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4B Sales Tax Corporation Minutes - 03/14/2003MINUTES OF THE 413 SALES TAX CORPORATION March 14, 2003 Present: Rick Boone, President § Ray Gonzalez, Vice President § Benay Ayers, Secretary Treasurer § Corporation Board Members Bill Altman § Arthur Bea Williams § Jim Berzina, City Manager § Matt Benoit, Assistant City Manager § Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary § Absent: Tommy McCulloch § Leon Mallonee § Corporation Board Members I. Call To Order. President Rick Boone called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. II. Consider A Presentation From The Heritage Foundation For Funding Related To A Museum Project, As Authorized By Section 4B(a)(2) Of The Development Corporation Act. President Boone introduced General Art Rooney from Sheppard Air Force Base, who was appearing before the Board to discuss a funding request related to the Little Adobe structure on base. General Rooney stated that, several months into his command at Sheppard, he visited the base history office. The building looked similar to a Mexican restaurant, and out of place with the rest of the base. He went into the side door of the building, as that was the area of the building being occupied. Inside there was a room no larger than the Council Conference Room that had models hanging from the ceiling, some pictures, and a ticket window. He then got a tour from Doc Tuttle, who is in charge of the history office. Mr. Tuttle told him the Little Adobe was built in 1928. He shared with General Rooney the rich history of the building and its important role in the development of Wichita Falls. He relayed that the ticket window was where individuals would purchase their tickets for the flight of the day. Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh had actually passed through there. 2 Doc Tuttle told him 250 visitors passed through the Little Adobe last year. General Rooney stated that number should be much higher; 20,000 students could learn about their Air Force and Sheppard Air Force Base, and thousands of permanent party family members and retirees would have a place to appreciate their heritage. General Rooney stated he had a vision to turn the Little Adobe into a true heritage center. Sheppard Air Force Base has world -class technical training, but there is not a single place to go to that showcases the history of Kell Field, Sheppard Air Force Base, and Wichita Falls' initial airport. He stated the easiest option concerning the building would have been to tear it down, but a 1981 state historical landmark designation prohibits that action. In any event, the community would have lost a historical treasure. The structure could have simply been ignored, or its original condition could be restored, which in the end was the only true choice. He then gave a visual presentation of the current appearance of the Little Adobe, and the vision for its future. There will be a 2,500 square foot addition to the structure, similar in appearance, but not identical, to the original Little Adobe. The historical landmark designation prohibits newly constructed areas from appearing to be part of the original structure. Architectural and engineering firms are looking at the landscape with an eye to preserving the appearance and not detracting from the Little Adobe. He stated that in the back of the structure there will be a grassy area available for social engagements, with trees and shrubs planted to block the view of airplane hangars. He envisions speakers giving presentations in the building, a meal served, and a social hour, with visitors moving out onto the greens and under tents, serenaded by military strolling strings. He hopes someday to have an aircraft model installed similar to what would have been flown back in the early 1930's. The vision for the interior includes self - guided tours of the various rooms of the museum. This would be accomplished either through headsets or informational handouts. There is to be a small theater to show Department of Defense videos. In addition, there will be a meeting room. The Little Adobe is close to the Missile Road gate. In fact, it is the first left from that gate. That street will be renamed to Heritage Lane. Directional signs are already installed, and construction is in full force now, as there is a ribbon - cutting ceremony scheduled for June 14. The development of the heritage center will continue for as long as Sheppard Air Force Base is in existence, so this will be a long -term investment. There are plans in the works to move the main gate entrance to Sheppard Air Force Base to the Missile Road gate. This move will facilitate the ability to insure personnel safety within a certain radius. In addition, it will allow easy access to the museum by visitors to the base, and preclude the need for any additional traveling on base by visitors to get to the museum. 3 General Rooney stated the base is accumulating artifacts from the community, and there are display cases currently being set up in a warehouse. He is hopeful that, with the local community's assistance, Sheppard can populate the interior of the Little Adobe to accomplish the period exhibits. He is pleased to have a Board of Directors to help insure the long -term survivability of this project. President Boone asked if visitors are able to visit the Little Adobe now. General Rooney replied that it depends upon the force protection conditions in place. Right now, the base is at Bravo Plus, so tours could be held, but they would have to be approved in advance. Benay Ayers asked if there is a fee to visit the museum. General Rooney replied it will be free of charge to visitors. The museum will be staffed with folks currently in the history office. They will also hire a part-time tour guide, and he expects a great deal of volunteer assistance from retirees. In addition, a souvenir shop will be set up to help defray costs. Bill Altman stated that General Rooney and his staff have put forth great effort and time, and expended a great deal of discretionary funds to add the addition onto the building. There is simply not enough money to finish the project. The display cases they currently have are not in top quality. The Heritage Foundation wants to obtain museum - quality cases. Arthur Bea Williams opined that the City always talks about how important the base is to the City. This would be a good opportunity to show what the City's importance is to Sheppard Air Force Base. The Base showed a tremendous act of faith to divert those funds into this structure. If we let our history vanish from this area, we will probably never be able to retrieve it. President Boone asked if the interior will be completed by June 14. General Rooney stated the interior's appearance will be a function of how much funding they are able to get through contributions. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony, regardless. What is inside may very well look closer to its current condition than the vision for the museum. This project is viewed as a journey, but he states it will wow the audience because of the amount of material that has been rounded up. He added that back in 1928, a chalkboard was used to list the flight of the day. They will have a chalkboard in the renovated center, and on it will be listed various flight information, such as the suggested departure time, the weather conditions, etc. The theater will be up and running, but they do not presently have cases adequate for their needs to display the artifacts that they are continuing to acquire. Ms. Ayers asked if it is premature to ask the amount of money being requested of the Board. Mayor Altman replied $150,000, and he asked General Rooney to explain the significance of the June 14 date. 4 General Rooney stated the significance of June 14 is that it is a three -day weekend Celebration of Flight. On Friday, the BCI will host a golf tournament, and there will be a social function in the evening, including dropping paratroopers in period World War II garb, as well as fireworks. On Saturday, Heritage Day, the ribbon - cutting ceremony will be held, and an air show with a number of aerial demonstration teams. Sheppard Air Force Base is expending a quarter of a million dollars for the aerial demonstrations. That evening, a popular Country and Western band will perform. General Rooney stated that, while the interior and exterior will be finished, the vision for the center may or may not be accomplished by that time, depending upon the funding for the project. Jim Berzina gave his opinion that this is a work in progress, and any funds received will be one step further along the process. General Rooney concurred. Mr. Berzina asked, if the city is being requested to help fund the display cases, can they be here and installed in time for the celebration. General Rooney replied affirmatively. Next week, three manufacturers will be in town to describe what they can offer, and a recommendation will be made as to which to use. Obviously, the first choice would be to buy American, but museums such as the Smithsonian buy from a firm in Germany. III. Conduct A Public Hearing On The Request For Funding Related To A Museum Project. President Boone opened the public hearing at 9:10 a.m. for comments from the public on the request. There being none, the public hearing was closed. IV. Consider Funding Request From The Heritage Foundation. President Boone then stated the next step would be to discuss the funding request. General Rooney stated the total cost for the interior, including the display cases, is about $450,000. Once they have the presentations from the three manufacturers, the estimated cost could change to be anywhere from $250,000 to $500,000. The fireworks show sponsored on July 4 costs $20,000. In comparison, this Little Adobe renovation is obviously a large expenditure on the part of Sheppard Air Force Base. Mr. Altman stated that he made the suggestion that the 4B Board be approached with this funding request. There is also an item on the next Council agenda to authorize the expenditure of $100,000 from the hotel /motel tax funds for this project. There is indication that Ross Perot, Jr., may contribute $30,000450,000 to the museum. In addition, funds will still be pursued through private foundations. These display cases are all custom made, and need to be ordered with money in -hand. 5 Mayor Altman also pointed out that every six weeks there are pilot graduations held on base. Several family members travel from overseas to attend the graduation ceremony, and the Little Adobe, once renovated, would be another place to go and help cement relationships. It is a win -win situation. Matt Benoit pointed out that the legislation passed regarding the sales and use tax in 2001 listed the various projects for which this tax would be used. As this project was not contemplated at that time, any funds approved for this project cannot be expended for a period of 60 days, to allow time for citizens to object to this expenditure. But even with this 60 -day time period, there is ample time to order the cases. He has spoken with Darrell Coleman, chairman of the Heritage Foundation. The Foundation understands and is comfortable with this timeframe. The hotel /motel fund expenditure is not held to that same stipulation. Mr. Benoit stated that museums are eligible for 4B expenditures. He will work with Darrell Coleman and the Heritage Foundation board to set up a system of payment of invoices to insure that the funds approved will be expended per the Board's intent. Ray Gonzalez moved, seconded by Benay Ayers, that the sum of $150,000 be expended to help finance the cost of furnishings of the Little Adobe. The motion was unanimously approved. V. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 9:19 a.m. Linda Merrill Recording Secretary Benay Ayers Secretary Treasurer