Min 02/18/2025 City of Wichita Falls
City Council Meeting
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February 18, 2025
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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
Austin Cobb - At-Large
Whitney Flack - District 1
Robert Brooks - District 2
Jeff Browning - District 3
Mike Battaglino - District 4
Tom Taylor - District 5
James McKechnie - Interim 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 3 — Comments from Citizens
Jana Lovely, 2404 Clarinda Ave., discussed Black History Month and various inventions
created by Black Americans. She encouraged individuals to visit
theblackinventionsmuseum.org to see a full list of inventions. She discussed the broad
spectrum of areas where Black Americans have contributed to our community and
American society, encouraged everyone to visit the library, and suggested three books
for everyone to read regarding black history.
Item 4-5 — Consent Items
James McKechnie, Interim City Manager, gave a briefing on the items listed under the
Consent Agenda.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve the consent agenda.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Battaglino and, with no comments or questions
from the public, carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Brooks, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 4 — Approval of the minutes of the Mayor and City Council
(a) February 4, 2025 Regular Meeting
(b) February 6, 2025 Special Meeting
Item 5 — Receive Minutes
(a) Water Resources Committee, January 18, 2024
(b) Water Resources Committee, March 20, 2024
(c) Employee Benefits Trust Board, April 8, 2024
(d) Employee Benefits Trust Board, April 22, 2024
(e) Water Resources Committee, May 31 , 2024
(f) Employee Benefits Trust Board, August 7, 2024
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(g) Employee Benefits Trust Board, September 16, 2024
(h) Employee Benefits Trust Board, September 16, 2024
(i) MPO Transportation Policy Committee, October 30, 2024
(j) Landmark Commission, December 17, 2024
(k) Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee, January 14, 2025
(I) Central Wichita Falls Neighborhood Revitalization Committee, January 21 ,
2025
Item 6a — Resolution 16-2025
Resolution authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute and grant a 20' x 200'
Easement and Right of Way to Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC as depicted on the
attached "EXHIBIT "A" across City-owned property located in All of Blk 238, Original
Town, Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas
Item 7a — Resolution 17-2025
Resolution to consider economic benefits and support for a proposed affordable housing
tax credit project, Pioneer Crossing, at approximately 3110 Central Freeway, Wichita
Falls, Texas from WF Pioneer Crossing, LLC.
No action was taken because the applicant had withdrawn their project application.
Item 7b — Resolution 18-2025
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 18-2025.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Battaglino and, with no comments or questions
from the public, carried by the following vote:
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Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Brooks, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 7c — Resolution 19-2025
Resolution authorizing the City of Wichita Falls' continued participation with the Atmos
Cities Steering Committee; and authorizing the payment of five cents per capita to the
Atmos Cities Steering Committee to fund regulatory and related activities related to Atmos
Energy Corporation
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 19-2025.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Browning and, with no comments or questions
from the public, carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Brooks, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 7d — Resolution 20-2025
Resolution authorizing the City of Wichita Falls' continued participation with the Oncor
Cities Steering Committee (OCSC); and authorizing the payment of eleven 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 Battaglino to approve Resolution 20-2025.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Taylor and, with no comments or questions from
the public, carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Brooks, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 7e — Resolution 21-2025
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Resolution placing into effect Chapter 174 of the Texas Local Government Code, the Fire
and Police Employee Relations Act, effective April 1 , 2025.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 21-2025.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Browning and, with no comments or questions
from the public, carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Brooks, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 7f— Resolution 22-2025
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a new Potable Water Purchase
Contract with the Wichita Valley Water Supply Corporation.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 22-2025.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Taylor and, with no comments or questions from
the public, carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Brooks, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 7q — Resolution 23-2025
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding
with the Wichita Valley Water Supply Corporation for the design, construction, and
operation of a new water main.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 23-2025.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Taylor and, with no comments or questions from
the public, carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Brooks, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
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Item 7h — Resolution 24-2025
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to award bid and contract for the 2025 Crack
Seal Project to Holbrook Asphalt, LLC, in the amount of $229,141 .26.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 24-2025.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Taylor.
Rickey Lowe, 212 Farris Street, asked if District 2 would be included and about the
schedule. Russell Schreiber, Director of Public Works, said District 2 is included,
discussed the map included in the agenda item, and that the schedule will be determined
with the contractor. Mr. Lowe discussed recent work on potholes and expressed his
appreciation for this work.
The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Brooks, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
The City Council adjourned into Executive Session at 8:53 a.m. in accordance with Texas
Government Code §551 .072.
Mayor Short reconvened the meeting in open session at 9:30 a.m. and announced that
no votes or polls were taken.
Item 7i — Resolution 25-2025
Resolution setting the rates at Lake Arrowhead and Lake Kickapoo for leases of City-
owned property.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 25-2025.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Taylor.
Pat Hoffman, Property Administrator, discussed the new generation leases that allow an
increase in lease rates every five years with a thirty percent cap and stated that this item
was tabled in 2024 for further consideration. Appraisals were completed in 2024 to
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determine market rates, and staff recommends the proposed lease rates for Lake
Kickapoo be increased by ten percent, which brings the lease rate to market value, and
by thirty percent at Lake Arrowhead, which will still be below market value. There was a
brief discussion regarding appraisals currently being completed on a representative
sample of lots by an appraiser from Abilene, who has experience appraising leased lots
on lakes. These appraisals will be completed within the next sixty days, but in order to
meet the ninety-day notice period for increases in leases renewing in July and September,
action must be taken today. It was noted that if a lot is sold, by law, the City must have a
third-party appraisal and sell the land at market value as determined by the independent
appraiser.
Lisa McLachlan, 266 Cherokee Trail, Lake Arrowhead, discussed the language on her
new generation lease that states leases can be raised in 2019, 2024, and at the end of
each 5-year period thereafter. Since rate increases were considered in 2024, but not
implemented, she believes that the next appropriate time to consider rate increases would
be in 2029. She requested that the Council not take any action today and revisit this item
in 2029. She feels that acting now would set a bad precedent and stated that postponing
increases was not addressed in the contract. She discussed concerns with the timing of
appraisals for possible future purchases, and the timing of the lease increases.
Mayor Short discussed how the Council is not tied to a specific date but that rates can
only be raised every five years. Kinley Hegglund, City Attorney, stated that he has
reviewed the lease and that the City has the right to increase rent. He feels that raising
rates today is not in violation of the contract, and rates cannot be raised for five years
after an increase. Ms. McLachlan stated that she wanted to be on record as disagreeing.
Stacy Darnell, 6785 FM 2606, Henrietta, spoke against raising the lease rates and agreed
with previous statements made by Ms. McLachlan, and discussed the minimum services
they receive and the lack of representation on the City Council. Ms. Darnell discussed a
fire close to her lake home, and the response from volunteer fire departments with no
help from the Wichita Falls Fire Department. She pays more in her lease fee than property
taxes and receives no first responder services or utilities and only a few parks that are
minimally maintained. She understands that they were deannexed years ago at the
request of previous residents and does not want to be annexed, but she asked that lease
rates remain commensurate with the services received. She discussed revenues
generated by leases and feels revenues generated more than cover services received.
She asked the council not to increase rates but to move forward with allowing the
purchase of the lots.
Mayor Short stated that the City is the landlord and discussed their responsibility to treat
this asset as a for-profit business for the citizens of Wichita Falls. There was a brief
discussion regarding the lease being in addition to taxes paid to Clay County, how Clay
County should provide services as the taxing entity, previous meetings where the
responsibilities of both parties were discussed, and how the City is moving forward with
the possibility of allowing the purchase of lake lots. Ms. Darnell acknowledged that she
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did not expect the Wichita Falls Fire Department to respond in Lake Arrowhead, but the
local volunteer fire department does not receive any support from Wichita Falls.
Tim Sheppard,167 Blackfoot Trail, discussed how expenses had not changed and asked
why leases needed to be increased when there was no shortfall in revenue to cover
services provided. He asked where the extra money went and asked that the Council not
pass this resolution. Mayor Short stated that revenues go to the General Fund.
The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Brooks, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 7j — Resolution 26-2025
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
$4,000 to Hotter'n Hell Hundred (HHH) to purchase a new start line arch for use by HHH
and other community events.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Resolution 26-2025.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Cobb.
David Coleman, 3719 Cedar Elm Lane, Chairman of Hotter `N Hell, discussed replacing
the inflatable start line arch used for smaller events with a scaffold-style start line arch
that will allow advertising banners to be displayed. He discussed the reduction in
revenues and increased expenses and how Hotter `N Hell and other events bring tourism
revenue to the City. This arch will be received in time for Thor and will be used for other
various community events.
The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Brooks, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 8a(i) — Staff Reports — Annual Castaway Cove Update — Blake Jurecek and
Jimmy Holmes
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Blake Jurecek introduced Steve Vaughn and Jimmy Holmes with H Two Management.
Mr. Holmes gave a presentation on the 2024 season, discussed the twenty years
Castaway Cove has served the community, and the celebrations and merchandise
created for this milestone. He discussed new amenities added to the park to expand food
choices, new cabanas, the expanded tropical bar menu, and added games. He discussed
how revenues were slightly less than last year, strategies to boost revenues, the new
multi-lane mat racer named the Riptide Racer, and their growth focus initiatives and retail
strategies. He stated internally their focus will be on management training and team
building to help grow and retain employees and discussed the grand opening planned for
the Riptide Racer.
Councilor Battaglino asked about Pirate's Plunge, and Steve Vaughn discussed repairs
that have been made.
Item 8a(ii) — FY 2026 Budget Outlook and Calendar (Stephen Calvert, Director of
Finance/CFO)
Mr. Calvert presented an overview of the budget outlook and calendar and the expanded
opportunities for Council and public input. He discussed the current economic
environment and the Municipal Cost Index (MCI), which had a minimal increase, the
minimal increase in property tax values, and reduced interest rates on investments. Mr.
Calvert discussed the current financial position, which has healthy reserves for both major
and designated funds, low levels of tax-supported debt, and debt rolling off in the near
future, which allows for opportunities to invest in various capital projects. There was a
brief discussion regarding the proposed capital investments and how current debt is
funded. Councilor Taylor asked to include funding for sidewalk gaps and neighborhood
cleanup initiatives in blighted areas. Councilor Battaglino discussed tree trimming and
preventative maintenance and asked for more focus in this area to ensure the best use
of the equipment we have. Mr. Calvert discussed the capital improvements in various
funds, recommendations for projects within those funds, and how project decisions are
made. Mr. Schreiber discussed the need to complete the Water Master Plan, the number
of open cuts, and the need to possibly add an additional crew or privatize these repairs
when appropriate. Mr. Calvert discussed current year revenues, property tax revenue
caps, and the goal to rely minimally on property tax and maximize all other revenue
sources. There was a brief discussion regarding franchise taxes and sales tax having a
negative growth rate and expenses, which are largely for personnel services. Mr. Calvert
asked for the Council to provide input for priorities and changes for the FY26 budget.
There was a brief discussion regarding the favorable position of the current budget, the
need to ensure current year budgeted projects are completed, and the various ongoing
facility improvement projects.
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Item 8b — Announcements concerning items of community interest from members
of the City Council. No action will be taken or discussed.
Councilor Cobb attended Dancing for the Stars and watched Councilor Battaglino and his
wife dance, and thanked the staff for a great event. He expressed his thanks to Dr. Lee
for the opportunity to participate in Principal for the Day, stated another Principal for the
Day event is coming up, and encouraged citizens to participate.
Councilor Brooks thanked everyone who attended the event at Spudder Park, and
thanked everyone with the Street Department, and expressed his appreciation for the
pothole repairs.
Councilor Flack gave a shout-out to Cunningham Elementary, where she participated in
Principal for the Day. She asked that, as temperatures are dropping, we reach out to
people, donate resources, and get people to shelters when possible.
Councilor Taylor thanked the Health Department for handling recent animal control issues
and encouraged everyone to be safe and drive safely during the upcoming winter
weather. He asked that sidewalk gaps, cleanup, and the Parks Master Plan be considered
while preparing for the next budget.
Councilor Battaglino thanked Terry Points for his four decades of service and Councilor
Cobb for agreeing to dance for 2026 Dancing for the Stars. He stated that his wife Crystal
won the Mirror Ball for raising the most money and will be a judge next year. Over
$130,000 was raised and it was a privilege to be a part of the event. He enjoyed
participating as Principal for a day at Memorial High School, stated Downtown Bingo is
still going on, encouraged everyone to get their bingo card, and encouraged attendance
on Saturday at Lorelei Mitchell's Eagle Scout ceremony at the Thomas Fowler American
Legion Post 169 at 3:00 p.m.
Mayor Short discussed the National Prayer Breakfast at Sheppard Air Force Base
tomorrow and recognized Terry Points, Garry Capron, and Chief Donald Hughes for their
retirements and thanked each of them for their dedicated service.
Item 9 — Executive Session
No additional executive session was held.
Item 10 — Adjourn
Mayor Short adjourned the meeting at 11:51 a.m.
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PASSED AND APPROVED this 4th day of March 2025.
Tim Short, Mayor
ATTEST:
Marie Balthrop, TRW, MMC
City Clerk
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