4B Sales Tax Corporation Minutes - 07/25/2014MINUTES OF THE
WICHITA FALLS 4B SALES TAX CORPORATION (4BSTC)
July 25, 2014
PRESENT:
Jim Ginnings, President
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Members
Dustin Nimz, Vice President/See. Treasurer
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Dave Clark
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Tony Fidelie
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Rick Hatcher
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Darron Leiker
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Casey O'Donnell
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Tim Ingle
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City Council Liaison
Kevin Hugman, Assistant City Manager
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City Staff
Jim Dockery, CFO /Assistant City Manager
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Miles Risley, City Attorney
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Jack Murphy, Parks and Recreation Director
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Davis Powell, City Engineer
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Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary
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Cynthia Laney
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Downtown WF Development
Erin Marvin
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Clayton Lane
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Syd Litteken
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1. CALL TO ORDER.
.Tim Ginnings called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (JULY 9, 2014)
Rick Hatcher moved for approval. Seconded by Darron Leiker, the motion carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF FARMERS MARKET PATIO ROOF
PROJECT AND ENCLOSURE PROJECT
Jim Ginnings opened the public hearing for both items. No citizen was present to speak
on the matters.
Patio Roof Project
Tony Fidelie moved to consider this item; seconded by Dave Clark. Mr. Ginnings
asked if the estimated figure would fund the entire project. Syd Litteken, architect, worked up
these numbers based on similar projects with like materials. He got prices on almost all of the
items. Mr. Ginnings said if the project costs exceed the amount the 4BSTC may provide, the
DWFD would have to approach the Board with a new request. Mr. Litteken feels comfortable
with these numbers.
H:1 IegaNA, 4B, TIFSWB CorpWB Minutes12014 12014.7254U1inutes.4B 2014.7.25.doc
WFEDC —Minutes of July 25, 2014
Mr. Fidelie said this project would improve a City structure, which draws people to the
community and enhances downtown. In addition, City leaders care enough to put their personal
investment into the project.
Mr. Ginnings called the question. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.
Enclosure Project
Mr. Clark moved to consider this item for approval, seconded by Mr. Hatcher.
Mr. Litteken obtained quotes from a couple of garage door installers for plain aluminum
doors with windows, unless the 4BSTC feels it is advantageous not to have glass. Mr. Hatcher
feels there would be more security with a steel door that rolls up accordion- style. He sees this
facility as a revenue generator, and wants to ensure it is totally secure overnight. He also
expressed concerns about graffiti. Cynthia Laney said they had graffiti from chalk last year, but
the area is well lit from dusk until dawn, and police patrol the area.
Mr. Ginnings stated the 4BSTC does not typically get into the design of the projects. He
asked the Board their thoughts. Dustin Nimz said he preferred to vote on the money and leave
the discretion of the building to the requestor.
Mr. Ginnings reminded the DWFD that payment is based upon completions. Miles
Risley said there is a statutory wait time of 60 days before approved projects can receive
funding. The 4BSTC will enter into a contract with DWFD, which will turn in invoices for
reimbursement to the 4BSTC. Mr. Leiker said the 4BSTC will work with the group, and will pay
invoices as they come in, rather than wait until the entire project is completed.
Mr. Ginnings called the question. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.
4. ZALES BUILDING
At Mr. Ginnings' request, City Engineer Davis Powell discussed the plan to replace the
water line at this intersection. Mr. Risley noted that this is merely a status update. Mr. Powell
said the plan is to replace a 2" galvanized line with a 6" waterline crossing Ohio Street, to be
connected to an 8" line on 8 "' Street. That would provide for all the water needs of that building
and for Casa Mariana. The estimate of $338,000 was for the entire intersection improvement,
including the crosswalk, intersection, and star — similar to the intersections on 8`h Street at Scott,
Indiana and Lamar.
5. DISCUSSION OF FUNDING FOR CONVENTION RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES
Kevin Hugman said the City is requesting the 4BSTC to again fund $35,000 for CVB
incentives that would be used to lure conferences to the City. The 4B budget included that sum
for the CVB last year, as well. Mr. Ginnings said venues need incentives. Mr. Fidelie said he has
no problem with the $35,000, but he is not sure it will help until the city has a new convention
hotel. Mr. Hugman said staff is working on a feasibility study for a hotel. That is the first step, to
be followed by a request for proposal for a public /private partnership. At some fixture date, the
City may come to the 4B Board to request funding for that project.
WFEDC — Minutes of July 25, 2014
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6. DISCUSSION OF FUNDING FOR LIGHTING AT SPORTS COMPLEX AND TENNIS
CENTERS
This request totals $1,150,000 to replace lighting at the Sports Complex and at the Weeks
and Hamilton Tennis Centers. The lighting is old, not meeting standards, and it is getting harder
to find replacement parts.
At the softball complex, the south side complex is older, and they cannot get adequate
lighting coverage, and there is a lot of glare. The complex benefits the City. In 2014, there were
11 tournaments, with 4 more scheduled. The CVB estimate impact upon the City is $1.4 million.
The tennis center lights do not have proper aim, and the grouping is inefficient. The costs
include everything, including poles, wiring, panels. The tennis pros at both courts have requested
the lighting be replaced, as there is a possibility they will otherwise lose sanctioned tournaments.
The tennis centers hosted 28 tournaments last year. The CVB estimates a $1.6 million impact on
Wichita Falls' economy.
Mr. Hatcher asked if these are LED fixtures. Mr. Murphy said LED lighting is not yet
perfected to provide adequate lighting for a large area such as the sports complex. Mr. Leiker the
staff will research and find the best available technology. On the other hand, they do not want to
be on the leading edge and install a product that garners complaints. Rather, the City would
purchase as efficient a lighting product as possible.
Dave Clark asked how this project relates to others in the City's Capital Improvements
Program (CIP), and would the City consider paying part of this. Mr. Hugman said it is an
unfunded part of the CIP. Most parks projects do not have a dedicated capital fund, such as
streets and sewer funds.
The City provides maintenance to the tennis centers, and spends money to redo some of
the courts annually. The tennis pros make their money primarily from lessons, and from
receiving a percentage of merchandise sales, which have dwindled over the years. They are
required to have three tournaments per year, administer bookings and run leagues.
Mr. Fidelie asked if this is a staff priority. Mr. Leiker said the City is close to losing some
tournaments due to the lighting problems.
Mr. Ginnings asked if the 4BSTC is being asked to fund the entire amount. It typically
carries about $1 million in unencumbered funds; this project would take that cushion of funds.
Mr. Leiker said if he were to prioritize and perhaps only do one this year, and the other next year,
he would put the tennis lighting first. Mr. Dockery said the City will face difficulties over the
next two budgets due to the replacement of the public safety radio system. The 4B Board paid for
this 12 -15 years ago. The General Fund will be hit by about $900,000 in the next two budget
years to pay for this replacement.
Mr. Ginnings asked the staff's opinion on the 4BSTC taking a bank loan. Mr. Risley said
the 4B would pay a much higher interest rate than would the municipality. In addition,
governmental entities have a lot of restrictions on the ability to borrow.
Mr. Ginnings commended the staff for working hard during this time of drought,
curtailed income and needs not being fully met, to show that Wichita Falls is still open for
WFEDC — Minutes of July 25, 2014
business. Updates to the Castaway Cove were expensive, and estimates to update the lighting at
sports complexes are high, but those ventures provide entertainment for the citizens.
The 4BSTC agreed to meet again on August 13 at 3:00 p.m.
6. ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
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