4B Sales Tax Corporation Minutes - 08/13/2014MINUTES OF THE
WICHITA FALLS 4B SALES TAX CORPORATION (4BSTC)
August 13, 2014
PRESENT:
Jim Ginnings, President § Members
Dustin Nimz, Vice President/Sec. Treasurer §
Dave Clark §
Tony Fidelie §
Rick Hatcher §
Darron Leiker §
Kevin Hugman, Assistant City Manager
Miles Risley, City Attorney
Jack Murphy, Parks and Recreation Director
Bob Sullivan, Director of MPEC
Rick Branum, Civil Engineer II
Julia Vasquez, First Asst. City Attorney
Kinley Hegglund, Senior Asst. City Attorney
Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary
Cynthia Laney
Clayton Lane
Sean Kriger, Property Manager
Vickie Milam
ABSENT:
Casey O'Donnell
1. CALL TO ORDER.
City Staff
Downtown WF Development
Big Blue
Tucker Resources, Inc.
Member
Jim Ginnings called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (JULY 25, 2014)
Rick Hatcher moved for approval. Seconded by Dave Clark, the motion carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF FARMERS MARKET PATIO ROOF
PROJECT (UP TO $88,661) AND ENCLOSURE PROJECT (UP TO $45,690)
Jim Ginnings said Cynthia Laney thanked the 4BSTC for funding the Downtown Wichita
Falls Development requests for the Farmers' Market and Ohio and 8h Street projects.
Mr. Ginnings opened the public hearing for these projects. No one from the public spoke
on these projects.
H:1 legaIWA, 4B, TIFSI4B CorpWB Minutes1201AMinutes.413 2014.8.I3.doe
WFEDC — Minutes of August 13, 2014 2
4. DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE FUNDING FOR CONVENTION RECRUITMENT
INCENTIVES ($30,000)
Mr. Ginnings opened the public hearing. MPEC Director Bob Sullivan said $70,180 had
been spent as incentives this year for conventions and activities, $40,000 of which came from
MPEC's operating budget. He is requesting $30,000 from the Board, rather than the $35,000
previously allocated. He is again budgeting $40,000 toward this item from his operating budget.
Staff grants requests for funding based upon an event's economic impact upon the
community. The Golden Retriever show received almost $12,000 in incentives, and had an
economic impact upon the community of almost $3 million. Events that would not have such a
great impact on the community obviously receive smaller incentive packages.
5. DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROJECT ($50,000)
This project would provide 50% matching funds (up to $5,000) for promotional
incentives to persuade downtown business owners to make improvements. The total amount
budgeted is $50,000. Staff would prepare program guidelines for the Board's approval, and
would then administer the program, informing the Board of the projects as they are approved.
6. TENNIS CENTERS LIGHTING PROJECT (UP TO $620,000)
Mr. Ginnings opened the public hearing on this item. Mr. Hugman said the staff had
previously proposed the funding of the tennis centers and the sports complex. However, the
tennis center is the higher priority need, and the only request before the Board at this time.
7. BUDGET DISCUSSION
Mr. Hugman said the budgeted presented to the Board today is the final proposed budget
for consideration of adoption, with a few changes made, as noted below.
Revenues
Less than projected —just under $3.8 million, a 3.3% increase over last year.
T1F #2 reimbursements arc projected at $462,982 for next year; the amount owed to the
4BSTC will then drop to $350,000 per year
The second of three years' repayment ($116,111) from the City for repayment of a loan
for the construction of the travel center.
Dave Clark asked the status of the MSU Baseball Field Project. Mr. Leiker said
Dr. Farrell told him the project was on hold, but they would like the funds to stay encumbered.
Mr. Risley said if an agreement had not been executed, the Board is not legally bound to do so.
Mr. Ginnings said if the Board needs the funds, they would take appropriate action, but in the
meantime, he is satisfied to leave the funds encumbered. Mr. Leiker agreed, and there was no
dissent from the other Board members.
Mr. Hugman said, assuming no other projects are approved in the next fiscal year, the
4BSTC will have $1.9 million in unreserved fund balance.
WFEDC — Minutes of August 13, 2014 3
Mr. Ginnings said if the Board approves both the tennis and softball lighting projects, it
could always spend the money elsewhere if necessary before the projects got underway.
Mr. Leiker said staff would like to have both projects funded eventually, but did not want to
consume too much of the available fund balance. The tennis center is a priority. There is a real
possibility of not only not attracting new tournaments, but also losing current ones. There is less
urgency for the sports center, as complex #2 is relatively new. Mr. Risley said the most that
could be funded today is $620,000, as listed on the published agenda. Mr. Ginnings said he was
hoping to get a sense from the Board. The fund would still have $1 million in unencumbered
funds. Mr. Nimz said the balance does not give the Board a lot of room to fund new projects next
year, but the lighting is an appropriate project. Mr. Clark said he would prefer to leave the ball
field project open for a while to maintain flexibility. Mr. Fidelie said he has a little heartburn
spending $620,000 for lights, but he understands the need, and trusts staff's opinion. Bob
Sullivan said the new lighting will help when the CVB seeks tennis tournaments.
Mr. Ginnings noted that a few years ago, the Board made the decision to maintain a
healthy balance in the budget. At one time it was closer to $2 million. However, $1 million
provides adequate opportunity to fund unanticipated projects. His personal opinion is that as long
as the Board stays within the guidelines and funds quality of life enhancements for the City, the
best use of the money is to spend it.
Mr. Fidelie said the Board needs to have funds available to put toward any public /private
partnership for a new convention hotel. Wichita Falls is the biggest city in Texas closest to
casinos, but there is no convention hotel in the city. Mr. Hugman said that there is money
budgeted in this upcoming fiscal year for a feasibility study with a consultant for a hotel. That
will be the basis for requests for proposals for a public - private partnership.
S. MOTION
Darron Leiker moved to approve the budget as presented, as well as the referenced
expenditures discussed at today's meeting. Seconded by Dustin Nimz, the motion
unanimously carried.
Mr. Hugman reminded the Board that Downtown Wichita Falls Development had
requested a water line replacement to the Zales building, and intersection improvements at $t'
and Ohio. The total cost for these projects is $336,000. For several years, the 4BSTC has
allocated $400,000 of its budget for street improvements in the downtown area. The City will use
those funds to make the requested improvements.
9. AwouRN
Mr. Clark moved that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Mr. Fidelie, the
motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
K�
m �' gs, resident