4B Sales Tax Corporation Minutes - 02/06/2025 MINUTES OF THE
WICHITA FALLS 4B SALES TAX CORPORATION
FEBRUARY 6, 2025
PRESENT:
Tony Fidelie, President § WF4BSTC Members
Glenn Barham, Vice-President §
Nick Schreiber, Secretary-Treasurer §
Dave Clark §
Michael Grassi §
Steve Garner §
Tim Short, Mayor § Mayor& Council
Jeff Browning, Councilor, District 3 §
Mike Battaglino, Councilor, District 4 §
Tom Taylor, Councilor, District 5 §
Whitney Flack, Councilor, District 1 §
Austin Cobb, Councilor-at-Large §
Leo Lane, President § WFEDC Members
David Toogood, Vice President §
Brent Hillery §
Reno Gustafson §
Craig Lewis §
James McKechnie, Interim City Manager § City Administration
Paul Menzies, Assistant City Manager §
Blake Jurecek, Assistant City Manager §
Kinley Hegglund, City Attorney §
Marie Balthrop, City Clerk §
Stephen Calvert, CFO & Finance Director §
Terry Floyd, Dir. of Development Services §
Lindsay Lewis, Marketing & Communication Dir. §
Chris Horgen, Public Information Officer §
Paige Lessor, Legal Asst I Recording Secretary §
Ron Kitchens, CEO § Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce
Dave Coleman § Hotter'n Hell Hundred
Absent:
Craig Reynolds § WF4BSTC Member
1. CALL TO ORDER.
Mr. Tony Fidelie called the special joint meeting of the City Council and the WFEDC to
order at 2:00 p.m.
2. EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Mr. Fidelie adjourned the meeting into executive session at 2:02 p.m. pursuant to Texas
Government Code§§551.087 and 551.071. He announced the meeting back into regular session
at 3:54 p.m. The subjects posted in the Notice of Meeting were deliberated, and no votes or
WF4BSTC MINUTES-SPECIAL JOINT MTG 02/06/2024
PAGE 1 OF 3
further actions were taken on the items in executive session.
3. RECESS.
Mr. Fidelie asked if the public had any questions or comments. Since there were none, he
called for a short recess of the meeting at 3:55 p.m.
Mr. Fidelie called the regular monthly WF4BSTC Board Meeting back to order at 4:06 p.m.
4. Report of financial condition (current, past & planned budget &expenditures); and
other administrative actions.
Mr. Paul Menzies addressed the Board to provide a brief financial update. Mr. Menzies
noted that sales tax revenues remain inconsistent from month to month but are overall slightly
ahead of last year. Mr. Menzies further stated that the Board currently has approximately $5.9
million in unencumbered cash, taking into account recently approved projects and funds from
expired downtown projects that have been rolled back into the budget. Two "Restoring the Past"
projects were not completed and expired at the end of January.
5. Approval of Minutes of December 6, 2024.
Mr. Dave Clark moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Nick
Schreiber, the motion carried 6-0.
6. Public hearing regarding a funding request by Hotter'n Hell Hundred (HHH) to
purchase a new start-line arch for use by HHH and other community events.
Mr. Fidelie opened the public hearing at 4:08 p.m.
Mr. Menzies introduced Mr. David Coleman, Chairman of the Hotter'n Hell Hundred,
explaining that David approached him before Christmas seeking community partners for a project.
Mr. Menzies saw it as a great opportunity for the Board to consider, benefiting both the event and
its promotion. The request is for$4,000, covering half the cost of an arch, and he then turned it
over to Mr. Coleman for further details.
Mr. Coleman presented a funding request to assist in purchasing a new start line arch for
the HHH event. He explained that while the race remains a significant event, with 7,400 riders
last year, costs have risen sharply since COVID-19. The price of ice, insurance, and tents has
doubled, increasing the financial burden on the organization. Despite these challenges, they are
hesitant to raise entry fees too much to avoid discouraging participation.
To help offset rising costs, Mr. Coleman emphasized the importance of securing more
community partners and identified the WF4BSTC as an ideal partner. He requested$4,000,which
would cover half the cost of a $8,000 start-line arch. The remaining funds would come from
Hotter'n Hell ($2,000) and Leadership Wichita Falls ($2,000).
The arch would be a long-term investment for the event and would first be used at THOR
on April 12th in Lucy Park, which typically attracts around 1,400 participants from across the
region. The arch would also serve as a promotional tool, featuring sponsor banners to showcase
community support.
Mr. Coleman concluded by inviting board members to ask questions and reiterated the
value of the arch in enhancing both the Hotter'n Hell Hundred and other local events.
WF4BSTC MINUTES-SPECIAL JOINT MTG 02/06/2024
PAGE 2 OF 3
Mr. Clark asked for clarification about the arch's size and placement. Mr. Coleman
Coleman clarified that while the arch cannot be used for the main road ride start on Saturday
morning (as it would need to span the entire width of Scott Avenue), it will be placed at the Finish
Line Village and used at multiple events, including: Mountain bike race (Friday morning); Gravel
ride (Saturday evening, Wichita Falls Brewing Co.); Trail run (Sunday morning); Criterium races
(Friday&Sunday, depending on timing); THOR (April 12th in Lucy Park); and potential future use
in other community events.
Mr. Schreiber researched larger arch options and questioned if this would replace the
giant inflatable HHH arch at the main start line. Mr. Coleman confirmed that this is not a
replacement for the inflatable arch at the start of the road race, but rather an upgrade from the
smaller Endurance House inflatable arch, which blew over in the wind last year. Mr. Schreiber
mentioned a larger 35ft arch costing $11,000, but Mr. Coleman explained that a larger structure
would be difficult to transport and store and is impractical for smaller events. The preferred arch
weighs approximately 590 lbs and is manageable for two people to set up in about 30 minutes.
The total cost of the arch is$8,000,with funding split as follows: $2,000 from Hotter'n Hell,
$2,000 from Leadership Wichita Falls, and $4,000 requested from the WF4BSTC Board. Mr.
Schreiber emphasized that HHH is a major Wichita Falls event, and he would support a larger
arch if storage and use were feasible. However, he ultimately supported the HHH's chosen option.
Mr. Steve Garner and Mr. Glenn Barham raised concerns about anchoring the arch to
withstand the wind and prevent it from blowing over like-the previous inflatable arch. Mr. Coleman
stated that the pillar base is wide, and they will work with the manufacturer to ensure stability.
Concrete block anchors may also be an option. Mr. Barham suggested using vented banners to
reduce wind resistance.
Mr. Fidelie closed the public hearing at 4:51 p.m.
7. Executive Sessions
Mr. Fidelie adjourned the meeting into an executive session at 4:20 p.m. pursuant to Texas
Government Code § § § 551.087, 551.072, and 551.071. He announced the meeting back into
regular session at 4:51 p.m. The subjects posted in the Notice of Meeting were deliberated, and
no votes or further actions were taken on the items in executive session.
8. Consideration of a funding request by Hotter'n Hell Hundred (HHH) to purchase a
new start-line arch for use by HHH and other community events.
Mr. Fidelie moved to authorize funding in the amount of up to $4,000 to assist the Wichita
Falls Bicycling Club with the purchase of a new start-line arch for use during the HHH and other
community events. Seconded by Mr. Garner, with no further comments or questions, the motion
carried 6-0.
9. Adjourn.
Mr. Fidelie asked if the public had any questions or comments. Since there were none, he
adjourned the meeting at 4:52 p.m.
Gu "T " Fidelie, President
1NF4BSTC MINUTES-SPECIAL JOINT MTG 02/06/2024
PAGE 3 OF 3