Res 060-2002 5/21/2002RESOLUTION NO. 6n a
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
INCENTIVE AGREEMENT WITH VERNON COLLEGE AS
RECOMMENDED BY THE WICHITA FALLS ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND APPROVING AN AMENDMENT
TO THE CORPORATION'S FISCAL YEAR 2001 -2002 BUDGET;
FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS
RESOLUTION WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS
REQUIRED BY LAW.
WHEREAS, a function of the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation
( WFEDC) is to retain jobs and support projects that strive to create a workforce that is
complimentary to existing or new businesses; and
WHEREAS, on May 13, 2002, the WFEDC met to consider a request from
Vernon College to establish an aviation mechanic program; and
WHEREAS, the WFEDC has recommended funding start-up costs associated
with providing this curriculum at Vernon College in the amount of $378,918.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT:
SECTION 1. An economic development incentive agreement in the amount of
$378,918 is hereby approved in the form of the attached correspondence dated May 14,
2002.
SECTION 2. The FY 2001 -2002 Budget of the Wichita Falls Economic
Development Corporation is hereby amended in the amount of $378,918 for the
economic development incentive agreement with Vernon College.
SECTION 3. It is hereby officially found and determined that the meeting at
which this resolution was passed was open to the public as required by law.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 21St day of May 2002.
TTEST:
City Clerk
Vernon College Aviation Mechanic Program
Vernon College has worked with Lear Siegler, Inc. (LSI) for more than a year to establish
an aircraft maintenance program. The program was developed in order to alleviate a
shortage of FAA certified aircraft maintenance personnel in the Wichita Falls area. LSI,
who has an eight year contract to provide aircraft maintenance for Sheppard Air Force
Base, anticipates significant attrition in their workforce at SAFB during the next several
years due primarily to retirements; and securing qualified replacements will be essential.
To date, the following has been accomplished through the Vernon College and LSI
partnership:
• The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved Vernon College
certifications of Completion in Aviation Mechanic - General, Aviation Mechanic —
Airframe, and Aviation Mechanic — Powerplant.
• An application for FAA approval and the proposed curriculum for the certificates
were submitted to the FAA, and FAA officials made an initial site visit to the
Vernon College facility.
• Wichita County granted permission to Vernon College to lease an additional
23,000 square feet at the VC Skills Training Center to house the new program.
Architects developed a plan for the expansion, and bids for the expansion were
opened on May 8. The College is in the process of obtaining funding to conduct
the expansion and to purchase equipment.
• A grant in the amount of $131,744 was submitted by Vernon College to the Texas
Workforce Commission Skills Development Fund. The grant was approved and
will provide funding for a full time instructor, consumable supplies, library
resources, and three reciprocating engines for the new certificate programs. The
grant will also fund tuition and fees for students entering the program from the
general public and for LSI existing employees who need supplemental training
primarily to gain FAA certification.
• Vernon College worked with the Wichita Falls ISD to develop an aerospace
academy that will provide opportunity for students from local high schools to
enroll in aircraft maintenance courses and receive both high school and college
credit upon completion of the courses (dual credit).
• LSI provided Vernon College with a consultant to assist in developing all aspects
of the program. This was essential in that the College had no one on staff with the
required expertise.
• A search was completed and interviews were conducted in order to employ a full -
time instructor /coordinator for the program. A person has been identified, and a
job offer has been extended.
• Vernon College is continuing their tradition of flexibility by allowing students to
enroll in the courses either for traditional college semester hour credit or through
continuing education.
• Plans are for classes to begin in the fall 2002 semester.
Submitted by: Susan Couch May 8, 2002
Aircraft Maintenance Project
Start -Up Costs - Skills Training Center
Vernon College
Wichita County
Lear Siegler, Inc.
Texas Workforce Commission
Total Income
Occupancy
Income
$
101,400
$
4,000
$
70,426
$
54,414
Expense
Demolition /Abatement
$
28,185
Renovations
$
212,027
Fire Alarm /Sprinkler
$
43,484
Architect & Engineering
$
20,502
FAA Accreditation
$
14,000
Equipment
Consumables
Paint Shop
Training Aids & Aircraft Equipment
Consultant Fees
Total Expense
Net Shortfall
Total Project Costs: $748,178
$
34,614
$
51,620
$
198,126
$
6,600
$ 230,240
$ 609,158
$ 378,918
Job Creation
Lear Siegler next 5 years 225 $ 1,684
Pratt Whitney Canada Unknown
Aerospace Prospects Unknown
May 14, 2002
Dr. Susan Couch
Dean of Workforce and Continuing Education
Vernon College
Address 1
Address 2
Dear Dr. Couch:
The Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation has recommended your request
for funding in the amount of $378,918 to begin an Aircraft Maintenance Project at
Vernon College to the Wichita Falls City Council. As we discussed, funding is
contingent upon approval by the City Council at their May 21, 2002 meeting. However,
in anticipation of their consideration of this recommendation, the terms of this economic
development incentive agreement are as follows:
• Procurement of the necessary start-up costs is the responsibility of Vernon
College.
• Only those items associated with "Occupancy" (including demolition and
abatement, renovations, fire alarm and sprinkler systems, architectural and
engineering fees and FAA accreditation) and "Equipment" (including
consumables, paint shop, training aids and aircraft equipment and consultant fees)
will be reimbursed.
• Reimbursement will occur when invoices, cancelled checks or other recognizable
form of proof of expense has been submitted to the contact person below.
I thank you for your presentation to the Wichita Falls Economic Development
Corporation, and wish you success in with your Aircraft Maintenance Project curriculum.
Sincerely,
Gary Shores
Chairperson, Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation
Matt Benoit
Assistant City Manager
13007 th Street, P.O. Box 1431
Wichita Falls, TX 76301