Min 03/04/2025 City of Wichita Falls
City Council Meeting
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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 John McLarty, First United Methodist Church, gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Short led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3a — Employee of the Month — Jared Burchett, Fire Department
Mayor Short recognized Jared Burchett as Employee of the Month for March 2025 and
shared a brief video. He congratulated Mr. Burchett and presented him with a plaque,
letter of appreciation, dinner for two, and a check and thanked him for his service.
Item 3b— Proclamation — Meals on Wheels Month, Meals on Wheels Wichita County
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming March as March for Meals Month in Wichita
Falls.
Item 3c — Presentation — Texas Association of City and County Health Officials
(TACCHO) Education Through Innovation Awards, Wichita Falls Health Department
Mayor Short recognized the Wichita Falls Health Department for being awarded the
Texas Association of City and County Health Officials Education Through Innovation
award for the Play Well Children's Education Program.
Item 4 — Comments from Citizens
Andrew Crites, 708 8th Street, discussed the need for a crosswalk on Scott Street across
from the County Annex since pedestrians are crossing between the 6th and 7th Street
crosswalks. He asked the Council to consider a crosswalk with flashers and an overhead
yield to pedestrian sign and asked that this be put on a future agenda.
Al Vitolo, 5408 Blazing Star, thanked the Council for their action and leadership in
adopting Chapter 174. He appreciates their leadership, foresight, change in city
administration, and positive tone.
Adrian Colbert Jr., 1308 Bluebonnet, Prosper, TX, discussed the cleanup on Eastside
that he participated in and asked what is being put in place to elevate that side of the
community. He feels that in order for Wichita Falls to rise to its potential, we have to
support all areas of Wichita Falls. Mayor Short expressed his appreciation to Mr. Colbert.
Ricky Lowe commended Mr. Colbert for his work and thanked the City Council and staff
for what is happening in District 2. He appreciates their collaboration and leadership.
Item 5-6 — Consent Items
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March 4, 2025
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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 5 — Approval of the February 18, 2025 minutes of the Mayor and City Council
Item 6 — Receive Minutes
(a) Public Safety Facility Committee, December 19, 2024
(b) Landmark Commission, January 28, 2025
(c) Central Wichita Falls Neighborhood Revitalization Committee, February 4,
2025
Item 7a — Ordinance 11-2025
Ordinance appropriating $90,000 of grant funds pursuant to the Texas Motor Vehicle
Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA), FY 2025, SB 224 Catalytic Converter Grant
Program, appropriating said funds to the Special Revenue Fund, and authorizing the City
Manager or his designee to execute all documents necessary to accept and share said
funds.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Ordinance 11-2025.
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
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March 4, 2025
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Item 7b — Ordinance 12-2025
Ordinance appropriating $34,017.00 of grant funds pursuant to the 2024 Edward Byrne
Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, appropriating said funds to the
Special Revenue Fund, and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute all
documents necessary to accept and share said funds.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Ordinance 12-2025.
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 8 — Announcements concerning items of community interest from members
of the City Council. No action will be taken or discussed
Councilor Cobb discussed the upcoming St. Patrick's Day event and the positive changes
happening in District 2 and thanked Ricky Lowe for his work.
Councilor Brooks thanked Adrian Colbert, current NFL player for the Chicago Bears, for
his assistance with cleanup in District 2 and Ricky Lowe for his help removing a billboard
on Martin Luther King and Rosewood that was falling down. He thanked Mayor Short for
feeding the volunteers and thanked Jeff McAlister for the free screenings he provided to
senior citizens at the MLK Center. He stated that District 2 has been behind, and he is no
longer speaking about change in District 2; he is speaking about an impact in District 2.
Councilor Flack said it is inspiring to hear about great things happening in District 2 and
thanked everyone for supporting and taking pride in the community, as that is what makes
Wichita Falls a great place.
Councilor Browning thanked Leadership Wichita Falls for their attendance.
Councilor Taylor stated that he had lunch at Davenport's last week with Mr. Lowe and
Councilor Brooks and they discussed what they can do to concentrate their efforts to
improve the appearance and quality of life in District 2. One of the challenges is District 2
being in the flood plain. He discussed the need for appropriate-priced housing, continued
cleanup, and working in concert with the City.
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March 4, 2025
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Councilor Battaglino discussed the sold-out production of Grease at Backdoor Theater
and the St. Patrick's Day festival. He gave a special shout-out to Leadership Wichita Falls
2025 and said his participation in Leadership Wichita Falls inspired him to run for City
Council and encouraged others to serve. He invited them to his town hall on April 14th at
5:30 p.m. at the Thomas Fowler American Legion Post 169.
Mayor Short thanked Leadership Wichita Falls for attending. He appreciates the pride in
all of our districts in keeping them clean and taking care of our community and thanked
Mr. Lowe and Mr. Colbert for their efforts.
Item 9 — Executive Sessions
City Council adjourned into Executive Session at 9:07 a.m. in accordance with Texas
Government Code §551 .074 and §551 .087.
Mayor Short reconvened the meeting in open session at 10:59 a.m. and announced that
no votes or polls were taken.
Item 10 — Adjourn
Mayor Short adjourned the meeting at 10:59 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 18th day of March 2025.
Tim Short, Mayor
ATTEST:
Marie Balthrop, TRM , MMC
City Clerk
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March 4, 2025
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