Loading...
Min 03/05/2019 City of Wichita Falls City Council Meeting Minutes March 5, 2019 Item 1 - Call to Order The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas met in regular session on the above with the following members present. Stephen L. Santellana - Mayor Tim Brewer - Councilors Jeff Browning - DeAndra Chenault - Steve Jackson - Eric West - Bobby Whiteley - Darron Leiker - City Manager Kinley Hegglund - City Attorney Marie Balthrop - City Clerk - - - - - - - - Mayor Santellana called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. - - - - - - - - Item 2a Invocation Dr. Mark Bender, First Christian Church, gave the invocation. - - - - - - - - Item 2b Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Santellana led the Pledge of Allegiance. - - - - - - - - Item 3a Employee of the Month Kyle Lange, Fire Department 8:31 a.m. Donald Hughes, Assistant Fire Chief, recognized Kyle Lange as the Employee of the Month for March 2019. Mayor Santellana congratulated Mr. Lange and presented him with a plaque, letter of appreciation, restaurant voucher, and check, and thanked him for his service. - - - - - - - - Item 3b Proclamation March for Meals Month, The Kitchen Meals on Wheels 8:33 a.m. Mayor Santellana read a proclamation proclaiming the month of March as March for Meals Month in Wichita Falls and encouraged everyone to come together to bring awareness and provide a vital lifeline and connection to our senior neighbors. Jackie Hamm, CEO of the Kitchen, thanked the community and council for their support. The total meals prepared in our community last year was 399,987. Ms. Hamm also th reminded the City Council that March 20 is Community Champions Day. - - - - - - - - Item 3c Proclamation and Culture 8:37 a.m. Mayor Santellana read a proclamation proclaiming History Month in the City of Wichita Falls and called upon residents to honor those outstanding women whose contributions to culture, history, our economy, and families have shaped our community. Madeleine Calcote, Executive Director of the Museum of North Texas History, addressed the council and thanked the City Council and Staff for inviting her and board proclamation will be on display at the Museum of North Texas History, and if you would rts Six: A th. Joyful Noise concert Friday, March 8 - - - - - - - - Item 3d Proclamation Absolutely Incredible Kid Day, Camp Fire North Texas 8:39 a.m. Mayor Santellana read a proclamation proclaiming Absolutely Incredible Kid Day in Wichita Falls and asked all Moms, Dads, City Council Minutes March 5, 2019 Page 2 Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, teachers, and mentors to make a difference in lives by composing a letter of love and appreciation to a child. Connie Pollard, Camp Fire North Texas Program Director, Camp Fire will turn 104 years old in March this year in Wichita Falls. This is the twenty-second year to celebrate Absolutely Incredible Kid Day and we encourage everyone to come pick up stationary and envelopes and write a letter to a kid you know, even if they are a grown kid. Stop th by the office at 2414 9 Street and pick up stationary and letter writing tips or even send a text or email to let them know you care. - - - - - - - - Item 4-6 Consent Items 8:43 a.m. City Manager Darron Leiker gave a briefing on the items listed under the Consent Agenda. Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve items on the consent agenda. Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, West, and Whiteley Nays: None Item 4 Approval of minutes of the February 19, 2019 Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council Item 5a Resolution 28-2019 Resolution authorizing award of bid to CDW Government LLC in the amount of $127,941.36 of server hardware to support the new Public Safety TriTech Computer Aided Dispatch, Records Management System, and Mobile Data System Item 6 Receive Minutes Minutes of the following boards and commissions were received: (a) Wichita Falls MPO-TAC, October 12, 2018 (b) Landmark Commission, January 29, 2019 City Council Minutes March 5, 2019 Page 3 - - - - - - - Item 7a Ordinance 03-2019 8:44 a.m. Ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances by amending Articles I, III, and VI; providing a repealer clause; providing for inclusion; providing for severability; and setting an effective date. Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Ordinance 03-2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Browning. Russell Schreiber, Director of Public Works, discussed how this Ordinance addresses private sewer lines crossing private property lines. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, West, and Whiteley Nays: None - - - - - - - Item 7b Ordinance 04-2019 8:47 a.m. Ordinance making an appropriation to the Special Revenue Fund for Texas Comprehensive Cancer Control Program in the amount of $10,000.00 received from the Department of State Health Services and authorizing the City Manager to execute contract accepting same. Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Ordinance 04-2019. Motion seconded by Councilor West and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, West, and Whiteley Nays: None - - - - - - - City Council Minutes March 5, 2019 Page 4 Item 7c Ordinance 05-2019 8:49 a.m. Ordinance canceling the regularly scheduled Council meeting on March 19, 2019. Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Ordinance 05-2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, West, and Whiteley Nays: None - - - - - - - Item 8a Resolution 29-2019 8:50 a.m. Resolution authorizing a contract for the Police Department Reroof project to Lydick-Hooks Roofing Co. of Wichita Falls, Inc. through the TIPS/TAPS Cooperative Purchasing Program, in the amount of $97,895. Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Resolution 29-2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, West, and Whiteley Nays: None - - - - - - - Item 8b Resolution 30-2019 8:52 a.m. Resolution accepting the 2019 Strategic Planning Workshop Report and directing City staff to develop recommended approaches to implement the strategies outlined therein. Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Resolution 30-2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Browning City Council Minutes March 5, 2019 Page 5 Paul Menzies, Assistant City Manager, presented an overview of the 2019 Strategic Plan and goals. Larry Robinson, 5559 Huntington Lane, addressed the council and stated that this is a good plan but he did not see anything about the citizens on the North side of 287 that were forced into the city limits against their will that do not have access to water. Mr. Robinson asked the council when these citizens will get water and stated that the city is spending millions of dollars on other projects but they are paying city taxes and do not have water service. Mr. Robinson discussed previous agreements with Wichita Valley Water that he states were blocked by the City, and that they are asking that the city run a water line under the road on the North side of Reilly Road. If the City does not intend to provide water service, they would like to be de-annexed. Darron Leiker, City Manager, discussed State annexation rules and the annexation plan that must be provided. Mr. Leiker reminded Mr. Robinson that property taxes do not provide for water and sewer projects, but they support police, fire, streets, and code enforcement. City Ordinances require all developers provide infrastructure, and the city is not treating any area of town differently. Mr. Robinson stated that they were forced into the city limits and they are not developers. There were agreements with Wichita Valley Water at two different times but the City blocked those agreements. Mr. Leiker stated that he is happy to meet with Mr. Robinson at his convenience to discuss this issue. Mayor Santellana asked Mr. Robinson how he got water before he was annexed and Mr. Robinson stated that he hauled water. Mayor Santellana asked if the city does not extend water lines for any other citizen for Wichita Falls if it would be right for the City to extend a water line only for this area. Mayor Santellana also stated that he cannot speak for decisions made by previous councils and what happened twenty years ago. Mayor Santellana reminded Mr. Robinson that this agenda item was to approve the Strategic Plan and since he is speaking off topic Council needs to return to the agenda item and that Mr. Robinson would have the opportunity to speak during Public Comments and meet with city staff to further discuss his concerns. Councilor Jackson asked when Mr. Robinson was annexed and Mr. Robinson stated he was annexed around 1999-2000 just before State annexation laws changed. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, West, and Whiteley Nays: None City Council Minutes March 5, 2019 Page 6 - - - - - - - Item 8c Resolution 31-2019 9:34 a.m. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Lifetime Tennis Incorporated for management services of Hamilton Park and Weeks Park Tennis Centers. Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Resolution 31-2019. Motion seconded by Councilor West Jim Dockery, Deputy City Manager, provided an overview of the contract with Lifetime Tennis and introduced Matt Hanlin, CEO/President of Lifetime Tennis. Mr. Hanlin addressed the council and answered questions about plans and proposed programming. Mr. Hanlin discussed proposed updates to marketing including the use of social media, his vision for the potential for tennis to grow in Wichita Falls, and proposed camps they plan to offer. There was brief discussion about previous sponsored tournaments that were held in Wichita Falls, and the possibility of seeking sponsorships for future tournaments. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, West, and Whiteley Nays: None - - - - - - - Item 8d Resolution 32-2019 9:54 a.m. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a development agreement between the City of Wichita Falls and OPG Maplewood Partners II, LLC (developer) for the connection and expansion of Maplewood Avenue and associated drainage improvements as part of -family housing project. Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Resolution 32-2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Browning Paul Menzies, Assistant City Manager, discussed the project timeline and responsibilities of the developer and the City defined in this agreement. There was brief discussion regarding how this project will help with drainage in that area, right-of-way City Council Minutes March 5, 2019 Page 7 acquisition, and the traffic light that will be installed at McNeil and the end of the new extension. Motion carried with the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, West, and Whiteley Nays: None - - - - - - - Mayor Santellana recessed the meeting for a break at 10:10 a.m. Council reconvened at 10:21 a.m. Item 9a Staff Reports Bicycle Friendly Community Update John Burrus 10:21 a.m. John Burrus, Director of Aviation Traffic and Transportation, addressed the council and provided an update on efforts to become a bicycle friendly community. The application for this process is submitted to The League of American Bicyclists with Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond designations available. There are eleven communities, thirty-nine businesses, and six universities that have received designations in Texas. Businesses can apply for a designation prior to the City of Wichita Falls obtaining designation. The City applied in 2017 but our application fell short. The application has become more comprehensive since 2017 and contains over 500 questions, and applications must be renewed every 5 years. Mr. Burrus discussed current activities and city departments involved. There was discussion on ways the City Council and leadership can assist moving forward including supporting a Bike Month proclamation in May including various bike riding days, Car-free day endorsements, International Bike to School Day in October, Winter Bike to Work/School Day, and a National Bike Challenge. The City already supports bicycle events and could formally adopt a Bicycle Advisory Committee and it was suggested to committee. Mr. Burrus discussed consideration of a Bike Program Manager and how these duties are currently handled in house, and a formal commitment to bicycle-related training for staff through webinars or conferences. Mr. Burrus discussed City Ordinance related items which included riding on roadways and bicycle paths and the vagueness of our current ordinance. Kinley Hegglund, City Attorney, discussed a vulnerable road user ordinance which addresses first responders, police, and road workers and the requirement for drivers to slow down or pull over, and how the city has the ability to broaden this to include bicyclists. Mr. Burrus also discussed infrastructure improvements for cycling including bike lanes and the legality of parking or driving a motorized vehicle in a bike lane. It was mentioned that some communities do require mandatory helmet laws, but that staff is not recommending that at this time as it is not a City Council Minutes March 5, 2019 Page 8 critical element in the application. Items for council consideration include a bike parking ordinance, requirements for end of ride amenities, a building accessibility ordinance to allow bicycles to park inside businesses, requirements for covered/uncovered bicycle racks at businesses, and bike parking in lieu of motorized vehicle parking minimums. Council can also consider the creation of a Bicycle Friendly Business District, which goes hand in hand with downtown development and streetscapes. Development Related Policies to consider include a complete Street and Bicycle accommodation policy and creation of a Bicycle Safety Program to explore how we can make our streets safer. Mr. Burrus feels our application will score very well on all subcommittees except for the lack of bicycle infrastructure on City streets. The next step is to get a plan in place, and submit an application in August 2019, even though we will most likely fall short this year. Mr. Burrus discussed how TxDOT roadway shoulders can be converted into bike lanes, looking at existing streets wide enough for dedicated bike lanes, and streets that would be good for shared bicycle lanes with motorized vehicles. Preliminary analysis indicates that the infrastructure cost will easily exceed $500,000 and we anticipate phasing work in over a 3-5 year period once funding is identified. Most peer cities have well over 100 miles of bicycle lanes and shared facilities. Wichita Falls needs a standing committee to address bicycle needs and the required application renewal every five years. Larry Robinson, 5559 Huntington Lane, stated that Riley Road is a road that is used by bicyclists frequently with twenty to thirty cyclists in a group. They used to use Kiel Lane, City View Drive, Huntington, Wellington and Airport Drive but the city has neglected those roads to the point that it is dangerous to ride bicycles on them. Only half of Riley Road has a shoulder, and there are hills on the road and when the sun is in your eyes you cannot see the cyclists. - - - - - - - Item 9b Items of Concern to Members of the City Council 10:58 a.m. Members of the City Council presented the following matters: Councilor Jackson Thank you to everyone for coming out and thank you to staff for presentations and hard work. Look forward to working on strategic planning and the Maplewood extension is a plus in the right direction. Like Mr. Robinson stated there is a concern on my side of town with bicycle friendly roads and maybe that can be addressed in the new budget. Councilor Chenault Good morning and thank everyone for coming out on this cold morning. City Council Minutes March 5, 2019 Page 9 Councilor Whiteley Kuddos to Employee of the Month Kyle Lange, I wore my firefighter tie in his honor today. He is an exceptional young man and we have really great employees. Shout out to people in our audience that are involved in our community and attend council meetings on a regular basis. Thank you to staff for presentations. Mr. Robinson, we do not know a lot about what policies were made twenty years ago but asks that we provide the services they are paying for and if there is anything we can do that we are not already doing that it be looked at, and hopefully we can address these issues with meetings with staff and the Mayor. - - - - - - - Item 10 Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning Items That Are Not on the City Council Agenda. 10:03 a.m. Larry Robinson, 5559 Huntington Lane, stated that he thought we took care of this 20 years ago, but we brought up the subject of a code of conduct and he would appreciate it if we had a code of conduct that no elected official in the City of Wichita Falls can have their business or their family business bid on contracts for the City and that no elected official in the City can profit from his position on the City Council. Mr. Robinson stated that in the past there have been Councilors that have bid on City Contracts and stated that their family owned the business, and one that owned a sign business that pushed passing ordinances that benefited his sign company. Mr. Robinson stated that is a conflict of interest and should be addressed in a code of conduct. Mr. Robinson stated he has already talked about the water and that Bill Altman had land in the business district that was annexed after new laws went into effect and that the City installed a water line for him. Mr. Robinson asked if they have a right to pursue an agreement with Wichita Valley Water if the City is not going to run a water line. Mr. Robinson said they are all getting older and it is getting harder to haul water. Mr. Robinson stated that the City has neglected roads and roadbeds are washing out, and they have been treated like second class citizens since they have been annexed. David Coleman, 1624 Victory Ave, thanked John Burrus for great presentation and to the council for a great Strategic Plan, promoting economic development and the progress that has been made. Suggestion of creating a full time bike manager is a great idea, and would assist with the bike friendly designation. We can continue that effort with the completion of the circle trail, all be pulled together with bike manager. Would like that to be considered in upcoming budget process. - - - - - - - Item 11 Adjourn Mayor Santellana adjourned the meeting at 11:08 a.m. City Council Minutes March 5, 2019 Page 10 nd PASSED AND APPROVED this 2 day of April, 2019. ________________________________ Stephen L. Santellana, Mayor ATTEST: ____________________________________ Marie Balthrop, TRMC, CMC City Clerk City Council Minutes March 5, 2019 Page 11