4B Sales Tax Corporation Minutes - 01/26/2011MINUTES OF THE 4B SALES TAX CORPORATION
January 26, 2011
Present:
Jim Ginnings, President
§
Corporation Board Members
Alan Donaldson
§
Darron Leiker
§
Dustin Nimz
§
Bob Seabury
§
Rick Hatcher, Liaison
§
City Council
Mark Beauchamp, Traffic Engineering
§
John Burrus, Director of AT &T
§
Jim Dockery, Asst. City Manager /CFO
§
Pat Hoffman, Property Administrator
§
Kevin Hugman, Assistant City Manager
§
City Staff
Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary
§
Jack Murphy, Director of Parks
§
Miles Risley, City Attorney
§
Bob Sullivan, Director, MPEC
§
Steve Pruitt
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Alicia Pruitt
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Bob Lindsay
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Cayce Wenderborn
§
Charles Harper
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Wild Bird Rescue, Inc.
Elizabeth Hawley
§
John Hirschi
§
Marty Maxwell
§
Marjorie Hardin
§
Absent:
Charles Elmore, Vice President/Sec. Treasurer § Corporation Board Members
Joe Nieto §
1. CALL TO ORDER
Jim Ginnings called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (11/4/10)
Darron Leiker moved, seconded by Alan Donaldson, that the minutes be approved. The
motion carried.
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3. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF MPEC CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Mr. Ginnings opened the public hearing at 4:04 p.m. There being no members of the
public present to address this issue, he closed the hearing. Bob Sullivan reminded the
Board that MPEC received 4B funds for various projects in 2009. An additional
$200,000 is needed for the dehumidification system in the Coliseum. It will cost
approximately $464,000, plus an additional $56,000 for engineering costs, but only
$300,000 was budgeted. Mr. Leiker moved seconded by Mr. Donaldson, to approve the
request for $200,000. The motion unanimously carried.
4. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF THE OUTDOOR WARNING SIREN PROJECT
Mr. Ginnings opened the public hearing at 4:11 p.m. There being no members of the
public present to address this issue, he closed the hearing. John Burrus stated this is
the second year of a four -year replacement project. The 4B Board provided $142,000
last year for upgrades, and the City is requesting $140,000 today. New electric panels
will increase output by ten percent, and existing units will be replaced with those that will
provide for silent testing capability. Bob Seabury moved seconded by Alan Donaldson,
that this request of $140,000 be approved. The motion unanimously carried.
5. DISCUSSION OF REQUEST FOR FUNDING FROM WILD BIRD RESCUE, INC.
Alicia Pruitt addressed the Board. Wild Bird Rescue (WBR) is a non - profit corporation
founded in 2000 to give sick, orphaned and injured wild birds a second chance to live
wild. WBR leases its current location from the City of Wichita Falls. The WFISD donated
their building, a 1920s barrack originally from Sheppard Air Force Base.
Their fundraising campaign is called "Give Us Wings." They are seeking 413 funds for
the Windows to Learning Walkway ($256,700), Operational Education Center ($20,000),
and for Paving ($87,000).
The State has approved the concept of the Walkway, which would go across the front of
the existing building, with eight -foot windows allowing the public to view the progression
of rehabilitation of the birds. This viewing would be accomplished through a one -way
mirror, as it is a violation of state and federal permits for birds to be put on public display
while undergoing rehabilitation.
Several community members have made donations equaling about 10% of the total
project cost ($493,700). The 4B Board is being asked to fund $374,750. The group feels
this project will benefit the City through ecotourism and sales tax. The Board is also
requesting an expansion of their leased parcel to include vacant land to the east of the
driveway. They anticipate constructing a welcome center on that site. They do not wish
to block access to the cove, as it is used by citizens for recreation.
Mr. Leiker asked if the School District had provided any funding. Bob Lindsay said it had
not. It donated the building in exchange for WBR providing education to all third - graders
in the school district on their activities. Mr. Leiker asked what hours the walkway would
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be open to the general public. Mr. Lindsay said it would be a couple of years before it
would be open to the public; their first priority would be to the School District.
Jim Dockery asked WBR's current operating budget, and whether the group anticipates
more staffing. Mr. Lindsay replied it is $75,000, adding that there would be more staff
and volunteers for the education center a few years down the road. Mr. Seabury asked
WBR's source of income. Mr. Lindsay replied, donations.
Mr. Ginnings thanked the attendees for their presentation and their good work.
5. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Ginnings adjourned the meeting into executive session at 5:03 p.m. pursuant to
TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE § §551.072. He announced the meeting back into regular
session at 5:06 p.m. No action was taken during the executive session.
Mr. Ginnings visited with Ms. Pruitt during the meeting to attempt to verify the accuracy
of the requested $256,700 for the Walkway, but was unsuccessful. She will give him an
accurate update. He would like to help this group, but needs firm figures and wants to
look at what the Board has given to other non - profit corporations. Mr. Leiker said that
other funded projects were open to the public, while this one will initially only be
accessible by third - graders. He is not sure of the public benefit, and questions its
eligibility for 4B funds. Miles Risley said some aspects of their request are eligible, such
as the Walkway.
Mr. Seabury said improvements need to be made to Lake Wichita, such as the removal
of shacks across from the State Hospital. He is not sure the WBR request should be
given priority. Mr. Ginnings felt the Board could do both. Pat Hoffman said the City
purchases those properties as they come up for sale. In addition, if any come up on a
sheriffs sale, they are struck off and not offered for sale.
With the Board's approval, Mr. Ginnings said he would like City staff's assistance in
responding to WBR's request. Kevin Hugman agreed to tell them the 4B Board would
be willing to look at helping to fund a specific portion of their project, such as the
Walkway. In addition, he will provide information to them on other avenues of funding.
6. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
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