Research Associate
§
Sarah Harpole, Administrative Assistant
§
Scott Poenitzsch
§ DWFD
ABSENT:
David Toogood, Vice -President § WFEDC Member
1. Call to Order
Leo Lane called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
2. Financial Report
Jim Dockery noted that only one month of sales tax receipts has been received for this
fiscal year (for October sales). The receipts were 13.7% above the same time period for 2017. A
detailed analysis will be forthcoming from the comptroller, breaking down this increase by trade.
The Board has $5.7 million of unreserved fund balance to be appropriated for projects.
3. Approval of Minutes (11/15/18)
Darron Leiker moved for approval. Seconded by Dave Lilley, the motion carried 4-0.
4. Discussion/possible approval of changes to the Arconic Railroad Crossing project.
Kevin Pearson reminded the Board that it approved $50,000 in September for
improvements to the railroad crossing leading to the Arconic and Vitro industries. Arconic was to
be the conduit for these funds to pay the railroad for the necessary materials. However, the
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attorneys for Arconic did not want to execute the performance agreement, feeling the project did
not warrant the potential liability of involvement without ownership of the land.
Steve Sage of Arconic again contacted Mr. Pearson in December, hoping for another
avenue to get this project accomplished. Kinley Hegglund and Jim Dockery both felt the funds
could be paid directly to the railroad, Wichita, Tillman, & Jackson Railway Company (WTJR).
Mr. Hegglund said it would be most appropriate to amend the previous motion, replacing
Arconic with WTJR. This would have to go back to the City Council, and WTJR would have to
execute a performance agreement. Mr. Pearson said they were agreeable to that, but asked that it
be kept very short.
5. Discussion/possible action regarding funding for ATCO roof repair/replacement.
Travis Haggard said he and Mr. Lane met at ATCO to discuss the condition of the structure.
There are concerns about leaks from the roof onto the main power source to the building. There is
also evidence of rat droppings; Shoop's has provided an estimate of $600 to set out traps and $175
per month for maintenance.
Mr. Lane said it is necessary to take care of this structure, but he feels it would be prudent
to wait for TCEQ clearance before making any major decisions. Mr. Pearson said Lydick Roofing
had previously attempted to patch the seam between the office and the plant, but the patch is not
holding. He is concerned about the danger of fire and urges some minimum safety precautions be
taken. Mr. Lane said this could be discussed further in executive session.
6. Executive Session
Mr. Lane adjourned the meeting into executive session at 3:43 p.m. pursuant to Texas
Government Code §§551.072 and 551.087. He announced the meeting back into regular session
at 4:23 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.
7. Motions
Item 4. Arconic Railroad Crossing project.
Mr. Leiker moved to amend the Board's motion of September 20, 2018, to authorize a
grant of up to $50,000 for materials to the Wichita, Tillman & Jackson Railway Company, rather
than to Arconic, for the railroad crossing upgrade at Arconic for the creation and/or retention of
primary jobs. Seconded by Reno Gustafson, the motion carried 4-0.
Item 5. ATCO roof repair and/or replacement
The Board decided this could be done with maintenance dollars and there is no need for a
motion.
8. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.
Leo Lane, President
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