4A Wichita Falls Economic Development Minutes - 10/15/2013�. . i 1 ,ERK'S OFFICE
BY: _� TIME: � L� � MINUTES OF THE
WICHITA FALLS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
October 15, 2013
PRESENT:
Gary Shores, President
§
Members
Dick Bundy, Vice President/Sec.- Treasurer
§
Reno Gustafson
§
Darron Leiker
§
Glen Barham, Mayor
§
City Council
Kevin Hugman, Assistant City Manager
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City Staff
Jim Dockery, Assistant City Manager /CFO
§
Miles Risley, City Attorney
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Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary
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Kevin Pearson
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Chamber of Commerce & Industry
ABSENT:
Dave Lilley
§
Member
1. CALL TO ORDER
President Gary Shores called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES /REPORT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
Dick Bundy moved for approval of the September 10, 2013 minutes.
Seconded by Reno Gustafson, the motion carried.
3. Mr. Bundy moved to designate the President of the WFEDC to vote the
Corporation's shares meetings of the Wichita Falls Business Park Association
and make other approvals and declarations on the Corporation's behalf, acting as
property owner and declarant of said Association. Seconded by Mr. Gustafson,
the motion carried.
4. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Shores adjourned the meeting into executive session at 4:03 p.m. pursuant
to TExas GOVERNMENT CODE § §551.071, 551.072, and 551.087. He closed the
executive session and announced the meeting back into regular session at 4:25 p.m.
5. RECESS
The meeting recessed at 4:29 p.m. and reconvened at 4:47 p.m.
H:\_Iega1WA & 4B \4A CorpWa Minutes\2013\2013.10.15 4a minutes\2013.10.15 4a minutes.doc
WFEDC — Minutes of October 15, 2013
6. OTHER TOPICS OF DISCUSSION
PPG
Mr. Leiker said PPG requested a meeting regarding the potential use of effluent
water from the North Side Water Treatment Plant. The cost for this project would be an
estimated $1.1 million, including the pump station, water line, and plant improvements.
Approximately $300,000 of that cost would be plant improvements, which PPG would
incur, but they will most likely approach the WFEDC for financial assistance for the
remainder. They assert this project is important to retain jobs and cement future
operations.
Mr. Leiker said the North Side treatment plant delivers 300,000 to 400,000
gallons per day to Sheppard Air Force Base. Another 200,000 gallons simply goes
down the river. This project would provide an opportunity to give PPG that lost water. It
would be sold to them at a cheaper rate, thus saving PPG around $70,000 per year in
water usage. It would cost the City's water fund, but the City would realize another
benefit in the decrease of potable water use of 200,000 gallons per day.
Mr. Leiker said there would also be some excess capacity if the City upsizes that
line beyond PPG's requirements, providing the opportunity to sell water to Cryovac. If
the City reaches stage 5 in water usage and cannot meet industry demands, it could
cost area jobs. However, the use of effluent water might shore up the water supply
under that scenario.
Major Process Manufacturer
Kevin Pearson had originally been told that a major process manufacturer might
close their plant very soon. Later, he heard the president and CFO said it would stay
open 3 -5 years and might not close at all. Last week, the company stated they could
pull the trigger on shutting the plant in January, contradicting their last statement.
Cryovac
Mr. Pearson received a call from Channel 3 a few weeks ago about Cryovac
closing. Cryovac's plant manager, Barry Hardin, said the entire North American
operation was restructuring. Workers were being transferred among the shifts, and he
felt that may have been the cause for the rumors. No jobs were lost in this restructuring.
The Wichita Falls plant is the biggest in the Cryovac organization, and he does not see
how this operation would close, at least in the near future.
Eagle Rail Car
The company has purchased the land and signed the performance agreement.
During demolition of the Vetrotex property, they did not cap the sewer and water lines
and there is a lot of material in these lines that need to be cleaned out. In addition, they
have yet to determine their electrical load, so they have not ordered a transformer.
WFEDC — Minutes of October 15, 2013
Oncor said it would take 12 -16 weeks for the transformer to be delivered. All of these
issues could impact the timing of the performance agreement; the start date may need
to be moved ahead a few months.
Ulm
Mr. Pearson said disgruntled employees making accusations around the
community has quieted down. There is a dispute between Ulm and Spherion Staffing,
however. But Billy Ulm is happy with the progress made.
6. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:56 p.m.
Gary hores, President