Min 07/17/1967 1067
Wichita Falls, Texas
"Mmorial Auditorium Building
July 17, 1967
The Board of Aldermen of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, met in called session
on the above date in the Council Room of the Memorial Auditorium Building at 7:30
o'clock P.M. , with the following members present:
R. C. Rancier Mavor
R. Kenneth Hill X
S. M. Lyons X
James M. Davis X Aldermen
Leroy Daniel X
Cletus C. Schenk X
Jack Davis City Manager
H. P. Hodge, Jr. City Attorney
Evelyn M. Lesh Acting City Clerk
The invocation was given by Alderman Hill.
The mayor announced that the purpose of this meeting is to receive the report of
the Citizens Advisory Committee. Mayor Rancier introduced Clay Underwood, Chairman
of the Citizens Advisory Committee.
Mr. Underwood expressed his appreciation to appear before the council. fie read
Resolution No. 616, creating the Citizens Advisory Committee. In his opening remarks
he advised that the study of the Capital Improvements Program had been made with
depth and thoroughness. The Citizens Advisory Committee slogan is GUGA, Catch up and
Go Ahead.
Mr. Underwood stated that they began with $40,000,000 worth of projects. However,
they knew the City could not afford it, and that the program had been given the acid
treatment. They are recommending a $15,080,000 bond issue.
James Barnett, Chairman of Special Projects Committee, gave a report on proposed
Health facilities. tie mentioned a probable location north of 5th Street, both sides
of Clift Street, which would probably close Clift Street. The site recommended covers
12.60 acres, and the building is estimated at 241,500 square feet. The total recommended
for this phase is $390,000, which will be matched by Hill-Burton funds. Another possible
site is on 5th across from Riverside Cemetery.
James Barnett gave a report on a proposed Civic Center, stating they had two on
the sub-committee, Mrs. C. B. Hurd and Charles Johnson, and commended them on their
efforts in serving in this capacity. Mr. Barnett mentioned that they had a possibility
of three locations for the proposed Civic Center, in order of preference: (1) from
Bluff to Austin, from 7th to 5th Street; (2) from 8th to loth Street, bordered on west
by alley between Ohio and Indiana, and on the east by the railroad tracks; (3) from
Broad to Austin, and 15th to 17th Street. He stated that Mr. Johnson recommended number
one and number two sites. Also he added that 1,000 cars could park on 7 acres,
or 1,500 cars on 10 1/2 acres. Site cost is estimated at $850,000. They recommended
that the exact site not be stated on the ballot, but that it be between Sth and Kell,
and Broad and the Fort North and Denver railroad tracks.
In addition to recommendations for the location for a Civic Center, Mr. Barnett
stated that the proposed Civic Center building would accomodate 3,000 delegates;
banquet facilities to accomodate 2,000 delegates; exhibition hall at 201,000 square
feet; individual meeting looms to accomodate from 25 to 100 delegates. He stated
that there were only two places in Wichita Falls where as many as 250 people can be
served, the Woman's Forum and Midwestern University. Midwestern is limited due to
the fact that it crowds out the students. He added that these facilities are needed
in Wichita Falls to catch up.
Mr. Barnett further explained the Civic Center Parking Facility is recommended
for parking 1,500 cars, at a cost of $152,000. Development and Fees: Recommended to
include expenses resulting from site development, landscaping, furniture and fixtures,
architect fees, etc. at a cost of $603,000. Total cost of the Civic Center is estimated
at $3,235,000.
Alderman Bill inquired if the center would be self supporting. Mr. Barnett
answered that it would not, but that it would bring much business to the down town
area. Ile stated that after a few years that it would pay the overhead.
1068
Mr. Clay Underwood introduced Guy Carter, member of the Planning Committee,
Parks Froject, in the absence of Dean Stewart, Chairman of the Committee. Mr.
Carter explained that there are three phases planned for Lucy Park. Phase I
consists of planning and site preparation, installation of utilities, secondary
roads and parking areas, and installation of irrigation system,construction of
restrooms, shelters, concession building, children's zoo, fences, campsites, walks,
oil museum, picnic areas, drinking fountains, landscaping. Total amount of
Phase I is $133,500. Mr. Carter stated that Phase II for Lucy Park includes walks
and drives, additional irrigation system, picnic areas, restroomsy shelter buildings,
lighting, and landscaping. Phase II is estimated at $121,500. Hatching funds of
$255,000 is expected.
Mr. Carter also presented proposal for construction of three swimming pools;
one in North Central Area, one in East Area, and one in Southwest Area. Cost
estimate is $180,000. Grand total for Phase I and Phase II, and swimming pools is
$435,000. In addition to these improvements, the existing parks are scheduled
for improvement, :such as lighting and play ground equipment, bringing total cost
to $755,000.
Alderman Max Kruger asked what they could do with $500 toward park improvement.
Mr. Carter explained that play ground equipment could be added to the existing
parks.
David G. Alford, Director of Public Safety, in the absence of Chairman 0. D.
McBride, gave a report on possibilities for Public Safety. fie stated a possibility
of consolidating No. 2 and No. S Fire Stations, and No. 6 and No. 7 Fire Stations;
also the possibility of relocating the training facilities because of high ins-
urance rates. fie stated that in the future the citizens would have to build one
way or the other, and rather than string it out over a long period of years they
recommend the bond issue.
Mr. Alford also added there was a recommendation from the CAC to rebuild and
relocate the maintenance shop, and to replace three Ford 750 GPM pumper units,
and to purchase a bucket-type (snorkel) aerial truck, 75' in length is also
recommended. Total for this phase of Capital Improvements Program is $375,000.
Alderman Hill asked what there was about a fire truck that could wear out.
Mr. Alford answered that equipment wears out with age, that the transmission
fell out of one of the units just recently on the way to a fire.
Henry Grace, Chairman of Transportation, presented recommendations of the sub-
committee, Street Projects. Mr. Grace expressed his appreciation to those who
helped with their support. At this time he stated he would like to show the
council some slides.
Roy Wilshire, Traffic Engineer, showed slides and gave explanation of location
of needed street improvements, traffic projects, and the Kell Freeway extension.
fie also showed slides on the drainage project and explained the need to the
council.
Alderman Schenk asked if Plum Creek drainage program, or the Lake Kemp project
was included in the Capital Improvements Program. City Manager Jack Davis stated
that neither was included, but that the City had $100,000 on hand for the Plum
Creek project. lie added that one of the reasons for limiting the Capital Improve-
ments Program to $15,080,000 was to plan for the Lake Kemp project at a later date.
Mr. Grace stated that the citizens part on Kell Freeway would be a little over
$51,000,000, that we are putting it on a highway and calling it a highway, but it
will be used mostly by local people. fie stated that it would be necessary for the
railroad to be moved, that they had had three meetings with the mayor and officials
of the railroad. fie added that they had some recommendations about Holliday Creek,
but that it was not part of the proposal.
Mr. Underwood stated that the council only has a portion of the job that has
been done. fie commended Mr. Medanich, financial advisor of the City of Wichita
Falls.
Mr. Underwood added that the committee suggests two ways to repay the bond issue,
that the citizens have a choice of placing a 33 cent ad valorem tax for each $100
valuation now on rendition books, or by the citizens endorsement of a to city sales
tax. The CAC unanimously recommended the to sales tax. fie stated that the
committee is attempting to undertake a 20 year plan. Ile stated that the projects
will have to be presented to the citizens separately, and that the figure of
$15,080,000 is recommended by fir. Medanich, to complete the Capital Improvements
Progran. The CAC; is not listing these projects in order of priority.
1O69
Moved by Alderman Daniel to accept the recommendations of the Citizens Advisory
Committee and study them and present them to the citizens that they might become
familiar with them, and to give projections of what will be happening in the future,
that we might inform the public that they might have a chance to vote and know what
they are voting on. The Council will defer any action until after meeting with
the citizens. Mr. Daniel expressed his appreciation to the committee for their work.
Alderman Schenk expressed his appreciation to the committee for their time.
Motion seconded by Alderman Schenk and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Alderman hill, Lyons, Davis, Daniel, Kruger, and Schenk.
Nays: None
Mayor Rancier expressed his appreciation to the Citizens Advisory Committee,
and stated that a great deal of paring had been done. lie stated that it was a
conservative proposal that the committee had made. lie mentioned that they will begin
a series of five neighborhood meetings tomorrow night at Ilirschi high School and
urged every member of the public to attend the meetings.
Alderman Davis stated that the Citizens Advisory Committee is representative
of the entire city and every segment of it, that its members consist of businessmen,
housewives and working women, and that the geography of the city is represented as
well. lie commended the committee.
Moved by Alderman Kruger that the meeting be adjourned.
Motion seconded by Alderman Bill, and carried unanimously.
The Board of Aldermen adjournedd at 10:00 P.M.
PASSED AND APPROVED this /- Ny of 1967.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk