4B Sales Tax Corporation Minutes - 08/17/2022 AMENDED MINUTES OF THE
WICHITA FALLS 4B SALES TAX CORPORATION (4BSTC)
August 17, 2022
Present:
Tony Fidelie, President § Members
Glenn Barham,Vice President §
Rick Hatcher, Secretary-Treasurer §
Dave Clark §
Darron Leiker §
Michael Mills §
Stephen Santellana, Mayor § Mayor& City Council
R. Kinley Hegglund, Jr., City Attorney § City Staff
Paul Menzies, Assistant City Manager §
Blake Jurecek,Assistant City Manager §
John Burrus, Dir of Aviation,Traffic&Transportation §
Terry Floyd,Director of Development Services §
Lindsay Barker, Dir of Marketing& Communication §
Blane Boswell, City Engineer §
Pat Hoffman,Property Administrator §
Stephen Calvert, Senior Budget Analyst §
Chris Horgen, Public Information Officer §
Andrea Kidd,Public Information Admin Clerk §
Paige Lessor, Recording Secretary §
Jerry Skelton § Chelsea Plaza, LLC
Kari Skelton §
Jana Schmader, Executive Director § DWFD
Lynn Walker, Writer § Times Record News
Markeshia Jackson, Journalist § KF.DX
Absent:
Nick Schreiber § 4B Member
1. Call to Order.
Mr. Fidelie called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.
2. a) Approval of Minutes of 07/07/2022.
Mr. Clark moved to approve the minutes. Seconded by Mr. Hatcher, motion carried
6-0.
b) Report of Financial Condition (current, past & planned budget &
expenditures)
Mr. Menzies addressed the Board and stated that sales tax continues to do well. The City
just received the August receipts, which reflect June sales and are still running 9% - 10% ahead
for the year.WF4BSTC had about$7.3 million in unencumbered funds available for new projects.
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The Kemp Center project was closed and paid out as well as the Bridwell Ag Center Livestock
Pens project. Those projects have moved to the bottom of the report.
3. Public hearing regarding a funding request from Jerry Skelton, dba Chelsea Plaza
LLC, to assist in fire suppression system upgrades as part of the renovation of the
existing buildings at 804 and 806 Lamar Ave downtown.
Mr. Fidelie opened the hearing at 3:03 p.m.
Mr. Jerry Skelton addressed the Board and introduced his wife, Mrs. Kari Skelton. Mr.
Skelton told the Board that he and his wife are from this area. She was originally from Seymour,
and he was from Goree, and they are both graduates of Midwestern State University. They are
retired educators and moved back to the area eight years ago. In July 2019, they purchased the
Chelsea Plaza Building at 909 8th Street Downtown. Mr. Skelton said they always had a passion
for seeing Downtown Wichita Falls return to the thriving place they remembered many years ago.
They can see it happening and are happy to be part of it.They have been renovating Chelsea Plaza
for the past three years, and occupancy has gone from about 60%to 98%.
Mr. Skelton reminded the Board that they helped them with funding a sewer line and
grease trap about a year and a half ago to prepare for the Eighth Street Coffee House to move to
that location. He said it was an incredible success and thanked the Board for that opportunity.
Mrs. Skelton stated that hardly a day goes by that they do not hear positive feedback about what
they have done. She said they receive compliments on the Eighth Street Coffee House and the
building itself. And they are back because of all the positive reinforcement and encouragement
they have received.
Mr. Skelton stated that they are now looking at a new project at 804 and 806 Lamar, two
buildings adjacent to Chelsea Plaza, and they plan on turning those buildings into residential and
retail space. The total cost for the project is $2,376,000. They came before the Board to request
funding to assist with a fire suppression system in the amount of$222,765. Mr. Skelton said they
would hopefully have the plans and construction lined up to begin in October, and it would take
about six or seven months to complete.
Mr. Barham asked Mr. Skelton if the building had to be sprinkled because it was
residential. Mr. Skelton said yes, that was the reason. Mr. Barham said he didn't think sprinklers
were required unless the residential went above two or three floors and asked Mr. Leiker and Mr.
Menzies for clarification.Mr.Menzies asked for Mr.Terry Floyd to address the Board about what
was discussed in the predevelopment meeting regarding sprinklers. Mr. Floyd stated that it was
an obligation of the IBC Codes to have sprinklers. He explained that the fire marshal and building
official were at the meeting.Mr.Barham recalled Will Kelty doing a project in the Staley Building
(along 8th & Indiana), and he was not required to have sprinklers unless he went above two or
above three floors. Mr. Barham asked if the code had changed. Mr. Floyd stated that he believed
it had changed but would verify.
Mr. Fidelie asked if these buildings were just east of the Chelsea Buildings. He said he
was familiar with the buildings, and they needed repair. Mr. Fidelie reviewed the cover letter sent
to Mr. Menzies and stated that the Skeltons planned to remodel 9,800 square feet of the total
28,000 square feet of the two buildings. But then he noted that the funding request was for the
cost of the entire space. So Mr. Fidelie asked if this amount was for the entire 28,000 square feet
or just the 9,800 square feet. Mr. Skelton explained that the City required the whole building to
be sprinkled, which is why the amount is so large. He also explained that they planned to fully
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remodel the first 9,800 square feet, then complete the entire building in phases. Mr. Fidelie stated
that the WF4BSTC Board had historically supported fire suppression systems' installation. It is
typically done as a forgivable loan over five years, and the Board usually requires a Certificate of
Occupancy on the entire space before it would lend the money.
Mr. Clark asked if the entire 28,000 square feet would be heated, and Mr. Skelton
confirmed it would be heated. Mr. Mills then commented that since Chelsea Plaza was renovated,
that particular Downtown section had been dramatically transformed. He believes these two
buildings are essential to that continuation and appreciates the Skeltons'willingness to take it on.
Mr. Fidelie closed the public hearing at 3:13 p.m.
Mr. Fidelie explained that the Board generally would go through the items on the agenda
and then go into executive session to deliberate. Then they would come out and announce their
decision. He told everyone they were welcome to stay for the budget discussions, but if anyone
needed to leave, Mr. Menzies would let them know the Board's decision later in the afternoon.
4. Staff updates on currently funded projects listed on the financial report, including,
but not limited to, the Lindemann Parking Garage, Circle Trail Projects, Bicycle
Lane Improvements, and MPEC Hotel/Conference Center Project.
Mr. Menzies explained that this presentation would give the Board a progress update on
some of the projects funded throughout the year.
a. Lindemann Parking Garage
Mr. Menzies reminded the Board about the discussion of the issues going on with the
Lindemann Parking Garage and the consensus at the last meeting to move forward with
purchasing a remote-controlled gate. The purchase is in process and will be installed this week or
next. Mr. Menzies said the intent is to have the gate installed before Hotter-n-Hell next weekend.
And there are some fencing upgrades to be completed.
Ms. Pat Hoffman assisted in explaining the placement of the fencing. She said the fencing
is being repaired on the alley and 7th Street sides of the garage.New fencing will be installed on
the Indiana side.
Mr. Menzies reminded the Board the fencing is to keep vandals from climbing up the wall
into the first and second floors. Because of the issues with the third and fourth floors, only the
first and second floors will be opened for the Hotter-n-Hell. Rather than power washing floors
two, three, and four, they will be repainted. Once the controlled access gate is installed, access
inside to the second floor will be gated off except for special events.
Mr. Mills asked if parking for Hotter-n-Hell would be free or if it was intended to be a
revenue producer. Mr. Menzies stated it would be free. The City, DWFD, and the renters will
have remote control access, and then it will be opened for public parking during special events.
b. Circle Trail Projects
Mr. Menzies said the proposed funding to be talked about has nothing to do with the
section of planned trail between Barnett Rd and Larry's Marine. That section is not on the radar
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right now. He emphasized that anything discussed, whether existing or proposed, is unrelated to
that particular trail section.
Mr. Blane Boswell addressed the Board and presented a PowerPoint presentation. He
stated he would give an update about the trail west of Lake Wichita Park continuing to Larry's
Marine,funded with WF4BSTC funds. There are only two sections left to construct. They are not
funded and are not planned to be funded at this time. Those portions include the section west of
Camp Fire, continuing to Lucy Park (about 1,500 linear feet), and the section from Barnett Road
to Larry's Marine (about 4,200 linear feet). He displayed a slide showing how much of the Circle
Trail has been completed in a few decades.
He presented a photo of the current project construction. TXDOT has done its final
walkthrough. They are in the process of the final paperwork for acceptance and the final change
order. The total cost of this section of the trail is about $1.4 million. WF4BSTC funded
approximately $619,000. This amount included the 20%match that was required by the grant, as
well as the advanced funding payment agreement with TXDOT, the RAS inspection for ADA
compliance, and the consultant fees to Kinley Horne for the design of the trail.
Mr. Boswell continued to present and describe photos of the newly completed section of
the trail. He explained that at the end of the new section, the Parks Department had placed a
barricade denoting that the trail was closed and that no trespassing was allowed. Mr. Clark asked
if there was any plan to get an easement so people would not just hit a dead end but could have a
path to the road. Mr. Boswell stated that was not in the engineering/public works plan. Mr. Leiker
noted that the City had not explored that option because it would cross private property. He
suspects that the landowner may come to the City and want an easement because the path across
that property will be the path of least resistance for many people. Mr. Leiker thought it was a nice
idea, but it depends on how long it will be before the trail is complete. Mr. Clark stated he has
walked the new section, which is very attractive, but he hopes there will be a way to get back to
the road.
Mr. Boswell reiterated that for the past 40 years, the trail had ended somewhere, and this
is just a natural process of trying to complete the entire trail. Mr. Clark talked about the dead end
near Loop 11 and how people can no longer cut through the trailer park because fences have been
put up. Mr. Leiker said that he hopes these dead ends will spur more public comment and
suggestions to the City Council to finish the trail. Mr. Fidelie noted the number of linear feet
remaining to complete the trial and reminded everyone that there was only one mile out of 23 total
miles.
d. MPEC Hotel/Conference Center Project
Mr. Jurecek addressed the Board and gave an update with some photographs. He gave
descriptions and locations of the work being completed. He said they were progressing well,
finishing up the second floor and moving on to the third floor. He showed the swimming pool's
location and the conference center's edges. He pointed out the separation between the hotel and
the conference center and displayed a photo of the parking lot across Burnett Street from the
conference center. The parking lot will be finished in time for Hotter-n-Hell,but the RV hookups
will not be in place in time.
The roofing material was finally delivered for the new exhibit hall roof, and construction
should start within the next few weeks. He discussed the pay schedule and explained that the first
payment was made in December, and a payment had just been made on August 8th. He said that
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$4.7 million had been paid toward the project, about 35% of the entire project. Even though there
were a few delays,the project is right on track to open at the end of June 2023.
Mr. Fidelie clarified that 35% of the entire project had been complete. Mr. Jurecek
concurred that was correct. He also stated that 95%of the steel had been delivered, a big concern
early on in the project. Mr. Jurecek said he has monthly meetings with the architects and
contractors to get updates.
Mr. Barham asked Mr. Jurecek if he had any idea where the grease tap was located. Mr.
Barham asked if it was on the Austin Street side of the facility,the northwest corner closest to the
exhibit hall. Mr. Jurecek stated there is a large mechanical area on that side, which is where the
power comes in, so he believes all the utilities are on that side and where the back house kitchens
will be. Mr. Jurecek said there was a live view link he could send everyone with live updates.
c. Bicycle Lane Improvements
Mr. Menzies introduced the update by reminding everyone that the Board committed to a
multi-year funding program to support the installation of bicycle lanes.
Mr. Burros addressed the Board and stated the Corporation's money is going much further
than initially anticipated, but the City has been a little slow in getting some of the work done.
Thirty-eight miles of shared and dedicated bicycle lanes have been completed using $83,000 of
4B funding. Road shoulders have been used to create some of the dedicated lanes, such as Martin
Luther King Blvd and Burk Road. The Board gave $100,000 last year, but not much has been
done since the money was awarded. The City View Lane bicycle lanes were the latest project
completed around Christmas last year. Many favorable comments were received about the
installation of those lanes. Since then, Mr. Burrus has talked with the bicycle advocacy team, and
they have done a great job helping with this project and the Bicycle Friendly Community
initiative.
Mr. Burrus explained that a long-line striping company marks the lanes, and it is much
more cost-effective to use a contractor because of the amount of material used. Mr. Burrus stated
that he has a list of locations being considered for bicycle lanes, and he would be working with
the Bicycle Advocacy Group again. Mr. Burrus's number one concern is the pavement condition,
but he is working with Mr. Boswell and his staff to ensure the pavement is in good condition so
nothing is marked that will have to be replaced within a short period of time. He stated they had
been on a project hold since last fall, but they are gearing back up. But he asked that no action be
taken today regarding Phase 3 funding. He would like a cost estimate on the upcoming work and
compare it to the budget. If there is a shortfall,he will come back to the Board later this fall to see
if there would be interest in funding the project balance.
No questions were asked about the bicycle lanes. Mr. Fidelie asked Ms. Lindsay Barker
about some updates at MPEC. Mr. Fidelie asked Ms. Barker if the new livestock pens had been
delivered yet. Ms. Barker confirmed that they had been delivered but have not been used as of
today. She said some events were coming up in the fall where they would be used. Mr. Fidelie
then asked about some general painting that was to be done at the J.S. Bridwell Ag Center. Ms.
Barker stated that all the doors' exteriors, the main entrance sign, and the inside of the restrooms
were painted. A broken large fan has been replaced, and some repairs to the infrastructure have
been made. Mr. Fidelie then asked if the building was used during the Hotter-n-Hell and Ms.
Barker explained that it was used for the mountain bike races and the half marathon. Ms. Barker
thanked the Board for its support.
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Mr. Fidelie asked the Board if they had any other questions about the projects listed on the
budget. He then commented that he asked Will Kelty for a tour of The Kate (Petroleum Building)
about two or three weeks ago. He said the demolition is about 90% complete, and Mr. Kelty said
he is still on track to meet his two-year deadline.
5. Approval of the Fiscal Year 2023 corporation budget.
Mr. Menzies asked the Board to review the financials as he went over them. He stated that
this year, $5.1 million in sales tax revenue would be budgeted. Interest earnings will be doing
very well based on some actions by the Federal Reserve. There is the TIF 2 reimbursement, and
then the budget goes into the annual programs and expenditures.
Mr. Menzies explained that debt service does not mean the Corporation is in debt. It does
not owe more than it has in revenue. Debt service is just a technical term for the series of
mortgages on which annual payments are being made. The only note that this Corporation owns
is the hotel and conference center project. The first payment will be made by the end of this year,
and then $950,000 will be budgeted to make the second payment. Money will be transferred to
make those debt service payments in September, which will be budgeted for next year. The total
for the debt service payments is approximately $2.7 million. The sales tax revenue will be $5.1
million against the debt service side of$2.7 million.
There are quite a few active projects right now that will be paid out by the end of the year.
Mr. Menzies continued to describe the expenses listed in the budget. He pointed out that the
administrative charges have increased from $20,000 to $30,000. These charges are the fees the
Board pays to the City for support services, including the board attorney, Mr. Menzies's services
instead of having an executive director, the fiscal agent, and the Board's budgetary audit every
year. These costs have continued to increase.
Mr. Menzies further explained the open projects listed on the budget and gave brief
updates. He said he would meet with the Arts Alliance next week about the mural project. They
anticipate having the project underway in September or October. He explained that the remaining
funds for the bicycle lanes project would be rolled over into the next fiscal year. The District 5
Park Improvements is an older project, and the remaining balance was set aside to purchase some
land between Sunset Terrace Park and City View Park. There is a trail connection that needs to
be made. There is still about$100,000 for the MPEC Conference Center Architect piece.
Regarding the Circle Trail, $600,000 of matching funds will be transferred out. Just in
case those funds do not get transferred until October or November, it has been rolled over to next
year's budget. The exact amount listed on the budget is $599,781. It should read $605,000. Mr.
Menzies asked that if the budget is approved,the Board amend the amount to $605,000. The extra
$5,000 is to take care of a piece of the project by the RV park.
The Backdoor Theatre is still working on its project,but they are getting close. Mr. Leiker
asked Mr. Menzies about the Pickers Universe project. Mr. Menzies said the six-month extension
for that project was approved at the last meeting, and he has not heard anything since. Mr. Leiker
confirmed that it would cross over into the next fiscal year.
The bottom line is that on October 1,the Corporation will have $7.6 million plus $511
million in sales tax revenue to spend on new projects in FY2023.
Mr. Leiker moved for approval of the budget as presented with the notation that the TAP
Grant match amount would be reflected at$605,000. Seconded by Mr. Barham, motion carried
6-0.
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6. Executive Session.
Mr. Fidelie adjourned the meeting into executive session at 3:52 p.m. pursuant to Texas
Government Code section 551.087. He announced the meeting back into regular session at 4:21
p.m. The subjects posted in the Notice of Meeting were deliberated, and no votes or further action
were taken on these items in executive session.
7. Consider a funding request from Jerry Skelton, dba Chelsea Plaza LLC, to assist in
fire suppression system upgrades as part of the renovation of the existing buildings
at 804 and 806 Lamar Ave downtown
Mr. Fidelie moved to provide the requester with a five-year forgivable loan for fire
suppression upgrades, broken into two phases.
Phase One will be funded with $111,000 for fire suppression upgrades on 9,800 square
feet of the project. Phase One of the project shall be complete,and a certificate of occupancy(CO)
issued within 18 months from the date of the execution of the documents related to the request.
Phase Two will begin once the CO has been issued for Phase One. Phase Two shall be
funded with $111,000 for fire suppression upgrades on the remaining 18,000 square feet. Phase
Two shall be complete, and a CO issued within 18 months of the documents' execution date.
Seconded by Mr. Hatcher, motion carried 6-0.
8. Adjourn.
Mr. Fidelie adjourned the meeting at 4:23 p.m.
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