Min 10/07/2025 City of Wichita Falls
City Council Meeting
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October 7, 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
Jeff Browning - District 3/ Mayor Pro Tem
Mike Battaglino - District 4
Tom Taylor - District 5
Jeffery Jenkins - City Manager
Kinley Hegglund - City Attorney
Marie Balthrop - City Clerk
Absent: Robert Brooks, District 2
Mayor Short called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m.
Item 2a — Invocation
Minister Ben Williams, Edgemere Church of Christ, gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Short led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3a — Employee of the Month — Gary Karabel, Parks Department
Mayor Short recognized Gary Karabel, Parks Department, Employee of the Month for
October 2025, and shared a brief video. He congratulated Mr. Karabel, presented him
with a plaque, a letter of appreciation, dinner for two, and a check, and thanked him for
his service.
Item 3b— Proclamation —Saint John Baptist Church — 120th Anniversary, Saint John
Baptist Church
Mayor Short read a proclamation proclaiming November 16, 2025, as the 120th
Anniversary of Saint John Baptist Church Day in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Item 4 — Comments from Citizens
Phillip Townsend, 4613 Misty Valley West, discussed the repeated requests he has made
to meet with City staff to discuss the ruling made by the Building Official and Fire Marshal,
and stated that he has been denied a meeting. He expressed his concerns with the City's
adoption and enforcement of the 2015 Building Code, citing sections 113.1-113-7 of the
code amendments and Local Government Code §214.217, stating that public input was
not obtained during adoption. Mr. Townsend requested an appeal meeting to discuss the
rulings.
Mr. Jenkins stated that Mr. Townsend's initial permit request was incomplete but was
resolved through staff follow-up. He noted that an appeal is not necessary, as staff has
agreed to allow Mr. Townsend to proceed with the requested work, and Mr. Townsend is
no longer a party to the matter.
Pat Sutton, 2710 Amherst, expressed opposition to the proposed data center and MSU
stadium projects, citing concerns with health impacts, land availability, and parking. She
also voiced concerns regarding the loss of businesses since the 1990s, the lack of
manufacturing growth, rising taxes, water department repairs, traffic safety issues, and
the sound system in the Kay Yeager Coliseum.
Item 5-7 — Consent Items
Marie Balthrop, City Clerk, gave a briefing on the items listed under the Consent Agenda.
Moved by Councilor Browning to approve the consent agenda.
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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 September 16, 2025, Regular Meeting of the
Mayor and City Council.
Item 6a— Resolution 110-2025
Resolution of the City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, casting the official vote
of the City for the election of the Texas Municipal League (TML) Region V Director, and
providing an effective date.
Item 6b— Resolution 111-2025
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to award bid and contract for the 2025 Alley
Rehabilitation Project to Chad & Brandi, Inc. in the amount of $302,499.
Item 6c— Resolution 112-2025
Resolution authorizing the purchase of one (1) alley side load trash truck (Mack TE42
with Kann SLEC body)through the Houston-Galveston Area Council from Bruckner Truck
Sales, Inc. in the amount of $337,973.
Item 6d— Resolution 113-2025
Resolution authorizing the purchase of two (2) commercial front load trash trucks (Mack
TE64 with Labrie CFL body) through the Houston-Galveston Area Council from Bruckner
Truck Sales, Inc. in the amount of $771 ,438.
Item 6e— Resolution 114-2025
Resolution authorizing the purchase of two (2) curbside trash trucks (Mack LR64 with Heil
ASL bodies) through the Houston-Galveston Area Council from Bruckner Truck Sales,
Inc. in the amount of $837,834.
Item 6f— Resolution 115-2025
Resolution authorizing the purchase of one (1) Excavator through the Sourcewell
Cooperative Purchasing from Yellowhouse Machinery Co. (John Deere) in the amount of
$313,070.70.
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Item 6q— Resolution 116-2025
Resolution authorizing the purchase of one (1) Caterpillar 627 Wheel Scraper through the
Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing from Warren Power & Machinery, Inc. in the amount
of $1 ,380,700.
Item 6h— Resolution 117-2025
Resolution authorizing the purchase of two 2026 International HV607 Chassis with 15sq
ft Dump Bed, through the Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative, from Holt Truck Centers,
LLC in the amount of $278,397.46.
Item 6i— Resolution 118-2025
Resolution authorizing the purchase of one John Deere 320 P-Tier Heavy Lift Backhoe
Loader, through the Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative, from Yellowhouse Machinery
Co. in the amount of $161 ,672.
Item 6j— Resolution 119-2025
Resolution authorizing the purchase of one 2025 Chevrolet 5500 HG LCF with a Chipper
Body, through the TIPS Purchasing Cooperative, from Chuck Nash Chevrolet Buick Inc.
in the amount of $114,214.11 .
Item 6k— Resolution 120-2025
Resolution authorizing the purchase of one 2024 Chevrolet Medium Duty 4wd Regular
Cab with Stellar Crane, through the TIPS Purchasing Cooperative, from Chuck Nash
Chevrolet Buick Inc. in the amount of $196,012.20.
Item 61— Resolution 121-2025
Resolution authorizing the purchase of eleven (11) 2026 Ford Utility Police Interceptor
AWD K8A Patrol Cars, through the TIPS Purchasing Cooperative, from Sames Bastrop
Ford, Inc. in the amount of $540,650.00.
Item 6m— Resolution 122-2025
Resolution authorizing the purchase of one 2026 International HV607 SBA High Pressure
Sewer Cleaner, through the HGAC Purchasing Cooperative, from Holt Truck Centers of
Texas, LLC in the amount of $353,000.00.
Item 6n— Resolution 123-2025
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Resolution authorizing the purchase of 620 Samsara VG55 GPS Modules, through the
Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative, from Samsara Inc. in the amount of $104,160.00.
Item 6o— Resolution 124-2025
Resolution authorizing the purchase of one John Deere 190GW FT4 Wheeled Excavator,
through the Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative, from Yellowhouse Machinery Co. in the
amount of $318,204.00.
Item 6p— Resolution 125-2025
Resolution of the City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, finding that Oncor
Electric Delivery Company LLC's application to change rates within the City should be
denied; finding that the City's reasonable rate case expenses shall be reimbursed by the
Company; finding that the meeting at which this resolution is passed is open to the public
as required by law; requiring notice of this resolution to the company and legal counsel.
Item 6q— Resolution 126-2025
Resolution authorizing the purchase of thirty-five (35) Axon Body-Worn Cameras and
fifteen (15) Taser 7 Devices, with accessories and warranties, from Axon Enterprises
through the BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative, in the amount of $143,454.26.
Item 6r— Resolution 127-2025
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Raw Water Purchase Agreement
with Waggoner Water Supply System, L.L.C.
Item 6s— Resolution 128-2025
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to approve a sole source purchase of a
Powdered Activated Carbon feeder for the Jasper Water Treatment Plant, from Norit
Americas, Inc., in the amount of $131 ,350.
Item 6t— Resolution 129-2025
Resolution approving the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation's (4A) annual
budget for fiscal year 2025-2026.
Item 6u— Resolution 130-2025
Resolution approving the programs and expenditures of the Wichita Falls Economic
Development Corporation (WFEDC, 4A) by authorizing the sale of 225± acres at the
Wichita Falls Business Park from the WFEDC to Texas Data Center Campus, LLC, and
authorizing the WFEDC Board chair to sign all related documents.
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Item 6v— Resolution 131-2025
Resolution approving the programs and expenditures of the Wichita Falls Economic
Development Corporation (WFEDC, 4A) by amending the budget and authorizing funding
up to $300,000 to Forward Wichita Falls (FWF) related to the temporary management
and operations of Sikes Senter Mall, and authorizing the WFEDC Board chair to sign all
related documents.
Item 7 — Receive Minutes
(a) Library Advisory Board, April 15, 2025
(b) TIF #3, May 6, 2025
(c) Wichita Falls Park Board, May 22, 2025
(d) Library Advisory Board, June 17, 2025
(e) Public Safety Assessment Committee, June 24, 2025
(f) Wichita Falls Park Board, June 27, 2025
(g) Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee, July 8, 2025
(h) Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health Board, July 11 , 2025
(i) Employee Benefits Trust, August 11 , 2025
(j) Employee Benefits Trust Board, September 16, 2025
Item 8a — Resolution 132-2025
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to award a proposal for a unit price contract for
the 2025 Water Budgeted Utility Improvement Project Phase 2 to Insituform
Technologies, LLC in the amount of $1 ,299,813.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 132-2025.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Cobb.
Kay Sutton, 2710 Amherst, stated her concerns about pipes bursting in her neighborhood
while pipes in the Country Club area are being replaced.
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The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 8b — Resolution 133-2025
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease agreement with Miniature
Wonders, a Texas nonprofit corporation, for the use of City-owned property located at
4649 Stanford Ave in Kiwanis Park.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 133-2025.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Taylor.
Kalee Robinson, Director of Parks and Recreation, discussed the project and introduced
Donna Adams, Committee Co-Chair of Miniature Wonders, who answered various
questions.
Kay Sutton, 2710 Amherst, stated her concerns with access and parking.
Ms. Adams stated that there would be 6 acres of parking, and they are looking at having
their own separate entrance.
Ms. Sutton expressed concerns regarding charging for parking.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Short, Councilors Battaglino, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
Item 10a — City Manager Update
Mr. Jenkins reported that the goat mowing project has been highly successful, providing
an eco-friendly solution for maintaining 21 acres of difficult terrain while also supporting
fire prevention. He noted that the goats will be removed on Thursday and are expected
to return in 2026.
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He stated that director training was recently held with Forward Partners, focusing on
leadership development, healthy organizational culture, and effective communication to
reduce silos and encourage innovation. Similar training is planned for the City Council in
late 2026. He also noted that consultant Rick Robinson will lead a strategic planning
session in December to update goals for 2026-2027.
Mr. Jenkins thanked Ron Kitchens for his leadership with the Chamber of Commerce,
recognizing his contributions to creating opportunities, fostering synergy, and advancing
Wichita Falls. He extended best wishes to Mr. Kitchens and his wife.
Item 10b—Announcements concerning items of community interest from members
of the City Council. No action will be taken or discussed.
Councilor Cobb stated that it is an exciting day in Wichita Falls and that the City is moving
forward. He encouraged citizens to seek accurate information by contacting Council
members or staff rather than relying on social media. He thanked Mr. Kitchens for his
work and extended best wishes to him and his wife. Councilor Cobb also expressed
appreciation to Cory and the staff at United Regional for the care provided to his father.
Councilor Flack extended well wishes to Councilor Brooks and commended Taliyah
Brooks for her achievements as a World Championship Bronze Medalist, noting her
inspiration to local children. She thanked Mr. Kitchens for his contributions to Wichita
Falls, recognizing his role in building community connections and fostering potential, and
wished him success in the future.
Councilor Browning thanked Mr. Kitchens, recognized the City's strong leadership and
community involvement, and expressed confidence in continuing to move forward. He
conveyed his excitement for the future and extended best wishes to Mr. Kitchens.
Councilor Taylor expressed pride in serving on the Council and with City staff. He
commended Mr. Kitchens for his leadership and energy, noting it is now the responsibility
of the Council, staff, and citizens to carry plans forward. He recognized the Miniature
Wonders project in the park and suggested including Taliyah Brooks in the project to
honor her Olympic success.
Councilor Battaglino announced upcoming events, including his upcoming Town Hall
meeting on October 13, 2025, and encouraged community participation. He stated he has
learned a lot from Mr. Kitchens and thanked him for setting the City up for tremendous
success. He will say "Always Forward" forever and also regularly quotes Nehemiah 6:3:
"I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down." He also wished Ms. Balthrop a
happy birthday.
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Mayor Short thanked Kalee Robinson for working with Donna Adams and Miniature
Wonders on the project in Kiwanis Park, noting it will be a wonderful attraction for the
City. He also thanked Mr. Kitchens for helping us believe in ourselves, reminding the
community of its potential, and for being "Always Forward."
Item 11 — Executive Session
City Council adjourned into Executive Session at 9:35 a.m. in accordance with Texas
Government Code §551 .071 , §551 .072 and §551 .087.
Mayor Short returned at 11 :01 a.m. and announced that no polls or votes were taken.
Mayor Short recessed the meeting at 11 :01 a.m.
Councilor Browning left the meeting at 11 :01 a.m.
Item 12- Memorial Auditorium Tour to meet at the east entrance, Memorial
Auditorium, 1300 Seventh Street.
Mayor Short reconvened the meeting at Memorial Auditorium at 11 :15 a.m. Council and
staff toured Memorial Auditorium.
Item 13- Adjourn from 1st floor of Memorial Auditorium, 1300 Seventh Street.
Mayor Short adjourned the meeting at 11:55 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 21st day of October 2025.
CJ
Tim Short, Mayor
ATTEST:
_,
Marie Balthrop, TRM MMC
City Clerk
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