Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee Minutes - 10/11/2016MINUTES
LAKE WICHITA REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE
October 11, 2016
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Steve Garner, Chair ■ Members
Penny Miller, Secretary
Sam Bownds
Kathie Forehand-Chaddick
Michael Chapman
Pete Gill
Eric Godwin
Larry Scott
Ford Swanson
Jake VanDonge
Brian Hooker, City Council
Tom Lang, Ex -Officio
Jack Murphy, Director Parks and Recreation ■ Staff
Davis Powell, City Engineer
Westin Gilbert, Engineer
Jack Browne ■ Guests
Sally Gray, Wild Bird Rescue
Jonathan Hurst
Becky Trammel, Wichita County Historical Commission
Lyla Watson, Wichita County Historical Commission
ABSENT: None
I. Call to Order and Introductions
Steve Garner called the meeting to order. Members, staff and guests introduced
themselves.
II. Approval of Minutes
Penny Miller moved that the minutes of the August meeting be approved. The motion
passed. There are no minutes for September as there was not a quorum to conduct
business.
III. 404 Permit
The 404 permit application is complete! Steve Garner has scheduled a meeting with the
Tulsa Corps of Engineers office on Friday to present the application. He has a vehicle
that will seat seven people for those who would like to go. Steve Garner expressed his
appreciation to Westin Gilbert, Jack Murphy and Davis Powell for all of their work
getting the permit ready.
LAKE WICHITA COMMITTEE October 11, 2016 Page—1
IV. Fundraising
Texoma Gives on September 15 was a huge success. We had a $25,000 target and we
raised $46,400. The last $5,000 prize for best marketing campaign has still to be
awarded, and we have a shot at that. Thank you, Brian Hooker, for allowing us to us the
Planet Fitness parking lot. We had 500+ individual donors, although officially online it
was around 150. Thanks to everyone who volunteered for this event. We raised
valuable contributions and helped raise awareness for the project. There were 43,200
views of the Lake Wichita Show and there was a huge increase in likes for the
Facebook page. We sold 1100 dozen donuts at $10 each. We then dropped the price.
We ended up giving away only about 100 dozen to the Mission and other organizations.
We were third in total donations out of 145 nonprofits. After expenses, we will clear
$25,000 - $30,000. There will be a closeout recognition on November 1 at 2PM. We
need to RSVP the number who can go. Notify Tom.
The Wichita Falls Business Expo is the last week of October. We will have a display
and need volunteers.
Steve Garner announced that Tom Lang is putting together a phone meeting with
Teddy Roosevelt IV next Monday to discuss a benefit in the spring. Tom Lang said our
reservoir may be the first, but it won't be the last, to go through revitalization and this is
something Mr. Roosevelt is interested in.
Kathie Forehand-Chaddick said she is working on several grant requests. In addition to
the TPWD grants we have discussed in previous meetings, she is working on a US800
grant proposal. In addition, the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership grant,
specifically for excavation is due the end of the month. She is also working on a
$175,000 grant for excavation from Conoco Phillips.
Steve Garner reported that he will have the brick campaign plan by the end of next
week.
Steve Garner stated that we need help for Kathie Forehand-Chaddick writing grants.
We had two volunteers, but they fell through. Ford Swanson and Larry Scott have some
potential volunteers they will talk to.
V. Other Discussion
Becky Trammel, Wichita County Historical Commission, suggested pursuing a historical
marker for Lake Wichita. There is a $100 nonrefundable application fee. It is an 18
month — 2 year approval timeframe. We would then need to purchase the marker:
$1900 for a large marker; $1100 for a small one. The Commission doesn't fund the
markers, but is willing to assist in the process. The application must be submitted within
the next month in order to be part of the 2016 application process. Jack Murphy
mentioned that the property owner (the City) would have to approve placement of the
marker. He doesn't expect a problem. Penny Miller moved and Ford Swanson
seconded, a motion to enlist the aid of the Wichita County Historical Commission in
preparing an application and to approve funding the $100 application fee. Motion
passed. Michael Chapman agreed to be the point of contact for the committee to work
with the Historical Commission.
Tom Lang reported that the DAR is interested in a Vietnam Veterans memorial at Lake
Wichita. They previously presented the memorial idea to the City Council, but did not
advance the lake location. There will be a meeting to discuss a location later this week.
LAKE WICHITA COMMITTEE October 11, 2016 Page 2
Steve Garner asked Jack Murphy and Davis Powell about engineering for the boat
ramp and boardwalk. Jack Murphy said the issue is the city doesn't have a project
manager. We will need to hire a firm to do project management with architecture and
engineering expertise. Although each grant has money for this, funding may be an
issue as there is only a round $150,000 available. With $2M in projects, the likely cost is
around $200,000. The first grant status report has been turned in, stating that we are
soliciting an engineering firm.
Tom Lang said to take a step back and consider where we started a few years ago. We
have made huge progress with an all -volunteer committee. Larry Scott praised the
leadership and hard work of Steve Garner and Tom Lang.
VI. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:56 a.m.
Date
LAKE WICHITA COMMITTEE October 11, 2016 Page 3