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Item 1 - Call to Order
City of Wichita Falls
City Council Meeting
Minutes
June 16, 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
Steve Jackson
Michael Smith
Bobby Whiteley
Darron Leiker
Kinley Hegglund
Marie Balthrop
- Mayor
- Mayor Pro Tern
- Councilors
- City Manager
- City Attorney
- City Clerk
Mayor Santellana called the meeting to order at 8.30 a.m.
Item 2a — Invocation
Pastor Bob McCartney, First Baptist Church, gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Santellana led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3-5 — Consent Agenda
8:34 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, Smith, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 3 — Approval of minutes of the June 2, 2020 Regular Meeting of the Mayor
and City Council
Item 4 — Ordinance 33-2020
Ordinance appropriating $94,867.00 to the Special Revenue Fund from the U.S.
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, 2020 Coronavirus Emergency
Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program Grant, GMS Award 2020-VD-BX-1763 and
authorizing the City Manager to accept said funds.
Item 5 — Receive Minutes
(a) Wichita Falls Economic Development, February 20, 2020
(b) Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee, February 11, 2020
Item 6a — Ordinance 34-2020
8:35 a.m.
Ordinance authorizing a joint general -special municipal election be held on November 3,
2020, for the purposes of electing a Mayor, Councilor District 3, Councilor District 4, and
Councilor District 5; further, submitting proposed amendments 1-8 to the City Charter be
submitted to the voters during said election; setting forth the proposed amendments and
prescribing the form of the propositions, and ordering a Runoff Election, if needed.
Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Ordinance 34-2020.
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June 16, 2020
Page 2
Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, Smith, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 6b — Ordinance 35-2020
8:45 a.m.
Ordinance approving the submission of an additional proposed City Charter amendment
to the voters during the general -special election of November 3, 2020; further, setting
forth the additional proposed amendment and prescribing the form of the proposition.
Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Ordinance 35-2020.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Browning, Chenault, Jackson, Smith, and Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 6c — Ordinance 36-2020
8:53 a.m.
Ordinance approving the submission of an additional proposed City Charter amendment
to the voters during the general -special election of November 3, 2020; further, setting
forth the additional proposed amendment and prescribing the form of the proposition.
Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Ordinance 36-2020.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Browning, Chenault, Jackson, Smith, and Whiteley
Nays: None
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Page 3
Item 6d — Ordinance 37-2020
PUT. 11
Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to approve a request from the House of
Empowerment to vacate and abandon a public right of way and public utility easement
consisting of approximately 3,360 square feet (168' x 20') adjacent to Lots 1-6, Block
32, Barwise and Jalonick Addition running east and west along 511 Mississippi Avenue.
Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Ordinance 37-2020.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Browning, Chenault, Jackson, Smith, and Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 6e — Ordinance 38-2020
9:13 a.m.
Ordinance making an appropriation to the Special Revenue Fund for The Women,
Infants, and Children (WIC) Grant Program in the amount of $9,907 received from the
Health and Human Services Commission and authorizing the City Manager to execute
contract accepting same.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Ordinance 38-2020.
Motion seconded by Councilor Jackson and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Browning, Chenault, Jackson, Smith, and Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 7a — Public Hearing and Resolution 57-2020
9:15 a.m.
Resolution approving a Substantial Amendment to the City of Wichita Falls PY 2019
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan to re -allocate $120,400 to
the Lynwood East Community Center and to receive and administer $733,264 through
the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Mayor Santellana opened the public hearing at 9:16 a.m.
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June 16, 2020
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Terry Floyd, Director of Community Services, discussed the Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan, the re -allocation of $120,400 to the Lynwood East
Community Center, and the administration of CARES Act funding. Two organizations
that will receive CARES Act funding thanked the council for their support and discussed
how the funds will assist them and the community. There were no additional public
comments.
Mayor Santellana closed the public hearing at 9:29 a.m.
Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Resolution 57-2020.
Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Browning, Chenault, Jackson, Smith, and Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 7b — Resolution 58-2020
9:30 a.m.
Resolution authorizing The City Manager to execute a contract with Cross R's
Company, LLC in the amount of $209,394.80 for the construction of the Lynwood
Community Center.
Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Resolution 58-2020.
Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Browning, Chenault, Jackson, Smith, and Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 7c — Resolution 59-2020
9:35 a.m.
Resolution re -appointing Darron Leiker and Holly Lane to the Wichita County -City of
Wichita Falls Hospital Board.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Resolution 59-2020.
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June 16, 2020
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Motion seconded by Councilor Chenault and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Browning, Chenault, Jackson, Smith, and Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 8 — Items of Concern to Members of the City Council
9:37 a.m.
Lou Kreidler, Director of Health, gave an update on COVID-19. With the reopening of
Texas there has been an increase of cases with twenty-four new cases since Friday;
seven community spread, six travel related, four contacts to previous cases, and seven
close contacts. Mrs. Kreidler discussed business closures and the process used to
determine when a business would have to close. Citizens have inquired about traveling
and Mrs. Kreidler stated that the Health Department recommends individuals research
the area they are traveling to determine the case burden in that area and weigh the
risks for themselves. This is a personal decision. We do have community spread and
citizens should take proper precautions. Case numbers are expected to increase as
close contacts to the most recent cases are tested. We must be proactive as
individuals and employers to protect our community. It was noted that the Health
Department staff make sure that all the needs are met throughout the entire process for
individuals that are quarantined.
Councilor Brewer thanked everyone in Wichita Falls for their compliance and taking
proper precautions for COVID-19.
Councilor Jackson gave kudos to citizens actively taking precautions and stated that we
are behind them. He stated that after the way he voted on some of the ordinances
today he wants to make sure that citizens will be well informed of the charter
amendments. He stated that he has a hard copy of the proposed changes if anyone
would like a copy, and he encouraged everyone to educate themselves and to get out
and vote.
Councilor Browning stated that with everything going on we have become a little relaxed
concerning COVID-19 precautions. He encouraged personal responsibility and asked
everyone to stay proactive.
Councilor Smith discussed the tsunami of concerns over the past few months from
COVID-19 to the more recent issues of social injustice. It is incumbent upon council to
think and then consider a way for public concerns to be discussed. We have seen
various gatherings and rallies and he thanked those exercising their first amendment
rights to voice their opinions concerning social injustice. He again encouraged the
council to consider ways for citizens to voice their concerns. Mayor Santellana asked if
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June 16, 2020
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Councilor Smith was suggesting a Town Hall Meeting and Councilor Smith stated that
would be one way this could be accomplished, and possibly virtually with social
distancing concerns.
Councilor Whiteley stated that even though there is a lot going on, we still have the
regular business to take care of. He asked for an update on the one-way streets East of
Scott Street and making those two-way, as he sees people driving the wrong way on
these streets daily. There is another worker's compensation issue rising to the top, and
he expressed his concerns about the issues with worker's compensation that need to be
addressed at the State level. We currently have an employee that had to wait so long to
get approval that he now has a level of impairment that cannot be fixed according to his
surgeon. It is an imperfect system and he does not have the answers, but it always
comes back to money. Concerning the Charter amendments, what is great about our
country is that we can all vote and express our opinions. We can discuss different
opinions and remain friends and do not have to choose a side and hate the other side.
Councilor Chenault said good morning and thanked everyone for attending in person or
watching the livestream. She agrees with Councilor Smith that we need to have these
conversations, even though they are sometimes uncomfortable. She asked that both
the Police Department and the Sheriff's Department attend the public meetings to
discuss these concerns. When we have these meetings, she hopes we have people
attend and that they are provided an opportunity to speak and express their concerns.
Mayor Santellana stated that citizens have the responsibility to educate themselves on
the proposed Charter amendments. Although the Council voted unanimously to put all
of the amendments to a vote, there are still some reservations about a couple of the
amendments. Putting them to a vote allows the citizens to decide. We will make sure
to provide as much information as possible concerning the proposed amendments and
he hopes that citizens take the time to educate themselves before deciding. He has
received several calls lately concerning the defunding of the Police Department. We do
not have any issues with our department, and we are not considering defunding the
Police Department. Things are very racially charged lately with everything going on in
the nation. He is grateful that we have not had some of the issues other towns have
had, and agrees with Councilor Smith concerning the need for a forum where people
can voice their concerns. There has been some negativity lately in regards to statues
and defacing of public property and he feels this just drives a wedge between the two
sides. You cannot fight hate with hate. The uptick of COVID cases is a reminder of
how quickly things can change. He thanked Mrs. Kreidler and her staff, and
encouraged everyone to take care of the elderly and help their neighbors.
Item 9 — Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning
Items That Are Not on the City Council Agenda
10.05 a.m.
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June 16, 2020
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Kelly Blose, 1813 Ardath Ave, discussed reasons she would like to have the
confederate monument removed from the front of Memorial Auditorium. She asked for
the council's support to allow conversations concerning racism to happen.
Hoden Jubb, 1813 Ardath, discussed reasons for the removal of the confederate
monument in front of Memorial Auditorium. It is time to have the discussion of what the
monument means and stands for. He asked that this item be put on a future agenda for
civil discussion.
Jon Anthony, 4206 Emerson St., discussed his opinions concerning the removal of the
confederate monument, and stated that it is inappropriate for this monument to be on
the grounds of Memorial Auditorium.
Mrs. Balthrop read email comments from the following individuals stating the reasons
they feel the monument should be removed: Jean Hall, Maggie Wyatt, Jessica Odom,
Dr. Geoffrey Clegg, Caitlin McNeely, Dr. Hillery Coenen, Coutney Abubakar, Audrey
Rose, Paola Torres, Cherokee Rose Arroyo, Mineasa Nesbit, Elaine Dubray, Marla
Havins, and Dr. Nathan Jun.
Mrs. Balthrop read emails from one unnamed individual and Ken Gregory stating the
reasons they feel the monument should not be removed.
The City Manager's office also received four phone calls this week requesting the
removal of the confederate monument, and one caller asked that the monument be
placed in a museum and not destroyed.
Complete comments from all individuals were provided to the City Council and
management staff.
Mayor Santellana recessed the meeting at 10.43 a.m. Council reconvened at 11.15.
Item 10 — Pre -Budget Workshop for Fiscal Year 2020-2021
11:15 a.m.
Jessica Williams, Director of Finance, gave an overview of the 2020-2021 preliminary
budget for the General, Water, and Sanitation funds, and discussed the budget process,
budget impacts, and other fund highlights.
The Mayor and Council commended Jessica and her staff for their hard work.
Staff encouraged the Mayor and Council to call and schedule time to meet if they have
any questions.
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June 16, 2020
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Item 11 —Adjourn
Mayor Santellana adjourned the meeting at 12.46 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 7t" day of July 2020.
ATTEST -
Marie Balthrop, T MC, CMC
City Clerk
to hen L. Santellana, Mayor
ANSIA +INMIsUMIUMIN
June 16, 2020
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