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4B Sales Tax Corporation Minutes - 03/21/2013MINUTES OF THE WICHITA FALLS 4B SALES TAX CORPORATION (4BSTC) March 21, 2013 PRESENT: Jim Ginnings, President § Members Dominique Calhoun § Dave Clark § Darron Leiker § Joe Nieto § Glenn Barham, Mayor § City Council Tim Ingle, Councilor District 4 § Brian Hooker, Councilor District 3 § Jim Dockery, Asst. City Manager/CFO § City Staff Kevin Hugman, Assistant City Manager § Miles Risley, City Attorney § Jack Murphy, Director, Parks and Recreation § Bob Sullivan, MPEC § Steve Vaughn, Castaway Cove § Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary § Dr. Jesse Rogers, President § Midwestern State University Howard Farrell, Vice President § Dr. John Martinez, Professor § Kyle Williams § Steve Shipp § Kevin Pearson § Chamber of Commerce and Industry Michael Paris § Jim Heiman § Pride in the Falls Liz Martin, Executive Director § River Bend Nature Works Dean Hinton, Architect § Dr. James Estes, Executive Board § Jill Avis, Executive Board § Jay Cantrell, President, Executive Board § Ann Work § Times Record News ABSENT: Tony Fidelie § Members Dustin Nimz § H:\_legal\4A & 4B\4B Corp\4B Minutes\2013\2013.3.21NMinutes.4B 2013.3.21.doc WFEDC — Minutes of March 21, 2013 1. CALL TO ORDER. Jim Ginnings called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Joe Nieto moved that the minutes of January 10, 2013 be approved. Seconded by Dave Clark, the motion unanimously carried. Kevin Hugman distributed the Board's current financial statement. Year-to-date sales tax revenues are at $1.2 million. The sales tax history shows fluctuations for the first few months of 2013, with a projected average of 1.54% over the previous year for sales tax revenues. The 4B fund has an unreserved fund balance of $1.47 million. 3. PUBLIC HEARING; CONSIDERATION OF MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY (MSU) BASEBALL FIELD PROJECT Mr. Ginnings opened the public hearing at 3:06 p.m. Dr. Howard Farrell said MSU is asking the 4BSTC for $400,000 toward the formation of a baseball program. This program would bring an increase in enrollment, and would be positive in terms of economic development. Dr. Jesse Rogers thanked the Board for the opportunity to present this request. A minimum of 30 games would be played in Wichita Falls - doubtless many more, as several games would be double headers — and the opposing teams will spend money throughout the community while they are here. The program would help MSU in the Lone Star Conference, and there is interest in having a summer league rent the stadium. MSU brings in $576 million per year to Wichita Falls. This investment in a baseball program will bring in about $11 million per year. They are requesting $400,000 from the 4B fund to be matched by private donations over a period of three years. They will consider designs by the architect valued from $3 million to $5 million. Artificial turf will most likely be used. Two sites on campus (one on the University side, and the other south of Midwestern Parkway) would work for placement of the stadium. The architect will design the seating to allow for expansion. Kevin Pearson read a resolution from the Chamber of Commerce Board, supporting the use of 4B funds for the proposed baseball program. The program would have a positive economic impact on the community and region. Mr. Ginnings closed the public hearing at 3:47 p.m. 4. PUBLIC HEARING; CONSIDERATION OF THE RIVER BEND NATURE CENTER (RBNC) UPPER WALKING PATH PROJECT Mr. Ginnings opened the public hearing at 3:49 p.m. Liz Martin said the RBNC is requesting $169,750 of 4B funds for an upper walkway, stairway and water feature project. The walkway would provide access to the children's garden from the ramp system, and improve pedestrian flow around the facility. A water feature would WFEDC — Minutes of March 21, 2013 enhance the appearance of the property and offer learning experiences in water conservation. The stairway would facilitate a safe access to the lower section of river bottom forest. Finally, they request lighting for this area to enhance safety and allow for nighttime programs and activities. Ms. Martin said RBNC is a private, non-profit, and they file a 990. The WFISD pays for a 4t' grade ecology program, while Alcoa provides a grant for $33,000. Last year's budget was $450,000, and they raised $417,000. RBNC's administrative costs equal 10% of their earnings/donations; 90% of their funds go into programs. Mr. Calhoun asked if the Center had any other plans to finance this project, other than with 4B funds. Ms. Martin replied they did not. They have an upcoming fundraising campaign to cover their operating costs. Mr. Clark asked what River Bend would do if the Board approved only a portion of their request. She replied they would do as much of the project as was funded. Mr. Leiker pointed out that the 4BSTC had provided $1.6 million to River Bend since 2005. With other projects, there had always been another fundraising component. Ms. Martin said those other projects were huge capital campaigns that involved the construction of buildings, rather than improvements or modifications. Mr. Ginnings closed the public hearing at 4:19 p.m. 5. PUBLIC HEARING; CONSIDERATION OF WAYFINDING SIGN INSTALLATION PROJECT Mr. Ginnings opened the public hearing at 4:20 p.m. Kevin Hugman said the Wayfmding Sign Installation Project is an initiative of Pride in the Falls. It is part of the branding campaign for the city, and will provide for signage to provide directional information for tourists and citizens. The cost for the entire project is approximately $2 million, divided into phases. Phase 1 is the most ambitious at a cost of almost $1 million. It would make a significant impact within the city, and would serve to get traffic off the highways and into the downtown areas. It would further define Wichita Falls' facilities and attractions, including Memorial Stadium, MSU, MPEC, and the trail system. This phase would include replacing overhead TxDOT signage and improve the TxDOT vehicular signage, and vehicular directional signage on arterial roads. It would also provide for an inexpensive method to add the new city logo on the water towers. Plans for the future would include better pedestrian signage in the downtown area; large welcome signs and landscaping at major access points into the city; and bridge enhancements that help the visitor identify that they have arrived in Wichita Falls. The City intends to put $500,000 to $750,000 into the project, and is requesting $250,000 from the 4BSTC. The consultant's fee is being paid out of the Pride in the Falls Campaign. Mr. Ginnings closed the public hearing at 4:39 p.m. 6. PUBLIC HEARING; CONSIDERATION OF THE CASTAWAY COVE WATERPARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Mr. Ginnings opened the public hearing at 4:39 p.m. WFEDC — Minutes of March 21, 2013 4 Mr. Hugman said that staff has been aware for some time that an new attraction would need to be added at the Castaway Cove Waterpark. The time has come to begin that process. The City took over the waterpark in the summer of 2010. The rainy weather from that year, coupled with the uncertainty about the City taking over the waterpark, hurt sales. However, the City did enjoy a profit of $200,000 over expenses. The attendance in 2011 was very high, resulting in a profit of $370,000. In 2011, the pools were refinished, concerts were held, and landscaping was improved. There were no new attractions for 2012, and it was more of a challenge to sell tickets. But the park still made $260,000 in profit. The park has a little over $800,000 in its reserve funds. There has been no new attraction since the Cliffhanger was added in 2008. Waterparks typically need to add a new attraction every three to four years. The City proposes to add the Aqua Loop, a 360' slide. Riders can reach speeds up to 40 mph; this type of attraction is geared toward attracting older teenagers. Another aspect of this attraction is the Aqua Drop capsule which goes on top of the slide. There is no comparable slide in this part of the country; it will be a regional draw. Mr. Nieto asked if admission costs would be increased. Darron Leiker said they are not counting on admission increases. They have been the same for years now, and there are no parking fees, as charged by other water parks. Mr. Hugman said the estimated cost of the tower and slide is $1 million. The City proposes to use $750,000 out of the park's reserve funds, and is requesting $250,000 from the 4BSTC. Construction of the slide would begin following the closure of the 2013 season. Mr. Hugman addressed the controversy that may arise from adding an attraction to the water park during a drought. The water park does not use as much water as is assumed. On an annual basis, it uses less water than small hotels and most car washes; it uses less than 3/100 of 1% of the total annual consumption of the city. In addition, Castaway Cove is a business that brings in $1.5 million in revenue, and employs 150 people per year. Mr. Leiker said Stage 4 water restrictions are currently being drafted. The restrictions may include the shutting down of the water park, resulting in the loss of the 2014 season. If that happens, the water park would already be at a disadvantage in 2015. This attraction would boost its marketability. Mr. Ginnings closed the public hearing at 4:58 p.m. DISCUSSIONS AND MOTIONS Wayfinding Sign Installation Project Dominique Calhoun moved to approve the expenditure of 411 funds in the amount of 5250,000 for Phase 1 of the Wayfinding Sign Installation Project. Seconded by Dave Clark, the motion unanimously carried. WFEDC — Minutes of March 21, 2013 Castaway Cove Waterpark Capital Improvement Project Dave Clark moved to approve the expenditure of 4B funds in the amount of $250,000 for the Castaway Cove Waterpark Capital Improvement Project. Seconded by Darron Leiker, the motion unanimously carried. MSU Baseball Field Project Dominique Calhoun moved for discussion, seconded by Dave Clark, to approve the expenditure of 4B funds in the amount of $400,000 for the MSU Baseball Field Project. Darron Leiker moved to amend the motion to approve a 10% match of funds, up to $300,000, over a period of three years. Seconded by Dave Clark, the amended motion unanimously carried. River Bend Nature Center Upper Walking Path Project Dominique Calhoun moved for discussion, seconded by Joe Nieto. Mr. Ginnings said accommodations for handicapped visitors was an important aspect of this proposed improvement. Mr. Calhoun moved to amend the motion to approve the expenditure of 4B funds in the amount of $60,000, representing approximately 35% of the total project cost. This funding amount would be more in line with the percentage given to other comparable projects (Wild Bird Rescue, Backdoor Theatre, Kemp Center for the Arts). Darron Leiker urged Mr. Calhoun to clarify that in order to receive 4B funds, RBNC must come up with the remaining 65% so that the entire project would be completed. He also urged that the motion be worded such that the money is not first put into the $50,000 fountain, but rather, the project work initially toward the handicapped accessibility piece of it. Therefore, Mr. Calhoun's amended motion was to approve the expenditure of 4B funds in the amount of $60,000, representing approximately 35% of the total project cost, provisioned upon the RBNC raising the remaining 65% of the funds necessary to complete the entire project, with proof of such monies raised being furnished to the 4B Board, and further subject to the project's handicapped accessibility piece being completed prior to installation of the $50,000 water feature. The amended motion further requires the RNBC to raise such funds within 18 months from the date of this meeting. Seconded by Joe Nieto, the motion carried. 7. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 5:49 p.m. Zamm4ings, tresident