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Item 1 - Call to Order
The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, met in a regular session 8:30 a.m. on
the above date in the Council Chambers at Memorial Auditorium with the following
members present.
Tim Short - Mayor
Jeff Browning - Councilors
Larry Nelson -
Michael Smith -
Tom Taylor -
Paul Menzies - Assistant City Manager
Kinley Hegglund - City Attorney
Marie Balthrop - City Clerk
Absent: Bobby Whiteley— Councilor At-Large, Mike Battaglino— Councilor District
4, and Darron Leiker— City Manager.
Mayor Short called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Item 2a — Invocation
Pastor Craig Lile, Faith Baptist Church, gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Short led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3a — Employee of the Month — Danny Aviles, Public Works/Water Distribution
8:32 a.m.
Mayor Short recognized Danny Aviles as Employee of the Month for February 2024 and
shared a brief video. Mayor Short congratulated Mr. Aviles and presented him with a
plaque, letter of appreciation, dinner for two, and a check, and thanked him for his service.
Item 3b — Proclamation — Black History Month, Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and
Culture
8:35 a.m.
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming February as Black History Month in Wichita
Falls and encouraged all citizens to celebrate our diverse heritage and culture, and
continue our efforts to create a world that is more just, peaceful, and prosperous for all.
Item 4 — Comments from Citizens
8:38 a.m.
Emily Brock, 2404 Bullington St., addressed the council and stated that she has been told
Wichita Falls is a sanctuary city, and is requesting that the sanctuary status be removed.
She learned that sanctuary cities are welcoming to illegals, and migrants are coming from
the borders by thousands on buses, and trains. She stated that this is a ploy invented by
Biden to influence the third world, and have migrants be able to vote democratic. Ms.
Brock thanked the City Council for hearing her.
Valerie Rhodes, 1706 Avalon, invited everyone to support Black History events
throughout the City and wanted to make sure inclusiveness and diversity are embraced
and not excluded. Ms. Rhodes stated that exclusion may start with one person of color,
but will move to other ethnic groups, heritages, etc. She encouraged everyone to
celebrate the building of bridges and not the building of walls and to celebrate open gates
and the natural ebb and flow of our country. She stated that the City recognizes the Martin
Luther King Prayer Breakfast, and the community prospers from the scholarships given
at the event, but the City does not recognize Martin Luther King Day as a holiday and she
asked that the City Council consider changing that. Ms. Rhodes noted that Martin Luther
King was not only a great Black American but a great American.
Tyler Preston, 1557 Mesquite St., Executive Director of the Southside Youth Center,
spoke on behalf of the North Texas Childcare Association, and asked Council to consider
the ratification SJR 64 commonly known as Proposition 2. There are currently 60 licensed
childcare center and homes, and 32 of those are for profit and required to pay ad valorem
taxes. One center closed last year due to their inability to pay both ad valorem taxes and
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February 6, 2024
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their staff. Mr. Preston discussed the challenges childcare centers face, and how ratifying
SJR 64 allows childcare facilities relief from property taxes. He discussed the low pay for
childcare workers, which is below the living wage, and how centers could afford to pay
higher wages is they did not have to pay ad valorem taxes. Mr. Preston asked the Mayor
and City Council to consider ratifying SJR 64, and support stabilizing jobs in our city, and
paving the way for future leaders.
Item 5-6 — Consent Items
8:47 a.m.
Paul Menzies, Assistant City Manager, gave a briefing on the items listed under the
Consent Agenda.
Moved by Councilor Nelson to approve the consent agenda.
Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Browning, Nelson, Smith, and Taylor
Nays: None
Item 5 — Approval of Minutes of the Mayor and City Council
(a) January 16, 2024 Regular Meeting
(b) January 30 & 31 , 2024 Special Meeting, Strategic Planning Sessions
Item 6a — Resolution 08-2024
8:45 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to award bid and contract for the 2024 Alley
Rehabilitation Project to Chad & Brandi, Inc. DBA Wilson Contracting in the amount of
$493,005.52
Item 7 — Receive Minutes
(a) Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District, September 8, 2023
(b) Wichita Falls Metropolitan Planning Organization Technical Advisory Committee,
October 5, 2023.
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(c) Planning & Zoning Commission, December 13, 2023
Item 8a — Public Hearing for the FY 2022 and FY 2023 Transit Grant for Capital,
Planning and Operating Assistance for the Wichita Falls Transit System
8:49 a.m.
Mayor Short opened the public hearing at 8:49 a.m.
John Burrus, Director of Aviation, Traffic, and Transportation, discussed two years of
Federal Transit Grants that will be accepted today. Due to COVID funds they have been
able to bank their 5307 funds, and they are looking at purchasing four additional buses,
adding additional bus stop shelters/pads, and a traffic signal at 4th and Scott. The general
fund contribution for a two-year period is $97,438, however, they are hoping to reduce
that amount through advertising revenue. There must be some general fund contribution
to secure full grant funding.
Mayor Short closed the public hearing at 8:51 a.m.
Item 8b — Ordinance 03-2024
8:51 a.m.
Ordinance appropriating $4,343,552 in Federal Transit Administration funds and
$900,065 in State Funds for the FY 2022 and FY 2023 Section 5307 Transit System and
authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary funding agreements related hereto.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Ordinance 03-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson.
Valerie Rhodes 1706 Avalon Place, applauded the progress on the shelters and
expressed concerns with any shelters facing North due to weather issues. She suggested
possibly changing the shape of the shelter to an "I" shape to allow individuals to get out
of the weather on all sides. Mr. Burrus stated that he would look into that.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Browning, Nelson, Smith, and Taylor
Nays: None
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Item 8c — Ordinance 04-2024
8:57 a.m.
Ordinance accepting $324,572 for the Public Transportation Division from the Federal
Transit Administration for FY 2022 and FY 2023 Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities
Formula Grants.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Ordinance 04-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Browning, Nelson, Smith, and Taylor
Nays: None
Item 9a — Resolution 09-2024
9:00 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the purchase of four (4) Quantum Automatic Wheelchair
Securements from Gillig, LLC for the Public Transportation Division in the amount of
$58,773.32.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 09-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson, and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Browning, Nelson, Smith, and Taylor
Nays: None
Item 9b — Resolution 10-2024
9:03 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend/designate Stephen Calvert, Director
of Finance/CFO, and Susan White, Assistant Director of Finance, as the authorized
representatives for Texas Local Government Investment Pool (TexPool), a public funds
investment pool.
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Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 10-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Taylor and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Browning, Nelson, Smith, and Taylor
Nays: None
Item 9c — Resolution 11-2024
9:04 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the submittal of a grant application and designation of Authorized
Official to the State Homeland Security Grant Program via the Office of the Governor for
HAZMAT Enhanced Equipment
Moved by Councilor Nelson to approve Resolution 11-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Browning, Nelson, Smith, and Taylor
Nays: None
Item 9d — Resolution 12-2024
9:05 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the submittal of a grant application and designation of Authorized
Official to the FY 2024 State Homeland Security Grant Program via the Office of the
Governor for Technical Rescue Equipment.
Moved by Councilor Nelson to approve Resolution 12-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Taylor and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Browning, Nelson, Smith, and Taylor
Nays: None
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Item 9e — Resolution 13-2024
9:07 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the submittal of a grant application and designation of Authorized
Official to the FY 2024 State Homeland Security Grant Program via the Office of the
Governor for a sUAS Equipment Project.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 13-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Browning, Nelson, Smith, and Taylor
Nays: None
Item 9f— Resolution 14-2024
9:09 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to grant a one-year extension of the existing
contract with American Medical Response Ambulance Service, Inc. (AMR).
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 14-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Browning, Nelson, Smith, and Taylor
Nays: None
Item 9q — Resolution 15-2024
9:11 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City of Wichita Falls's continued participation with the Oncor
Cities Steering Committee (OCSC); and authorizing the payment of ten cents per capita
to the Oncor Cities Steering Committee to fund regulatory and Legal Proceedings and
Activities Related to Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 15-2024.
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Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Browning, Nelson, Smith, and Taylor
Nays: None
Item 9h — Resolution 16-2024
9:13 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to make application for a grant from the Office
of the Governor, FY2025 Criminal Justice Grant Program, in the amount up to
$65,000.00.
Moved by Councilor Nelson to approve Resolution 16-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Browning, Nelson, Smith, and Taylor
Nays: None
Item 10 - Announcements concerning items of community interest from members
of the City Council. No action will be taken or discussed.
9:15 a.m.
Councilor Taylor stated there has been a lot of work around city the past two weeks and
he is happy to see that. He stated he is proud to be a citizen of Wichita Falls and praised
the Police Department and Fire Department staff. He attended an awards and retirement
ceremony where several officers were recognized for saving lives, and he encouraged
everyone to appreciate our police officers, and firefighters. He also participated in the
push-in ceremony for new trucks at Station 1 , with one truck being a ladder truck that can
reach 100 feet in the air, and he discussed the unsafe conditions firefighters often work
in. He asked if Wichita Falls is a Sanctuary City and staff said no.
Councilor Nelson thanked Russell Schreiber, Public Works Director, for the Quail Creek
drainage which helped with flooding on Kemp. He stated he is having meetings with
individuals to promote awareness in the community, and he asked Chief Borrego when
the body cameras will be in. Chief Borrego stated that will be in this spring. Councilor
Nelson discussed concerns with short staffing in Code Enforcement and encouraged
people to let staff know if they have any concerns.
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Councilor Smith discussed the upcoming 2 year remodel process of Memorial Auditorium.
With the remodel the Wichita Symphony Orchestra will lose its place to perform, and the
performance on February 24, 2024, will be the last in this building until after the remodel,
and he encouraged everyone to attend.
Mayor Short stated that Susan Kimes continues her miraculous road to recovery, and as
she posted yesterday, today she returns to work "to promote the city that she loves." He
encouraged everyone to pick up the Loving Local Downtown Bingo Card, and thanked
Downtown Wichita Falls Development for another great idea put into action.
Youth Leadership Wichita Falls was recognized for attending the meeting.
Item 11 —Adjourn
Mayor Short adjourned the meeting at 9:22 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 20th day of February 2024.
Tim Short, Mayor
ATTEST:
Marie Balthrop, TRM , MMC
City Clerk
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