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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.
Stephen Santellana - Mayor
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
Mayor Santellana called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Item 2a — Invocation
Pastor Michael Hansen, First Presbyterian Church, gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Santellana led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3a — Proclamation — Shop Small, Downtown Wichita Falls Development
8:32 a.m.
Mayor Santellana read a proclamation proclaiming November 15, 2022, as Shop Small
Day in Wichita Falls and encouraged citizens to think local first when shopping this holiday
season.
Item 4-5 — Consent Items
8:36 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 Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Jackson, Nelson, Smith, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 4—Approval of Minutes of the November 1, 2022 Regular Meeting of the Mayor
and City Council
Item 5 — Receive Minutes
(a) WF MPO Planning Organization, July 7, 2022
(b) WF MPO Transportation Policy Committee, July 26, 2022
(c) WF MPO Transportation Policy Committee, Special Called, August 23, 2022
(d) Wichita Falls Park Board, September 22, 2022
Item 6a — Public Hearing and Ordinance 55-2022
8:37 a.m.
Ordinance amending Section 22 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wichita Falls to
amend portions of the 2015 International Mechanical Code, and Residential Code, and
providing for codification.
Mayor Santellana opened the public hearing at 8:37 a.m.
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November 15, 2022
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Terry Floyd, Director of Development Services discussed the proposed amendments to
Section 22 of the Code of Ordinances 2015 International Mechanical Code, and
Residential Code. The proposed amendments were recommended unanimously by
Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals.
Mayor Santellana closed the public hearing at 8:38 a.m.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Ordinance 55-2022.
Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Jackson, Nelson, Smith, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 6b — Ordinance 56-2022
8:39 a.m.
Ordinance amending Section 50-34 of the Code of Ordinances, Identifying the
Classifications and Number of Positions in Each Classification for the Fire Department.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Ordinance 56-2022.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith.
Ken Prillaman, Fire Chief, explained the history of the Fire Marshall division, regulations
under LGC Chapter 143, challenges faced, and the purpose for these changes, which is
to create a succession plan for the Fire Marshall position.
There was lengthy discussion regarding required certifications, lack of funding for training,
LGC Chapter 143, concerns with bypassing individuals for promotion, various succession
planning scenarios, and possible amendments to the proposed Ordinance.
Council was reminded that the Civil Service Commission would be the body that would
handle any issues with LGC Chapter 143, and any decisions regarding bypassing
individuals for promotion. The proposed Ordinance does not change that process, and
only swaps three Fire Equipment Operator positions for three Lieutenant positions, and
changes the name of the Assistant Fire Chief to Deputy Fire Chief.
Councilor Smith called for the vote, and Councilor Brewer seconded.
Motion failed by the following vote:
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November 15, 2022
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Ayes: Mayor Santellana and Councilor Smith.
Nays: Councilors Brewer, Browning, Jackson, Nelson, and Whiteley.
Discussion continued regarding concerns with bypassing individuals for promotion,
various scenarios for succession planning and promotion, the timing of this action, budget
impact, lack of staff interested in completing the required training for the Fire Marshall
division, and staff opinions regarding the proposed Ordinance.
Councilor Whiteley moved to amend the Ordinance to reduce the Fire Equipment
Operator positions by one, increase the Lieutenant positions by one, and change the
name of the Assistant Fire Chief to the Deputy Fire Chief.
Motion to amend was seconded by Councilor Jackson.
Motion to amend carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Jackson, Nelson, Smith, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
The main motion as amended carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Jackson, Nelson, Smith, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 6c — Ordinance 57-2022
9:51 a.m.
Ordinance establishing Article XI-Catalytic Converters; providing for severability; and
providing an effective date.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Ordinance 57-2022.
Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Jackson, Nelson, Smith, and
Whiteley
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November 15, 2022
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Nays: None
Item 7a — Resolution 154-2022
9:58 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to purchase
replacement portable radios, upgrade the core network infrastructure equipment, and
install a new microwave link for the Public Safety Radio System through the H-GAC
Purchasing Cooperative from Dailey Wells Communications Inc. for $1,923,647.57.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Resolution 154-2022.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Jackson, Nelson, Smith, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 7b — Resolution 155-2022
10:00 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to purchase
482 high capacity batteries, including 82 intrinsically safe units for the Fire Department,
and 228 chargers for the Public Safety handheld radios through the GSA Purchasing
Cooperative from Global Technology Systems for $88,525.82.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Resolution 155-2022.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Jackson, Nelson, Smith, and Whiteley
(Councilor Browning was not in the room during this vote)
Nays: None
Item 7c — Resolution 156-2022
10:04 a.m.
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November 15, 2022
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Resolution authorizing the City Manager to award bid and contract for the 2023 Crack
Seal Project to American Pavement Solutions, Inc. in the amount of$102,978.60.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Resolution 156-2022.
Motion seconded by Councilor Jackson and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Jackson, Nelson, Smith, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 8a — Staff Report — Drought Status and Stage I Water Conservation Measures,
Russell Schreiber
10:08 a.m.
Russell Schreiber, Director of Public Works, discussed the current drought status and
Stage I Water Conservation Measures. The current combined lake capacity is 65.8%,
and this time last year it was 86.1%. He discussed the outlooks provided by the National
Weather Service and NOAH which show Wichita Falls in the severe drought category,
and predicts the drought will continue throughout the winter. Mr. Schreiber presented a
chart showing the historical rainfall, which is well below average, discussed steps that
have been taken since July 2021 to assist with additional water resources, and how these
additional resources have provided relief. He predicts we will hit Stage 1 of the drought
plan the week of Thanksgiving, and he discussed stage 1 restrictions which include a
change in when spray irrigation can be used. He stated information regarding the drought
plan and restrictions can be found on the City's website.
Lindsay Barker, Director of Communication/Marketing, discussed the proactive education
plan, and the combined social media outreach. She stated the website is the best
communication tool if citizens have questions and discussed the infographic on the
homepage. Ms. Barker shared a short video showing conservation efforts being made by
the City. The Public Information Office will continue conservation messaging, and partner
with Public Works for drought restriction messaging as we move forward.
Item 8b — Announcements concerning items of community interest from members
of the City Council. No action will be taken or discussed.
10:25 a.m.
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November 15, 2022
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Councilor Nelson asked about the status of body cams for the Police Department. Mr.
Leiker stated we are waiting on the grant. Chief Borrego stated that the grant did not
open in September like they expected and that it will open in December.
Councilor Browning wished everyone safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving.
Councilor Smith wished everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving.
Councilor Brewer gave kudos to Lou Kreidler, who will be retiring soon. He expressed
his appreciation for all she has done, especially through the pandemic.
Councilor Jackson thanked everyone for getting out to vote, and discussed some issues
with equipment being down during the election. His hope is that we can go back to paper
ballots in the future. He wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Mayor Santellana thanked everyone for their hard work today, and Chief Prillaman for his
presentation. There was good discussion today and he hopes some of the issues can be
tackled in the future. Good luck to all of the area football teams in the playoffs, and to the
Hirschi Huskies who are ranked #8 in the state. Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels.
Item 9 — Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning
Items That Are Not on the City Council Agenda
10:30 a.m.
Al Vitolo, 5408 Blazing Star, discussed the 5% COLA approved for all employees and
stated six Fire Department employees did not receive the full 5% COLA. His
understanding when the budget was approved was that all employees would receive a
5% COLA. Christi Klyn, Director of Human Resources, stated that there were ten
employees that did not receive the increase with six of them being in the Fire Department.
She discussed individuals that were topped out or above their pay range, and how the
increase pushed some people over the top of their range. Mrs. Klyn stated that these
individuals did not receive the COLA increase per the City's policy.
Item 10 —Adjourn
Mayor Santellana adjourned the meeting at 10:32 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 6th day of December 2022.
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YL
pen Santellana, Mayor
ATTEST:
B
Mane Balthrop, TRM , MMC
City Clerk
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November 15, 2022
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