4B Sales Tax Corporation Minutes - 03/27/2012MINUTES OF THE
WICHITA FALLS 4B SALES TAX CORPORATION
March 27, 2012
PRESENT'
Jim Ginnings, President
Charles Elmore, Vice President/Sec.- Treasurer
Alan Donaldson
Tony Fidelie
Darron Leiker
Joe Nieto
Dustin Nimz
Rick Hatcher
Tim Ingle
Jim Dockery, Asst. City Manager /CFO
Kevin Hugman, Assistant City Manager
Jack Murphy, Director of Parks
Miles Risley, City Attorney
Bob Sullivan, Director of MPEC
Ramona Coln, Recording Secretary
Jesse Rogers, MSU President
Howard Farrell, MSU Vice - President
Charlie Carr, MSU Athletic Director
Steve Shipp
Kyle Williams
Kyle Owen
Bryan Hooker, Candidate, Councilor District 3
1. CALL TO ORDER
§ Members
§ City Council
§ City Staff
Midwestern State University
Jim Ginnings called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
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Charles Elmore moved, seconded by Joe Nieto, that the agenda for today's meeting
be approved. The motion unanimously carried.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Alan Donaldson noted that his name was omitted as an attendee at the February 6
meeting. Subiect to this correction, the minutes were unanimously approved.
Kevin Hugman said that sales tax revenues are at $1.18 million, with total revenues just
under $1.2 million. Approximately $2.5 million is reserved for encumbrances for the remainder
of this year's expenditures. The Board's unreserved fund balance is in the negative of $350,000,
but the Board does have cash on hand because of the amount reserved for encumbrances.
H: \_legal \4A & 4B \4B Corp \4B Minutes\2012\2012.3.27 MSU lighting\Minutes.4B 2012.3.27.doe
WFEDC — Minutes of March 27, 2012
3. MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC FIELD LIGHTING UPGRADE
PROJECT
Vice - President Howard Farrell stated the purpose for today's presentation is to request
the 4B Board to assist Midwestern State University (MSU) in adding and renovating lighting for
women's softball and men's and women's soccer in an amount not to exceed $350,000.
President Jesse Rogers said an MSU- conducted economic impact study reveals that the
University brings in about $355.8 million annually to the local economy. The athletic program
alone put about $48.5 million into Wichita Falls' economy each year. However, MSU receives
much less financial assistance from the State than it did in years past. It is in effect becoming
much like a private school; the State will fund only 19% of academic program costs next year
(not including financial aid). MSU is on its own more than ever, but is very much an economic
engine of this community.
Athletic Director Charlie Carr said the softball field has no lights, and the lights for the
men's and women's soccer fields are substandard. Due to the lack of or inadequacy of lighting,
MSU loses out annually on opportunities to host various tournaments that would bring multiple
teams (and family members) to the community. President Rogers noted that MSU cannot use
State funds on athletics. They have no other available funding sources for this project.
Mr. Ginnings thanked the men for their presentation as they left the meeting. After
discussion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the expenditure of 4B funds in an
amount not to exceed $350,000 for MSU's athletic field lighting upgrade project.
4. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Ginnings adjourned the meeting into executive session at 4:01 p.m. pursuant to
TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE § §551.071, 551.072, and 551.087. He announced the meeting back
into regular session at 4:47 p.m. The subjects posted in the Notice of Meeting were deliberated,
and no action was taken on these items in executive session.
5. DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL ASSISTANCE FOR BUSINESSES THAT MAY NOT
EMPLOY PRIMARY ,YOBS
Mr. Ginnings said a hotel chain wants to build a hotel at Windthorst Road and 287 at a
cost of $6 million, and later, develop a restaurant at a cost of $2 million. He has looked into
every aspect of this project, and does not believe the 4B Board can provide financial assistance.
He wants to hear the staffs view on this issue, but he wonders if the Board needs to consider
formulating a policy for projects that do not create primary jobs, but would bring substantial
investment into the community.
Mr. Leiker said he could envision such a policy if the project was a $20 -30 million
endeavor, such as a Bass Pro Shop. A hotel project would not be it, unless it was a destination
hotel such as a Great Wolf Lodge. There have been half a dozen or more hotels built in the past
10 years without any public funds. A particular project should be able to demonstrate that "but
WFEDC - Minutes of March 27, 2012
3
for" 4B money it would not occur. Whether a proposed project competes with another
development in the community should be another consideration.
Jim Dockery said the City could construct public improvements such as water lines, or
alleviate traffic congestion, where the assets would be owned, run and managed by the City. To
give a cash infusion to a project would require that it be something that is really a destination.
Mr. Ginnings said some would make the argument that the area the hotel is going to
invest in is an undeveloped area and a new facility would be an asset.
Alan Donaldson said he would prefer to operate by exception as has been done in the
past. He does not want developers attending every 4B meeting attempting to get funding.
6. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
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