Min 01/30/2024 Strategic Planning City of Wichita Falls
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The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas met in special council/staff planning
session on the above date in the Multi-Purpose Events Center at 8:36 o'clock a.m. with
the following members present.
Tim Short - Mayor
Bobby Whiteley - Mayor Pro Tem/At-Large
Mike Battaglino - Councilors
Jeff Browning -
Larry Nelson -
Michael Smith -
Tom Taylor -
Darron Leiker - City Manager
Kinley Hegglund - City Attorney
Marie Balthrop - City Clerk
Mayor Short welcomed everyone in attendance.
Facilitator Ron Cox discussed the itinerary, and expectations of the workshop.
Mr. Cox facilitated a discussion about governance, and asked the Mayor and Councilors
why they ran for office, and to discuss their attributes. He discussed attributes of great
leaders, enemies of great leaders, and how the City of Wichita Falls will lead moving
forward. Mr. Cox discussed meaningful communication, and asked the Council to define
their expectations for communication. There was discussion regarding the relationship
between staff and Council, and the Council Manager form of government. Mr. Cox
facilitated a discussion regarding the role of the City Council, and asked the Council to
define their expectations of each other, and staff.
Mayor Short discussed his expectations, the importance of building relationships and
trust, and being a team working together towards the same goals. He discussed how we
may not always agree, but we have to be able to disagree and talk through things and
understand it is not personal. He discussed his expectations of getting results, not being
afraid to do big things, and sharing ideas. He is looking for creative thinking and proactive
solutions to move ahead to address issues like water security, economic development,
and downtown development, and stated that it is not time to tap the breaks on things that
are already moving forward. Councilor Taylor discussed how we do not need change as
change implies something is wrong, but we need to embellish and improve upon what we
already have. Councilor Whiteley discussed the importance of strategic goals, and how
there are ancillary issues that come up that take our eyes off the ball and require us to
refocus. Councilor Nelson discussed the importance of awareness between Council, staff,
and boards.
Mr. Cox discussed the importance of balancing responsibilities, and facilitated a
discussion regarding what the staff expects from the City Council, and how failures
happen when clear expectations are not set.
The discussion shifted to our vision, as governance is about proactive vision and
planning, rather than allowing the budget to drive the plan. There was discussion about
what the key elements are for the vision for Wichita Falls, and quality of life expectations.
Council looked at the current vision statement and discussed how the current vision
statements fits their expectations. He then discussed how the mission statement is where
we get to our vision, and Council discussed possible changes to the Mission and Vision
statements.
The meeting recessed at 11 :45 for lunch.
The meeting reconvened at 12:50.
All Directors joined the City Council and management staff for the afternoon session, and
Mr. Cox recapped the discussions held during the morning session. Council and staff
divided into four groups and participated in a SWOT analysis and listed the strengths and
weaknesses of the City and the Community. The groups then provided a list of
opportunities for each area of weakness, and Mr. Cox led a discussion regarding threats
that may keep us from moving forward with these opportunities. Mr. Cox asked the group
to describe how they felt about the process today, and all staff comments were positive.
Mr. Cox presented a recap of the day and an overview of the goals for day two.
The meeting recessed for the day at 4:40 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31 , 2024. The same
members were in attendance.
Mr. Cox led a review of the first day, the updated Vision and Mission Statement, and the
four strategic focus areas that were identified. There was discussion regarding the
opportunities we have to address the weaknesses discussed yesterday, and threats that
can keep us from reaching our goals. Council identified their top priorities, and there was
brief discussion about those priorities.
City Council Minutes Strategic Planning January 30 & 31, 2024
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Mr. Cox will meet with staff on February 12, 2024, to develop an implementation plan.
After the implementation plan is completed he will present the plan to the City Council
and Staff.
Mayor Short thanked everyone in attendance, thanked Mr. Cox for his work, and
complimented the process he used. Mayor Short opened the floor to public comments but
there were none.
The meeting adjourned at 10:32 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 6th day of February, 2024.
1 i hort, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Marie Balthrop, TRM , MMC
City Clerk
City Council Minutes Strategic Planning January 30 & 31, 2024
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