Min 11/18/2025 City of Wichita Falls
City Council Meeting
r s+ a
Minutes
114144
November 18, 2025 �� '�e`r �� � �
TEXAS
Rime-Sp-es:4eidevfr efirm'tuiti .. 'r
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/Mayor Pro Tem
Mike Battaglino - District 4
Tom Taylor - District 5
Jeffery Jenkins - 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
Father Elmer Miguel, Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd, gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Short led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3a — Proclamation
Mayor Short read a proclamation declaring November 18, 2025, as Raymond Hager Day
in Wichita Falls, Texas, and congratulated Mr. Hager on being recognized by the
Guinness Book of World Records as the Oldest Active Bus Driver at age 95.
Mayor Short made a special presentation of a proclamation proclaiming November 18,
2025, as Maria Jaimes-Contreras Day in Wichita Falls, TX, and congratulated her for
being the first female Chief Executive Officer of the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce.
Item 3b — MDA Presentation, Wichita Falls Professional Fire Fighters Association
The Wichita Falls Professional Fire Fighters Association presented a check for
$43,107.51 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Eve Johnson, Wichita Falls Muscular
Dystrophy Association Ambassador, thanked the Fire Department and the City for the
generous contribution and encouraged them to keep raising funds, as there is still no
cure. Al Vitolo, President of the Wichita Falls Professional Fire Fighters Association,
presented a plaque to Cody Melton, Fire Chief, and Mayor Tim Short to thank them for
their support.
Item 4 — Comments from Citizens
Phillip Townsend, 4613 Misty Valley West, stated that, as a licensed architect, state law
grants him full authority to practice under the Texas Occupations Code and that the City
is denying those rights. He asserted that architects are legally recognized as experts and
entitled to determine constraints related to their work. He referenced the Occupations
Code and Texas Penal Code §39.03 and urged the Council to review the cited statutes.
Item 5-7 — Consent Items
Marie Balthrop, City Clerk, 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, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
November 18, 2025
Page 2
Item 5—Approval of minutes of the November 4, 2025, Regular Meeting of the Mayor
and City Council
Item 6a- Resolution 146-2025
Resolution authorizing the purchase of two (2) transfer trucks through a Sourcewell
contract from Holt Truck Centers of Texas LLC in the amount of $308,286.74.
Item 6b— Resolution 147-2025
Resolution approving the programs and expenditures of the Wichita Falls Type B Sales
Tax Corporation (4B) by amending the budget to include funding in an amount not to
exceed $13,500 to Backdoor Theater to support their signage project at 501 Indiana
downtown.
Item 6c— Resolution 148-2025
Resolution amending the Wichita Falls Type B Sales Tax Corporation's (4B) annual
budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 to reallocate funds for downtown marketing and
economic development services to Forward Wichita Falls.
Item 7 - Receive Minutes
(a) TIF #3 September 3, 2025
(b) TIF #3 October 15, 2025
Item 8a- Ordinance 60-2025
Ordinance amending the code of ordinances, Chapter 106, Article II, Division 2, Sec. 106-
62 Deposit Required, to allow Real Estate Brokerages the option of keeping a blanket
deposit for water, sewer, and refuse services.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Ordinance 60-2025 with the amendment to
replace the word "realtor" with "real estate brokerages."
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, Browning, Cobb, Flack, and Taylor.
Nays: None
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
November 18, 2025
Page 3
Item 8b- Ordinance 61-2025
Ordinance amending the code of ordinances, Chapter 50, Article II, Section 34 Civil
service positions designated, to increase the number of Fire Lieutenants from 28 to 29
for the purpose of adding a Wildfire & All-Hazards Coordinator position to assist with
wildfire mitigation and prevention.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Ordinance 61-2025.
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, 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 shared his experience serving as "Principal for a Day" at Barwise and
encouraged others to visit local schools to see the work educators do daily. He
commended Al and the firefighters for raising over $43,000, congratulated Mr. Hager, the
City's new Guinness World Record holder, and wished everyone a safe and happy
Thanksgiving.
Councilor Brooks thanked everyone for the birthday wishes and noted that the cleanup
with New Jerusalem Baptist Church had gone well, although he was unable to attend due
to training. He added that Dr. Lewis at Booker T. Washington is seeking donations of$20
or less for the school's 366 students, which may be dropped off between 8:00 a.m. and
3:30 p.m. through December 19.
Councilor Flack stated that Council meetings are enjoyable because they highlight
positive developments in the community. She recognized the celebration of Maria as the
first female chamber leader and praised the forward-thinking, proactive approach
reflected in Chief Melton's presentation. She noted that this mindset helps the community
prepare for the future rather than react to it. Councilor Flack thanked everyone and wished
them a Happy Thanksgiving.
Councilor Taylor reminded everyone of the TIF #3 meeting this Thursday at the MLK
Center. He expressed his appreciation to the Fire Department for its focus on fire
mitigation and for developing a wildfire mitigation program that has gained statewide
recognition. He also shared his experience serving as Principal for a Day at Kate Burgess,
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
November 18, 2025
Page 4
praising the dedication of school staff and educators, and wished everyone a Happy
Thanksgiving.
Councilor Battaglino expressed his appreciation for the Veterans Day celebrations and
the heartfelt letters he received from students at City View. He also highlighted several
upcoming community events, encouraged public participation, and wished everyone a
Happy Thanksgiving.
Mayor Short wished Raymond Hager a happy birthday and congratulated Maria
Contreras on becoming the first female CEO of the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce.
He expressed appreciation for the establishment of the new Wildfire and All-Hazards
Coordinator position and noted the quick resolution of recent utility deposit issues
affecting real estate agents.
Item 10 — Executive Sessions
The City Council adjourned into Executive Session at 9:08 a.m. in accordance with Texas
Government Code §551.072 and §551 .087.
Councilor Browning left the meeting at 9:08 a.m.
Mayor Short reconvened the meeting in open session at 10:02 a.m. and announced that
no votes or polls were taken.
Item 11 — Adjourn
Mayor Short adjourned the meeting at 10:02 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 2nd day of December, 2025.
Tiff-Short, Mayor
ATTEST:
aitAv z
Marie Balthrop, TRM , MMC
City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
November 18, 2025
Page 5