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Item 1 - Call to Order
City of Wichita Falls
City Council Meeting
Minutes
March 17, 2020
The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas met in regular session on the above
date in the Council Chambers of the Memorial Auditorium Building at 8:30 o'clock a.m.,
with the following members present.
Stephen L. Santellana
DeAndra Chenault
Tim Brewer
Jeff Browning
Michael Smith
Steve Jackson
Darron Leiker
Kinley Hegglund
Marie Balthrop
Absent:
Bobby Whiteley
- Mayor
- Mayor Pro Tem/Councilor District 2
- Councilor District 4
- Councilor District 3
- Councilor District 1
- Councilor District 5
- City Manager
- City Attorney
- City Clerk
- Councilor At -Large
Mayor Santellana called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Item 2a — Invocation
Pastor Harold Roan, Lamar Baptist Church, gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Santellana led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3a — Presentation — 2020 Census — We Challenge Everyone to be COUNTED,
Wichita Falls
8.33 a.m.
The Complete Count Committee for the 2020 Census shared a video reminding citizens
that everyone counts. Mayor Santellana discussed the importance of obtaining a
complete count and how a 1% undercount in population can cost the city up to $21
million in funding. Mayor Santellana encouraged citizens to not only fill out their census
paperwork but to also encourage others to fill theirs out as well. Other committee
members discussed the history and importance of the census and challenged all
citizens to complete their forms. Citizens can respond online, by phone or by mail.
Item 3b — Proclamation — Absolutely Incredible Kid Day, Camp Fire North Texas
8.40 a.m.
Mayor Santellana read a proclamation proclaiming March 19, 2020 as Camp Fire's
Absolutely Incredible Kid Day in Wichita Falls and asked family members, teachers and
mentors to make a difference in the life of a child by composing a letter of love and
appreciation to the children in our community.
Item 3c — Proclamation — National Athletic Training Month, Sharing the Profession
of Athletic Training
8.42 a.m.
Mayor Santellana read a proclamation proclaiming March 2020 as National Athletic
Training Month in Wichita Falls and urge our community to learn more about the
importance of athletic training.
Item 3d — Proclamation — Adverse Childhood Experience Awareness Month, Early
Childhood Coalition of Wichita Falls/Wichita County
8.45 a.m.
Mayor Santellana read a proclamation proclaiming April 2020 as Adverse Childhood
Experience Awareness Month in Wichita Falls and asked everyone to join in committing
Wichita Falls and Wichita County as a place where we can care about our children and
young families and work together to make a self -healing community.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
March 17, 2020
Page 2
Item 4-5 — Consent Agenda
8:48 a.m.
City Manager Darron Leiker gave a briefing on the items listed under the Consent Agenda.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve items on the consent agenda.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, and Smith
Nays: None
Item 4 — Approval of minutes of the March 3, 2020 Regular Meeting of the Mayor
and City Council
Item 5a — Resolution 29-2020
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to purchase 39 replacement Turbidimeters and
17 Controllers for the filtration systems at the Cypress and Jasper Water Treatment
Facilities from HACH Company in the amount of $139,397.40
Item 5b — Resolution 30-2020
Resolution authorizing award of bid for the purchase of two (2) 33,000 GVW crew trucks
from the low bidder, TNTX, LLC dba Lonestar Truck Group, in the amount of
$175, 790.00 .
Item 6 — Receive Minutes
Park Board, January 23, 2020
Item 7a — Resolution 31-2020
8:50 a.m.
Resolution authorizing award of bid for the purchase of one (1) aerial platform body with
a scissor lift assembly from the low bidder, E-S Trailer & Body dba Texoma Trailer &
Body, in the amount of $81,475.00.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 31-2020.
Motion seconded by Councilor Chenault and carried by the following vote:
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March 17, 2020
Page 3
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, and Smith
Nays: None
Item 7b — Resolution 32-2020
8:51 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the purchase of twelve (12) in -car camera systems for new patrol
units through the Houston -Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) Purchasing Cooperative from
SF Mobile -Vision, Inc.in the amount of $58,866.00.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Resolution 32-2020.
Motion seconded by Councilor Chenault and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, and Smith
Nays: None
Item 7c — Resolution 33-2020
8:54 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the purchase of prisoner cages, push bumpers, lights and sirens
for new patrol units through the BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative from VDAL
Enterprises, Inc. dba Big Country Supply in the amount of $57,094.79.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 33-2020.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried with the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, and Smith
Nays: None
Item 7d — Resolution 34-2020
8:56 a.m.
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March 17, 2020
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Resolution approving the programs and expenditures of the Wichita Falls Economic
Development Corporation (WFEDC) and amending the budget to include up to $50,000
to i.d.e.a. WF for economic development services.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Resolution 34-2020.
Motion seconded by Councilor Chenault and carried with the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, and Smith
Nays: None
Item 8 — Items of Concern to Members of the City Council
8:59 a.m.
Mr. Leiker asked Lou Kreidler, Director of Health, to give an update of COVID-19. Ms.
Kreidler stated there are currently fifty-seven cases in Texas, and one death of an
elderly citizen in the Houston area. There are three cases in Tarrant County, eight in
Dallas County, and six in Collin County. Ten people have been tested in our community
— three negative, and seven pending. United Regional will be using private labs for
those that do not meet Department of State Health Services testing criteria. There will
be an increase in the number of individuals tested in our area via private labs and they
will report the number of tests performed and the results to the Health Department. The
Health Department has been working closely with community partners and plans are in
place for the continued response in our community. They are also working with the
MPEC and other large group sponsors to ensure events with over 50 attendees are
cancelled, and working closely with the Chamber of Commerce to ensure businesses
have the most up to date information. There is a dedicated page on the Health District
webpage for COVID-19 response and it is updated with information sent out by the
state. Crane -West has recorded a public service announcement and it will be aired by
local stations at no cost. The City of Wichita Falls Public Information Office has done a
great job and are updating webpages to provide current information for citizens in our
community. Ms. Kreidler encouraged everyone to be prepared but not to panic.
Citizens should practice social distancing, wash your hands often with soap and water
for twenty seconds, use hand sanitizer, avoid touching your eyes nose and mouth with
unwashed hands, avoid close contact with people when possible, cover your mouth and
nose when you sneeze or cough, and disinfect often. If you are sick stay home and if
you feel you need to see a physician call ahead.
Councilor Smith stated that we hear nationwide concern about the capacity of our
hospitals, and how organizations are putting up triage tents and asked where we are at
in reference to this. Ms. Kreidler stated that the Health Department has had a pandemic
plan in place for many years and they complete exercises with our community partners.
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March 17, 2020
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Councilor Jackson asked if there are enough test kits. Ms. Kreidler clarified that there
are not actually test kits, just the ability to test, and private labs now have the ability tc
test for COVID-19. Testing is performed similar to testing for influenza. Councilor
Jackson stated that the public needs to be aware it can take up to 48 hours to receive
results, and Ms. Kreidler stated it can take longer, up to 4-5 days.
Mr. Leiker stated that up to date information is being disseminated on the city and
health department websites, and he asked for the public's patience as this is an ever -
changing situation. There will be regular meetings with staff to discuss policies, and
there are many ways to conduct business without coming into City Hall. In an effort to
protect staff and the public, citizens are encouraged to use these resources. Water bills
can be paid online, or via the drive thru drop box, and Municipal Court fines can be paid
online. Many cities are closing access to the public and although we are not there yet,
we may be in the future. Mr. Leiker reminded everyone that must come in City Hall to
practice social distancing.
Councilor Smith thanked Mr. Leiker and the city staff for all of their hard work. We have
been through drought, floods, economic depression and now the pandemic. It is an
ever challenging environment.
Mr. Leiker thanked the staff and stated that we have a great team and the priority is to
protect the staff. We are reviewing our continuity of operations plans to ensure
essential services are provided to the public. Mr. Leiker encouraged everyone to be
prepared for financial impact and a rocky budget season. Sales tax and interest
earnings will take a big hit, hotel occupancy and venue tax funds will be down, and our
self -funded health insurance fund will be impacted. We do maintain emergency
reserves for unexpected emergencies like this, and we have healthy reserve balances.
We currently do not anticipate any lays offs, but there may be hiring freezes for non-
essential positions.
Councilor Jackson asked if we can make sure that the elderly that do not have access
to the internet receive the information through the media. Mr. Leiker stated that
information on the website is simultaneously updated on our social media platforms and
sent to the media. The city offers "Notify Me" on our website that allows citizens to sign
up to receive automatic emails and notifications of press releases.
Councilor Jackson asked with the reduction of sales tax do we possibly need to slow 4A
and 4B spending. Mr. Leiker stated that we are looking at all of the options, but there
are different funding sources. The main concern is the general fund as it is highly
dependent upon sales tax revenues. We are not as concerned about the water fund as
people will continue to use water and pay water bills. The special funds are dependent
upon sales tax as well, but they do not have an operational staff to fund. If we need to
slow allocations in the future, we do have the ability to do that.
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March 17, 2020
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Councilor Chenault asked about water bills for elderly with fixed income and if we have
anything in place to assist them. Mr. Leiker stated that we do offer payment plans
without interest and we are currently reviewing our protocols to ensure we have plans in
place to work with citizens.
Councilor Smith stated that he has received calls regarding people walking for exercise
and he reminded everyone that it is your responsibility to keep your sidewalks clear, and
to not block your sidewalk with your vehicle. Please be aware of others in your
neighborhood and be a good neighbor. Councilor Smith asked Fire and Police to
provide Council current staffing numbers as compared to what is recommended by state
and national organizations. He feels this will be helpful over the next several months as
we begin the budget process.
Councilor Browning reminded everyone that we are not Dallas, and asked that we
support our local economy as much as possible. Many places are offering curbside
service and we need to support local businesses as they have bills to pay as well.
Councilor Chenault said good morning and encouraged everyone to be patient with
each other, as we are all stressed out in our jobs.
Councilor Brewer thanked Lou Kreidler for all of the great information, and he
appreciates all Ms. Kreidler does for the city and Health Department.
Councilor Jackson wished everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day. With everything going
on we need to all band together, help one another, and be a community. If elderly
citizens or any citizen needs anything they are free to call him, his phone number is on
the website. Keep your faith in the good Lord, he will see us through.
Mayor Santellana stated that Wichitans have been through it all. Mr. Leiker is the point
of contact for the City and Ms. Kreidler is the contact at the Health Department. He
thanked Lou Kreidler, Amy Fagan, and Lindsay Barker, and encouraged the use of
social media to get information out. Mayor Santellana stated that many meetings are
going on behind the scenes to prepare and hard decisions are being made based upon
state and federal guidelines. Many schools and businesses are being socially
responsible and closing. Social distancing is important as we move forward. Councilor
Jackson hit the nail on the head to not only be socially responsible but responsible
Christians as well. We need to assist our elderly and medically frail neighbors, do not
hoard, and consider sharing your stock piles. He encouraged Councilors to share
accurate information received from the Health Department or CDC and to watch the
national news. We must be responsible with the information we put out. There is no
delay in the information, as soon as we have the information we are sharing it.
Councilor Jackson thanked Chief Borrego for his assistance with issues in his
neighborhood with some kids on his property. He encouraged all of us to band together
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
March 17, 2020
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at this time, with kids being out of school make sure you know where your kids are at all
times. Our police officers have enough to keep them busy as it is.
Item 9 — Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning
Items that are not on the City Council Agenda
9:32 a.m.
Epitacio Gabaldon, 2239 Gilbert, Wichita Falls, addressed the council and presented his
proposed project for Harold Jones park to include an illuminated cross, trolley, jungle
gym, and other attractions. He presented a sketch to staff for consideration and
discussed possible sponsorship.
Item 10 — Executive Session
City Council adjourned into Executive Session at 9:34 a.m. in accordance with Texas
Government Codes §551.072.
City Council reconvened at 10:21 a.m.
Mayor Santellana announced that no votes or polls were taken.
Item 11 —Adjourn
Mayor Santellana adjourned the meeting at 10:21 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 7t" day of April, 2020.
ATTEST:
Marie Balthrop, T , MC, CMC
City Clerk
J�/AL;t '�4�
Stephen L. Santellana, Mayor
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
March 17, 2020
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