4B Sales Tax Corporation Minutes - 01/26/2017MINUTES OF THE
WICHITA FALLS 4B SALEs TAX CORPORATION (4BSTC)
January 26, 2017
PRESENT:
Tony Fidelie, President
§ Members
Glenn Barham, Vice-president
§
Rick Hatcher, Secretary -Treasurer
§
Darron Leiker
§
Michael Mills
§
Stephen Santellana, Mayor
§ Mayor and City Council
Brian Hooker, Councilor, District 3, Mayor Pro Tem
§
Jim Dockery, Deputy City Manager
§ City Staff
R. Finley flegglund, Jr., City Attorney
§
John Burrus, Director, Aviation, Traffic and
§
Transportation
§
Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary
§
ABSENT:
Dave Clark,
Derik Schneider
1. Call to Order
§ Members
Tony Fidelic called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes (December 7, 2016)
Glenn Barham mcived ec cindecl b Rick ii teller fir rciv l of the minutes. The
motion carried 5-0.
3. Financial Report
Jim Dockery said the 413 Board Just completed its 2015-16 fiscal year. It has an
unreserved fund balance of $3,101 million. Its adopted budget has $4,067 million in revenues,
the largest of which come from sales tax receipts. Revenues also include $358,000 from TIF #2,
as reimbursement for 4B funding the Lawrence/Call Field/Rhea Road Realignment Prqject.
Expenditures are budgeted at $3,656 million, including today's request, leaving revenues
exceeding expenses of' $411,000. (Ile was not being presumptuous by indicating the Board's
passage of' today's request on the financials, but lie had no other way to indicate that potential
expenditure.)
NA..1cga1\4A, 413,111SWI CorpW3 Miiiutes\2017\2017.1,2(i\Nlirltltcs-4B,--2()17,1.26,doc
WFEDC — Minutes of January 26, 2017
Sales tax receipts are running 4% ahead of this time last year,, which is good news, Only
two months' receipts are in for this fiscal year, so lie remains cautiously optimistic.
Michael Mills asked about the golf course line items. Mr. Dockery said $50,000 was
saved on this debt through refinancing. All other debt service will be as listed oil the debt service
schedule, unless they are also refinanced.
Mr. Hatcher asked how any more years are due to be paid for Castaway Cove Water
Park. Mr. Dockery replied there are eight more years on that debt service,
Mr. Fidelie asked about the street improvement expenditure of $400,,000, Mr. Leiker said
this is not a long-term commitment and is only spent on streets in the downtown area. That
money may be needed for the hotel project. Mr. Mills assumed this money would only be a drop
in the bucket if Scott Street were to be redone per the master plan envisioned by Freese &
Nichols, Mr. Leiker agreed, stating this money only covers null and overlay, not a total
reconstruction, Mr. Dockery added that it only covers about 5-6 blocks of the downtown area,
Mr. Hatcher asked if the capital equipment maintenance line item covers only software
needs. Mr. Dockery replied that a San Antonio firm provides software maintenance. Mr. Hatcher
asked if the City budgets for replacement of the hardware, or if the 413 Board will be asked to
replace those items in the future. Mr. Leiker said the City recently spent several million dollars
on radios.
4. Discussion and possible action on additional funding related to the City's
ways nding signage project
John Burrus took over working on the wayfinding project when former Assistant City
Manager Kevin Hugman left the city. Mr. Burrus gave a history of the program. It was created in
2011 as a Pride in the Falls campaign to give direction and to further brand the city with the blue
and gold colors, and the 'blue skies, golden opportunities' logo.
The cost was $2,1 million for the entire plan, including the acquisition of TxDOT right-
of-way, The Council broke the project into phases. Phase I was awarded in 2014 at a cost of
$1,023,000 ($773,000 came from the General Fund, and $250,000 from 4B funds), and 221 signs
were installed.
Phase 2 was estimated to cost $418,500 for 84 signs. The signs in this phase would
primarily be for the downtown and MPEG` area, facility signage, pedestrian kiosks. and corridor
signage. The City is requesting the 4B Board fund $140,000 of this project,
The bids for this phase came in higher than expected, at $55 8,487. Staff gave the Council
three options regarding the project: use General Fund and 4B monies to and the project-, modify
the plan, or cancel it altogether.
WFEDC — Minutes of January 26, 2017 3
Mr. Dockery said staff feels that Phase 2 is a good stopping point for this program. Not
everything will get done as had originally been envisioned, but it will be a program of which the
city can be proud, Mr. Burrus added that it has been well received by the community.
There were nine less bidders than for Phase 1; Mr. Dockery said some of the contractors
felt the bid would go to the successful bidder of Phase 1. Staff attributes the increase due to
mobilization and the higher cost per unit. Councilor Hooker asked whether local bidders were
encouraged to bid. Mr. Burrus said it was open to all vendors to bid. Mr. Mills said the per unit
cost may have been higher because there were fewer signs. Mr. Burros agreed, but added that if
more signs were added to the bid., it would increase costs due to the cost for additional signs. It
would be more money either way. He is trying to take advantage of TxDOT's agreement to
replace the signs on the highway.
Mr. hatcher asked about the City's sign shop's ability to produce signs. Mr. Burrus said
they can only produce signs 36 inches wide. They cannot produce the poles. Mr. Hatcher asked
the life expectancy of the poles. Mr. Burrus replied at least 40 years,
Mr. Leiker asked the timeline on the project. Mr. Burrus said it could be completed
before Hotter'n Flell, Mr. Mills asked what would happen if this did not pass. Mr. Burrus said the
City would either find the money or not do it. When bids are run a second time, vendors
generally do not re -bid. Mr. Leiker added he would be very hesitant to dip any lower into the
general fund, which is already low.
Mr. Dockery said the staff felt the option to cancel this phase was a poor choice. The
money spent on the consultant would be lost. Perhaps the scope of the project could be reduced,
but he was not sure how that could be done with the bids. Mr. Flegglund said it was doable.
Mr. Mills asked if this is a guaranteed maximum price, and Mr. Burrus replied
affirmatively.
Glenn Barham n est not to
e Beed 1 (1(1 f} for Phase cif the fir dirr si Ana ero rani. The motion carried 5-0.
5. Executive Session
Mr. Fidelie adjourned the meeting into executive session at 4-45 p.m. pursuant to TEXAS
GOVERNMENT CODE section 551.087. lie announced the meeting back into regular session at
5:17 p.m. 'The subjects posted in the Notice of Meeting were deliberated, and no votes or further
action was taken on these items in executive session.
6. Adjourn.
The meeting a(lJourned at 5:17 p.m.
Guy "TYy" Fidelie, Jr., President