4A Wichita Falls Economic Development Minutes - 08/14/2020MINUTES OF THE
WICHITA FALLS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
August 14, 2020
PRESENT:
Leo Lane, President
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WFEDC Members
David Toogood, Vice -President
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Reno Gustafson, Secretary -Treasurer'
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Phyllis Cowling
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Darron Leiker
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Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary
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City Administration
Henry Florsheim, CEO
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CCI
David Leezer, V.P, Business Attraction
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Travis Haggard, V.P., BR&F
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Katie Britt, Director of Mark tinU
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Taylor Davis, Director, WF Talent Partnership
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Karen Bivona, Office Manager
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Alysia Cook
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Opportunity Strategies
1. Call to Order
Leo Lane called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
2. Strategy Session with Alysia Cook of Opportunity Strategies.
Mr. Lane noted that today's meeting was time set aside to concentrate on working on
the business of the WFEDC. After noting several accomplishments by the Board, he
introduced Alysia Cook of Opportunity Strategies, who asked that the participants note their
expectations for today's meeting:
Expectations
• Strategy
• Develop goals for the next 12 months
• Update bylaws
• Organizational Structure
• Implementation Process
• Added Clarity
• Benchmarking
• Expectations of the Staff
• Annual Tradition
• How to Marry Strategy/Structure
She then turned the floor over to the Chamber staff.
Mr. Gustafson attended the meeting via telephone conference.
David Leezer, Vice President, Business Attraction
He has attended 30 virtual meetings with site consultants. The virtual spec building allows
for virtual 3D walkthroughs and measurements. The Chamber lists properties on LOIS, a
commercial real estate website used around the world. Visitors to this site can `fly' through the
Wichita Falls Business Park and virtual tours are linked on the website.
Henry Florsheim noted there have been ongoing discussions about building inventory in
the community. The reason Panda Biotech and Clayton Homes expressed interest in this area was
due to the fact that Wichita Falls had existing buildings. With the potential of Panda Biotech and
Clayton Homes, the city could lose all of its existing vacant properties.
Panda Biotech has signed the purchase agreement and is in the due diligence period. The
performance agreement is nearly complete. Mr. Florsheim said it will be announced in trade
publications and to various associations. Mr. Leezer added that the Texas Secretary of Agriculture
would also attend the press conference.
Travis Haggard, Vice President, Business Retention and Expansion
They are close on the Clayton Homes project. His point -of -contact with Braun Intertec told
him TCEQ has certified the MSD. However, Total's adjacent 9-acre tract needs to be included as
an amendment. The application is in Total's hands to be signed.
A web series, "Made in the Falls," will begin in Quarter 4. It will highlight local
manufacturers and products. The first show will feature Xylo Bats.
He was asked to be on Synchronist's (an economic development firm) national task force.
They are working on a `what -do -you -need' type of survey.
He has been providing local companies with information they need to help run their
business, on such topics as cyber security, layoffs and employment.
Taylor Davis, Director of Talent Partnership
Various efforts are underway, including Military Matters, designed to connect the active
duty, veteran, and military spouse to the Wichita Falls community, including through employment.
The Chamber has helped restructure the Young Professionals of Wichita Falls into The Circuit,
focusing on developing leaders through mentorship, community engagement and personal growth.
Katie Britt, Director of Marketing
They have established a monthly email campaign, and are working to build a database.
There is a need to overhaul the Chamber of Commerce brand, and she is hyper -focused and
actively working on that. Website updates are coming in Quarter 4 of 2020.
Henry Florsheim, Chamber of Commerce CEO
Mr. Florsheim said the Chamber works on project management for the WFEDC through
reconciliation and contract review. The City is looking at a diverse economy, adding that the City's
targeted industry, aerospace, has tanked during the COVIDI9 pandemic.
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On the plus side, Wichita Falls has recently landed on three national rankings:
# 1 - lowest cost of living
#12 - best place to live in the South after pandemic
# 12 - frugal and friendly.
Mr. Florsheim provided the Board with his recommendations for the future:
1. Need to consider site and building inventory in future strategic decisions.
2. Place heavy emphasis on growing the talent pool.
3. Kickstarter makerspace initiative.
4. Support downtown revitalization through new economic development position.
5. Support refilling of business intelligence position.
6. Have Chamber staff manage board member binders and materials.
They have held off on filling the downtown economic development coordinator position,
as well as a replacement for Adrene Wike, the Chamber's former Director of Research. He sought
feedback from the Board as to whether to move forward with filling these positions.
Mr. Florsheim noted the Board is in need of someone to manage their paperwork, including
getting required signatures. The Chamber could do this as part of the onboarding process.
At this point, the Chamber staff departed, leaving only the Board and Ms. Cook for the rest
of the session.
Ms. Cook's Recommendations —
• Have an annual work session. Ms. Cook advised the Board have a planning session
every year; she recommended 1 to 1'/2 days, with more time allotted to staff reports.
• Create an onboarding process. (Mr. Florsheim would explain the activities of the
Board, with city staff providing information as appropriate)
• Ensure all involved entities understand how economic development works, and each
entity's responsibility (including the WFEDC, City Council, school superintendent,
MSU, Community Development employees).
• Commitment form (job description)
Mr. Leiker said he goes over economic development with the Council during orientation.
Kinley Hegglund discusses the law and the role of the WFEDC. Mr. Florsheim briefs the Council
at least once or twice a quarter. He suggested that Mr. Florsheim meet with the outside entities
once a year or when they come on board.
Mr. Leiker asked if it is helpful for the Board to attend TEDC training on economic
development. Mr. Lane attended the TEDC sales tax workshop, and felt it was geared toward
administrators. He believes City Attorney Kinley Hegglund can supply the required information.
Ms. Cook opined that the Southern Economic Development Council puts on the most informative
training. The legislative session of the TEDC might be helpful to attend.
She distributed an index of the documents she recommends be included in the Board's
notebook, if they intend to have the Chamber prepare this for them. She also passed along her
recommended template for a commitment form. The Board agreed to provide to Mr. Lane any
changes they desire before this is provided to Mr. Florsheim.
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The Board discussed potential conflicts of interest on projects involving a business
enterprise or a real estate property transaction. Mr. Leiker said that Mr. Hegglund will review the
form before it becomes part of the board packet. Ms. Cook advised that he also review the Code
of Conduct guidelines.
Ms. Cook brought up the draft bylaws, noting Mr. Leiker and Mr. Toogood had served on
the committee. Mr. Leiker said there are a number of legal aspects that Mr. Hegglund needs to
review, but they should have a good draft by year's end. Ms. Cowling suggested they be
calendared for review on a regular basis thereafter.
The Board discussed aspects of the 12-month implementation plan, and the business of the
WFEDC. Below is a summary of recommendations and decisions made during this strategic
planning session.
Meeting Procedures:
1. The Board meetings will begin at 2:30 to allow time for strategic discussions
2. The financial report and approval of minutes will come at the end of the meeting.
3. Materials for the various projects will be received in advance. If there are any updates
by the time of the meeting, only those updates will be verbally reported to the Board.
4. Clean up the executive session protocols
5. Calendar what needs to be done, and when, for the entire year (while staying flexible
enough to react to current opportunities).
Board Activities:
1. Take a formal position in support of the school bond issue.
2. Support a potential legislative change in how Texas cities collect online sales tax.
3. Consider contracting with Impact Data Source, which provides economic impact
analyses for prospects, expansions, and losses.
Board/Chamber Activities:
l . Initiation of a hemp education program
2. Preparation for future return of aerospace industry
3. Economic Development 101 training by the Chamber (and City staff, as appropriate)
4. Henry Florsheim and/or a member of the WFEDC will work with Taylor Davis to
facilitate a supply -and -demand forum between manufacturers and the school system,
and have subsequent discussions after the Panda Biotech project is completed.
5. Complete a Target Industry Analysis after the Panda Biotech deal is completed.
6. The Chamber should fill the vacant business intelligence and economic development
positions.
7. Measure success using various metrics, including top line/bottom line; key
performance indicators; sales tax receipts. Successes — and any failed projects — need
to be tracked throughout the incentive period and beyond, so that the community can
be advised of the dividends from these projects. Information would include the sales
tax, jobs created, jobs retained. This information should be in a graph and dashboard
format.
8. The Chamber shall provide the Board with more information on the Kickstarter
makerspace proposal.
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There was discussion of the Board having a say in the hiring, retention and evaluation of
Chamber employees, whose salaries are in great part paid by the WFEDC. Ms. Cook said this
could be included in next year's contract with the Chamber. She added that the Board has the right
to contract with anyone for any type of service required.
She will prepare this implementation guide and submit it to the board for its modifications
within the next few weeks.
3. Adjourn:
The meeting adjourned at 12:07 p.m.
Leo Lane, President