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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
Mike Battaglino - District 4
Tom Taylor - District 5
Jeffery Jenkins - City Manager
Kinley Hegglund - City Attorney
Marie Balthrop - City Clerk
Absent: Jeff Browning - District 3/Mayor Pro Tem
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 3a — Employee of the Month — Ryan Rutkowski, Sanitation
Mayor Short recognized Ryan Rutkowski as Employee of the Month for July 2025 and
shared a brief video. He congratulated Mr. Rutkowski and presented him with a plaque,
a letter of appreciation, dinner for two, and a check, and thanked him for his service.
Item 3b — Proclamation — Emmanuel Carrillo Day
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming July 1 , 2025, as Emmanuel Carrillo Day in
Wichita Falls, TX.
Item 3c — Proclamation — Emanuel Moreno Day
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming July 1 , 2025, as Emanuel Moreno Day in
Wichita Falls, TX.
Item 3d — Galan Sparks Award — James McKechnie
James McKechnie, Deputy City Manager, was recognized for being awarded the Galan
Sparks Award for Outstanding Public Service and distinguished career achievements
while serving as the Assistant City Attorney.
Item 4 — Comments from Citizens
Ann Arnold Ogden, 1005 9th Street, thanked the Council for their support of the Bridwell
Park revitalization project and invited everyone to attend the Bridwell Park Mural
dedication, which will be held July 10th at 10:00 a.m.
Lorelei Mitchell, 1805 10th Street, discussed the Texas Bluebonnets Girls State, a youth
camp hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary, where she learned about precinct,
municipal, county, and state levels of government. She discussed various things she
learned and urged the Council to get involved and support local organizations that support
our youth.
Shanna Miller, 1805 10th Street, recently attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
(RYLA) sponsored by the Southwest Rotary Club, where she participated in a mock city
council meeting. She attended today's meeting to learn more about how our City Council
meetings are conducted, and encouraged participation in RYLA and the Rotary Club.
Item 5-8 — Consent Items
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Jeffery Jenkins, 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 June 17, 2025, Regular Meeting of the Mayor
and City Council.
Item 6 — Receive Minutes
(a) Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee, May 13, 2025
(b) Planning & Zoning, May 14, 2025
Item 7a — Ordinance 34-2025
Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to approve a request from United Regional
Health Care System to close, vacate, abandon, and transfer a 25' x 164' concrete paved
alley right-of-way consisting of 4,100 square feet and located between 1514 11th Street
and 1506 11th Street, Block 255, Original Town and retain the entire portion for a public
utility easement.
Item 7b— Ordinance 35-2025
Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to apply for and accept grant funding in an
amount up to $3,766,000 from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation for
design and construction of an emergency access road and gate serving Sheppard Air
Force Base.
Item 8a — Resolution 68-2025
Resolution authorizing the execution of a Memorandum of Agreement between the City
of Wichita Falls and Robert McBroom MD, FACP for the provision of medical services to
the Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District.
Item 8b — Resolution 69-2025
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Resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to make application for a grant
from the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA), FY 2026 Request for
Applications — SB 224 Catalytic Converter Grant in the amount up to $305,000.00.
Item 8c — Resolution 70-2025
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement
with Biggs & Mathews, Inc. for the Preliminary Design and Site Evaluation for Quail Creek
Drainage Improvements Phase III (Kemp to Maplewood Culvert Crossing) in the amount
of $73,750.00.
Item 8d — Resolution 71-2025
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
$129,508 to the City of Wichita Falls to study and provide options to improve the waterfalls
adjacent to 1-44 and the Wichita River in Wichita Falls, otherwise known as The Falls.
Item 8e — Resolution 72-2025
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement
with Garver, LLC to perform an overall evaluation of the Falls in the amount of
$129,508.00.
Item 9 — Presentation — Homelessness Response Initiative — Dr. Wilson and Mr.
Sparks
Dr. Louis Wilson and Steve Sparks, CEO of Faith Mission, presented an update on the
Homeless Response Initiative and Citizens Addressing Homelessness in Wichita Falls.
They addressed the growing rates of both sheltered and unsheltered homelessness,
citing causes such as addiction, mental illness, medical issues, and economic factors.
Their mission is to ethically reduce homelessness through partnerships, innovation, and
effective action.
Dr. Wilson outlined the action plan developed in coordination with City and County
officials, highlighting shelter gaps and the need for respite units. He also discussed
integrating technology, meeting HUD requirements, and setting realistic goals. Mr. Sparks
emphasized the urgency fora sustainable response, advocating for individualized support
and self-sufficiency.
Council members expressed appreciation for the presentation and support for the
initiative. Judge Johnson voiced the County's commitment and called for the creation of
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a task force to maintain momentum. City staff indicated that related ordinances would be
presented in early August.
Public comments from Amy Vail, Property Manager for Big Blue and The Kate, Jeremy
Davis, a tenant in The Kate, and Ronald Hall included questions on how to help, concerns
about safety and mental health issues, and the impact of individuals being relocated to
Wichita Falls. Suggestions included hiring security, contacting law enforcement, and
discouraging direct monetary support to the homeless. Mr. Sparks encouraged citizens
to share information about Faith Mission's services.
City staff confirmed ongoing discussions about ordinance updates, and the Council
emphasized a broader community effort beyond enforcement. Dr. Wilson stressed the
importance of street-level case management to break the cycle of homelessness. Pastor
Shanna Kronk shared her perspective as a Pastor and leader of a mobile shower ministry,
offered continued support for the initiative, and expressed hope that Wichita Falls can
become a model for the state.
Item 10 — Public Hearing on the Proposed 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and Annual
Action Plan to allocate $1,206,417 in FY 2025 Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) funds, Reallocate $100,000 in Prior Year CDBG Funding, and $349,481 in
FY 2025-2026 HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds.
Mayor Short opened the public hearing at 9:32 a.m.
Terry Floyd, Director of Development Services, presented the Proposed 2025-2029
Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan and stated that this public hearing is required
by HUD. He thanked the Council Subcommittee on Outside Agencies for their input and
recommendations. He discussed the timeline, required comment period, proposed
funding, and the Resolution that will be presented in August to finalize the
recommendations.
Mayor Short closed the public hearing at 9:37 a.m.
Item 11 — Ordinance 36-2025
Ordinance adding Appendix D to the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiated
between the City of Wichita Falls and Wichita Falls Professional Fire Fighters Association,
International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 432, pursuant to Chapter 174 of the
Texas Local Government Code, the Fire and Police Employee Relations Act.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Ordinance 36-2025.
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The motion was seconded by Councilor Cobb, and with no comments or questions from
the public, the motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Brooks, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 12 — Resolution 73-2025
Resolution approving the programs and expenditures of the Wichita Falls Economic
Development Corporation (4A) and amending the budget to include funding up to
$1 ,175,000 to facilitate a performance agreement with Nuco Controls, LLC to assist the
company in its planned expansion of operations in Wichita Falls.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 73-2025.
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 13 — Announcements concerning items of community interest from members
of the City Council. No action will be taken or discussed.
Councilor Cobb thanked Dr. Wilson for his presentation, which is a good start and a step
forward. He wished everyone a Happy 4th of July, encouraged everyone to be safe, and
thanked everyone who attended the meeting today.
Councilor Brooks thanked everyone who attended today, congratulated Dr. Peter
Braveboy on being named the new Principal at Legacy, and discussed a successful kids'
camp held at Hirschi Middle School.
Councilor Flack thanked Dr. Wilson and Mr. Sparks for their work and thorough report.
She loves it when different parts of the community work together as one because that is
what makes Wichita Falls special. It is exciting, and she is excited to be a part of it.
Councilor Taylor thanked Dr. Wilson and Mr. Sparks and discussed the need to support
this initiative. Last night, he held a town hall meeting with good attendance, good ideas,
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and many questions answered. He thanked the staff and all who participated in the
meeting. There will be a parade downtown on the 4th of July at 9:00 a.m.
Councilor Battaglino attended Improv at Back Door Theater and encouraged everyone to
attend and participate. He was asked to go on stage for Improv and plans to participate
again in the future. Wichita Theater is currently doing a campaign to bring more people
into the theater, and he encouraged everyone to check out their Facebook page. He
discussed upcoming events for the next few weeks, including his Townhall on July 14th at
5:30 p.m. at the Thomas Fowler American Legion Post 169, 4615 Lakeshore Dr. He
thanked Adrian Colbert for his work in the community and discussed the Colbert Project.
There is a Facebook page that lists upcoming events, with the next cleanup being held
on July 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 1 :00 p.m. at 889 MLK, the corner of Franklin and Rosewood.
Mayor Short congratulated Mr. McKechnie on receiving the Galen Sparks Award and
asked that everyone keep Councilor Browning in their thoughts and prayers as he has
back surgery today. He will see everyone at Freedom Fest on Friday.
Item 14 — Executive Session
The City Council adjourned into Executive Session at 9:53 a.m. in accordance with Texas
Government Code §551 .072 and §551 .087.
Mayor Short reconvened the meeting in open session at 11 :11 a.m. and announced that
no votes or polls were taken.
Item 15 — Adjourn
Mayor Short adjourned the meeting at 11:12 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 15th day of July 2025.
Tim Short, Mayor
ATTEST:
-j/Vaku,
Marie Balthrop, TRM ��, MMC
City Clerk
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