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Min 09/17/2019 City of Wichita Falls City Council Meeting Minutes September 17, 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 - 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 Don Stribling, Pastor, New Hope Presbyterian Church, gave the invocation. - - - - - - - - Item 2b Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Santellana led the Pledge of Allegiance. - - - - - - - - Item 3 Proclamation 8:33 a.m. Mayor Santellana read a proclamation proclaiming September 28, 2019 as Wichita Falls event held to raise awareness and funds for the care, support, and research, so that r. - - - - - - - - Item 4 6 Consent Items 8:36 a.m. City Manager Darron Leiker gave a briefing on the items listed under the Consent Agenda. Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve the 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 Mayor and City Council a. September 3, 2019 Regular Meeting b. September 10, 2019 Special Meeting Item 5a Resolution 87-2019 Resolution authorizing award of bid for the purchase of roll-out refuse and yard waste carts to Schaefer Systems International, Inc. in the amount of $66,000.00. Item 5b Resolution 88-2019 Resolution authorizing the City Manager to award bid and contract for the 2019 Lift Station 36, 44, and 47 Rehabilitation Project to Bowles Construction Co. in the amount of $201,836.00. Item 6 Receive Minutes CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 17, 2019 Page 2 (a) Wichita Falls MPO-TPC, April 24, 2019 (b) Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation, July 18, 2019 - - - - - - - Item 7a Public Hearing on the 2019-20 Proposed Budget 8:38 a.m. Mayor Santellana opened the public hearing at 8:38 a.m. Jessica Williams, CFO/Director of Finance, addressed the council and discussed the budget process and timeline. Ms. Williams stated that the two required public hearings for the tax rate were conducted on September 3, 2019 and September 10, 2019. David Coleman, 1634 Victory Ave, addressed the Council representing the Bicycle Action Committee. Mr. Coleman thanked Staff for another successful Hotter than Hell and thanked the City Council and Staff for their support. Mr. Coleman asked the Council to consider two things as they move forward, and to remember that one of the Strategic Plan goals is to become a bicycle friendly community. Mr. Coleman asked Council to follow through with the commitment to stripe bicycle paths on the streets and if possible create a new Bicycle Coordinator position to put together all of the efforts and create public awareness. Larry Robinson, 5559 Huntington Lane, appreciates Mr. Coleman wanting a bicycle friendly city, but the north side of town on Airport Drive and Kiel Lane would like to have a vehicle friendly community with roads maintained to the same standard as the County. Mr. Robinson stated that there has been a lot of talk about the budget and pay increases and stated that the pay of an E5 in the military with 12 years of service is $42,000 per year. Mr. Robinson discussed pay comparisons made with other cities, but how there are very few cities in locations like Wichita Falls, with the industries we have. Mr. Robinson stated that the two largest employers in Wichita Falls do not pay property taxes, so the burden gets moved to the tax payers. He would appreciate it if they would pay more attention to roads, specifically Airport Drive. Mr. Robinson stated that Kiel Lane has two race tracks, with high value vehicles going through this area, and there are maintenance issues on this road, but the city is painting bike paths while they tear their cars up. Mayor Santellana closed the public hearing at 8:43 a.m. - - - - - - - Item 7b Ordinance 42-2019 8:44 a.m. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 17, 2019 Page 3 Ordinance adopting the Annual Budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019 and ending September 30, 2020 and declaring an emergency. Moved by Councilor West to approve Ordinance 42-2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Chenault. Jessica Williams, CFO/Director of Finance, discussed the budget timeline, one-time projects, and the two employee pay increase options. Ms. Williams noted that the preliminary budget does not raise the current tax rate or $0.729880, and Option 2 will raise the tax rate by 3.3 cents to $0.763323. Option 2 amends the preliminary budget to provide cost of living adjustments to Police and Fire of 5%, non civil service 2.5%, and raises the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) contribution to 7% for non civil service. Moved by Councilor Whiteley to amend the main motion to include Option 2 in the 2019- 2020 Annual Budget ordinance. Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried with the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, West, and Whiteley Nays: Councilor Jackson Mayor Santellana called for a vote to approve Ordinance 42-2019 as amended. The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, West, and Whiteley Nay: Councilor Jackson - - - - - - - Item 7c Ordinance 43-2019 8:51 a.m. Ordinance levying, assessing, and fixing the tax rate for the use and support of the Wichita Falls Municipal Government and providing for the Interest and Sinking Fund for the 2019-20 fiscal year; and declaring an emergency. Moved by Councilor Chenault that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of $0.763323, which is effectively and 8.10 percent increase in the tax rate. Motion seconded by Councilor Whiteley. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 17, 2019 Page 4 Councilor Whiteley inquired about the legislative change for property tax calculations that will take effect next year. Mr. Leiker stated the maximum increase will be reduced from 8% to 3.5%. Mr. Whiteley asked how that would have affected us this year, and Mr. Leiker stated that the preliminary budget was just under the 3.5% max with a mandatory election if we exceed 3.5%. Councilor Whiteley stated that in his opinion this ties the hands of cities across the state, and will hinder doing business moving forward. Councilor Whiteley stated that this year it is important that we take care of our employees. Mayor Santellana and Mr. Leiker discussed that the final legislation was a compromise and the first rate proposed was 2.5% which would not even cover inflation of some of materials we purchase. Motion carried with the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, West, and Whiteley Nays: Councilor Jackson - - - - - - - Mayor Santellana moved to item 8a at this time Item 8a Resolution 89-2019 8:57 a.m. Consider and take action on a resolution ratifying the property tax increase in the Fiscal Year 2019-20 Operating Budget. Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Resolution 89-2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried with the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, West, and Whiteley Nays: Councilor Jackson - - - - - - - Item 7d Ordinance 44-2019 9:00 a.m. Ordinance adopting the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2019 and ending September 30, 2024. Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Ordinance 44-2019. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 17, 2019 Page 5 Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried with the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, West, and Whiteley Nays: None - - - - - - - Item 7e Ordinance 45-2019 9:02 a.m. Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 42-2018, the fee schedule applied to City operations; providing for severability and that such ordinance shall not be codified. Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Ordinance 45-2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried with the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, West, and Whiteley Nays: None - - - - - - - Item 8b Resolution 90-2019 9:06 a.m. Resolution authorizing award of bid for the asbestos abatement of eight properties to Horsley Specialties, Inc. in the amount of $158,723.00. Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Resolution 90-2019. Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried with the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, West, and Whiteley Nays: None - - - - - - - Item 9 Items of Concern to Members of the City Council 9:10 a.m. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 17, 2019 Page 6 Councilor Chenault said good morning and thank you for coming out. - - - - - - - Item 10 Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning Items That Are Not on the City Council Agenda. 9:10 a.m. There were no comments from the Public. - - - - - - - Item 11 - Executive Sessions 9:11 City Council went into Executive Session at 9:11 a.m. in accordance with Texas Government Codes §551.074, and §551.087. Councilor West left the meeting at 9:35 a.m. City Council reconvened at 10:05 a.m. Mayor Santellana announced that no votes or polls were taken. - - - - - - - Item 12 Appointments to the Landmark Commission 10:05 a.m. Due to the resignation of Stacie Flood, a vacancy has been created on the Landmark Commission for Place 8, which must be filled by a member of the Wichita County Heritage Society. Staff recommends Nadine McKown to fill this position. Moved by Councilor Browning to appoint Nadine McKown to Place 8 on the Landmark Commission with a term to expire 12/31/2021. Motion seconded by Councilor Whiteley and carried with the following vote: Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried with the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, and Whiteley Nays: None CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 17, 2019 Page 7 - - - - - - - Item 13 Adjourn Mayor Santellana adjourned the meeting at 10:07 a.m. st PASSED AND APPROVED this 1 day of October, 2019. ________________________________ Stephen L. Santellana, Mayor ATTEST: ____________________________________ Marie Balthrop, TRMC, CMC City Clerk CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 17, 2019 Page 8