Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee Minutes - 08/08/2023 MINUTES
LAKE WICHITA REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE
August 8, 2023
PRESENT:
•Members
David Coleman, Chair
Steve Gamer, Vice Chair
Sharon Roach
Matt Marrs
Terry Points, Parks Administrator •Staff
Wes Duffer, TP&W •Guests
John Pezzano, Lakeside City resident
ABSENT: Alison Sanders, Kari Shaw, Michael Battaglino
Alicia Castillo, Austin Cobb, Rick Hemandez, Tim Brewer
1. Call to Order: David called the meeting to order at 1:05 pm and introduced John
Pezzano, a former member of the LWRC. David informed the group that both Ford
Swanson and John Strenski have submitted their resignations from the LWRC.
Additionally, John Strenski resigned as City Administrator of Lakeside City, which
complicates our ability to manage our Wells Fargo checking account.
2. Approval of Minutes: June meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
3. Project Updates:
3.a. Veteran's Plaza Project:
The City Project Manager has prepared a Change Order to the MPC contract to raise the
saluting soldier statue approximately 2 feet, and the Committee voted unanimously to
approve the cost of$3,500 using the funds already in the City account (which leaves a
balance of approximately$6,500.)
Terry mentioned that the City will be mowing the Veterans Plaza weekly, and Steve put
Terry in touch with a Veteran volunteer who would like to do regular cleaning of the
monuments.
David stated that he is part of a group who wants to bring more recognition to Thomas W
Fowler, a Wichita Falls native who was awarded the Medal of Honor and is buried at
Crestview cemetery. The goal is to erect a new monument at the entrance to the
cemetery, make his gravesite more notable, upgrade the memorial at Fowler Elementary,
and recognize him at the Veterans Memorial Plaza. The Committee unanimously
approved a cost of$4,200 to erect a marker alongside the walkway similar to the
Soldier's Prayer marker, with a black granite face engraved with a likeness of Thomas
Fowler, noting him to be a recipient of the Medal of Honor. David will work with the
Fowler family members to get their input, and bring a proposal back to the group for
discussion and approval.
August 8,2023
3.b. Lake Deepening:
David stated that the 150 acre site on the south side of the Lake is a viable site for a
dredging spoils settling basin. Steve will check out a 90 acre site on the west side of the
Lake, to see if it's feasible. David summarized his discussion with the Tulsa Corps of
Engineers regarding the Section 1135 Grant program, which exists to modify existing
Corps projects for environmental restoration and ecosystem improvement. These grants
are 65% Corps and 35% local, with a max Corps contribution of$10 million, which makes
a max overall project cost of approximately $13 million. This would be adequate for
Phase One of the Lake Wichita deepening, so David will pursue a meeting with City
Leadership to discuss this potential project.
3.c. Former Yacht Club Rehabilitation: Development of this project will be tied into the
upcoming Parks Master Plan update.
3.e. Lakeside City Boat Ramp Dredging Project: The project is complete, with a final
cost of$3,877.50. The contractor has not yet been paid, so David will work with Corey
Glassbum, Mayor of Lakeside City, to get this bill paid.
4. Discussion of Brick Sales and Fundraising Initiatives: David stated that the City
Clerk's office has established a process and pricing to engrave the blank bricks that were
installed in the Plaza walkway. David has requested the City PIO to publicize the process
and the form, and the group agreed we should place a sign at the Veterans Plaza. So
far, we have 10 orders for brick engraving, and David will contact Austin Stone &
Monument to get the work moving.
5. Other Business Matters:
The Committee voted unanimously to recommend that City Council appoint Adam
Arruda to the vacant Wichita Falls seat, and John Pezzano to the vacant Lakeside City
seat on the Committee. David will contact Marie Balthrop to request this action be
placed on the next City Council meeting agenda.
Terry announced the repaving work on the Lake Wichita Park parking lot is scheduled
to begin on 16 August.
David informed the group that our PayPal balance is$23,768.85 and our checking
account balance is $3,700.35
6. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 2:03 pm.
(2 5L, Zo2 .3
I5avid Coleman, Chair Dates
August 8, 2023