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WC CWF Homeless Advisory Committee Minutes - 01/14/2026 MINUTES OF THE CITY-COUNTY HOMELESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE JANUARY 14, 2026 Present: Steve Sparks, Chair § Committee Members CEO, Faith Mission § Dr. Louis Wilson, Vice-Chair § M.D., F.A.C.G. § Jeff Watts § Wichita County Commissioner Pct. 4 § Mark Beauchamp, § Wichita County Commissioner Pct. 1 § Austin Cobb § City Councilor At Large, City of Wichita Falls § Andy Martin § Associate Executive Director of Operations, § Helen Farabee Centers § Jeff Jenkins § City Manager, City of Wichita Falls § James McKechnie, Deputy City Manager § Additional Attendees Amy Fagan, Director of Health, WF-Wichita Co. § Public Health District § Paige Lessor, Exec Legal Asst/Recording § Secretary § Mr. Mike Dotson, CEO § Community Healthcare Center Roger Reeves § Thomas Fowler American § Legion Post 169 Absent: § Dr. Louis Wilson, Vice-Chair § Committee Member 1. Call to Order. Mr. Steve Sparks called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes. a) September 15, 2025 b) November 12, 2025 Mr. Jeff Watts motioned to approve the minutes from September 15, 2025, and November 12, 2025. Seconded by Mr. Austin Cobb, the motion carried 6-0. 3. Business. a) Update on Public Awareness Campaign City-County Homeless Advisory Committee 01/14/2026 Minutes Page 1 of 6 Mr. Austin Cobb reported that the committee's public awareness campaign initiatives have been completed for the current phase. He stated that a public awareness video has been produced, published on the City's website, and aired on KFDX. Additionally, information regarding available community resources, including services provided by Helen Farabee Centers and Base Camp Lindsey, has been added to the Health District's website. Mr. Cobb also shared that he participated in an interview on a KFDX 6 p.m. news broadcast to discuss the committee's work and available resources. He noted that the committee has accomplished the items previously identified for the campaign and suggested allowing the current outreach efforts to run for a period before launching additional initiatives. He recommended that the committee revisit the campaign in one to two months to keep messaging fresh. Mr. Sparks thanked Mr. Cobb for his work on the campaign and commended the quality of the video and the news interview. Mr. Jeff Jenkins also expressed appreciation for the effort and agreed that the committee should consider refreshing public messaging periodically, such as every couple of months or quarterly, to maintain awareness. Mr. Sparks suggested that the committee consider incorporating billboards into future outreach efforts and mentioned several potential locations throughout the city. Mr. James McKechnie noted that the City owns the digital sign near the MPEC. He indicated that the committee could explore using that platform in coordination with the City's Public Information Office. Members also discussed the possibility of using that sign for public service announcements highlighting available resources. Mr. Watts suggested using short social media videos, similar to those he has seen online, featuring brief interviews with individuals experiencing homelessness to share their stories and discuss available resources. Mr. Jenkins indicated he had also seen similar content and agreed it can be impactful. Mr. McKechnie added that short-form content, such as Facebook Reels, could be effective in capturing attention and directing viewers to local resources listed on the website. Mr. Sparks agreed that incorporating locally focused stories could help strengthen community engagement and reinforce the purpose of the campaign, which is to educate the public and connect individuals to available services. b) Update on Medical Services and d) Introduction and Discussion with Mike Dotson, CEO of Community Healthcare Center Mr. Sparks welcomed guest Mike Dotson, Chief Executive Officer of Community Healthcare Center, and invited him to share an update on his transition to Wichita Falls and the organization's work in the community. Mr. Dotson reported that he has been in Wichita Falls for several months and that the organization has been actively working to address medical staffing shortages. He stated that Community Healthcare Center has been recruiting physicians and nurse practitioners across several service areas and has recently hired additional providers. Mr. Dotson explained that the clinic's adult practice is currently at capacity, and the organization plans to expand patient availability as new providers are onboarded. He noted that Community Healthcare Center offers preventative primary care, dental services, mental health services, and pharmacy services across multiple locations in Wichita Falls. Mr. Dotson also emphasized the importance of partnering with City-County Homeless Advisory Committee 01/14/2026 Minutes Page 2of6 community organizations to address related needs, such as food insecurity and other social determinants of health that impact patient well-being. Mr. Sparks asked whether the clinic is accepting new patients. Mr. Dotson stated that the organization is working to expand patient intake as new providers begin practicing and that additional capacity may open soon after an upcoming internal planning meeting. Mr. Sparks noted that Community Healthcare Center could play an important role in supporting services for individuals experiencing homelessness in Wichita Falls and expressed interest in exploring future collaboration. Mr. Sparks also provided an update regarding medical services initiatives previously discussed by the committee, including the development of medical respite units. He stated that planning is ongoing and that one option being considered is constructing facilities adjacent to the current Faith Mission and Faith Refuge locations. He noted that fundraising efforts for an expansion at Faith Refuge are currently underway, which has limited his ability to focus simultaneously on the respite project. Mr. Sparks further explained that Dr. Wilson, who was not present at the meeting, has been leading efforts related to street medicine and other medical service initiatives and will provide additional updates at a future meeting. The committee briefly discussed potential funding sources for medical initiatives following the loss of a previously pursued grant opportunity. Mr. Mark Beauchamp stated that funding through the County's indigent health program may be a possibility, though additional discussions with county auditors would be required to determine eligibility and implementation. Mr. Sparks also referenced previous discussions regarding a potential 911 Nurse Navigator program. Mr. Watts reported that Paul Hopkins, Director of 911, is willing to meet to discuss the program and indicated that implementation may not be difficult. Mr. Sparks suggested scheduling a meeting with Mr. Hopkins and Dr. Wilson to explore the concept further. c) Update on Networking and Communication Mr. Sparks provided an update on networking and communication efforts, particularly regarding the regional Continuum of Care (CoC) serving Wichita Falls and a 16-county area. He reported that the current liaison between the CoC and the Nortex Regional Planning Commission, Diane Morgan, will retire at the end of the month. Mr. Sparks noted that Ms. Morgan manages several programs, including housing and HIV/AIDS initiatives, and that her position is funded in part through a HUD planning grant. He stated that the position has been posted and that the committee will need to wait to see how the role is filled and what direction the new liaison may take. Mr. Sparks explained that Nortex currently serves as the lead agency for the Continuum of Care because no other entity stepped forward when the program was established approximately fourteen years ago. While the arrangement has functioned well, he noted that Nortex is also a service provider, which can present a potential conflict of interest when administering grants for services it may also provide. He suggested that it could be beneficial for a city or county entity to assume that role in the future. City-County Homeless Advisory Committee 01/14/2026 Minutes Page 3 of 6 Ms. Amy Fagan asked whether the City could administer the program through its offices. Mr. McKechnie stated that the City has discussed the possibility and indicated that the most appropriate location might be within the City's Building Services Department, where the Neighborhood Revitalization function currently exists. He noted that the role could potentially align with neighborhood revitalization efforts, but emphasized that the City would first want to meet with Nortex to discuss the possibility before considering taking on that responsibility. Mr. Jenkins noted that additional exploration would be needed to determine how such a structure could function within a 16-county region and suggested reviewing how other communities have structured similar arrangements. Mr. Beauchamp asked about the funding source for Ms. Morgan's position. Mr. Sparks explained that part of her role is supported through a HUD planning grant, while Nortex funds the majority of her salary due to her management of other programs. Mr. Beauchamp noted that if regional administration were challenging for the City, the County could explore whether it could assist. Ms. Fagan added that her organization serves multiple counties through various programs and may also be able to explore adjustments if needed. Committee members agreed that all potential options should be considered. Mr. Jenkins asked how the Continuum of Care will operate temporarily while Nortex seeks a replacement. Mr. Sparks stated that the position has been posted, but he was unsure who would assume responsibility in the interim. He suggested that the committee consider meeting with Dennis Wilde, Executive Director of Nortex, to discuss the program and its future direction. Committee members expressed support for scheduling a meeting to gather additional information. Mr. Sparks also noted that strengthening coordination through the Continuum of Care could improve collaboration and coordinated entry processes and potentially bring additional funding opportunities to the region. Mr. Jenkins suggested forming a small working group that could continue to review and report back to the committee on developments after an initial meeting with Nortex leadership. Mr. Sparks also shared that Faith Mission plans to implement a new Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) platform called "Resident Tracker," designed specifically for homeless shelters and widely used nationwide. He noted that the system is more user-friendly and cost-effective than the current HUD-designed platform and could potentially serve as an HMIS platform for a Continuum of Care if needed in the future. Then, Mr. Sparks introduced guest Roger Reeves, who attended the meeting on behalf of the Thomas Fowler American Legion Post 169 and Catholic Charities, noting that Janice McCullough from the Veterans Office was unable to attend. Mr. Reeves explained that he volunteers with Catholic Charities and works with the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, which assists homeless veterans. He stated that the program helps connect veterans with housing resources, employment assistance, and potential eligibility for VA benefits. Mr. Reeves shared that his organization has successfully helped several veterans transition off the streets through the program. He provided contact cards to committee members and encouraged them to reach out if they encounter homeless veterans who may need assistance. He noted that while Catholic Charities does not currently have funding available for emergency hotel placements after hours, the program can help veterans access longer-term housing solutions and supportive services. City-County Homeless Advisory Committee 01/14/2026 Minutes Page 4 of 6 Mr. Sparks noted that Faith Mission has begun working more closely with Catholic Charities and expressed appreciation for their collaboration. He also emphasized that Wichita Falls has many organizations providing resources to individuals experiencing homelessness, but that the current crisis highlights the need for stronger coordination and collaboration among service providers. During the discussion, Mr. Reeves also provided an update on the Homes for Freedom initiative, which is constructing small homes for veterans transitioning out of homelessness. He reported that a demonstration tiny home has already been completed and that construction on another unit is expected to begin soon, with each home taking approximately six to eight months to complete. Mr. Reeves noted that additional land will likely be needed to expand the program and offered to assist in coordinating with project leaders, including Christine Benson and Kenny Reynolds. Mr. Reeves emphasized the importance of supporting veterans experiencing homelessness and stated that connecting them with benefits and housing resources is a key priority of his volunteer efforts. Mr. Sparks thanked Mr. Reeves for attending and for sharing information about available resources. He then asked if there was any additional new business or discussion from the committee. Additional Business - Right-of-Way Cleanup Coordination & Additional Discussion Mr. Jenkins provided a brief update on coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) regarding the cleanup of homeless encampments on state right-of-way. Mr. Jenkins reported that TxDOT has provided a point of contact, Brian Moore, who will assist with coordination when such situations arise. He explained that, depending on site conditions, TxDOT may use equipment such as skid steers, dump trucks, and other machinery to perform cleanup operations. Estimated response timelines vary depending on the circumstances, with general cleanup operations typically taking one to two weeks, while contractor responses may take one to four weeks. In situations involving full cleanup that includes hazardous material removal, TxDOT estimates approximately 1 week from the time the contractor begins work. Mr. Watts asked whether the City frequently encounters large encampments similar to those seen in other communities. Mr. Jenkins responded that such situations are relatively uncommon in Wichita Falls, though they do occur occasionally. He noted that when encampments are located on state right-of-way, coordination with TxDOT is necessary to determine appropriate cleanup procedures. Mr. Beauchamp expressed concern regarding situations involving hazardous materials discovered during encampment cleanups. He noted that County road and bridge staff are not trained hazardous material specialists and asked whether there is a unified plan or state-level assistance available for such circumstances. Mr. Jenkins indicated that he would follow up with TxDOT to determine what additional resources or protocols may be available. Mr. McKechnie noted that the City maintains contractors on standby to assist with right-of-way issues and can typically respond quickly when cleanup or mitigation is required. City-County Homeless Advisory Committee 01/14/2026 Minutes Page 5 of 6 Mr. Watts then asked Mr. Dotson whether Community Healthcare Center regularly sees individuals experiencing homelessness among its patients. Mr. Dotson stated that the clinic does encounter individuals who are homeless; however, because patient information must be documented, individuals who can provide an address may not always be recorded as homeless in official data. He noted that, anecdotally, the clinic does serve individuals experiencing homelessness. Before concluding the discussion, Mr. Sparks suggested that he, along with James McKechnie, Amy Fagan, and Jeff Jenkins, meet with Dennis Wildey of Nortex Regional Planning Commission to discuss Continuum of Care coordination further. Committee members agreed that such a meeting would be beneficial, and Chair Sparks indicated he would work to schedule the meeting. 4. Next Meeting Date. After discussion, the Committee scheduled its next meeting for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., at the same location. 5. Adjournment. Mr. Sparks thanked all attendees for their participation - d adj.,ur ed the meeting at 4:35 P.m. 1 41/ Aga& Steve parks, • air City-County Homeless Advisory Committee City-County Homeless Advisory Committee 01/14/2026 Minutes Page 6 of 6