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Item 1 - Call to Order
City of Wichita Falls
City Council Meeting
Minutes
August 18, 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 Eric Deluna, Lakeview Church of the Nazarene, gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Santellana led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3-4 — Consent Agenda
8:33 a.m.
City Manager Darron Leiker gave a briefing on the items listed under the Consent
Agenda.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve items on the consent agenda.
Motion seconded by Councilor Chenault 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 August 4, 2020 Regular Meeting of the Mayor
and City Council
Item 4 — Receive Minutes
(a) Landmark Commission, June 23, 2020
(b) Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee, July 14, 2020
Item 5 — Ordinance 47-2020
8:34 a.m.
Ordinance making an appropriation to the Special Revenue Fund for COVID-19 Grant
funding in the amount of $77,063 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 47-2020.
Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried with the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, Smith, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 6 — Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Proposed Operating Budget
8:35 a.m.
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August 18, 2020
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Mayor Santellana opened the public hearing at 8.36 a.m. Jessica Williams, Director of
Finance/CFO, discussed the proposed 2020-2021 fiscal year budget which is a
decrease of 4.97% from the approved 2019-2020 fiscal year budget. Ann Arnold -
Ogden, Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture, addressed the Council to discuss
their Memorandum of Understanding with the City, and the proposed funding for their
organization. Mr. Leiker discussed the revenue reductions in Hotel Occupancy Tax that
required reductions in agency funding. Currently the proposed budget has $50,000
allocated for the Alliance for Arts and Culture, but that will not be finalized until the
Council approves the budget.
Councilor Jackson inquired about the percentage of property tax revenue, and asked if
it was possible to break down property tax, property value increases, and sales tax by
Council district. Mrs. Williams stated that the information is not gathered by Council
districts, and she does not believe that the County has the technology to produce the
information in that format. Sales tax revenues by business can be obtained from the
Comptroller, but that information is confidential. Councilor Jackson asked about the
facilities improvement line item and where that will be spent. Mr. Leiker stated that the
majority of this line item will be used for stabilization of city hall, and the remainder for
other existing city facilities. Councilor Jackson discussed property appraisal values, and
how they have increased. Councilor Brewer stated that the Wichita Falls housing
market has exploded, homes for sale are receiving multiple offers above the asking
price, property values are based on comparable home sales in the area, and the
appraisal district is governed by the state. It was discussed that the overall property
value increase is 3.89% which includes new growth. Looking over the past ten years
the average property value increase is 2.09% change in property values per year, which
is roughly the inflation rate. There was brief discussion regarding the appraisal process,
that property values are not controlled by the City, and that the effect of COVID-19 will
not be realized in appraisals until next year.
Blake Jurecek, Assistant City Manager, discussed the facilities improvement line item
detail regarding pre development costs for the proposed hotel/convention center, and
stated the funding source for that is from the 4B Sales Tax Corporation as previously
approved by the Council.
Mayor Santellana closed the public hearing at 9.00 a.m.
Item 7a — Resolution 71-2020
9.00 a.m.
Resolution expressing the City Council's intent to place a proposal on a future Council
agenda approving a property tax rate that exceeds the no new tax rate, but does not
exceed the voter -approval tax rate; scheduling one public tax rate hearing, and
establishing the date to vote on same.
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August 18, 2020
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Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Resolution 71-2020.
Motion seconded by Councilor Browning.
Mrs. Williams discussed the proposed rate $0.763323, no -new -revenue rate $0.744422,
the voter approval rate $0.776452, and how those rates were calculated and certified by
the Wichita County Tax Office. Staff recommends the proposed rate of $0.763323
which is the same as last year's rate. There was brief discussion regarding the changes
caused by SB 2. Councilor Jackson stated that he recommends the no -new -revenue
rate of $0.744422, and that the Council could meet to discuss where cuts could be
made. A lengthy discussion was held regarding budget cuts, general fund revenues,
revenue shortfalls, and how a reduction in the proposed tax rate would affect general
fund personnel and services.
Moved by Councilor Smith to amend the main motion to consider adopting a proposed
tax rate of $0.763323 per $100 of assessed property value, and that a public hearing to
discuss the property tax rate be held on September 1, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. in the Council
Chambers.
Motion seconded by Councilor Brewer and carried by the following record vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, Smith, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 7b — Resolution 72-2020
9:36 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to award bid and contract for the 2020 Lift
Station 5 and 39 Rehabilitation and Lincoln Street Pump Replacement Project to
Bowles Construction Co. in the amount of $379,390.00.
Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Resolution 72-2020.
Motion seconded by Councilor Jackson.
Russell Schreiber, Director of Public Works, discussed the project and noted that the
approved base bid only includes Lift Station 5 and the Lincoln Street Pump
Replacement Project.
Motion carried by the following vote:
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August 18, 2020
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Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, Smith, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 7c — Resolution 73-2020
9:39 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to award bid and contract for the 2020 Sewer
Budget Utility Improvements Project Phase I to Insituform Technologies, LLC in the
amount of $493,899.75.
Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Resolution 73-2020.
Motion seconded by Councilor Jackson and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, Smith, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 7d — Resolution 74-2020
9:41 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to make application with the Texas Department
of Transportation (TxDOT) for a Comprehensive Selective Traffic Enforcement Program
(STEP) Grant for fiscal year 2021.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Resolution 74-2020.
Motion seconded by Councilor Jackson and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, Smith, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 8a — Staff Report — COVID-19 Update, Lou Kreidler
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August 18, 2020
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9.44 a.m.
Mrs. Kreidler stated that there have been 203 new cases and two deaths in the last two
weeks. This is an average of approximately 14 new cases per day, and is an increase
in the number of positive cases. The top three types of spread continue to be close
contact, contact, and community spread. For many school districts school has started
or will begin soon. The Health Department has been working with each school district
and college on their plans to return safely. We want everyone to have a safe school
year and it will take all of us being vigilant in monitoring for symptoms and not going to
work or sending children to school no matter how minor the symptoms may be. Mrs.
Kreidler encouraged everyone to wear a mask, wash their hands, use hand sanitizer,
and disinfect surfaces often. A brief discussion was held regarding school district plans,
how they will social distance, and how staff will work with the schools. Councilor
Browning asked if there had been an increase in cases in the 6-19 age range. Mrs.
Kreidler stated that cases in ages 0-5 have decreased from 2% to 1 %, ages 6-10 have
decreased from 2% to 1%, and ages 11-19 have increased from 7% to 9% in the last 30
day period.
Item 8b — Items of concern to members of the City Council
9.47 a.m.
Councilor Smith reminded everyone to take care of their pets and provide water, food,
and shade during the summer months, and discussed the opportunity to help our non-
profit organizations through the Texoma Gives campaign. Councilor Smith encouraged
everyone to step up and give during this campaign. Councilor Smith discussed the
election season and the criteria for voting by mail.
Councilor Browning discussed the concern with school starting and wanted everyone to
stay healthy. He encouraged everyone to continue to wear masks and hopes that we
can reopen businesses that are still closed in the near future.
Councilor Jackson thanked the Council and Staff for explaining the budget and tax rate
process. He wanted citizens to understand the process and how additional cuts would
affect police and fire, and he does not think we can afford to cut those departments.
Councilor Jackson asked everyone to pray for our community, and he hopes we can
reopen Texas soon. He stated this is the City that faith built and asked that we all work
together to make it better. He appreciates all of the hard work on the budget and
wanted the citizens to understand what position the city is in. He asked for prayers for
our country, Wichita Falls, and the military, and asked that God bless America and
Wichita Falls.
Councilor Brewer stated he is excited about the housing market being up because that
means that we are growing and people want to move to Wichita Falls. He speaks to
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August 18, 2020
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people on a regular basis from out of state or larger cities that want to move to Wichita
Falls. He discussed new businesses, employment ads and jobs available. Most people
are wearing masks and he wants to stay positive as he sees good things happening in
Wichita Falls.
Councilor Whiteley stated that he was contacted this past week regarding a Code
Enforcement issue on Andrea Street. He knows staff has been working on this issue,
and asked if we are doing everything legally possible to assist with this issue. Mr.
Leiker stated that staff would prepare communication to go out to the Council regarding
this issue. Councilor Whiteley discussed his concern for the citizens in that area and
how issues like this affect property values. He also expressed his concern for the rising
cost of health insurance for city employees and retirees. Retirees will have a 12%
increase in their insurance costs, and he reiterated that he is not happy with the rise in
these costs as these benefits were promised as a condition of employment when they
were hired. He hopes that we can find a way to absorb these costs.
Councilor Chenault said good morning and thanked everyone for attending the meeting.
She asked that everyone pray for our teachers and students as they get ready to return
to school. Councilor Chenault congratulated the Dollar Store on East side for being
open three years, and thanked the staff that helped her with this project. The store is
doing great things.
Mayor Santellana stated that we are in many seasons; Census season, budget season,
election season, and school season. With all of these seasons happening and being
involved in all of them, he wanted to thank the staff for all of the wonderful work they do.
You are doing a fantasticjob with less employees, and he commended employees as
he has not heard a single complaint. Mayor Santellana thanked the Councilors for their
work and for stepping up and taking care of their citizens, and for everyone that helps
him do his job as Mayor, especially during this time with COVID-19.
Item 9 — Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning
Items That Are Not on the City Council Agenda
10.03 a.m.
Sabrina Lewis, 313 Farris, addressed the Council and stated that she is the current
reigning Miss Black Texas USA 2020. Ms. Lewis was born and raised in Wichita Falls,
and her grandparents live on Farris Street. She expressed her concern about children
returning to school during COVID-19. She has spoken with local teachers who
expressed concern over not having enough disinfecting supplies, and the availability of
masks for all students as children do not have control over their family finances. She
asked that the City and citizens make it a priority to donate masks and required supplies
to the school district so our teachers and students can be safe during the school year.
Ms. Lewis discussed evictions and the reduction in unemployment benefits. She is
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August 18, 2020
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unsure if the City has any programs to assist families facing eviction, but asked that the
Mayor and Council consider this on a future agenda. Ms. Lewis held a financial literacy
class at First Step where she was able to do hands on budgeting with the residents
there. She would also like to share financial literacy information with other residents as
COVID-19 has affected many families. She discussed the possibility of having a relief
fund that people could use to apply for assistance, as Houston had a fund of
approximately $2 million that was depleted quickly the day it was opened. Ms. Lewis'
platform is financial literacy and she shares as much information as she can on social
media.
Item 10 —Adjourn
Mayor Santellana adjourned the meeting at 10.09 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 1st day of September 2020.
ATTEST:
Marie Balthrop, TRMC, MMC
City Clerk
tep en L. Santellana, Mayor
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August 18, 2020
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