Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee Minutes - 02/14/2023 MINUTES
LAKE WICHITA REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE
February 14, 2023
PRESENT:
•Members
David Coleman, Chair
Tim Brewer, City Council Rep
Rick Hernandez
Mike Battaglino
Matt Marrs
Alicia Castillo
Sharon Roach
Austin Cobb
Blake Jurecek, Asst City Manager
Blane Boswell, City Engineer •Staff
Terry Points, Parks Superintendent
Robert Mauk, TX Parks& Wildlife •Guests
ABSENT: John Strenski, Alison Sanders, Kari Shaw, Ford Swanson, Steve Garner
1. Call to Order: David called the meeting to order at 10:02 am.
2. Approval of Minutes: January meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
3. Project Updates:
3.a. Veteran's Plaza Project:
David updated the project construction status: Earth work has begun and demo is
complete. The project sign is up, and protective fencing is around the Vietnam Statue
and the existing oak trees. Blane stated the updated construction schedule shows
completion the end of May. David asked Blane to facilitate communication with Marrs
Patriot Construction (MPC) regarding when they would like to pick up the bricks and have
them laid out at the site. All the Bricks are now in our possession, including the two final
bricks for Charles Finnell and Gary Baker. The Replica Tiles have been delivered to
David's house, and he has contacted the purchasers to pick them up.
Project funds remaining available are: $13k held by the City, $1,800 in the Wells Fargo
account, and approximately $38k in PayPal that will be moved to the Wells Fargo
account. However, we still owe the Woody Williams Foundation $10,750 as the final
payment for the Gold Star Family monument. John Strenski will take action to change
the signature authority on the Wells Fargo account to David Coleman and Steve Garner,
so the LWRC will have control of its funds.
David stated that 29 May 2023, Memorial Day, is on Rep Jackson's calendar for a
Dedication Ceremony. We've targeted an early evening ceremony, depending on his
schedule.
February 14, 2023
Rick inquired about site landscaping, and David reminded the group that any landscaping
must not obstruct the view of the Lake from the Plaza. The group agreed to plant more
Burr Oak trees in the Fall, when the weather is favorable and the total site layout has
been determined. David will continue to try contacting the WFISD School Board Chair to
discuss whether they would like to relocate their memorial from the stadium to the Plaza.
Also, Mike will contact the Legion Post 169 to discuss the Eternal Flame monument, and
we will check to see if an electronic flame is feasible.
David will contact the DAR to find out whether they want to hold a Vietnam Veterans Day
ceremony at the Lake Wichita site. The construction activity can be paused, but it still
might not be a suitable situation for a ceremony.
3.b. Lake Deepening: David informed the group that the City of Lakeside City will set up a
meeting with Dredge America in March. David will invite other LWRC members and City
Engineer to attend this meeting if they desire, to find out what our options and costs might
be for Lake Wichita. David and Matt held a Zoom meeting with a TWRC Rep, and
learned that their grants are only available to private land owners, they cannot do work on
public property. Also, Steve learned that the TWDB will only provide funds for lakes that
are potable water sources, so Lake Wichita does not qualify. We will continue to pursue
funding options to deepen the lake.
3.c. Kayak Launch Grant: Terry will schedule his crews to install the launch equipment,
after we get some rain.
3.d. Former Yacht Club Rehabilitation: The 11 April LWRC meeting will be held at the
American Legion Post 169 facility, so the group can walk next door and see the Yacht
Club basin in person. The address is 4615 Lake Shore Drive.
4. Discussion of Brick Sales and Fundraising Initiatives: All the new Replica Tiles
have arrived, and some of them have not been paid for by the customer, since the Polar
system would not allow payment for a tile without a brick. The group voted unanimously
to simply give these Replicas to the customers, since it's a small amount of money and
they have already contributed when they ordered their original brick. David mentioned
the Smoker that is owned by the LWRC, and Austin stated that he might be interested in
purchasing the smoker, he will go by David's house and check it out.
5. Other Business Matters: David will continue to contact Ms. Katherine McGregor,
Chair of WFISD Board, to start a discussion about possibly relocating the memorial
items at the stadium to the Plaza.
6. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:50 am.
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David Coleman, Chair Date
February 14,2023