Min 04/01/2025 City of Wichita Falls
City Council Meeting
4/
.....� Minutes
4 15
\-1111)1C.
��'/ April 1 , 2025 9dM6RCP ` 4 N'
TEXAS
•
B/ue.Skres 46,ides-0iTaficewi res +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
Austin Cobb - At-Large
Whitney Flack - District 1
Robert Brooks - District 2
Mike Battaglino - District 4
Tom Taylor - District 5
James McKechnie - Interim City Manager
Kinley Hegglund - City Attorney
Marie Balthrop - City Clerk
Absent: Jeff Browning, District 3
Marie Balthrop, City Clerk, administered the Oath of Office to Jack Inman, Honorary
Mayor for the Day.
Honorary Mayor Inman called the meeting to order at 8:32 a.m.
Item 2a — Invocation
Pastor Tim Puckett, Heritage Church, gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Honorary Mayor Inman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3a — Presentation — Mayor for the Day, Jack Inman
Mayor Short introduced Mayor for the Day, Jack Inman, shared a brief video and
presented him with a certificate, and a key to the City.
Item 3b — Employee of the Month — Mehgan White, Health Department
Mayor Short recognized Mehgan White as Employee of the Month for April 2025 and
shared a brief video. He congratulated Ms. White and presented her with a plaque, letter
of appreciation, dinner for two, and a check and thanked her for her service.
Item 3c— Presentation — Recipient of Dr. John L. Leal Award, Hunter Adams, Water
Purification
Mayor Short recognized Hunter Adams for being awarded the Dr. John L. Leal Award and
noted that one individual in the state receives this prestigious award annually for
outstanding dedication and service to the public water industry.
Item 3d — Proclamation — KMOC Cross of Christ, KMOC FM 89.5
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming April 6, 2025, as KMOC Cross of Christ
Dedication Day.
Item 3e— Proclamation —Child Abuse Prevention Month, Heart Gallery of Northwest
Texas
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in
Wichita Falls.
Item 3f— Proclamation — National Public Health Week, Health Department
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming April 7-11 , 2025, as National Public Health
Week in Wichita Falls.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 1, 2025
PAGE 2 OF 10
Item 3q — Proclamation — Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Denim Day, First Step
of Wichita Falls. Inc.
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month
and April 30, 2025, as Denim Day in Wichita Falls.
Item 3h — Presentation — Annual Comprehensive Financial Report by Edgin,
Parkman, Fleming & Fleming
Stephen Calvert, Director of Finance/CFO, thanked his staff and Paul Fleming with Edgin,
Parkman, Fleming & Fleming, P.C. for their work on the Annual Comprehensive Financial
Report. Mr. Fleming presented a brief update on the audit and stated there were no
findings. There were no questions or comments from the public.
Item 4 — Comments from Citizens
Joel Jimenez and members of DAV 41 presented the Mayor and City Council with a
special coin and thanked them for their support of veterans.
Item 5-7 — Consent Items
James McKechnie, Interim City Manager, gave a briefing on the items listed under the
Consent Agenda.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve the consent agenda.
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, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 5 — Approval of minutes of the Mayor and City Council
(a) March 18, 2025 Regular Meeting
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 1, 2025
PAGE 3 OF 10
(b) March 25, 2025 Special Meeting
Item 6 — Receive Minutes
(a) Library Advisory Board, September 17, 2024
(b) Wichita Falls — Wichita County Public Health Board, January 10, 2025
(c) Planning and Zoning, February 12, 2025
(d) Landmark Commission, February 25, 2025
(e) Central Wichita Falls Neighborhood Revitalization Committee, March 4, 2025
(f) Central Wichita Falls Neighborhood Revitalization Committee, March 18, 2025
Item 7a — Resolution 30-2025
Resolution authorizing award of bid to Retail Motorcycle Ventures, Inc. for the purchase
of three (3) BMW Police Motorcycles in the amount of $92,933.31 .
Item 7b — Resolution 31-2025
Resolution authorizing the purchase of one (1) 2024 Ford Expedition through the
BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative (Contract #724-23) from Caldwell Country Ford in the
amount of $55,677.00.
Item 7c — Resolution 32-2025
Resolution authorizing the purchase of equipment and installation services for FY 2025
Wichita Falls Police Department patrol units through the BuyBoard Purchasing
Cooperative from Dana Safety Supply, Inc. in the amount of $173,979.54.
Item 7d — Resolution 33-2025
Resolution authorizing the execution of an insurance policy with ACE Property & Casualty
Insurance Company to provide general liability insurance for our Airports in the amount
of $55,775.
Item 8a — Ordinance 16-2025
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 1, 2025
PAGE 4 OF 10
Ordinance making an appropriation to the special revenue fund for the Get Screened
Project in the amount of $30,000 received from the American Cancer Society and
authorizing the City Manager to execute contract accepting same.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Ordinance 16-2025.
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, Brooks, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 8b — Ordinance 17-2025
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 Battaglino to approve Ordinance 17-2025.
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, Brooks, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 9a — Resolution 34-2025
Resolution confirming the appointment of a Fire Chief for the City of Wichita Falls.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 34-2025.
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, Brooks, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 1, 2025
PAGE 5 OF 10
Item 9b — Resolution 35-2025
Resolution appointing Jeffery Jenkins City Manager for the City of Wichita Falls and
authorizing the Mayor to negotiate a Professional Services Agreement with the Appointee
with a base salary of $278,000.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 35-2025.
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, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 9c — Resolution 36-2025
Resolution approving the programs and expenditures of the Wichita Falls Economic
Development Corporation (4A)and amending the budget to include funding up to $55,850
to the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce for reimbursement of due diligence fees paid
related to the proposed Wichita Falls Aviation Industrial Park.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 36-2025.
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, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 9d — Resolution 37-2025
Resolution approving the programs and expenditures of the Wichita Falls Economic
Development Corporation (4A) and amending the existing performance agreement with
Midwestern State University (MSU) for funding up to $1 ,000,000 to support the proposed
Student Success and Military Education Center at MSU's existing main campus in Wichita
Falls.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 1, 2025
PAGE 6 OF 10
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 37-2025.
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, Brooks, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 9e — Resolution 38-2025
Resolution approving the programs and expenditures of the Wichita Falls Economic
Development Corporation (4A) and approving the sale of approximately 1 .31 acres of
Corporation-owned property in the Wichita Falls Business Park to Syntrio Solutions, LLC.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 38-2025.
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, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 9f— Resolution 39-2025
Resolution approving the programs and expenditures of the Wichita Falls Economic
Development Corporation (4A) and amending the budget to include funding up to
$500,000 to the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce to seek opportunities for real estate
acquisition.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 39-2025.
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, Brooks, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 1, 2025
PAGE 7 OF 10
Item 10a — Staff Reports Strategic Plan Update (Paul Menzies, Assistant City
Manager
Paul Menzies, Assistant City Manager, presented an update on the progress of the
Strategic Plan goals and initiatives. Cody Melton, Fire Chief, discussed the ISO 1 rating,
benefits for citizens, and the recertification process. Russell Schreiber, Director of Public
Works, discussed the importance of our superior water system in the ISO 1 rating. Christi
Klyn, Director of Human Resources, discussed strategic initiatives regarding recruitment
and retention, the focus on younger generations through internships, benefits, and future
leadership training programs for staff. Mr. Menzies suggested considering updating the
plan through the budgeting process. The council expressed their appreciation to the staff
for their work moving the plan forward.
Item 10b—Announcements concerning items of community interest from members
of the City Council. No action will be taken or discussed.
Councilor Cobb thanked Mr. Menzies for his presentation. He congratulated Hunter
Adams on his award, welcomed Jeff Jenkins, City Manager, and congratulated Fire Chief
Cody Melton. He also congratulated Jeff Browning on celebrating a wedding anniversary
and Councilor Brooks on his new grandchild.
Councilor Brooks thanked everyone for attending today, those who participated in the
cleanup last week, and the City for their support. He read a letter from Summer Chaplin
regarding an Eagle Scout project and discussed the need for a small splash pad on the
Eastside to provide relief from the summer heat. He discussed the need for additional
economic development in District 2, discussed issues with theft in his district, and
encouraged everyone to visit District 2.
Councilor Flack discussed the importance of the presentations today, the importance of
non-profit organizations, and celebrating the wins. Today's meeting was a great
representation of a variety of subjects, and she loved the statement made today by one
of the proclamation recipients who said, "What we can't prevent, we have to heal." She
congratulated Chief Melton and welcomed the new City Manager, Jeff Jenkins. She is
excited that we are moving forward and have a great strategic plan, and she thanked
everyone who attended and celebrated the various organizations today.
Councilor Taylor stated that today, we truly accentuated the positive and recognized
many unsung heroes that make Wichita Falls a great place to live. He thanked the DAV
41 members, congratulated Chief Melton, thanked the fire department for their assistance
with fires in his neighborhood, and congratulated everyone recognized this morning.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 1, 2025
PAGE 8 OF 10
Councilor Battaglino discussed various upcoming community events and encouraged
citizens to participate. He stated he wore purple today for the Month of the Military Child,
supporting children who have one or more parents serving, and encouraged others to
wear purple this month.
Mayor Short thanked Jack Inman for being Mayor for the Day, his parents for trusting him
with their son, various staff for sharing their time and expertise with Jack over the past
two days, and Julie at Gidget's for a delicious lunch. Mayor Short discussed the process
of hiring a new City Manager, said he believes Jeff Jenkins is the right choice, welcomed
him and his wife Brandy back to the area, and stated he looks forward to him being a
catalyst to move the City forward.
Item 11 — Executive Session
The City Council adjourned into Executive Session at 10:02 a.m. in accordance with
Texas Government Code §551 .074, §551 .087 and §551.071 .
Mayor Short reconvened the meeting in open session at 11 :03 a.m. and announced that
no votes or polls were taken.
Item 12 — Memorial Auditorium Tour to meet at the east entrance, Memorial
Auditorium, 1300 Seventh Street.
Mayor Short recessed the meeting at 11 :03 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at the east
entrance of Memorial Auditorium at 11 :16 a.m.
Council and Staff toured Memorial Auditorium and received an update on the renovation
progress.
Item 13 — Adjourn from 1st floor of Memorial Auditorium, 1300 Seventh Street
Mayor Short adjourned the meeting at 11:54 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 15th day of April 2025.
Tim Short, Mayor
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 1, 2025
PAGE 9 OF 10
ATTEST:
4VaitAA. AOC
Marie Balthrop, TRM , MMC
City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 1, 2025
PAGE 10 OF 10