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4B Sales Tax Corporation Minutes - 02/13/2024 MINUTES OF THE W ICHITA FALLS 4B SALES TAX CORPORATION (WF4BSTC) FEBRUARY 13, 2024 PRESENT: Tony Fidelie, President § WF4BSTC Members Glenn Barham, Vice-President § Darron Leiker § Nick Schreiber § Craig Reynolds § R. Kinley Hegglund, Jr., City Attorney § City Staff Paul Menzies, Assistant City Manager § Stephen Calvert, Senior Budget Analyst § Karen Montgomery-Gagne, Principle Planner § Chris Horgen, Public Information Officer § Paige Lessor, Executive Legal Assistant § Ron Kitchens, CEO § Chamber of Commerce Ted Pepps § Sheppard Air Force Base Jeffrey Gutierrez § Lynn Walker, Writer § Times Record News Sam Pak § ABSENT: Michael Mills, 4B Member § Dave Clark, 4B Member § 1. Call to Order. Mr. Fidelie called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. 2. Report of financial condition (current, past & planned budget & expenditures); and other administrative actions Mr. Paul Menzies addressed the Board and stated that sales tax revenue year-to-date looks pretty challenging compared to last year. The projected revenue for the year is over $5 million, and the current unnumbered fund balance is approximately $7.8 million. 3. Consent Agenda a) Approval of Minutes of November 2, 2023. Mr. Darron Leiker moved to approve the minutes. Seconded by Mr. Glenn Barham and following no public comment, the motion carried 5-0. 4. Public hearing regarding a funding request via the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce to support the airfield Bird Air Strike Hazard (BASH) reclamation project at Sheppard Air Force Base. Mr. Fidelie opened the public hearing at 3:01 p.m. Mr. Ron Kitchens made a presentation to the Board on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and the Military Affairs Committee regarding the funding request. Due to WF4BSTC Minutes Page 1 of 4 2/13/2024 inadequate federal budget allocations, there is a need for $99,500 annually for the next four years from the 4B Board to mitigate habitat issues that attract birds, which pose a risk to planes using Sheppard Air Force Base. He emphasized the importance of preventing bird- related damage to civilian and military aircraft and offered to answer questions or have Sheppard Air Force Base representatives provide further details. Mr. Craig Reynolds inquired about similar funding issues at other bases like Atlus, Tinker, and Dallas. Mr. Tedd Pepps, Sheppard AFB Representative, introduced himself as a Wildlife Biologist at Sheppard AFB. He worked for the USDA and has been at the installation for 20 years. He confirmed that all bases have similar programs but different needs. Sheppard has a unique weed control program. To his knowledge, none of the other bases have a large- scale weed control program like Sheppard's. Mr. Kitchens told the 4B Board that the Sheppard Representatives had a presentation to show the Board. Mr. Pepps provided an overview of the weed control program at Sheppard Air Force Base aimed at protecting aviation safety for both military and civilian aircraft. Between 2010 and 2015, Wichita Falls experienced a severe drought, leading to a significant decline in grasses compatible with the BASH (Bird Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard) program on the airfield. The drought resulted in extensive bare ground and increased weed invasion, attracting mourning doves and other wildlife, such as rodents and invertebrates, creating safety hazards. In 2013, mourning doves on the airfield primarily consumed Western ragweed, a preferred food for various birds, illustrating the shift in vegetation. Western ragweed had replaced what was once Bermuda grass and Johnson grass. Mr. Pepps presented photos of the airfield before and after the drought, displaying the weed invasion. Mr. Pepps, Sheppard Entomology and the Natural Resource Manager, drafted corrective action plans in 2013. A statement of work was developed for contractor bids, and a local land reclamation company was selected. Initial funding of $300,000 was received in 2014, with subsequent annual budgets varying, reaching $56,000 per year between 2016 and 2023. The project aimed to control grasses, weeds, and legumes that attract wildlife, establish drought-hardy grasses, and maintain an annual herbicide program to support BASH-compatible grasses. Areas with minimal BASH grasses were targeted for complete vegetation kill and reseeding with desirable grasses. Selective herbicide treatments were applied where BASH grasses were dense enough to replace weeds. A spray rig with a 90- foot boom and no-till seed drills were used to minimize soil disturbance and maintain plant integrity. Mr. Pepps presented before-and-after photos of various treated areas showing significant improvement, with undesirable weeds replaced by beneficial grasses. Approximately 1,340 acres have been treated, with over 200 acres seeded. Multiple sites showed successful establishment of desirable grasses after treatment and seeding, illustrating effective weed control and grass recovery. Mr. Pepps further discussed the ongoing maintenance of this program. Environmental conditions and funding will continuously influence weed and grass management. The goal for the upcoming year is nearly $100,000 to maintain the herbicide program and restore additional areas with native grasses. Mr. Pepps presented a chart of bird strike rates since 2003, indicating a potential positive impact of the airfield restoration project on reducing bird strikes. Although he acknowledged multiple factors that influence these rates, he does see evidence that weed WF4BSTC Minutes Page 2 of 4 2/13/2024 control has successfully reduced incompatible vegetation and enhanced aviation safety at Sheppard Air Force Base. Mr. Pepps then invited questions from the Board. Mr. Leiker inquired whether this program helped mitigate the cattle egret problems that the city has helped with. Mr. Pepps explained that this is a separate problem and program. Mr. Barham commented that if a commercial aircraft goes down because a bird gets ingested into the engines, there will be loss of life as well as significant property damage. Additionally, with military aircraft coming and going, there is an additional potential for loss of life if there is a bird strike, depending on the size and location of the strike. He expressed his support for the project. Mr. Fidelie inquired about the timing related to the rain cycle and planting. Mr. Pepps explained that timing is critical for herbicide applications and planting. He said they must treat the airfield no later than March to control the weeds causing the issue. Mr. Leiker inquired about future funding beyond the four-year request if federal funding isn't restored. Mr. Pepps explained that, ideally, the maintenance would continue indefinitely. Once the proper grasses are established, it becomes a self-sustaining habitat. But there will always be a need for some weed control. Mr. Fidelie asked if there were multiple species of birds causing the problem or just mourning dove. Mr. Pepps explained that other birds also come in because the flowering plants attract insects, which are food for other birds. He said they are targeting the springtime weeds seen in March and April, which attract all the pollinators. They are trying to address the root cause of each problem. Mr. Schreiber asked about the environmental impact and how the weeds are treated. He wondered if the birds were being deterred to some other place. Mr. Pepps confirmed no significant environmental concerns; the project aims to avoid attracting birds to the airfield. Mr. Fidelie asked if the Air Force bases within close proximity are requesting assistance from their local entities because of the federal government's funding cut. Mr. Pepps did not know whether they were looking locally. Still, he said all BASH programs are interested in a similar program where they control broadleaf weeds and replant desirable vegetation. Mr. Schreiber asked if there was a reason for the cut in funding. Mr. Pepps explained that they received the funding due to the drought, but now that they are in a maintenance phase, it is more difficult to receive funds. Mr. Fidelie closed the public hearing at 3:17 p.m. 5. Executive Session. Mr. Fidelie adjourned the meeting into executive session at 3:17 p.m. pursuant to Texas Government Code sections 551.087, 551.071, and 551.072. He announced the meeting back WF4BSTC Minutes Page 3 of 4 2/13/2024 into regular session at 3:40 p.m. The subjects posted in the Notice of Meeting were deliberated, and no votes or further action were taken on these items in executive session. 2. Administrative Action —Appointment of Secretary-Treasurer Mr. Fidelie reverts to agenda item number two regarding administrative actions. He pointed out that it came to the Board's attention that the appointment of a treasurer was necessary. Mr. Reynolds moved to appoint Michael Mills as secretary-treasurer of the WF4BSTB. Seconded by Mr. Barham, following no public comment, the motion carried 5-0. 6. Consideration of a funding request via the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce to support the airfield Bird Air Strike Hazard (BASH) reclamation project at Sheppard Air Force Base. Mr. Fidelie motioned for the WF4BSTB to enter into a performance agreement with Sheppard Air Force Base for a four-year term, not to exceed funding in the amount of $99,500 per year for a total of not more than $398,000. Seconded by Mr. Reynolds, the motion carried 5- 0. 7. Adjourn. No further discussions took place, nor actions taken. Mr. Fidelie adjourned the meeting at 3:42 p.m. l Guy A. " ny" Fidelie, Jr., President WF4BSTC Minutes Page 4 of 4 2/13/2024