Min 07/02/2019
City of Wichita Falls
City Council Meeting
Minutes
July 2, 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
DeAndra Chenault - Mayor Pro Tem
Tim Brewer - Councilors
Jeff Browning -
Steve Jackson -
Eric West -
Bobby Whiteley - Councilor At-Large
Darron Leiker - City Manager
Kinley Hegglund - City Attorney
Marie Balthrop - City Clerk
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Mayor Santellana called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
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Item 2a Invocation
Harold Roan, Pastor, Lamar Baptist Church, gave the invocation.
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Item 2b Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Santellana led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Item 3a Employee of the Month James Thomas, Public Works/Streets Division
8:33 a.m.
Teresa Rose, Deputy Director of Public Works, recognized James Thomas as the
Employee of the Month for July 2019. Mayor Santellana congratulated Mr. Thomas and
presented him with a plaque, letter of appreciation, restaurant voucher, and check, and
thanked him for his service.
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Item 3b Presentation 7 Street Railroad Crossing, The Wichita County Action
Network (WeCAN)
8:38 a.m.
George Senn, WeCAN, addressed the Mayor and Council and discussed the
membership of WeCAN, their mission and goals. Mr. Senn stated that they take action
by bringing community problems to officials at the local, state and federal levels, and
discussed their current relationships with city leaders and groups. Mr. Senn presented
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a short video showing the dangers at the 7 Street crossing.
James W. Harris, addressed the Mayor and Council and stated that he grew up on the
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Eastside of Wichita Falls and is familiar with the issues concerning the 7 Street railroad
crossing. Mr. Harris stated that WeCAN is a broad-based coalition of congregations
and community based organizations in the Wichita Falls area, with the capacity to
address community problems large and small. Their three basic goals are 1) to build
relationships across our community based on trust and a willingness to listen to each
other; 2) equip our members and leadership with skills and practices that get results,
and; 3) achieve change on concrete issues, as part of our common call to justice. Mr.
Harris stated that WeCAN is actively working to help the city fulfill its mission, and
commended Downtown Wichita Falls Development for their work preserving and
revitalizing downtown. Mr. Harris noted that the city has recovered from several natural
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disasters and that it is hard to believe that we cannot solve the issues of the 7 Street
railroad crossing. This is not a new problem, and Mr. Harris would rather have seen the
ordinance written stating that a fine would be assessed only to those pedestrians that
chose not to utilize the pedestrian overpass. The WeCAN group has been working to
resolve this issue for over two years, and have been able to bring forward two projects
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that need to be addressed, the pedestrian overpass at 7 Street, and a vehicular/
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pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the tracks on 5 Street. The 5 street overpass would
shorten the distance of travel for citizens, and emergency personnel. It is their
understanding that BNSF is willing to contribute fifty percent of the cost and they are
asking the City Council to accelerate this project and assist with finding funding.
Deborah Bacashihua, addressed the Mayor and Council, and discussed the
commitment of WeCAN to continue to work with all stakeholders to accomplish this
project. She stressed that continued communication is important throughout the project
with all parties involved, and acknowledged the objectives that have already been
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July 2, 2019
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initiated. They believe that this project can be accomplished. This morning they were
approached by Meals on Wheels and they stated this barrier prevents them from
delivering meals on time in this area. Ms. Bacashihua thanked the Mayor and Council
for placing this presentation on the agenda.
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Item 4-6 Consent Items
8:58 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 June 18, 2019 Regular Meeting of the Mayor
and City Council
Item 5 Resolutions
(a) Resolution 60-2019 authorizing the City Manager to amend/designate Jessica
Williams, CFO/Director of Finance, and Susan White, Assistant Director of
Finance, as the authorized representatives for Texas Local Government
Investment Pool (TexPool), a public funds investment pool.
(b) Resolution 61-2019
Supply of Unleaded Gasoline and Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel to Haigood &
Campbell, LLC.
Item 6 Receive Minutes
(a) Library Advisory Board, March 5, 2019
(b) 4A Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation, April 18, 2019
(c) Planning & Zoning, May 8, 2019
(d) 4A Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation, May 16, 2019
(e) Landmark Commission, May 28, 2019
(f) 4A Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation, June 17, 2019
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Item 7a Public Hearing and Resolution 62-2019
8:59 a.m.
Resolution for the proposed 2019 Fifth Year Annual Action Plan of the adopted Five
Year 2015-2019 Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan
Mayor Santellana opened the public hearing at 9:00 a.m.
Pam Ibarra, Housing Generalist, addressed the council and discussed the fifth year of
the Housing Choice Voucher Program five-year plan for October 1, 2019 September
30, 2020, and the federal requirement to review the plan. Staff is not recommending
any modifications to the plan. The City of Wichita Falls is currently assisting 856
families on the program with 364 families on a waiting list, and the current average cost
per unit is $324.00.
Councilor Chenault asked about the wait time for those on the waiting list, and Ms.
Ibarra stated that it is about a 6-9 month wait.
Mayor Santellana closed the public hearing at 9:07 a.m.
Moved by Councilor West to approve Resolution 62-2019.
Motion seconded by Councilor Jackson and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, West, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
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Item 7b Resolution 63-2019
9:08 a.m.
Resolution approving an agreement with the Texas Health and Human Service
Commission (HHSC) and the Health District to perform Medicaid administration
activities
Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Resolution 63-2019.
Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote:
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July 2, 2019
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Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, West, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
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Item 8 Items of Concern to Members of the City Council
9:09 a.m.
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Councilor Chenault thanked everyone for attending, wished them a happy 4 of July,
and extended an invitation to everyone to attend the parade and fireworks display on
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July 4.
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Mayor Santellana recessed the meeting for a break at 9:11 a.m.
The meeting reconvened at 9:37 a.m.
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Item 9 Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning
Items That Are Not on the City Council Agenda.
9:37 a.m.
Syd Litteken, 1904 Clubview, introduced Kenny Emigh. Mr. Emigh is moving to Wichita
Falls and opening a new business. Mr. Emigh addressed the City Council and stated
that they are very excited to bring Farm and Ranch Television to Wichita Falls. It is live
stream TV watched in 41 countries around the world. They will be working with interns
and graduates from MSU and stated there are fifty-two television shows on Farm and
Ranch TV. They are excited about the relationship with Downtown Wichita Falls and
possibly renovating the building at 900 Indiana with the help of Syd Litteken.
Mayor Santellana welcomed Mr. Emigh and thanked him for joining our community.
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Item 10 Pre-Budget Workshop for Fiscal Year 2019-2020
9:40 a.m.
Jessica Williams, Director of Finance, gave an overview of the 2019-2020 preliminary
budget for the General, Water and Sanitation funds.
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The Mayor and Council commended Jessica for her hard work, as she has only been on
staff for six weeks.
Staff encouraged the Mayor and Council to call and schedule time to meet if they have
any questions.
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Item 11 Adjourn
Mayor Santellana adjourned the meeting at 10:38 a.m.
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PASSED AND APPROVED this 16 day of July, 2019.
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Stephen L. Santellana, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Marie Balthrop, TRMC, CMC
City Clerk
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