Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee Minutes - 02/14/2017MINUTES
LAKE WICHITA REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE
February 14, 2017
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Steve Garner, Chair
Penny Miller, Secretary
Kathie Forehand-Chaddick
Michael Chapman
Pete Gill
Larry Scott
Jesse Brown, City Council
Tom Lang, Ex -Officio
Jack Murphy, Director Parks and Recreation
Davis Powell, City Engineer
Kinley Hegglund, City Attorney
Westin Gilbert, Engineer
Kimberly Florsheim, DAR
Carlana Fitch
Kris Germany
Sally Gray, Wild Bird Rescue
Shirley King, DAR
ABSENT: Jake VanDonge Eric Godwin Ford Swanson
I. Call to Order and Introductions
■ Members
■ Staff
■ Guests
Steve Garner called the meeting to order. Members, staff and guests introduced
themselves.
II. Approval of Minutes
It was moved and seconded that the January meeting minutes be approved. The
motion passed.
III. 404 Permit
Davis Powell reported that SWCA (archaeological survey consultant) found nothing of
significant importance during their survey.
Out of 150 letters requesting public comments on the project, there was only one public
comment from Larry's Marina that requires a response. Davis Powell indicated he is
formulating a response for that. This should be easy to resolve as it has already been
discussed with the company.
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Corolla has put together a spreadsheet with various state/federal agency concerns and
the city has begun discussing responses with the Corps of Engineers. The biggest
issue is stream mitigation on Holliday and Pecan creeks. This is not required for actual
lake excavation. Tom Lang's opinion is there is nothing to mitigate as the creeks have
silted in. However, it is possible to carve this out of the permit, but it would be a shame
to have to do that. Davis Powell said some of the comments make no sense to them,
but they have to be addressed. Jack Murphy mentioned that a construction plan may
address many of the financial concerns. The Corps wants to know that we can
complete the project.
Third party easements should not be much of an issue since the city owns much of the
land. We will need to address the area of private property with flow easements.
Water quality seems to be a concern, but it should not be a major issue as we already
monitor that.
The maintenance plan should be relatively easy. We have many plans, but the
information just needs to be addressed differently.
IV. Fundraising
Carlana Fitch made a presentation about her qualifications as a grant writer and offered
her services to assist with grants for the Lake Wichita project. She discussed her
experience. Her fees are $40/hr plus 3% of the amount of the grant. She would return
10% of that amount to the project as a donation.
Steve Garner mentioned that we will have a display and the Home and Garden Show
this weekend and at the Red River Wine and Beer Festival on March 25. We need
committee members to volunteer to help at these events.
Tom Lang brought the committee up to date on the March 16 community event with
Theodore Roosevelt IV at the MPEC. The invitations went out Friday and several tables
and tickets have been purchased. We'll unveil a new Lake Wichita video. Skip McBride
has agreed to emcee the evening. KFDX is out television sponsor and has created a
commercial. We will need help setting up that day and will need people to deliver VIP
tickets, banners and posters next week. Steve Garner expressed appreciation to Ford
Swanson for stepping up in support of this project.
Tom Lang thanked Reno Gustafson. He has gone all out to support our March 16
event.
V. Other Discussion
Steve Garner mentioned that he thought the naming of the veteran's plaza was
supposed to be put forward and voted on at one of the two previous city council
meetings, but it has not yet been done. He wanted to know if this would be on the
agenda for next week's council meeting. At the present time, it is not; the next available
date is March 7. The item has been forwarded to the city manager for placement on the
agenda but hasn't made the cut as city planning has been the priority. Steve Garner
stated we need a commitment from the city council on this plaza so we can press
forward. Kimberly Florsheim, DAR, stated they need to have this settled for fundraising.
They have a March 1 deadline for a $20,000 grant, but they must have the veteran's
plaza designation before they can submit. A discussion followed of the precise scope of
what is being asked of the city council. The committee is asking for two things: (1) Have
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the area designated as Veteran's Plaza, and (2) Have the Vietnam Memorial approved
for placement there when funded and construction can be done. Councilor Jesse Brown
stated he will contact Mayor Santellana to ask him to get with the city manager to try to
get this on the next agenda. Kinley Hegglund will also talk to the city manager.
VI. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m.
Date
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