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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 Seminar Room at the MPEC 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 called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Item 2a — Invocation
Michael Smith, Councilor District 1 , gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Short led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3a — Employee of the Month— Rosalyn Berry, Health Department
8:32 a.m.
Mayor Short recognized Rosalyn Berry as Employee of the Month for April 2024 and
shared a brief video. Mayor Short congratulated Ms. Berry and presented her with a
plaque, letter of appreciation, dinner for two, and a check, and thanked her for her service.
Mayor Short moved to Item 3c
Item 3c — Proclamation — Poetry Month, Wichita Falls Poetry Society
8:34 a.m.
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming April as Poetry Month in Wichita Falls.
Mayor Short returned to item 3b
Item 3b— Proclamation — Child Abuse Prevention Month, Early Childhood Coalition
of Greater Wichita County
8:37 a.m.
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in
Wichita Falls.
Item 3d — Proclamation — National Public Health Week, Wichita Falls Health
Department
8:40 a.m.
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming April 1-5, 2024, as National Public Health
Week in Wichita Falls.
Item 3e — Proclamation — National Communicator Week, Police Department
8:43 a.m.
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming April 14-20, 2024, as National
Communicator Week in Wichita Falls.
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April 2, 2024
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Item 3f— Presentation — National Safe Digging Month, Atmos Energy Corporation,
Pam Hughes Pak
8:46 a.m.
Pam Hughes Pak, Atmos Energy, stated that April is Safe Digging Month, and she
encouraged everyone to call 8-1-1 before digging as it is the law.
Item 4 — Comments from Citizens
8:48 a.m.
There were no comments from citizens.
Item 5-7 — Consent Items
8:48 a.m.
Darron Leiker, 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 Taylor and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley.
Nays: None
Item 5 — Approval of Minutes of the March 19, 2024, Regular Meeting of the Mayor
and City Council
Item 6a — Resolution 31-2024
Resolution authorizing the expenditure of$69,040.70 from the General Fund to purchase
Rear Cargo Window Barriers and Patrol Rifle Mounts from Dana Safety Supply, Inc. to
provide secure storage for Police SUV's.
Item 7 — Receive Minutes
(a) Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee, February 13, 2024
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April 2, 2024
Page 3
(b) Landmark Commission, March 5, 2024
Item 8a(i) — Public Hearing to take action on an ordinance to establish the minimum
Standards of Care for the Summer Day Camp Program
8:49 a.m.
Mayor Short opened the public hearing at 8:49 a.m.
Blake Jurecek, Assistant City Manager, stated that Summer Day Camp programs are not
a licensed daycare, and discussed the minimum standards of care which are required to
be adopted yearly.
There were no comments from the public.
Mayor Short closed the public hearing at 8:52 a.m.
Item 8a(ii) — Ordinance 07-2024
8:39 a.m.
Ordinance to establish the minimum Standards of Care for the Summer Day Camp
Program.
Moved by Councilor Nelson to approve Ordinance 07-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley.
Nays: None
Item 8b — Ordinance 08-2024
8:52 a.m.
Ordinance approving an appeal of the Landmark Commission's denial of a request to
install a new butted glass window wall system inset behind the 7th St main entry portals
enclosing the entry vestibule as part of the Memorial Auditorium remodel.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Ordinance 08-2024.
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April 2, 2024
Page 4
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith.
Karen Montgomery-Gagne discussed the exterior alternations considered by the
Landmark Commission at their March 5, 2024, meeting. There was brief discussion
regarding the benefits of the butted-glass wall system which will provide a year-round
enclosed vestibule for additional gathering space, and how the alteration complies with
city and national standards. Examples of other historic buildings using this system were
provided.
Steve Wood, BYSP, discussed how the space provides flexibility for events, and will
provide more climate-controlled gathering space. There was brief discussion regarding
concerns with weatherproofing the butted glass system, reflectivity issues, and preventing
bird strikes.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley.
Nays: None
Item 8c — Ordinance 09-2024
9:05 a.m.
Ordinance making an appropriation to the Special Revenue Fund in the amount of$4,000
for reimbursement funding from the Treasury Executive Office for Asset Forfeiture
(TEOAF) Reimbursement Program administered by the Office of the Secret Service
Administration.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Ordinance 09-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Battaglino and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 9a — Resolution 32-2024
9:07 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to purchase
172 Panasonic Toughbooks from CDW Government LLC in the amount of $727,099.04.
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April 2, 2024
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Moved by Councilor Nelson to approve Resolution 32-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley.
Nays: None
Item 9b — Resolution 33-2024
9:10 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to award bid and contract for the 2024 Seal Coat
Project to Freeman Paving, L.L.C. in the amount of $415,245.75.
Moved by Councilor Nelson to approve Resolution 33-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley.
Nays: None
Item 9c — Resolution 34-2024
9:15 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to make application to FEMA
for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) in the amount of
$2,118,624.03 to allow for the hiring of up to nine (9) new firefighters.
Moved by Councilor Nelson to approve Resolution 34-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Browning.
Donald Hughes, Fire Chief, discussed the competitive non-matching grant and the
benefits which include the reduction of overtime costs, assistance with the federal and
state two in two out rules (two firefighters inside the structure, and two outside as backup),
and how the additional staffing assists with NFPA 1710.
There was brief discussion regarding the importance of adequate staffing and the desire
to address this during the budget process.
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April 2, 2024
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Al Vitolo, President of Wichita Falls Professional Firefighters Association, stated that the
association supports the grant application and stated that they would like to see staffing
increase regardless of the outcome of the grant so they can meet the national standards
of having four firefighters on scene, and compliance with NFPA 1710. He discussed how
the call volume is increasing yearly, and the overtime budget savings that would pay for
the increased staffing.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley.
Nays: None
Item 9d — Resolution 35-2024
9:26 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to apply for the Fire Prevention and
Safety Grant from FEMA to fund the addition of a Deputy Fire Marshal at the rank of
Captain in the Fire Marshal's Office for fire investigation, public education, and code
enforcement.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 35-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Whiteley.
Donald Hughes, Fire Chief, stated this grant requires a 5'Y° match, and discussed the
succession planning this position provides.
Al Vitolo, President of the Wichita Falls Professional Firefighters Association, stated that
the association supports this Resolution and this position completes a loop for succession
planning in this area. The Association would like to see this position as well as the EMS
Coordinator be filled regardless of the outcome of the grant, as they are currently being
covered by other staff.
Council expressed a desire to place Fire Department staffing on a future agenda to
discuss.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley.
Nays: None
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Item 9e — Resolution 36-2024
9:32 a.m.
Resolution accepting the 2024 Strategic Planning Workshop Report and directing City
staff to develop approaches to implement the strategies outlined therein.
Moved by Browning to approve Resolution 36-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith.
Paul Menzies, Assistant City Manager, presented the proposed Strategic Plan, and
discussed each goal and strategy. Various staff members and Councilors provided insight
and feedback.
Moved by Councilor Taylor to amend the main motion by moving strategy 2.8 under Goal
3, modify strategy 2.4 by removing the duplicate "public safety" wording, uncapitalize
"Effective Governance" in strategy 3.7, and approve the main motion as amended.
Motion to amend and approve the main motion as amended seconded by Councilor
Battaglino and carried by the following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley.
Nays: None
Item 10a — Staff Reports — Update on the Central Wichita Falls Revitalization Area
initiative — Terry Floyd, Director of Development Services
This presentation was postponed and will be presented at a future meeting.
Item 10b -Announcements concerning items of community interest from members
of the City Council. No action will be taken or discussed.
10:52 a.m.
Councilor Taylor expressed his appreciation for all that staff is doing and specifically the
Public Information Office for the positive information being shared with citizens.
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Councilor Whiteley congratulated the employee of the month. He discussed the
importance of the applying for grants to fund additional positions in the fire department,
and the importance of the EMS coordinator position.
Councilor Smith discussed the 77th Police Academy Graduation which will be held on
Friday April 12th, the Air Show April 27th and 28th, and the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary
of the end of the war commemoration that was held last week. Total Eclipse of the Park
will be in Park Central downtown from noon to 3:00 p.m. on Monday April 8th, and the
Health Fair will be held April 4th from 3:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m. and will have lots of family
friendly activities and free adoptions at the Animal Shelter.
Councilor Battaglino stated Thor is April 13th, Cajun Fest is April 20th, and he will host a
Town Hall Meeting on April 15th at 5:00 p.m. at the Thomas Fowler American Legion Post
169, at 4650 Lakeshore Drive.
Councilor Nelson asked about construction at the Health Department and Amy said it is
going well. He discussed a 75,000 square foot nursing home being built on Bonny Drive.
Mayor Short thanked everyone for attending, and stated the transfer station is open and
is not closed and is not always closed. He reiterated that we did not say we are going to
have a bond election, but we are going to have a committee to discuss the need.
Item 11 — Executive Sessions
City Council adjourned into Executive Session at 10:57 a.m. in accordance with Texas
Government Code §551.072.
Mayor Short reconvened the meeting in open session at 11 :34 a.m. and announced that
no votes or polls were taken.
Item 12 — Discussion and possible direction to staff related to City-owned
properties at both Lake Arrowhead and Lake Kickapoo. No action will be taken.
11 :34 a.m.
Mayor Short stated that they would not raise lease rates for the next year while they
explore other options to include the possibility of selling the lots at fair market value.
Item 13 —Adjourn
Mayor Short adjourned the meeting at 11 :36 a.m.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
March 19, 2024
PAGE 9 OF 10
PASSED AND APPROVED this 16th day of April 2024.
Tim Short, Mayor
ATTEST:
Marie Balthrop, TR , MMC
City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
March 19, 2024
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