Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee Minutes - 10/10/2024 MINUTES
LAKE WICHITA REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE
October 10, 2024
PRESENT:
Austin Cobb, Chair ■ Members
Steve Garner, Vice Chair
David Coleman, Secretary
Mike Battaglino, City Council Rep
Jack Roe
John Pezzano
Sharon Roach
Adam Arruda
Mark Maron
Tyson Traw, Deputy PW Director ■ Staff
Terry Points, Parks Administrator
Scott Powell, Parks Department
Steve Wood, BYSP ■ Guests
Ron Fox, BYSP
Jim Hickman
ABSENT: Josh Whittiker, Matt Marrs, David Bender, Alicia Castillo
1. Call to Order: Austin called the meeting to order at 11:32.
2. Approval of Minutes: September meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
3. Project Updates:
3.a. Veteran's Plaza Project:
Steve Wood and Ron Fox of BYSP Architects presented their preliminary Master Plan for
the Veterans Plaza. They provided sketches of proposed amenities and got feedback
from the Committee on the following items:
• Entrance Gateway
• Pavilion Structure for shade and seating
• Third Memorial Node for Medal of Honor
• Connections to the Circle Trail
• Lighting upgrades and location of flagpole
Steve Wood explained that a separate group has been working to recognize Thomas Fowler,
a Wichita Falls native who earned the Medal of Honor, and they've raised approximately
$18,000 for a large granite monument. That group would like to place this monument at the
Veterans Plaza, which the Committee unanimously approved. David mentioned that City
Council will consider designating Wichita Falls as a Purple Heart Community on Tuesday,
and if that's approved, we could convert the existing small Fowler memorial to a Purple Heart
marker. BYSP will update the Master Plan sketches, create a cost estimate, print
presentation boards, and make a final presentation at the next LWRC meeting on Nov 7.
October 10, 2024
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
before they can determine whether they can begin the process to create the
Determination of Federal Interest.
David mentioned that a land owner along Lake Shore Drive named Don Groves
contacted him about deepening the lake near his property. Tyson responded that when
Mr Groves has a written plan, we can evaluate whether its within the 404 Permit and
whether the City and ACOE would like to see this work done.
3.c. Parks Master Plan: A meeting was held last week for the consultant to get feedback
on their draft recommendations —they will conduct one more survey for input, then
finalize recommendations late this month.
4. Discussion of Brick Sales and Fundraising Initiatives:
David stated we have 6 pending brick engraving orders, and they will be engraved next
week. One new order was received, but David will have to contact them to shorten up
the text.
David stated the Wells Fargo checking account balance has not changed, it's still
approximately $80,000. But we do NOT have additional funds in a City account, since all
the LWRC funding was expended on the Veterans Plaza project.
5. Other Business Matters:
Steve Garner has talked to a kayak rental company that has automated rentals, and
with an investment of less than $20,000 the company will install the equipment, do all
maintenance, and send the City a share of the rental income every month. The group
reacted favorably to this idea, but no decisions were made.
David stated that a Veterans Day ceremony is being planned for Nov 11th at 5:30pm,
and our guest speaker will most likely be Mr. Brent Hagenbuch.
Next meeting will be on Thursday, November 7th
6. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 1:08 pm.
Austin Cobb, Chair Date
October 10, 2024