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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 Kile Bateman, Evangel Church, gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Santellana led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3-5 — Consent Items
8:32 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 3 —Approval of Minutes of the June 6, 2023, Regular Meeting of the Mayor and
City Council
Item 4 — Resolution 65-2023
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to award bid and contract for the 2023 Alley
Rehabilitation Project to Scales Concrete Construction Co., Inc. in the amount of
$368,027.00.
Item 5 — Receive Minutes
(a) Employee Benefits Trust, October 27, 2022
(b) Fire Fighters and Police Officers' Civil Service Commission, January 18, 2023
(c) Wichita Falls MPO Transportation Policy Committee, January 24, 2023
(d) Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee, May 9, 2023
Item 6a — Ordinance 30-2023
8:33 a.m.
Ordinance amending the Employee Benefit Trust Agreement to update the fifth Trustee
from Deputy City Manager to City Manager Designee.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Ordinance 30-2023.
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June 20, 2023
Page 2
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 6b — Ordinance 31-2023
8:34 a.m.
Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to approve a request from the Catholic Diocese
of Fort Worth to close, vacate, and abandon two alleys adjacent to 1501 9th Street that
consist of approximately 13,750 square feet more or less as depicted and indicated on
the attached plat maps.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Ordinance 31-2023.
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 6c — Ordinance 32-2023
8:37 a.m.
Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to apply for
and accept $1 million in Federal Aviation Administration Entitlement grants for snow
removal equipment at Wichita Falls Regional Airport.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Ordinance 32-2023.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Jackson, Nelson, Smith, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
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June 20, 2023
Page 3
Item 7a — Resolution 66-2023
8:41 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the purchase of an Oshkosh H-Series Snow Broom for the Wichita
Falls Regional Airport through the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) Purchasing
Cooperative from Siddons Martin Emergency Group, LLC in the amount of
$1 ,093,345.00.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Resolution 66-2023.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith.
John Burrus, Director of Aviation, Traffic, and Transportation, stated this item will be
purchased with FAA grant funds and the Wichita Falls Economic Development
Corporation will provide the required matching funds.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Jackson, Nelson, Smith, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 7b — Resolution 67-2023
8:44 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the purchase of a 2023 John Deere 310P Backhoe through the
Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative from Yellowhouse Machinery Co. in the amount of
$155,000.00 for the Streets Division.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 67-2023.
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 7c — Resolution 68-2023
8:46 a.m.
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June 20, 2023
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Resolution to accept the written offers as presented for 7 Trustee parcels and authorizing
execution of the Quitclaim Deed to convey title to Samuel Majano, Marvin Baggett, Judy
Charley, Henry Soto, and Delfino Maldonado.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Resolution 68-2023.
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 7d — Resolution 69-2023
8:51 a.m.
Resolution re-appointing Troy Farris, Ed.D. to the Wichita County-City of Wichita Falls
Hospital Board.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Resolution 69-2023.
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 7e — Resolution 70-2023
8:53 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to purchase
144 computer workstations from Unique Digital Technology, LLC in the amount of
$121 ,979.52.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 70-2023.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote:
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June 20, 2023
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Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Jackson, Nelson, Smith, and
Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 7f— Resolution 71-2023
8:54 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to Approve Change Order No. 1 & Final for the
2022 Sewer Budget Utility Improvement Project - Phase 2 in the amount of $99,050.00.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 71-2023.
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 7q — Resolution 72-2023
8:56 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to award bid and contract for the Quail Creek
Drainage Improvements to Scales Concrete Construction Co., Inc. in the amount of
$6,971 ,470.00.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Resolution 72-2023.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Nelson, Smith, and Whiteley
Nays: Councilor Jackson
Item 7h — Resolution 73-2023
8:58 a.m.
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Resolution approving an agreement under the Meet and Confer process to allow for the
creation of a non-civil service classification of temporary, part-time Reserve Police
Officers; and to allow for the hiring of temporary, part-time Reserve Police Officers to
assist in non-patrol sections of the Police Department to perform duties where there are
insufficient numbers of regular, full-time Police Officers to fulfill the required duties.
Moved by Councilor Brewer to approve Resolution 73-2023.
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 8 — Announcements concerning items of community interest from members
of the City Council. No action will be taken or discussed.
9:08 a.m.
Councilor Jackson stated he has received many phone calls regarding the problems with
the geese at Sikes Lake and citizens are not happy that the geese were killed. He feels
that this was inhumane. He stated that he lost his best friend, Lewis Croom, and wanted
to honor him. Lewis and his dad operated a shoe shop on Van Buren for many years,
and he asked everyone to keep his family in your prayers.
Mr. Leiker clarified that to his knowledge the City had nothing to do with the geese at
Sikes Lake. Midwestern State University (MSU) worked with the United States
Department of Agriculture and Texas Parks and Wildlife on this issue.
Councilor Jackson stated that there are alleys that need work but he does not remember
the addresses. He received a complaint from two citizens that were mowing and
maintaining their alley, and have a raised garden in the alley. Code Enforcement has told
them they would have to remove their raised garden from the alley. He stated their alley
looks so much better than the rest of the alleys, and they are growing vegetables for their
neighborhood. He would like to see if we can allow them to keep their raised garden.
Councilor Brewer asked Russell Schreiber, Director of Public Works, if the Quail Creek
improvements will change the floodway. Mr. Schreiber stated it will lower the 100-year
flood plain, with the main impact being on the smaller 10-year storms. New maps will be
created and sent to FEMA, and some citizens may be able to drop their flood insurance.
Councilor Whiteley asked about bicycle signs on Taft and Fairway and asked if we plan
on adding more, since awareness is important. Mr. Leiker stated he believes we are
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June 20, 2023
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installing more signs and that our Public Information Office is going to push out
information on all social media platforms regarding bicycle awareness and safety. Mr.
Burrus stated we are in the second year of the 4B bicycle infrastructure project and there
is approximately $120,000 that is unencumbered. Staff is looking at dedicated bicycle
lanes and additional signage. Councilor Whiteley stated that the awareness issue is
important and constant reminders will assist with safety issues.
Councilor Nelson asked Mr. Burrus how the bus shelter program is going, and asked to
be notified when the last shelter is built as Channel 3 would like to come out. Mr. Burrus
stated the shelter was completed at Covington and Iowa Park Rd. The new part-time
welder started this week and will be dedicated to this project. Mr. Burrus will start
including feedback on the shelters in his weekly update. Councilor Nelson asked Mr.
Schreiber about the Quail Creek project and the change in the floodplain and how that
would affect the flow of water downstream to the Red River. Mr. Schreiber stated it will
flow through Sikes Lake, through multiple creeks, and ultimately to the Red River.
Mayor Santellana discussed the removal of the geese and stated MSU's Interim President
asked that any questions Councilors receive be forwarded to MSU.
Item 9 — Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning
Items That Are Not on the City Council Agenda
9:17 a.m.
Michael Patrick Damron, 1804 10th Street, addressed the council to follow up on his
statements made at the May 2, 2023, City Council Meeting, and thanked the Council for
their time.
Item 10 — Executive Sessions
No Executive Session was held.
Mayor Santellana recessed the meeting for a short break at 9:19 a.m.
Mayor Santellana reconvened the meeting at 9:35 a.m.
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June 20, 2023
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Mayor Santellana stated there were additional citizens that wanted to speak under
Comments from Citizens.
Becky Raeke, 2420 Riley Road, co-chair for the Bike Wichita Falls Action Team,
addressed the Council on behalf of Bike Wichita Falls, and requested more support from
the Council to create a bike advocacy position within the City. This person would help
them progress the five E's, Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and
Evaluation. She discussed how bikes can improve citizens' quality of life and impact the
economy.
David Coleman, 3719 Cedar Elm Lane, reiterated Becky's comments and asked the
Council to consider funding a bike advocacy position. One of the things they could do is
create a program and go out to local schools to teach bike safety at an early age. He feels
this position could make a big impact in our community.
Item 11 — Pre-Budget Workshop for Fiscal Year 2023-2024
9:40 a.m.
Mr. Leiker discussed the purpose of the pre-budget workshop, and cautioned the Council
that these numbers are preliminary since we have not received our final property tax roll.
Jessica Williams, Director of Finance/CFO, reiterated that these are preliminary numbers
that can change, and this is not the City Manager's proposed budget. She thanked
Lindsay Barker, Chris Horgen, and the PIO staff for their assistance with the videos for
the presentation.
Ms. Williams gave a historical overview of previous budgets and proposed revenues and
expenditures for the General Fund, Water/Sewer Fund, Sanitation Fund, and other funds
for the 2023-2024 proposed budget. She discussed ARPA funds received by the City, the
ever-changing regulations on how these funds can be spent, projects completed and
planned with these funds, and the City's strategy to finish planned projects. She gave an
overview of strategic investments, stewardship, and transparency, economic
considerations, and discussed the importance of saving for future infrastructure needs.
The proposed budget is based on a 2% reduction in the property tax rate from .694321
to .68000. Ms. Williams discussed the historical increase in property values, and a brief
discussion was held regarding comparable city tax rates and tax levies. It was noted that
although our tax rate is on the high end, we have the lowest tax levy total and per capita.
Ms. Williams discussed historical sales tax revenues, and how sales tax revenues are
slowing to lower-than-average levels. Tentative scenarios for employee pay and benefits
were provided, and it was noted that increased personnel costs are not included in the
preliminary budget. Ms. Williams recommended tying user charges to an index such as
CPI or MCI to assist with increased costs in providing services due to inflation, provided
comparisons of the water rates, and sanitation rates of other cities, and proposed rate
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June 20, 2023
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increases. Council was asked to review key considerations and to reach out to staff with
any questions or proposed changes.
Item 12 —Adjourn
Mayor Santellana adjourned the meeting at 11 :37 am.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 11th day of July 2023.
2
ttel6hen Santellana, Mayor
ATTEST:
1Van,L-
Marie Balthrop, TRMBMMC
,
City Clerk
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June 20, 2023
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