Min 01/04/2022 City of Wichita Falls
City Council Meeting
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Item 1 - Call to Order
The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on
the above date in the Council Chambers at Memorial Auditorium with the following
members present.
Bobby Whiteley - Mayor Pro Tem/At-Large
Tim Brewer - Councilors
Jeff Browning -
Steve Jackson -
Larry Nelson -
Michael Smith -
Darron Leiker - City Manager
Kinley Hegglund - City Attorney
Marie Balthrop - City Clerk
Absent: Mayor Stephen Santellana
Mayor Pro Tem Whiteley called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Item 2a— Invocation
Pastor Tim Puckett, Heritage Church, gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Pro Tem Whiteley led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3a— Employee of the Month — Corey LaPlante, Police Department
8:33 a.m.
Manual Borrego, Police Chief, recognized Corey LaPlante as the Employee of the Month
for January 2022. Mayor Pro Tem Whiteley congratulated Officer LaPlante and presented
him with a plaque, letter of appreciation, restaurant voucher, and check, and thanked him
for his service.
Item 3b— Proclamation — Eagle Scout Day, Northwest Texas Council Boy Scouts of
America
8:39 a.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Whiteley read a proclamation proclaiming January 13, 2022, Eagle Scout
Day in Wichita Falls and asked everyone to join him in extending their appreciation for
the Eagle Scouts dedicated work and wishing them the best in their future endeavors.
Item 4-5 — Consent Items
8:42 a.m.
Darron Leiker, City Manager, gave a briefing on the items listed under the Consent
Agenda.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve the consent agenda.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Whiteley, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Jackson, Nelson, and
Smith
Nays: None
Item 4 — Approval of minutes of the December 21, 2021, Regular Meeting of the
Mayor and City Council
Item 5 — Receive Minutes
(a) Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, July 7, 2021
Item 6 — Ordinance 01-2022
8:43 a.m.
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January 4, 2022
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Ordinance appropriating $3,278.50 of grant funds pursuant to the FY 2021 Patrick Leahy
Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant, appropriating said funds to the Special Revenue
Fund, and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to accept
and share said funds.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Ordinance 01-2022.
Motion seconded by Councilor Jackson and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Whiteley, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Jackson, Nelson, and
Smith
Nays: None
Item 7a— Resolution 01-2022
8:45 a.m.
Resolution amending the bid for the purchase of a 5-yard dump truck and two crew trucks
to Lonestar Truck Group in the amount of $7,800.00.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Resolution 01-2022.
Motion seconded by Councilor Browning.
John Burrus, Director of Aviation, Traffic, and Transportation, discussed the additional
$7,800 surcharge, and the options available to the City Council. Staff recommended
accepting the increase and amending the original bid since the total bid with the increase
was within 5% of the low bid, which allows the Council to give preference to the local
bidder. There was brief discussion regarding the increase.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Whiteley, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Nelson, Jackson, and
Smith
Nays: None
Item 7b — Resolution 02-2022
8:51 a.m.
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January 4, 2022
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Resolution amending the bid for the purchase of thirteen fire apparatus and loose
equipment to Siddons-Martin Emergency Group, LLC through The Buyboard Purchasing
Cooperative in the amount of $2,110.74.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Resolution 02-2022
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith.
Mr. Burrus discussed the change in Buyboard fees that caused the increase in the final
bid, and recommended approval.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Whiteley, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Jackson, Nelson, and
Smith
Nays: None
Item 8 — Announcements concerning items of community interest from members
of the City Council. No action will be taken or discussed.
8:53 a.m.
Councilor Jackson wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Councilor Brewer asked Lou Kreidler, Director of Health, about the COVID-19 Omicron
variant. Ms. Kreidler stated it is quickly taking over the Delta variant and they have seen
an increase in cases but lower hospitalizations and deaths. They expect to see a spike
in cases with the holidays and the low vaccine rate in our community. Councilor Brewer
asked about the availability of vaccinations and Ms. Kreidler stated that vaccines are
available throughout the community at pharmacies, doctor's offices, and at the Health
Department. Councilor Brewer asked about the efficacy of the vaccines, and Ms. Kreidler
stated that cases in fully vaccinated individuals are less serious, and the majority of
deaths last month were unvaccinated individuals. Councilor Jackson inquired about the
number of deaths in vaccinated individuals and Ms. Kreidler stated that to her knowledge
there have been no deaths due to the vaccine.
Councilor Smith wished everyone a Happy New Year, and stated that he looks forward
to 2022 being a better year than the last two.
Councilor Browning wished everyone a Happy New Year.
Councilor Nelson wished everyone a Happy New Year, and asked about 2-hour parking
limits downtown. Mr. Burrus stated that there has not been a parking control attendant
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January 4, 2022
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for many years and we do not currently monitor parking downtown. Mr. Leiker stated that
businesses tend to assist with monitoring this issue and they report violations to the City.
Mayor Pro Tem Whiteley thanked Pastor Puckett for attending the meeting, congratulated
Officer LaPlante for being selected as Employee of the Month, and wished everyone a
Happy New Year. He mentioned that there is new leadership in both the Fire and Police
Associations and he looks forward to working with them.
Item 9 — Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning
Items That Are Not on the City Council Agenda
9:49 a.m.
Mickey Fincannon, 408 4th Street, stated that he signed up to speak in case the solid
waste issue was discussed, but since that item was not discussed, he did not wish to
comment further at this time. He stated that he previously emailed each Councilor and
would like the opportunity to discuss his concerns further.
Item 10 —Adjourn
Mayor Pro Tem Whiteley adjourned the meeting at 9:02 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 18th day of January 2022.
,f
Bobby Whit , Mayor Pro Tem
ATTEST:
.417 -
Marie Balthrop, TRMC, MMC
City Clerk
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January 4, 2022
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