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Item 1 - Call to Order
The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, met in a regular session at 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
Reverend Al Easterling, St. Mark's Global Methodist Church, gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Short led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3a — Proclamation— National Therapy Animal Day, Pet Partners
8:33 a.m.
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming April 30, 2024, as Therapy Animal Day in
Wichita Falls.
Item 3b — Proclamation — Survivors of Sexual Assault Awareness Month — First
Step, Inc
8:35 a.m.
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming April 2024 as Survivors of Sexual Assault
Awareness Month in Wichita Falls and encouraged all citizens to join advocates across
our community in taking action to prevent sexual violence.
Item 3c—Proclamation —Guardians of Freedom, Sheppard Air Force Base Air Show
2024, Sheppard Air Force Base
8:37 a.m.
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming April 22-28, 2024, as Guardians of Freedom
Sheppard Air Force Base 2024 Air Show Week in Wichita Falls to recognize the
commitment of Wichita Falls to our partners at Sheppard Air Force Base.
Item 4 — Comments from Citizens
8:40 a.m.
There were no comments from citizens.
Item 5-6 — Consent Items
8:40 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 Browning and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley.
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April 16, 2024
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Nays: None
Item 5— Approval of Minutes of the April 2, 2024, Regular Meeting of the Mayor and
City Council
Item 6 — Receive Minutes
(a) Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee, March 12, 2024
Item 7a — Ordinance 10-2024
8:41 a.m.
Ordinance making an appropriation to the Special Revenue Fund for the HIV Prevention
Grant Program in the amount of $138,272 received from the Department of State Health
Services (DSHS), and authorizing the City Manager to execute contract accepting same.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Ordinance 10-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley.
Nays: None
Item 7b — Ordinance 11-2024
8:43 a.m.
Ordinance making an appropriation to the Special Revenue Fund for Public Health
Preparedness in the amount of $124,416; received from the Department of State Health
Services; authorizing the City Manager to execute contract accepting same.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Ordinance 11-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley.
Nays: None
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Item 7c — Ordinance 12-2024
8:44 a.m.
Ordinance adopting the Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plans, and
amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances by amending Article II; providing the
updated water conservation and drought restrictions.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Ordinance 12-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith.
Mark Southard discussed the need for the plan and the requirement to update it every
five years. He discussed additions to the plan based on state law, additional water
restrictions for industrial raw water customers, and updates to the Code of Ordinances.
David Gray, 1050 Jan Lee Drive, Burkburnett, addressed the Council but was not allowed
to comment as he is not a citizen of Wichita Falls.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley
Nays: None
Item 8a — Resolution 37-2024
8:53 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to award bid and contract for the 2024 Asphalt
Rehabilitation Project to Freeman Paving, L.L.C. in the amount of $2,319,590.00.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 37-2024.
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 8b — Resolution 38-2024
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8:56 a.m.
Resolution establishing an advisory Charter Review Committee.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 38-2024.
Motion seconded by Councilor Nelson.
Mr. Hegglund discussed the creation of a Charter Review Committee for a limited review
of the City Charter. He also discussed the membership of the committee.
There was a brief discussion regarding possible members for the committee, individuals
interested in serving, and the possibility of increasing the number of members on the
committee.
Councilor Browning moved to amend the Resolution to make it an 8-person committee
and to appoint the individuals listed in the Resolution as well as Glenn Barham, Tom
Bursey, and Darrell Coleman.
Motion seconded by Councilor Whiteley, and the main motion as amended carried with
the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley.
Nays: None
Item 8c — Resolution 39-2024
9:03 a.m.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to apply for the Energy Efficiency
and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) from the Department of Energy (DOE) to fund
Neighborhood Revitalization efforts in reducing the energy burden and cost to residents
due to aging housing stock in the Central Wichita Falls Revitalization Area (CWFRA).
This item was removed from the agenda.
Item 9a — Staff Reports — Update on the Central Wichita Falls Revitalization Area
initiative — Terry Floyd, Director of Development Services
9:03 a.m.
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Mr. Floyd provided an update on the Central Wichita Falls Revitalization Area initiative
and discussed the background and ongoing nature of the plan. He discussed citizen input
received during public meetings and how their recommendations were included in the
plan. The three guiding values that were discussed during the meetings were preserve,
advance, and connect, and the staff considered these values while creating the plan. Mr.
Floyd discussed ideas presented for each guiding value and the next steps to update the
initiative.
There was a brief discussion regarding the importance and needs of Code Enforcement,
the importance of the initiative, and the committee formation.
Christal Cates, Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator, introduced herself to the
Council and discussed her enthusiasm and passion for her new position.
Item 9b - Announcements concerning items of community interest from members
of the City Council. No action will be taken or discussed.
9:27 a.m.
Councilor Taylor thanked the staff for their presentations and said that together, we can
improve our city.
Councilor Whiteley asked Al Vitolo the approximate amount of money raised during Guns
and Hoses, and Mr. Vitolo said around $40,000 - $50,000. Councilor Whiteley thanked
the Professional Firefighters Association for the event which raises funds for charitable
organizations. He addressed the lake lot lease discussions and the expectations of lot
owners to meet with the City and suggested a meeting date be set. Councilor Whiteley
asked about having a discussion item on the next agenda for staffing in the fire
department. Mr. Leiker discussed the budget process and recommended that the
discussion be held during the first budget meeting with the City Council.
Councilor Browning stated that Cajun Fest is being moved to the Ag Center due to
weather concerns.
Councilor Smith reminded everyone that the city has a year-round water restriction
ordinance that includes no watering between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. It is important to
not forget the drought of record and preserve water. He discussed the revitalization
process, how Old High is the heart of this revitalization area, and how the school is being
looked at for other uses by WFISD. He encouraged staff to watch how that property could
be used in the revitalization initiative.
Councilor Battaglino discussed his visit to the Army/Air Force National Guard and his
desire to learn more about what they do. He stated that 1436 people participated in Thor,
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which is the 3rd largest number of participants ever. This weekend is Cajun Fest, and it
will be held inside the Bridwell Center. He thanked everyone for attending his public
meeting and discussed future meeting times.
Councilor Nelson thanked the Chief of Police for the body cameras. He discussed the
Sports Complex and the need to get the second field turfed so we will be a premier facility.
Mayor Short said he was blessed to speak at the graduation of the 77th Police Academy,
and he thanked Chief Borrego for the opportunity. He asked that we please continue to
pray for rain.
Item 10 — Executive Sessions
City Council adjourned into Executive Session at 9:41 a.m. in accordance with Texas
Government Code §551 .071 and §551 .087.
Mayor Short reconvened the meeting in open session at 10:51 a.m. and announced that
no votes or polls were taken.
Item 11 —Adjourn
Mayor Short adjourned the meeting at 10:52 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 7th day of May 2024.
Tim hort, Mayor
ATTEST:
BCA/ q
Marie Balthro TRM MMC
City Clerk
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