Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee Minutes - 10/10/2023 MINUTES
LAKE WICHITA REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE
October 10, 2023
PRESENT:
•Members
David Coleman, Chair
Steve Gamer, Vice Chair
Tim Brewer, City Council Rep
Matt Marrs
Austin Cobb
John Pezzano
Adam Arruda
Blake Jurecek, Asst City Manager
Russell Schreiber, Public Works Director •Staff
Terry Points, Parks Administrator
Wes Dutter, TP&W •Guests
Tony Clyde, USACE Tulsa
Mel Reed, Channel 3
Lynn Walker, TRN
ABSENT: Alison Sanders, Michael Battaglino. Alicia Castillo, Sharon Roach, Kari Shaw,
Rick Hernandez
1. Call to Order: David called the meeting to order at 1:00. Newly appoionted members
Adam Arruda and John Pezzano introduced themselves, and our guest from the US Army
Corps of Engineers, Dr Tony Clyde, introduced himself.
2. Approval of Minutes: September meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
3. Project Updates:
3.a. Veteran's Plaza Project:
Regarding the previously approved stone&granite marker to honor Thomas W Fowler,
David stated that the design of the granite etchings is complete and has been sent to the
Fowler family members to get their input. When that is done, David will bring the
proposal back to the group for discussion and approval.
David informed the group that the Woody Williams Foundation has requested we place a
metal plate on the information panel that shows a QR Code for visitors to get information
about the WWF. This placement was approved unanimously.
3.b. Lake Deepening:
David provided a brief background on the dredging project, and Dr Clyde took the floor to
describe programs the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) manage which could
potentially help achieve lake deepening. He started by describing the Federal Interest in
Lake Wichita, which is caused by the Holliday Creek project and lowering of the spillway
October 10, 2023
back in the mid-nineties. These actions contributed to degradation of the Lake, which
means there is most likely a Federal Interest in environmental restoration.
The primary program the City of WF can pursue is the Section 1135 Continuing
Authorities Program (CAP), by sending a request letter to the USACE. Upon receipt of
this letter, the USACE will add the Lake Wichita project to their workload, and when funds
are available, they will pay up to $50,000 for a study to formalize the Federal Interest
Determination (FID), The Committee voted unanimously to recommend that City Council
authorize the Mayor or City Manager to sign this request letter, which does not obligate
the City to any funding. David will draft the letter and email it to Blake so they can try to
get this on the November 7"' Council meeting agenda. If the request letter is approved,
and if the subsequent FID is positive, then it is possible to proceed to the next stage, in
which the USAGE will determine the cost to complete a Feasibility Study and Cost Share
Agreement. This phase could require a local cost share, depending on the complexity of
the Study, so another City Council decision would be required before proceeding to this
stage. At this point, many details of project costs and cost shares would be known.
A secondary program the City of WF could possibly pursue, if the CAP proves infeasible,
is the General Investigation. This requires specific Federal Congressional action to
appropriate funds for the project, but would require a local cost share as well.
3.c. Parks Master Plan: Blake stated that the City's contract for a Parks Master Plan
update will be on the October 17th City Council meeting agenda. We are expecting this
master plan will describe the future of the Veteran's Plaza area, the former Yacht Club
Basin, and other recreational features for Lake Wichita.
4. Discussion of Brick Sales and Fundraising Initiatives: David stated he will get the
orders to engrave blank bricks in the Plaza walkway to Austin Stone & Monument.
5. Other Business Matters: None.
6. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 1:55 pm.
12 7.7C 23
avid Coleman, Chair Date
October 10,2023