Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee Minutes - 01/14/2025 MINUTES
LAKE WICHITA REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE
January 14, 2024
PRESENT:
Austin Cobb, Chair • Members
Steve Garner, Vice Chair
David Coleman, Secretary
Jack Roe
Mark Maron
David Bender
Matt Marrs
Sharon Roach
John Pezzano
Tyson Traw, Deputy Public Works Director •Staff
Terry Points, Parks Superintendent
Jason Newman ■Guests
Roger Reeves, American Legion Post 169
ABSENT: Mike Battaglino, Adam Arruda, Josh Whittiker, Alicia Castillo
1. Call to Order: Austin called the meeting to order at 11:31.
2. Approval of Minutes: December meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
3. Project Updates:
3.a. Veteran's Plaza Project:
Austin has contacted 3 local charitable foundations and requested meetings with their
Boards in March, to discuss the project and provide a presentation. We will need a
professionally prepared presentation, to begin the two-step process of review. Austin will
also contact two more local charitable foundations soon, to start the grant request
process with them also. David Coleman reminded the group that we must keep in mind
relocation of the Eternal Flame monument from City Hall to the Veterans Plaza.
3.b. Lake Deepening:
The dredging project is still in the USACE Continuing Authorities program for FY-25, but
the Corps of Engineers must wait for Congress to enact an official final Appropriations
Bill. Steve stated we must evaluate the scope of the dredging project to determine
exactly which areas will be dredged. We must also remember to ask for an extension on
the 404 Permit in two years.
Steve stated he met with Ron Kitchens, the Chamber of Commerce CEO, and they have
agreed to present our lake deepening project on the Chamber trip to Washington DC.
January 14, 2024
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The Committee unanimously approved spending up to $2,000 for Hoegger
Communications to update the Lake Wichita video, for this Chamber trip.
3.c. Parks Master Plan: Terry stated the Park Master Plan will be presented to City
Council on January 21st for them to consider approval.
4. Discussion of Brick Sales and Fundraising Initiatives:
Austin passed three new brick orders to David. There are now four pending new orders,
with one pending brick re-do. David will contact Chad to discuss getting the engraving
done. Also, the plan to install a sign with brick ordering instructions has been tabled until
the Plaza Master Plan work begins.
David stated there were no financial transactions since the last meeting.
5. Other Business Matters:
Austin is now a City Council Member, so can not remain Chair of this Committee. He will
remain on the Committee as the City Council Liaison, and Mike Battaglino will stay on the
Committee as an Ad-Hoc member. Austin stated that Josh Whittiker agreed to serve as
our new Chair, and that Steve will continue as Vice Chair, and David will continue as
Secretary-Treasurer. These appointments were approved unanimously by the
Committee.
David stated that American Legion Post 169 Commander, Tosha Kurtz, agreed that we
can continue to use their QR Code for fundraising for the Thomas Fowler monument.
Funds will go directly to a dedicated Post bank account, and will be transferred to the
Committee by check upon request.
Tyson stated that TXDOT has issued a call for projects, in their Alternative Transportation
grant program. City Staff is preparing a grant request package for City Council
consideration, that would complete the final section of the Circle Trail, which is planned to
run along the north shore of Lake Wichita, from Larry's Marine Center to Barnett Road.
David Coleman stated he will meet with Ashley Sisk tomorrow, to assist with preparation
of the grant request. Tyson said he would expect this to be on a City Council agenda in
early Spring.
6. Adjournment: The mee "•• adjourned at 12:01 pm.
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January 14, 2024