4A Wichita Falls Economic Development Minutes - 10/14/2021 MINUTES OF THE
WICHITA FALLS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
October 14, 2021
Present §
Leo Lane President § WFEDC Members
David Toogood Vice President §
Phyllis Cowling Secretary Treasurer §
Darron Leiker §
Brent Hillery §
Stephen Santellana § Mayor
Bobby Whiteley § Councilor at Large
Paul Menzies Assistant City Manager § City Administration
R Kinley Hegglund Jr City Attorney §
Jessica Williams Chief Financial Officer §
Paige Lessor Recording Secretary §
Henry Florsheim President and CEO § CCI
Jeannie Hilbers § i d e a WF
Johnny McClane § Falls Metal Fabrication
Lee Birk § Falls Metal Fabrication
1 Call to Order
Leo Lane called the meeting to order at 2 30 p m
2 Discussion and possible action related to Falls Metal Fabrication
Jeannie Hilbers with i d e a WF introduced Johnny McClane and Lee Birk owners of Falls
Metal Fabrication LLC
Mr McClane presented a brief overview of the company and the future plans of the
company Mr McClane explained that he and Mr Birk bought the company formerly known as
Gage Metal They changed the name of the business and moved to a location on McNeil Avenue
Mr McClane further explained that Falls Metal Fabrication is a custom metal fabrication company
that primarily serves heating and air conditioning contractors roofing contractors and general
construction contractors Mr McClane continued that 90% of their business is custom work To
grow business retain employees and add additional employees Mr McClane and Mr Birk have
developed an idea of manufacturing vent free gas fireplaces These fireplaces would primarily be
manufactured for new construction and remodels They believe they can mass produce these
Page 1 of 3
fireplaces because there is a high demand and significant shortage Mr McClane thinks his
company can fill the hole in the market in Wichita Falls The company plans to add two jobs in
January 2022 Then it will be adding new machinery and will need to add two more positions in
the early fall of 2022 Mr McClane projects that the company will need to add additional jobs
every 6 to 8 months
Mr Lane thanked Mr McClane and asked the board members if they had any questions
Phyllis Cowling stated that she did not have any questions but that this sounded like a good
opportunity
David Toogood explained that he was a panelist on idea WF and heard the company s
full explanation and plan He also stated that he is a consumer of a vent free fireplace and this
sounds like a solid plan He continued that the company has great potential and he recommends
entering into a Cash for Jobs agreement with the company
Mr Lane asked whether the product would take the place of an imported product Mr
McClane explained that there are large manufacturing facilities in Alabama and Illinois Falls
Metal Fabrication would manufacture the units then sell them to distributors in Texas Oklahoma
and Missouri These distributors will disperse the fireplaces to various retailers throughout the
country and very few units will be sold in this area
Henry Florsheim formally introduced both Mr McClane and Mr Birk to the Board He
explained that this project came to the Board from the idea WF competition
3 Consent Agenda
a Approval of Minutes (August 19 2021,and August 23,2021)
Mr Lane stated that the minutes for August 19 2021 needed approval Ms
Cowling noted that the August 23 2021 Minutes were not on the agenda to be
approved Ms Cowling made motions to amend the agenda item to Include the
August 19, 2021 Minutes and approve both sets of minutes Mr Lane seconded the
motions The motions carried 5 0
b Financial Report
Mr Menzies stated that the Board had not met in a couple of months and explained
that the October 2021 sales tax payments are reflective of August 2021 receipts
Additionally Mr Menzies stated that the sales tax revenue increased more than
11%from last years same month Mt Menzies reminded the Board that Fiscal Year
2021 ended on September 30 and sales tax is collected two months in arrears The
City will be collecting sales tax for FY2021 through November Mr Menzte said
that the City is still running way ahead of the prior fiscal year almost 13% And
compared to what had been budgeted we are running about 20% ahead of the
budget He stated that the City is doing very well He explained that there are no
significant changes to the bottom line other than the closing of the ATCO building
Page 2 of 3
Jessica Williams explained that the revenue from the sale of the ATCO building is
being booked as a gain because the building was on the City's capital asset list,
making it part of the balance sheet. The transaction occurs when the check is
received, and the building is sold. At the end of the year, the balance will increase.
Mr. Lane confirmed that the gain will not be seen until the end of the year. Ms.
Williams agreed with Mr. Lane. Ms. Williams continued to explain that the City
will continue to collect revenue for FY 2021 for an additional 60 dais. Financials
will be closed in December. Ms. Cowling confirmed that the numbers were
preliminary and Ms. \\ illiams agreed.
5. Executive Session
Mr. Lane adjourned the meeting into e\eeuti\e at 2:42 p.m. pursuant to Texas
Government Code §551.087. He announced the nneetin_ hack into regular session at 3:18 p.m.
The subjects posted in the Notice of electing were deliberated, and no votes or further action were
taken on the items in executive se> ion.
6. Motions
Mr. Toogood moved for that WFEDC enter into a Cash for Jobs Agreement with Falls
\letal Fabrication, LLC. The incentive would provide $4,000 per job for up to 4 new jobs created
throueh November I. 2023. Seconded by Ms. Cowling, the motion carried 5-0.
7. Adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 3:19 p.m.
Leo Lane. President
Page 3 of 3