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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
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
Absent: Robert Brooks, District 2
Mayor Short called the meeting to order at 8:32 a.m.
Item 2a — Invocation
Deacon David Bindel, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Short led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3a — Proclamation — Red Cross Month, American Red Cross
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming March as Red Cross Month in Wichita Falls.
Item 3b — Proclamation —World Theatre Day, Backdoor Theatre
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming March 18th as World Theatre Day in Wichita
Falls.
Item 3c — Recognition of Foreign Exchange Students — Dave Clark
Dave Clark introduced and recognized foreign exchange students living in Wichita Falls.
Item 3d — Recognition of Karen Montgomery-Gagne for being named the 82nd MSG
Community Partner of the Year
Mayor Short recognized Karen Montgomery-Gagne for being awarded the 82nd Mission
Support Group Community Partner of the Year Award.
Item 3e — Recognition of Wichita Falls Police Department Motor Unit for Texas
Police Motorcycle Rodeo, Round Rock Texas, honors
Mayor Short recognized the Wichita Falls Police Department Motor Unit for receiving
honors at the Texas Police Motorcycle Rodeo in Round Rock, Texas.
Item 4 — Comments from Citizens
Steve Ginger, 3411 McNeil #302, Wichita Falls Police Officers Association, addressed
the Council regarding the upcoming hiring decision for a new City Manager. This is a
critical decision, and he feels the answer is James McKechnie. Officer Ginger said Mr.
McKechnie has a high level of integrity and a good work ethic and is extremely positive,
approachable, and easy to get along with. He feels that it is critical that a leader has the
desire and wants to be with the people they work with, as Mr. McKechnie does. He
acknowledged that the association has no input in the decision and will support whatever
decision is made.
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March 18, 2025
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Jana Lovely, 2404 Clarinda Ave., stated that March is Women's History Month and
discussed events hosted by the Wichita Falls Public Library to celebrate the contributions
of women in this country. One such event was a display in the library titled "For Most of
History Anonymous was a Woman." She challenged everyone to recognize the women
in their lives, and recognized various women from Wichita Falls who served our
community, and recommended various books.
Ricky Lowe stated he was there as a voice to the voiceless since Councilor Brooks is out.
He thanked the City for the video featuring Davenport Grocery, which has had over
110,000 views, and they have seen new faces in the store. He discussed the need for
loss prevention at the Family Dollar Store on Eastside and asked for Police presence to
help deter theft. Mr. Lowe discussed TIF #3 funds and wants to keep this topic at the
forefront.
Te-Ishma Monroe, 1109 Tulsa, discussed her concerns regarding the new WinCo store
and TIF funds being used, and taxpayers taking a hit on this new street. She has data
that suggests the taxpayers are funding the new street and she feels WinCo has money
to pay for their own street. Paul Menzies, Assistant City Manager, discussed how WinCo
is paying for the street adjacent to their store, and the City is contributing money for the
extension to Gregory. Ms. Monroe stated she would contact the Mayor and Council to
discuss her data.
Item 5-6 — 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, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 5 — Approval of minutes of the March 4, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Mayor
and City Council
Item 6 — Receive Minutes
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(a) Planning & Zoning, February 14, 2024
(b) Planning & Zoning, December 11, 2024
Item 7a — Ordinance 13-2025
Ordinance making an appropriation to the special revenue fund for the Vector Control
Collaborative Project in the amount of $10,000 received from the National Association of
County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and authorizing the City Manager to execute
contract accepting same.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve Ordinance 13-2025.
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, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 7b — Ordinance 14-2025
Ordinance appropriating $150,000 in Opioid Settlement Funding Grants for assistance to
not-for-profit organizations and authorizing the City Manager to execute contracts
accepting same.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Ordinance 14-2025.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Browning.
Valerie Rhodes, 1706 Avalon Place, representative of the East of the Falls Community
Development Corporation, thanked the council for the opportunity. The group was
previously called Eastside Spirit Group and was one of the first narcotic groups in Wichita
Falls. She said it was an eye-opening meeting, and they hope to collaborate with other
organizations and the City to help Wichita Falls become drug-free.
Brad Fisk, Director of Substance Abuse Services with Helen Farabee, thanked the council
for the opportunity to bolster their program, try innovative approaches to address the
fentanyl crisis, and make Narcan available in the community. They also hope to work in
collaboration with others to make sure our citizens are protected.
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March 18, 2025
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Lisa Roffman, 1641 Brenda Hursh, with Homeless Lives Matter, thanked the council and
Ms. Fagan for believing in them and for their support. They are reaching approximately
700 individuals a month, and work to bring opioid awareness to Wichita Falls.
Dr. Sandra Vagara, with Action Against Opioids, thanked the council for prior funding for
the NARCAN vending machine and current funding for the community assessment to
assess the opioid problem in Wichita Falls.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 7c — Ordinance 15-2025
Ordinance amending Chapter 50 of the Code of Ordinances by amending Article V
Outdoor Burning; providing for severability; and setting an effective date.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Ordinance 15-2025.
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, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 8a — Resolution 27-2025
Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to make application to the
Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS) for the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System
(TIFMAS) Vehicle Grant.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 27-2025.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Cobb and, with no comments or questions from
the public, carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
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March 18, 2025
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Nays: None
Item 8b — Resolution 28-2025
Resolution approving a development agreement with 7Crew Enterprises, LLC, (dba
7Brew) related to the construction of an additional turn lane on Piedmont Place and Kemp
Boulevard.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 28-2025.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Cobb.
It was noted that 7Crew funded two voluntary traffic impact analyses to determine the
need for the turning lane, and City staff also reviewed the information. The City will
relocate the traffic signal, and 7Crew will invest approximately $150,000 to build the
turning lane.
Emma Dewitt, Director of Field Marketing, with 7Crew, discussed the local investment,
local contractors that will be used, and jobs that will be created.
Carol Murray, 3203 Beech, discussed concerns and opposition to the additional turn lane.
She read a prepared statement regarding concerns with noise pollution, environmental
impacts, land use and business disruptions, costs to the city, and traffic and safety
concerns. She suggested alternative solutions like traffic management and improved
timing at Piedmont and Bob and suggested that 7Brew consider a new location. She
urged the Council to vote no on this Resolution.
Tyson Traw, Deputy Public Works Director, said that those are good points, and have
been considered by the City. Stormwater will not be an issue, and the turn lane is the
preferred solution as it will be a traffic reliever for Piedmont, and not affect Kemp. 7Brew
was required to alter its site to provide for long lines with a double drive-through lane and
the turning lane on Piedmont, which was studied in their traffic analysis and will provide
for 25-30 cars without going out into Piedmont. The City will not allow access from Kemp,
and access was not available through Parker Square.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
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Item 8c — Resolution 29-2025
Resolution approving a development agreement pursuant to Texas Local Government
Code §212.071 with WinCo Foods, LLC, related to the construction of South Wenonah
Avenue and associated utilities in the amount of $1.284 million from Tax Increment
Finance Zone #2 (TIF #2) funding.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 29-2025.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Taylor.
Terry Floyd, Director of Development Services, addressed concerns previously discussed
by Ms. Monroe and explained that this is the last project on the TIF #2 project list, and
funds have been committed for some time. WinCo will build the entire street, which will
provide cost savings to the City, and they will pay for the portion adjacent to the store.
TIF #2 funds will reimburse them for the south portion that extends to Gregory Rd., and
funds will not be transferred until the road is completed and inspected.
Todd Poirier, Construction Manager for WinCo Foods, discussed the various stores in ten
different states and how this store will grow its presence in Texas. He thanked the Mayor
and City Council for considering this project, which will dramatically improve access to
the store. Two commercial lots adjacent to the project will most likely be developed in the
future, and the street will support those businesses as well. WinCo is a 100% employee-
owned company, and they will be hiring approximately 125 employees for this store.
Valerie Rhodes, 1303 Avalon, is excited about the addition of a new store, but we need
more development on the East side of town. With this development, there will be three
major grocery stores within one block.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 9 — Announcements concerning items of community interest from members
of the City Council. No action will be taken or discussed.
Councilor Cobb thanked everyone for attending the meeting. He offered his condolences
to the families of former City Councilor Charles Elmore and former Mayor Gary Cook and
acknowledged their contributions to the City. There will be a community cleanup at 200
Rosewood on Saturday from 10:00 — 5:00, and he encouraged citizen participation.
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March 18, 2025
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Councilor Flack said that she is so excited about the different organizations and non-
profits coming together to help each other to make our community better and stronger
and encouraged everyone to keep up the good work.
Councilor Browning said he loves seeing the falls running and not being muddy.
Councilor Taylor congratulated Karen Montgomery-Gagne, and expressed condolences
to the families of Gary Cook and Charles Elmore. He thanked Interim Fire Chief Melton
for the work on wildfire prevention and reminded the public to rake leaves gathering near
their homes as that is a fire hazard. There will be mitigation work on Tinker Trail this week,
and there is also a lot of construction in that area. He appreciates the help from the
contractor and city for addressing citizen concerns. He congratulated Back Door Theatre
and discussed how it motivated his daughter in her music career. He is looking into TIF
#3 funds to be used for improvement in development in Eastside and to revitalize that
area and he thanked staff for their assistance. He expressed his thanks to WinCo and
also acknowledged that stores are needed on the North and East sides of town.
Councilor Battaglino thanked everyone who helped clean up East Lawn Memorial
Cemetery and said there would be another cleanup next month. He will be rucking a
marathon, the Bataan Memorial Death March, this weekend to honor the prisoners of war
forced on that march in 1942. He would be honored to carry small items or photos for
anyone interested. He discussed various upcoming events, including his upcoming Town
Hall Meeting on April 14th at 5:30 at the Thomas Fowler American Legion Post 169, 4615
Lakeshore Dr.
Mayor Short said his first grandchild was born yesterday, and everyone is doing well. He
thanked everyone at United Regional Labor and Delivery for making a wonderful
experience even better. Last Sunday, he was honored to celebrate the 100th anniversary
of the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, and he enjoyed the singing and worship. He welcomed
and thanked WinCo and 7Brew for working with the City.
Item 10 — Executive Session
The City Council adjourned into Executive Session at 10:07 a.m. in accordance with
Texas Government Code §551.074 and §551 .087.
Mayor Short reconvened the meeting in open session at 11:30 a.m and announced that
no votes or polls were taken.
Item 11 — Adjourn
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Mayor Short adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 1st day of April 2025.
( ✓
Tim Short, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Marie Balthrop, TRM , MMC
City Clerk
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March 18, 2025
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