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Item 1 - Call to Order
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 - Mayor
DeAndra Chenault - Mayor Pro Tem
Tim Brewer - Councilors
Jeff Browning -
Steve Jackson -
Michael Smith -
Darron Leiker - City Manager
Kinley Hegglund - City Attorney
Marie Balthrop - City Clerk
Absent: Bobby Whiteley, Councilor At-Large.
Mayor Santellana called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Item 2a — Invocation
Deacon Brad Samuelson, Our Lady of Guadalupe, gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Santellana led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3 — Employee of the Month January — Lt. Sam Coltrain, Police
8:33 a.m.
Manuel Borrego, Chief of Police, recognized Lt. Sam Coltrain as the Employee of the
Month for January 2021. Mayor Santellana congratulated Mr. Coltrain and presented
him with a plaque, letter of appreciation, restaurant voucher, and check, and thanked
him for his service.
Item 4-6 — Consent Items
8:37 a.m.
City Manager Darron Leiker gave a briefing on the items listed under the Consent
Agenda.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve the 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 December 15, 2020 Regular Meeting of the
Mayor and City Council
Item 5a — Resolution 01-2021
Resolution authorizing award of bid for the purchase of eleven (11) 2021 Ford Utility
Police Interceptors from the low bidder Wichita Falls Ford-Lincoln, Inc. in the amount of
$383,215.80.
Item 5b — Resolution 02-2021
Resolution authorizing award of bid for the purchase of one 15-yard dump truck from
the low bidder, Summit Truck Group, LLC, in the amount of$124,663.
Item 5c — Resolution 03-2021
Resolution authorizing award of bid for the purchase of two (2) 3/4-ton pickup trucks, one
(1) 3/4-ton pickup cab/chassis, and (1) extended cab 3/4-ton pickup from the low bidder,
Wichita Falls Ford-Lincoln, Inc., in the amount of $102,981.85.
Item 5d — Resolution 04-2021
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January 5,2021
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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
$166,570.00.
Item 6 — Receive Minutes
(a) Planning & Zoning, November 11, 2020
(b) Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation, November 19, 2020
Item 7a1 — Staff Report — COVID-19 Update, Lou Kreidler
8:39 a.m.
Lou Kreidler, Director of Health, provided an update on COVID-19 in Wichita County. In
December, there were 3,892 new cases, 3,376 recoveries, and 70 deaths. The case
numbers have risen substantially since Christmas and in the last 5 days of December
alone, there were over 1,000 new cases. Mrs. Kreidler discussed the vaccination
distribution in Wichita County and addressed the frustrations citizens have had
regarding being able to receive the vaccination. The Health Department met with
various healthcare providers that would be receiving vaccines and the decision was
made to serve group 1A first as those are the people that care for our community when
we are sick. There has been a shortage of healthcare workers due to the pandemic and
they felt it was necessary to ensure we had a protected healthcare workforce first. The
Health Department and Clinics of North Texas have begun vaccinating individuals in
group 1 B, and United Regional Healthcare is receiving more vaccines this week and will
be vaccinating more individuals in healthcare and then begin vaccinating individuals in
group 1 B that are current patients of the United Regional Physicians Group. Mrs.
Kreidler stated that the Health Department is not in control of the number of vaccines
received or which providers receive them and asked that citizens be patient. Many other
communities in the state are experiencing the same frustrations. Mrs. Kreidler
discussed the two vaccines, storage requirements, reporting requirements, and the
planning required ensuring vaccines are not wasted. The Health Department has
started a waiting list for individuals in groups 1A and 1 B. They received 500 doses of
vaccine and as of today, all 500 have been administered. Individuals in groups 1A and
1 B can get on the waiting list by calling the Health District or via the link on their
website. She encouraged citizens to reach out to their health care provider to see if
they are registered to administer the vaccine, and if not encourage them to register. All
vaccine information can be found on the City of Wichita Falls website, and the
Department of State Health Services website shows all providers that receive the
vaccine and the number of doses received. Mrs. Kreidler asked citizens to be patient,
to continue to wear a mask, social distance, wash hands often, use hand sanitizer, and
to be vaccinated when vaccines are available.
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January 5,2021
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There was brief discussion regarding how information is being disseminated, how to
increase the amount of information sent out, and staffing levels at the Health
Department.
Item 7a2 — Staff Report — Downtown Property Maintenance Code and Vacant
Structure Registry Ordinance Update, Terry Floyd
8:53a.m.
Paul Menzies, Assistant City Manager, discussed the history of downtown improvement.
This was a priority in our 2017 and 2019 Strategic Plans, and a Downtown Development
Steering Committee was appointed. A Downtown Plan was developed, and Mr. Menzies
reviewed the Downtown Plan, accomplishments to date, and plans for the future.
Terry Floyd, Director of Development Services, discussed the Code Enforcement efforts
downtown, and the Downtown Property Maintenance Code ordinance that will be
presented in February. He stated that this would only be applicable to the greater
Downtown area, and only applicable to commercial structures including some multi-
family structures. Staff will strive for compliance and not citations, and will work with
property owners. The intent of the Property Maintenance Code is to help keep
structures maintained before they become hazardous. Compliance is the responsibility
of the property owner, and appeals can be made to the Director of Development
Services under certain circumstances. The proposed Vacant Structure Registry
Ordinance will help ensure we have owner's names and contact information, that
owners are aware of City Codes and regulations, and that minimum maintenance
standards are met. Mr. Floyd discussed the definition of a vacant structure, additional
requirements that will be in the ordinance, fees, and the timeline. There was brief
discussion regarding the length of the timeline and reasons for the long lead-time.
Item 7b — Items of Concern to Members of the City Council
9:17 a.m.
Councilor Smith discussed the communication tower used by storm watchers being
vandalized and collapsing. They are trying to raise $9,000 to repair the tower and the
Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation is facilitating the fundraising efforts.
Councilor Smith encouraged everyone to donate if possible. Remember our Non-profits
as they continue to do great work and especially through the pandemic. If you can
volunteer or donate, please do, and thank you to all of the non-profits staff for their
work. Councilor Smith expressed his concern regarding evictions and recent legislation
that only allows one additional month of protection. He encouraged citizens to write or
call their elected state officials concerning this matter.
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January 5,2021
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Councilor Jackson stated that they had a great turn out for the Base Camp Lindsay
event where food and clothing were distributed. Leftover food was given to the Food
Bank and clothing was given to the Salvation Army. He expressed his appreciation for
the volunteers that assisted with this event. Councilor Jackson stated that he prays
2021 is better than 2020.
Councilor Brewer wished everyone a Happy New Year and stated that he sees great
things in 2021 as we continue to see new businesses and the housing market is still
solid. He would like information regarding how to donate money for the communication
tower as he has several individuals that would like to donate.
Councilor Browning wished everyone a Happy New Year. Regarding information
dealing with COVID, the city website has a button on the homepage and the website is
filled with information. He encouraged everyone to do their part to look up the
information they need.
Councilor Chenault wished everyone a Happy New Year. She requested an update on
the weekend bus route. John Burrus, Director of Aviation, Traffic, and Transportation,
stated that they have three potential drivers that have their CDL, and eight that would
require training to obtain their CDL. He hopes that the individuals hired can start in
February. The Martin Luther King Prayer Breakfast was cancelled due to COVID but
they are requesting donations to fund scholarships. Donations can be made at the MLK
Center.
Mayor Santellana wished everyone a Happy New Year. He is looking forward to 2021
and the Strategic Planning retreat that will be scheduled this spring. Thank you to Terry
Floyd for his presentation, and to Lou Kreidler and the Health Department staff for all of
their hard work. As Councilor Browning stated, there is extensive information regarding
COVID-19 on the city website and he encouraged people to use that resource. Mayor
Santellana asked about the eleven new police vehicles and there was a brief discussion
regarding the bids. He encouraged everyone to donate to the MLK center for the
scholarships, and to the tower fund. Mr. Leiker stated that accounts for both funds have
been setup at the Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation and donations can be
made there.
Item 8 — Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning
Items That Are Not on the City Council Agenda
9:30 a.m.
Troy Nottingham, 5508 Long Leaf, discussed his concerns regarding the ordinance
requiring the removal of basketball goals from city rights-of-way, and asked that the
Council consider rewriting the citation, and reevaluating this situation. Forty families are
affected by the removal of the basketball goal, and he expressed his concerns
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January 5,2021
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regarding quality of life, especially during the pandemic. He discussed options other
cities have offered to address this issue.
Kim Nottingham, 5508 Long Leaf, discussed her concerns regarding the letter sent out,
the ordinance requiring the removal of basketball goals from city rights-of way, and
letters received from others that were unable to attend the meeting. Mrs. Nottingham
requested that the Council work with parents on a compromise and for this item to be
added to the next agenda.
Rachel Henderson, 8 Clover Court, discussed her concerns regarding the ordinance
requiring the removal of basketball goals from the city rights-of-way. Ms. Henderson
discussed the importance of the children being able to interact and play together, and
stated she is here to advocate for her children and others affected. She stated that
there are many other things parked in the streets that have been more of a nuisance
than the basketball goals, and asked that Council consider a compromise.
Mr. Floyd discussed the basketball goals, and the applicable ordinance. Mr. Floyd
discussed why letters were sent, and stated that compliance letters were sent out but no
citations were issued. He apologized that the letters that went out referenced the
incorrect ordinance. Twenty-seven properties received letters and twenty-two have
come into compliance. Mr. Floyd discussed the primary purpose of public rights-of-way,
and that use of rights-of-way by private users is secondary to public objectives. Staff
will continue to work with these individuals.
Item 9 — Executive Session
9:47
Council did not convene in Executive Session.
Item 10 — Appointments to Boards and Commission
9:47 a.m.
Moved by Councilor Browning to appoint Kerry Maroney to Place 9 on the Zoning Board
of Adjustments, term to expire 12/31/2022.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, and Smith.
Nays: None
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January 5,2021
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Item 11 —Adjourn
Mayor Santellana adjourned the meeting at 9:48 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 19th day of January 2021.
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Step en L. Santellana, Mayor
ATTEST:
Marie Balthrop� MC, MMC
City Clerk
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January 5,2021
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