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Min 06/18/2024 City of Wichita Falls City Council Meeting Gam . 4/ ro .....� Minutes ���� ))• 4 ��'/ June 18, 2024 9hMgRCf `f� 4 TEXAS <+ " �J Rime-Skres 46,ides-CiTelfiwaitre5 +L " 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 David Sapata, DAV TX Chapter 41 , gave the invocation. Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Short led the Pledge of Allegiance. Item 3 — Comments from Citizens 8:32 a.m. Pete Bolf, 538 West Third, Burkburnett, TX, addressed the Council regarding the property he built without a permit that the City wants him to tear down. Mr. Leiker stated that staff have been working with Mr. Bolf for six months, and the issue is not a City regulation, but a FEMA regulation that the City must follow. The City has reached out to FEMA to ask for a waiver, and they said no, and if we do not follow FEMA regulations, we can be kicked out of the FEMA Flood Insurance program. Mr. Leiker discussed the options provided to Mr. Bolf and offered to meet with him to discuss those options. Michael Patrick Damron, 18702 E. 1220 Road, Sayre, OK, wanted to follow up with the Council from when he spoke at the June 2023 meeting and discussed the autobiography he has written. Steve Ginger, 3411 McNiel, Ste. 302, addressed the Council regarding Police Pay and Benefits. He expressed his appreciation for their consideration during the budget process and asked that the City consider something comparable to what Abilene did to assist with recruitment and retention. Item 4-6 — Consent Items 8:43 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. The motion was seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley. Nays: None Item 4 — Approval of Minutes of the Mayor and City Council (a) June 4, 2024 Regular Meeting (b) June 7, 2024 Special Meeting Item 5a — Resolution 67-2024 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 18, 2024 PAGE 2 OF 13 Resolution authorizing award of 25 chemical bids and 1 bid extension, and rejecting 1 bid to various vendors for the City's annual supply of bulk chemicals for water and wastewater treatment. Item 5b — Resolution 68-2024 Resolution authorizing the City Manager to award bid and contract for the 2024 Concrete Street Rehabilitation Project to Scales Concrete Construction Co., Inc. in the amount of $1 ,470,035. Item 6 — Receive Minutes (a) Landmark Commission - March 26, 2024 Item 7a — Ordinance 24-2024 8:44 a.m. Ordinance making an appropriation to the Special Revenue Fund for the Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Program in the amount of$58,498; received from the Department of State Health Services; authorizing the City Manager to execute contract accepting same. Moved by Councilor Nelson to approve Ordinance 24-2024. The motion was seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley. Nays: None Item 7b — Ordinance 25-2024 8:46 a.m. Ordinance making an appropriation to the Special Revenue Fund for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Grant Program in the amount of $78,000 received from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), and authorizing the City Manager to execute contract accepting same. Moved by Councilor Nelson to approve Ordinance 25-2024. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 18, 2024 PAGE 3 OF 13 The motion was seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley. Nays: None Item 7c — Ordinance 26-2024 8:48 a.m. Ordinance amending the code of ordinances Chapter 50, Article II, Section 34 to increase the number of Fire Captains from 15 to 16 for the purposes of adding a Deputy Fire Marshal position to assist with fire code enforcement and fire investigation (City Council requested item). Moved by Councilor Nelson to approve Ordinance 26-2024. The motion was seconded by Councilor Taylor. Mr. Leiker recommended that the Council wait on this item until we hear if we are awarded the federal grant, which should be by the end of July. If we are not successful in receiving the grant, this position can be added during the normal budget process. Mr. Leiker stated that if the position is funded before the grant is awarded, we will need to withdraw our grant application, as it would be considered supplanting. There was discussion regarding how the position would be funded in the future if the grant is awarded, how the position is being backfilled with current staff, overtime costs, and the possibility of bringing this item back at a later time during the budget process Councilor Smith moved to amend this item to add to be effective October 1 , 2024. Mr. Leiker suggested that we change the wording of the amendment to reflect after we hear from the grant. There was a brief discussion on various ways to address this matter, with the staff recommending that we revisit it after we find out if we are awarded the grant. Councilor Nelson seconded the motion. Chief Hughes asked that the Council wait until we find out if we were awarded the grant. Councilor Smith asked if his amendment, which is to be effective no sooner than October 1 , 2024, still affects the grant, and it was stated that it would. Kinley Hegglund, City Attorney, recommended bringing this item back after we hear the grant results. Councilor Smith withdrew his motion. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 18, 2024 PAGE 4 OF 13 Moved by Councilor Browning to table the item until the August 20, 2024, meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilor Battaglino. Al Vitolo, 5408 Blazing Star, President of the Wichita Falls Professional Fire Fighters Association, thanked the Council for their work and preparing this item. He discussed how the positions are being backfilled with an individual from operations. He feels we are paying for the positions twice, and he discussed the duties of the position. Councilor Browning reiterated that the Council is for the position, but it is not in the City's best interest to forfeit the grant by funding the position today. He assured Mr. Vitolo that this position would be added in the future. Councilor Taylor asked how the overtime hours are affecting morale, and there was a brief discussion regarding this. Councilor Battaglino expressed his frustration about not understanding that we would be supplanting the grant when this item was requested to be placed on the agenda. There was a brief discussion regarding the unusual nature of this item being requested by the Council, the lack of communication prior to the meeting, and appreciation for the process the Council works through. The motion to table carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, and Taylor. Nays: Councilor Whiteley Item 7d — Ordinance 27-2024 9:21 a.m. Ordinance amending the code of ordinances Chapter 50, Article II, Section 34 to increase the number of Fire Lieutenants from 27 to 28 for the purposes of adding a position to coordinate emergency medical training operations within the Fire Department (City Council requested item). Moved by Councilor Nelson to approve Ordinance 27-2024. The motion was seconded by Councilor Battaglino. Donald Hughes, Fire Chief, stated that the majority of fire calls are medical, and this position is needed due to Vernon College no longer providing the training. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 18, 2024 PAGE 5 OF 13 Al Vitolo, 5408 Blazing Star, President of the Wichita Falls Professional Firefighters Association, discussed how this position is being backfilled with an individual from operations, that the position will save the City money, and it will improve the services provided to our community. The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley. Nays: None Item 8a(i) —_Public hearing and resolution of no objection from the City of Wichita Falls for an application from OPG Sun Valley Apartments, LP. to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for 2024 Housing Tax Credits at 1315 E. Central Fwy., Wichita Falls for acquisition/redevelopment of property by developer Overland Property Group and NORTEX Housing Finance Corporation; and authorizing approval of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement; providing effective date 9:31 a.m. Mayor Short opened the public hearing at 9:31 a.m. Terry Floyd, Director of Development Services, discussed the project and the proposed Resolution, which includes a State tax credit and a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with the City. Karen Montgomery Gagne, Principle Planner, discussed the State program and funding opportunities through TDHCA. This program assists with providing affordable housing and is being completed through a partnership with the NORTEX Housing Finance Corporation. The property will become a tax-exempt property, is located close to the new Wichita Falls Legacy High School, and rejuvenates the existing apartment complex. The PILOT agreement will be for 20 years, will be paid annually, can be renewed, and will continue regardless if the property changes ownership. April Engstrom, Director of Development for Overland Property Group, presented the plans for the redevelopment of Sun Valley Apartments and discussed their history in Wichita Falls. This project will increase the family friendliness and safety of this complex. Dave Clark, Executive Director of the Nortex Housing Finance Corporation, discussed their role in the project and stated that if the property is sold, it will become taxable. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 18, 2024 PAGE 6 OF 13 Mayor Short closed the public hearing at 9:50 a.m. Item 8a(ii) — Resolution 69-2024 9:50 a.m. Resolution of no objection from the City of Wichita Falls for an application from OPG Sun Valley Apartments, LP. to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for 2024 Housing Tax Credits at 1315 E. Central Fwy., Wichita Falls for acquisition/redevelopment of property by developer Overland Property Group and NORTEX Housing Finance Corporation; and authorizing approval of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement; providing effective date. Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 69-2024. The motion was seconded by Councilor Nelson and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley. Nays: None Item 8b — Resolution 70-2024 9:51 a.m. Resolution establishing an advisory Citizen Committee for Public Safety facility needs. Moved by Councilor Whiteley to approve Resolution 70-2024, adding Ford Swanson Jr. to the fifteenth position and making Councilor Battaglino the chair. The motion was seconded by Councilor Browning and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley. Nays: None Item 8c — Resolution 71-2024 9:55 a.m. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 18, 2024 PAGE 7 OF 13 Resolution announcing the termination of Stage 1 Drought Watch water restrictions and the resumption of the regular water conservation measures described in Section 106- 186(a) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wichita Falls (Mayor requested item). Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 71-2024. The motion was seconded by Councilor Smith. Russell Schreiber, Director of Public Works, discussed the exceptionally wet and cool spring, which has put the City in a great position going into the summer. Even under the worst summer conditions, staff does not expect the combined lake level to drop below 65% and trigger stage 1 water restrictions through November. The Water Resources Commission unanimously approved the recommendation. Mr. Schreiber discussed the importance of selling water when we have the resources to provide money for projects in the Water Fund. Otherwise, in order to meet budget requirements, the only other option is to raise water rates. Mr. Schreiber stated that year-round water restrictions are still in effect, and we have a sound drought contingency plan in place. Staff recommended approving this Resolution and reiterated that they would closely watch lake levels and make future changes as needed. There was a brief discussion regarding how the 65% lake level was decided as the point to trigger Stage 1 restrictions and how our community is very water conscious. It was noted that Lake Kemp is 100% full, and the Army Corp of Engineers is requiring that we release water from Lake Kemp. Mayor Short discussed the importance of following the guidelines set and how if levels drop below 65% restrictions automatically go back into place without further Council action. Glenn Barham, 3506 Copperas Cove, Chair of the Water Resources Commission, stated that the vote two weeks ago when this item failed was probably due to misinformation. He stated that the Water Resources Commission discussed this issue at length, taking drought awareness into consideration, and the Commission supports passing this Resolution. The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley. Nays: None Item 8d — Resolution 72-2024 10:10 a.m. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 18, 2024 PAGE 8 OF 13 Resolution approving the programs and expenditures of the Wichita Falls Type B Sales Tax Corporation Board of Directors and amending the fiscal 2024 budget to increase funding for the Downtown Improvement Grant Program. Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 72-2024. The motion was seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley. Nays: None Item 8e — Resolution 73-2024 10:14 a.m. Resolution approving the programs and expenditures of the Wichita Falls Type B Sales Tax Corporation Board of Directors and amending the budget to include funding up to $210,000 to River Bend Nature Center to support a forthcoming renovation of their current facility in Wichita Falls. Moved by Councilor Nelson to approve Resolution 73-2024. The motion was seconded by Councilor Battaglino. Jennica Lambert, 1338 T Bone Rd, Executive Director of Riverbend Nature Center, discussed the capital campaign and renovation project. She also discussed the center's importance in our community and the programs it provides. The motion carried by the following vote: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley. Nays: None Moved to Item 9 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 18, 2024 PAGE 9 OF 13 Item 9a - Announcements concerning items of community interest from members of the City Council. No action will be taken or discussed. 10:18 a.m. Councilor Taylor thanked the Parks Department for their work cleaning up our parks and roadways. Councilor Whiteley agreed with Councilor Taylor, and thanked Code Enforcement for their work resolving an issue he reported. Councilor Smith stated that this Friday is Bring Your Dog/Cat to Work Day. He discussed the ribbon cutting for Panda Biotech and the benefits this facility brings to our community. Council attended the Change of Command Ceremony at SAFB and stated he was impressed with the new Commander, General Select Paul Filcek. Councilor Taylor discussed Juneteenth celebrations being held at Jalonick Park and the importance of the holiday. Councilor Battaglino thanked Mayor Short for mentioning his graduation from the Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program. He stated that he was selected for the program prior to being elected to the Council and discussed the importance of Sheppard Air Force Base in our national defense. He wished a Happy Early Birthday to Councilor Taylor who will celebrate his birthday on Thursday. He discussed two cycling accidents and encouraged citizens to be mindful of cyclists. He will host a District 4 Town Hall Meeting on July 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at the Thomas Fowler American Legion Post 169, located at 4615 Lakeshore Dr. Councilor Nelson discussed why he voted no two weeks ago. He spoke with April with Sun Valley, as this project is in his area, and he believes this is a good project. Mayor Short discussed the Proclamation being presented at Jalonick Park on Juneteenth from 10:00 a.m. to 11 :00 a.m. Friday is National Daschund Day, Weinerfest will be held at the dog park beginning at 6:00 p.m. Item 10 — Executive Sessions City Council adjourned into Executive Session at 10:26 a.m. in accordance with Texas Government Code §551.071 and § 551 .087. Mayor Short reconvened in open session at 10:55 a.m. and announced that no votes or polls were taken. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 18, 2024 PAGE 10 OF 13 Returned to item 8f. Item 8f— Resolution 74-2024 10:55 a.m. Resolution approving the programs and expenditures of the Wichita Falls Type B Sales Tax Corporation Board of Directors and amending the budget to include funding up to $835,000 to the City of Wichita Falls for the acquisition of a 12.7± acre tract of land, otherwise known as 100 Central East Freeway. Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Ordinance 74-2024. The motion was seconded by Councilor Smith. Paul Menzies, Assistant City Manager, discussed the proposed acquisition of the property and stated that if acquired, the property would be used for a public park project. The motion carried by the following vote: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Nelson, Smith, Taylor, and Whiteley. Nays: None The meeting was recessed at 11 :05 and moved to rooms 8-10 for the pre-budget workshop. Item 11 — Pre-Budget Workshop for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 to be held at the MPEC Rooms 8- 10 11 :05 a.m. Stephen Calvert, CFO/Director of Finance, discussed historical tax rate reductions, improvements to employee pay and benefits, stewardship, transparency, monitoring economic factors, sources of funding, fund balance projections and policy, property tax value projections, the decrease in sales tax revenue and projections, inflation, employment costs, and strategic plan goals. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 18, 2024 PAGE 11 OF 13 The meeting was recessed for lunch at 11 :31 a.m. and reconvened at 12:14 p.m. Mr. Calvert provided an overview of the General Fund, including departments it supports, and revenue sources. He discussed property tax rates, revenue, and per capita amounts and how Wichita Falls brings in the lowest amount of revenue when compared to peer cities, even though our tax rate is on the higher end. There was a brief discussion regarding exemptions and the possibility of the new local option for Child Care Providers per SB 1145. Councilor Battaglino requested this exemption be figured into the budget. Mr. Calvert discussed our current tax rate of $0.68, estimated rates for the No New Revenue Rate of $0.6563, the Voter Approval Rate of $0.6886, and tax rate options. He stated that Sales Tax Revenues have decreased and are currently 1 .71% less year to date than last year, and estimated sales tax revenues for the next fiscal year are flat. Christi Klyn, Director of Human Resources, discussed historical pay plan adjustments over the past five years and the Employment Cost Index (ECI) for Local Government Workers. She noted that Police and Fire are above the ECI, and civilian pay rates are below. She discussed vacancy improvements, mostly due to previous pay increases. Mr. Calvert discussed the cost per percent for pay rate increases in the general fund, above current requests for new personnel, and proposed General Fund capital expenditures. He noted that property values are up, sales tax is down, and inflation is level, and discussed decisions that still need to be made for one-time and recurring expenditures. Mr. Calvert discussed utility bill charges, which are the major funding source for the Water, Sewer, and Sanitation funds. Our current rates are 5.8% lower than the group average of comparable cities. He suggested a modest 2-3% rate increase to keep up with inflation. Mr. Calvert also discussed Water Fund and Sewer Fund capital expenditures and recommended reappropriating the remaining budgeted funds for Lake Ringgold permitting costs to FY 25. He provided an overview of the Sanitation Fund and stated that our sanitation rates are 5.8% lower than the average of other peer cities. He discussed the rising cost of operating and maintaining services and recommended a modest increase of 2-3% to keep up with inflation. A list of proposed Sanitation Fund capital expenditures was presented. Mr. Calvert gave a brief overview of all other funds, their revenue sources, services provided, and budget considerations for proposed expenditures. He recommended closing the Duplicating Services fund and merging it with administrative charges. Directors provided overviews of their proposed above-current requests. Mr. Calvert discussed various General Fund budget scenarios with various tax rates and personnel increases. Without voter approval, there is not much room between the lowest CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 18, 2024 PAGE 12 OF 13 tax rate and the highest tax rate that can be approved without an election. He discussed the next steps and asked for Council input between July 29th —August 2nd Mr. Leiker encouraged the Council to email or set up a meeting to discuss any questions or input they have. Item 12 — Adjourn Mayor Short adjourned the meeting at 2:19 p.m. PASSED AND APPROVED this 2nd day of July 2024. l im Short, Mayor ATTEST: Marie Balthrop, TRM MMC City Clerk CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 18, 2024 PAGE 13 OF 13