4A Wichita Falls Economic Development Minutes - 09/18/2014 MINUTES OF THE
WICHITA FALLS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
September 18, 2014
PRESENT:
Dick Bundy, President § Members
Reno Gustafson §
Darron Leiker §
Leo Lane §
Glenn Barham, Mayor § Mayor
Brian Hooker § City Councilor
Jim Dockery, Asst. City Manager/CFO § City Staff
Julia Vasquez, Acting City Attorney §
Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary §
Henry Florsheim §
Kevin Pearson § Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Michael Paris §
Jim Johnson §
Bill McGregor § NRG Trucking
Jody Bloodworth §
Mike Shallenberger §
Steve Hanger §
Harry Patterson §
Emiliano Arago § Safety Design
Antonio Torrent §
Jose Torrent §
Gus Olivarez § Interpreter
ABSENT:
Dave Lilley § Member
1. CALL To ORDER
Dick Bundy called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES(AUGUST 20,2014)
Leo Lane moved for approval. Seconded by Reno Gustafson,the motion carried.
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3. PRESENTATION BY NRG TRANSPORT,LLC
Harry Patterson addressed the Board, stating this venture would create about 60 driver
jobs and 70 jobs altogether. He thinks it is a good deal, considering the local investors, lenders,
and the location. It is important to all concerned that the business be located in Wichita Falls.
Henry Florsheim suggested the investors involved be introduced to the Board: Bill
McGregor, Jody Bloodworth, Mike Shallenberger, and Steve Hanger. Jody Bloodworth said
Spectra Energy owns 58,000 miles of pipeline in the U.S. and owns Sunoco. The people who
will be running the new business are giving their two weeks' notices today in order to be ready
for this company's October 6 start date. The men have good reputations and good relations with
the gas line and oil line companies. Mr. Patterson said their relationships is what will drive this
business.
Mr. Bundy thanked the gentlemen for their presentation.
4. PRESENTATION BY SAFETY DESIGN USA,INC.
Michael Paris said Safety Design is a company from Mendoza, Argentina. It
manufactures a component designed to ensure safety during wellhead operations and during
installation or removal of electrical submersible pumps. They are requesting a cash-for-jobs
incentive package to create 120 jobs over the next three years.
Mr. Paris introduced Gus Olivarez, who is an engineer at Sealed Air, who has agreed to
serve as an interpreter as needed. He then introduced Emiliano Arago, Antonio Torrent, and Jose
Torrent of Safety Design via Skype, who described the need to turn their business into a global
industry. They have looked at Illinois, Dallas and Longview. They like Wichita Falls and feel the
City could furnish the required workforce. This would be the company's first facility in the
United States;they have been working with local attorneys and accountants.
Mr. Bundy thanked the gentlemen for their presentation.
5. APPROVAL OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015 BUDGET AND PROJECTS AND
EXPENDITURES DESCRIBED THEREIN
Jim Dockery gave an overview of the final budget for Fiscal Year 2015 which begins
October 1. Almost $5 million has been disencumbered from projects that have not been
continued or that did not fulfill their obligations.
The sum of$20,000 has been set aside for economic development strategic planning.
The WFEDC's major revenue source, sales tax revenues, shows about a 3.31% increase
for the first nine months of this fiscal year. Staff has budgeted a very conservative $3,798,000 for
such revenues in FY 2015.
Expenditures total $1,337,000.
The 4A fund will have a beginning cash balance of$17.5 million for FY 2015.
Darron Leiker moved to approved the proposed FY 2015 budget as presented.
Seconded by Leo Lane, the motion unanimously carried.
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6. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mr. Bundy adjourned the meeting into executive session at 4:07 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 4:58 p.m.
7. CONSIDERATION OF AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON INCENTIVES FOR SAFETY
DESIGN USA, INC.
Mr. Lane moved that this item be tabled until additional information is acquired
regarding the product and its market. Seconded by Mr. Gustafson, the motion
unanimously carried.
8. CONSIDERATION OF AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON INCENTIVES FOR NRG
TRUCKING
Mr. Lane moved to table this item until additional information is obtained on this
project by the Chamber. Seconded by Mr. Gustafson, the motion unanimously carried.
9. CONSIDERATION OF AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON INCENTIVES ON THE HEALTH
CARE EQUIPMENT SPECIALTY, INC. AND 707 N. SCOTT LLC (DENTAL
EQUIPMENT REFURBISHMENT)PROJECT)
Mr. Lane moved to modify the agreement based upon the terms and conditions
specified in the 4A packet prepared for today's meeting. Seconded by Mr. Gustafson, the
motion unanimously carried.
10. ADJOURN
Reno Gustafson moved for adjournment. Seconded by Leo Lane, the motion
unanimously carried. The meeting was adjourned at 5:02 p.m.
FIEL *AAA
D ck Buns y, Presiden
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