Min 01/18/1994 466
Wichita Falls, Texas
Memorial Auditorium Building
January 18 , 1994
Items 1 & 2
The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, met
in regular session on the above date in the Council Room of the
Memorial Auditorium Building at 8 : 30 o'clock a.m. , with the
following members present.
Paul Hughes - Mayor Pro Tem
Leon Mallonee -
Terrance E. Loughry - Councilors
Angus Thompson -
Harold Hawkins -
James Berzina - City Manager
Gregory Humbach - City Attorney
Lydia Torres - City Clerk
Mayor Michael Lam - Absent
Mayor Pro Tem Paul Hughes called the meeting to order.
The invocation was given by Rev. Angus Thompson, New
Jerusalem Baptist Church.
Item 3
Moved by Councilor Martin that minutes of the meeting held
January 4 , 1993 , be approved.
Motion seconded by Councilor Hawkins and carried by the
following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, Martin, and Hawkins
Nays: None
Items 4a-6d
Items 4a and 5a were moved to the regular agenda.
Moved by Councilor Martin that the consent agenda be
approved with exceptions of Items 4a and 5a, which were
requested to be moved to the regular agenda by Councilor
Hawkins.
Motion seconded by Councilor Hawkins, and carried by the
following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, Martin, and Hawkins
Nays: None
Item 6
Minutes of the meetings of the following boards and
commissions were received.
a. Commission On Human Needs - January 10, 1994
b. Commission On Human Needs - January 3 , 1994
c. Traffic Safety Commission - November 3 , 1993
d. Planning and Zoning Commission - December 8, 1993
467
Item 4a
RESOLUTION NO. 3-94
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A SUBGRANTEE AGREEMENT WITH THE WICHITA FALLS
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO OPERATE THE SMALL BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM; FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT
THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED WAS
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
Moved by Councilor Martin that Resolution No. 3-94 be
passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Mallonee.
Mr. Dave Clark answered Councilor Hawkins ' question
regarding membership of the Development Corporation.
Motion carried by the following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, Martin, and Hawkins
Nays: None
Item 5a
RESOLUTION NO. 4-94
RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM REROOFING
PROJECT AND AUTHORIZE FINAL PAYMENT TO J. MENASCO
ROOFING COMPANY
Moved by Councilor Martin that Resolution No. 4-94 be
passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Thompson.
Mr. Berzina and Mr. Bonnett answered questions regarding
previous work on the roof. Mr. Bonnett stated he thought the
warranty on the roof was ten years, and estimated life on the
roof was thirty years. He also said that it was muleskin
roofing not rubber.
Motion carried by the following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, Martin, and Hawkins
Nays: None
Item 7a
Public Hearing on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant
Application
The City Manager highlighted the background of this hearing
and the application. The grant application consists of three
projects. One project being the Nature Center at the entrance
to Lucy Park which appears will be attempted to be done in two
different stages for a couple of reasons. Primary reason is
funding and secondly we want the State to have every opportunity
to change the rules and regulations to allow them to do closed-
in buildings instead of just shelters in some of the buildings
restriction they had. We have talked before their board this
current year which would be a significant part of the overall
development of that project. What we are asking for in this
application is $366,000, the amount of money needed to do the
shelter. There are two parts to this, one is the closed-in
classroom part, being the actual building with the kitchen area,
the classroom and display area. Then there is a part that is
going to initially start as a shelter that will be open and will
468
Item 7a, cont'd.
be roofed. It will be built in such a way that if and when the
State changes what it allows in an application, we can in Phase
II wall it in. If that does not change, the Junior League is
raising funds to build the first phase on their own and we would
not wall in the second phase. We would have a building as we
anticipate, walled in with a kitchen with all the departments
mentioned earlier including classroom and display area; but it
would be built locally with what they raised. What would be
used as the shelter would be what the State would build with
this. This is with the State ' s direction on what guidelines
they would allow. Another portion of this project that we would
do in Phase I would be a trail which would be leading from the
above portion where the buildings would be done through the area
immediately below. We would also in that area, construct ten
different display areas where they would have different nature
center type displays along with ten educational signs. These
would be signs that fully explain the displays and the different
areas that you would experience while actually walking the
trail. We are also asking for a Nature Center parking lot with
forty spaces that we know we can build at this time.
Another project is building a multi-purpose shelter at
Spudder Park, with dimensions of essentially 60 feet wide and
120 feet, open sided. The columns would run up on the sides to
a certain height where a roof would start, which would roof and
light this facility. It can be a large open shelter but could
also be used for basketball courts. It can run length-ways or
can have side courts. We could have a well-sponsored and well-
run basketball league at that particular location. We would
propose to pay for this from CDBG funds since it is allowed in
that area and it is an acceptable project for those funds.
The last project is the Jaycee Park Trail and Pier Project.
$324,000 to build roughly 5800 feet of walkway similar to the
one along the Falls and Lucy Park. Only difference is that we
would propose a ten foot wide trail instead of an eight foot
trail. A ten foot trail lends itself more to bike riding and
multiple use of the trail. The trail would go from the launch
area in Jaycee Park to the new dam of the new area once
completed at the Lake Wichita location. Then there would be the
area on top of the dam and ultimately to tie into any trail that
we may be able to construct with ISTEA money that would go by
Weeks and Southwest Parkway up to the dam.
It is important to look at the funding sources. $141, 000
remains of the $200,000 that you put in different funds for the
Nature Center Project. Some of those funds have been spent for
property, architect work or other costs that have gotten us to
this point in the actual project. We can' t go back and recoup
those funds by matching them with State funds; but, the funds
that are yet remaining to be spent could be used for an inkind
match for the State grant. The Junior League at this time has
$130,000, which can be used to match State grants. The $150,000
CDBG funds for the Spudder Park Project can be put in the same
formula, so to speak, and be used to match to get State funds.
The Running Club has $2500 they want to donate to this project.
In our Fund 70 for Recreation Classes there is a balance of the
$8 , 000 that would be put in this project as we fully anticipate
some of these classes would be taught at the Nature Center.
There are two amounts I will be asking Council to take action on
at a later date; I am just bringing it to your attention at this
point. $30 , 500 is the balance in the R.V. Park Fund which you
in a sense zeroed down for the Nature Center about a year and a
half ago and it has grown back up to this amount. We would like
to officially, at a subsequent meeting, ask you to earmark that
money for this combination of projects.
There is $8,000 in the Amateur Athletics Fund 70. They
would help pay for this because they fully expect to use the
Fund 70 Spudder Park facility if constructed. The $15,000 is a
minimum of what we anticipate coming out of Falls Fest this
year, and is in the same category as the R.V. Park. I would
469
Item 7a, cont 'd.
later ask you to pledge these funds towards these projects.
Finally, if we build the Jaycee Park Trail and Pier, we would
propose taking out an equivalent value of $15,000 of trees from
our nursery and putting them along the trail. We can get a
match from the State for that. What this leads to is there is
$500, 000 worth of project money that you are already going to
spend with two exceptions which I will later ask you to earmark.
Those funds appear to be available and eligible for these
projects and by taking that money and applying it to several
projects we can in turn ask the State for half a million dollars
by calling this whole series of projects a proposal. If we were
successful we would expect to receive $500,000 from the State
and essentially that would go to the Nature Center and on the
Trail Project. The other projects have their own funding at
this point. We have to submit an application to Austin and take
our chances but we think it is a series of projects worth going
for.
Mayor Pro Tem Hughes officially opened the public hearing
on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant application.
Councilor Hawkins asked what would be the height of the
Spudder Park shelter. Mr. Murphy replied the height of a
gymnasium, suitable for all activities, in the order of 20-25
feet high. Councilor Hawkins asked if it would be suitably
grounded; his concern being that it could possibly be a
lightning rod. Mr. Murphy said he would bring those concerns to
the architect.
Councilor Loughry asked, regarding the Jaycee Park Trail
and Pier, how far out on the water was the pier going to run.
Mr. Murphy replied that they had measured it and he thought
about 200 feet. Councilor Loughry questioned if a sidewalk was
going to be built closer to the new water level when the water
level goes down. He also mentioned that during a flood it would
be under water. Mr. Murphy replied that they would be working
with Public Works on those perimeters, highest and lowest. The
Lake is now at the new spillway elevation - 976. Councilor
Hawkins commented that the citizens could go out there now and
get a pretty good idea of what the size of lake will be.
The City Manager commented that one of the reasons this
project was being recommended at this point is that by having
the new dam and spillway arrangement that we have out there the
water level is going to be a lot more consistent at least in
terms of not going higher very easy. It runs a greater risk of
running the other way if we had a long evaporation period.
Councilor Martin thought it would be a wonderful thing for
our city and we should go forth with it.
No one else wished to be heard, and the public hearing on
the Texas Parks and Wild Life Grant application was closed.
Item 7b
City Attorney Humbach gave a brief history on the basic
cable and service rates. In the 1992 Cable Act municipalities
were able to assume local jurisdiction of the basic service tier
and associated equipment rates charged by their local cable
companies if they filed with the F.C.C. for certification to do
SO. We chose to do so and became certified towards the end of
October. We requested that the companies file with us what is
known as Form 393 , which is a form that contains a formula for
justifying the rates they charge for their basic service tier
and associated equipment cost they charge their customers. They
filed that form with us in November. Contemporaneously, with
that filing you also did an Ordinance in accordance with F.C.C.
regulations which govern the rate review process and procedures.
Under that Ordinance a public hearing is required before any
final action is taken by this body. The public hearing is to
470
Item 7b, cont'd.
give the citizens an opportunity to comment upon the basic
service tier rates and associated equipment costs. We have had
the documents filed by the cable company since mid November.
Staff has reviewed those documents and will be making a final
recommendation to you at the next council meeting. This morning
is the public' s opportunity to comment and express their opinion
for or against the rates and reasons why. If they have
objections to the package that has been filed they need to give
their name and address to the City Clerk to be reported in the
official record.
The public hearing on basic cable and service rates was
opened.
Councilor Hawkins asked if this was the only public hearing
the citizens would have to express their concerns. The City
Attorney replied that this is the only official public hearing,
but when he brings this back at the next meeting the public will
have another opportunity to comment.
Councilor Thompson requested that Mr. Humbach go over the
proposed rate increase for those who are watching on television.
Mr. Humbach replied that there was no proposed rate increase.
Councilor Thompson clarified that he meant the last rate
increase versus what they had been charging. He wanted the
citizens to have something on which to have in-put. Mr. Humbach
stated that Vista Cable Vision, Wichita Falls, Texas, had sent
out to their customers information on monthly prices effective
September 1, 1993 . Outlined was basic service charge at $10 . 10,
preferred tier, which is a 16 channel at $10.77, a customer
choice selection which includes TBS and WGN at $1. 05 a piece or
$1 .46 for both channels. Then it goes on to indicate what the
premium service charges are as well as the equipment charges for
an AB switch converter, a remote control, and it outlines their
installation and maintenance. These are things you will be
considering with exception of premium services and other premium
offering the company provides.
Mayor Pro Tem Hughes clarified that we were only involved
in the basic service rates and not the premiums. Mr. Humbach
agreed. Councilor Thompson stated that he was concerned with
the public not knowing what kind of input they were to provide
until they were told what was proposed. Councilor Hawkins
agreed with Councilor Thompson that citizens who received the
information in the mail thought they had no input in what they
would be charged. He said this is a forum where citizens could
have input on the last increase which is going to have an affect
if they come back to us later on. He thought we should have
something published with the newspaper ' s help, to show what the
rate was before and for what service, and on what they are
getting now. This way the citizens can determine if they are
being treated fairly. They have two weeks to determine this
before they come to the next council meeting.
No one else wished to be heard and the public hearing on
basic cable and service rate was closed.
Item 8a
ORDINANCE NO. 5-94
ORDINANCE MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FROM EQUITY ASSETS
OF THE WATER AND SEWER FUND TO AN APPROPRIATE
OPERATING ACCOUNT FOR PURPOSES OF CONDUCTING A
SANITARY SEWER EVALUATION STUDY IN RESPONSE TO EPA
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
Under protest Councilor Martin moved that Ordinance No. 5-
94 be passed.
471
Item 8a, cont'd.
Under protest Councilor Mallonee seconded the motion which
carried by the following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, Martin, and Hawkins
Nays: None
Item 8b
ORDINANCE NO. 6-94
ORDINANCE WAIVING SECTION 32-139 OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES WITH RESPECT TO DETENTION REQUIREMENTS FOR •t .,
SECTION 1, LOTS 51-68, LANDRUM & HENDERSON SUBDIVISION
Moved by Councilor Martin that Ordinance No. 6-94 be
passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Mallonee and carried by the
following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, and Martin
Nays: Councilor Hawkins
Item 8c
ORDINANCE NO. 7-94
ORDINANCE WAIVING APPENDIX A, SUBDIVISION SECTION 9
(B) (2) (a) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES WITH RESPECT TO
PLACING CURB AND GUTTER ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES OF
WRANGLERS RETREAT ROAD ADJACENT TO THE NORTH AND EAST
SIDES OF LANDRUM & HENDERSONS SUBDIVISION, SECTION 1,
LOTS 51-68 AND THE WEST SIDE OF ARENA ROAD (FM 369)
ADJACENT TO THE EAST SIDE OF LANDRUM & HENDERSONS
SUBDIVISION, SECTION 1, LOTS 51-68
Moved by Councilor Martin that Ordinance No. 7-94 be
passed.
Motion seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hughes and carried by the
following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, Martin, and Hawkins
Nays: None
Item 8d
ORDINANCE NO. 8-94
ORDINANCE WAIVING SECTION 32-139 OF THE CODE OF ♦
ORDINANCES WITH RESPECT TO DETENTION REQUIREMENTS FOR
LOT 1 , UNIT 64, WICHITA VALLEY FARMS
Moved by Councilor Thompson that Ordinance No. 8-94 be
passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Martin, and carried by the
following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, Martin, and Hawkins
Nays: None
472
Item 8e
ORDINANCE NO. 9-94
ORDINANCE WAIVING APPENDIX A, SUBDIVISION SECTION 9
(B) (2) (a) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES WITH RESPECT TO
PLACING CURB AND GUTTER ON THE NORTH SIDE OF WILLOW
ROAD, ADJACENT TO THE SOUTH LINE OF LOT 1 , UNIT 64,
WICHITA VALLEY FARMS
Moved by Councilor Martin that Ordinance No. 9-94 be
passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Thompson, and carried by the
following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, Martin, and Hawkins
Nays: None
Item 8f
ORDINANCE NO. 10-94
ORDINANCE WAIVING APPENDIX A, SUBDIVISION SECTION 9
(B) ( 2) (a) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES WITH RESPECT TO
PLACING CURB AND GUTTER ON THE NORTH SIDE OF REILLY
ROAD, ADJACENT TO THE SOUTH LINE OF LOTS 21-23 , BLOCK
1, NOB HILL
Moved by Councilor Hawkins that Ordinance No. 10-94 be
passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Mallonee, and carried by the
following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, Martin, and Hawkins
Nays: None
Mr. Ed Babczak, 2423 Reilly Road, stated that he felt it
would be a mistake to pass this waiver. He said the street was
very narrow and this waiver would worsen the situation. Also,
he stated that there was already existing curb and gutter by
John Tower Elementary School, which is down the road from his
house. With the increasing development in that area he thought
it would be a mistake to pass this waiver; and he said for
security reasons the street should be widened. He suggested
that if funding was a concern, it should be passed on to the
developers. Traffic is going to increase with development;
therefore, road should be widened and resurfaced.
Mr. Bonnett agreed with Mr. Babczak' s observation, but the
problem is that they do not have the tools in the existing
Subdivision Ordinance to improve roadway. Only curb and gutter
can be required and if it is required we would have to have the
dollars immediately to put in the street. Funding is the
problem.
Robert Seabury, Developer of Knob Hill, stated there is no
curb and gutter in that particular area. He is in favor of
improving Reilly Road, but it has to be done in some manner
where adjacent property owners participate along with the City.
He is ready to go if everyone else is.
Councilor Thompson said he is in favor of doing something,
widening and paving Reilly Road. Mr. Bonnett suggested setting
up a funding vehicle to address problems such as this.
473
Item 9a
RESOLUTION NO. 5-94
RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THE CITY HAS ITS SHARE OF FUNDS
FOR A MATCHING GRANT APPLICATION TO TEXAS PARKS AND
WILDLIFE.
Moved by Councilor Thompson that Resolution No. 5-94 be
passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Mallonee, and carried by the
following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, Martin, and Hawkins
Nays: None
Item 9b
RESOLUTION NO. 6-94
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS "APPLICANT" , DESIGNATING
CERTAIN OFFICIALS AS BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR, ACTING
FOR, AND ON BEHALF OF THE "APPLICANT" IN DEALING WITH
THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT, HEREINAFTER
REFERRED TO AS "DEPARTMENT" , FOR THE PURPOSE OF
PARTICIPATING IN THE GRANT PROGRAMS; CERTIFYING THAT
THE "APPLICANT" IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE
UNDER SUCH PROGRAMS; AND DEDICATING THE PROPOSED SITE
FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION USES.
Moved by Councilor Hawkins that Resolution No. 6-94 be
passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Mallonee, and carried by the
following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, Martin, and Hawkins
Nays: None
Item 9c
RESOLUTION NO. 7-94
RESOLUTION APPROVING FOURTH AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT FOR
AMBULANCE SERVICE TO WICHITA COUNTY AND THE CITIES OF
WICHITA FALLS, BURKBURNETT AND IOWA PARK, TEXAS
Moved by Councilor Mallonee that Resolution No. 7-94 be
passed.
Motion seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, and carried by the
following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, Martin, and Hawkins
Nays: None
Item 9d
RESOLUTION NO. 8-94
RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE WITH SIMMONS
AIRLINES, INC. , FOR LEASE OF PREMISES AT THE WICHITA
FALLS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
Moved by Councilor Martin that Resolution No. 8-94 be
passed.
474
Item 9d, cont'd.
i
Motion seconded by Councilor Mallonee, and carried by the
following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, Martin, and Hawkins
Nays: None
Item 9e
RESOLUTION NO. 9-94
RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENT NUMBER SEVEN WITH
ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES, FOR LEASE OF PREMISES AT
THE WICHITA FALLS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
Moved by Councilor Martin that Resolution No. 9-94 be
passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Thompson, and carried by the
following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, and Martin
Nays: None
Abstention: Councilor Hawkins
Councilor Hawkins abstained due to personal conflict of
interest.
Item 9f
RESOLUTION NO. 10-94
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE CONTRACT WITH BIGGS AND MATHEWS,
INC. FOR ENGINEERING CONSULTING SERVICES TO PERFORM A
SANITARY SEWER EVALUATION STUDY
Moved by Councilor Martin that Resolution No. 10-94 be
passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Mallonee, and carried by the
following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, Martin, and Hawkins
Nays: None
Item 9g
RESOLUTION NO. 11-94
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE
REVISED SECTION 8 RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN AND EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
PLAN; FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT
WHICH THIS RESOLUTION WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
Moved by Councilor Martin that Resolution No. 11-94 be
passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Mallonee, and carried by the
following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, Martin, and Hawkins
Nays: None
475
Item 10a
Moved by Councilor Thompson that bid for a portable tandem
still wheel roller be awarded to Conley, Lott, Nichols Machinery
Company of Dallas, Texas, in the amount of $25,468. 00.
Motion seconded by Councilor Mallonee, and carried by the
following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Hughes, Councilors Mallonee, Loughry,
Thompson, Martin, and Hawkins
Nays: None
Item lla
Mr. James Williams, 1828 Elmwood, expressed his
appreciation to Mr. Bonnett for the good job he performs for the
City and its citizens. Mr. Williams had concerns about Williams
Park and the duck pond. He wanted to know what if anything was
going to be done especially in time for the June loth
celebration. Mr. Murphy informed that the pond had a permeable
base and are constantly having to put chlorinated City water in
it because of leaks. The pond was drained to obtain an analysis
to prepare a report on what needed to be done. The price tag
for repairing and restocking went up from an original estimate
of $3 ,000 to $19,000 because of the extensive amount of work
needed. This was put in CDBG request and will come before you
at the next council meeting. If it is approved we will begin
work immediately.
Item llb
Councilor Thompson had safety concerns about the lights
taken out in the downtown area. He feels we should reconsider
this. It appears like we are going in two different directions.
We should all try to work in the same direction. Councilor
Thompson asked Chief Harrelson about "crack houses" and his
concern is that we need to continue the effort of eliminating
those facilities.
Councilor Hawkins was concerned about the cost of the
Downtown Park Project. It started at $156, 000 and is now up to
$289,810 and wanted to know how much more was going to be put
into it and is it too late to back out. The City Manager
explained that the $289 , 000 figure was high, but did not want to
have to come back later. Reasons for increase is the property
cost was higher, and the removal and the elimination of the
asbestos which required a study, and also had demolition and
landfill disposal costs. We wanted to use CDBG funds to build
the park. We have not been turned down, but un-
officially HUD is leaning toward the idea that this is not a
neighborhood park and do not want funds spent creating a park.
Funds can be used for demolition and bringing land up to
acceptable. It is a walk away from it and leave it situation
type thing. The Feds can pay disposal charges because that is
part of project. All this contributes to raising the cost. We
are not using tax dollars. As far as going back on this now and
reverse the flow, we can leave it as it is but that is not
acceptable. The only thing left to do is build the park and I
think we should proceed. Councilor Hawkins requested that
realistic figures be brought when projects are presented to the
Council. Councilor Thompson commented that old buildings had to
be saved. City Manager replied that you may have a situation
where you will end up with more empty buildings not used. The
cost of having to refit buildings may be almost prohibitive.
Councilor Hawkins had calls on showing of council meetings,
and asked that they be shown a couple of times the second week.
He also asked about getting some updated equipment. Mr. Jensen
replied that we were negotiating with Vista Cable,
refranchising and hoping something will come our way. Mr.
Hawkins asked about televising county commissioners ' meetings.
476
Item llb, cont'd.
Mr. Jensen said that we had responded to them and the ball is in
their court now.
Councilor Hawkins informed that he had not decided whether
he is going to run for another term but that he was enjoying his
time here.
Councilor Mallonee commented that the down ramp on 14th and
Indiana needs to be looked at on a daily basis; it is a very
dangerous area. Mr. Parker informed count was done in December
and is being monitored and will continue to be monitored.
Councilor Mallonee announced the annual Kiwanis Pancake Festival
this Saturday and invited everyone to attend.
Councilor Hawkins asked when the flashing lights will begin
on 5th Street. Mr. Parker replied they would do a count on 5th
Street.
Councilor Martin stated he had received nothing but good
compliments on light changes downtown. He brought up the
California earthquake disaster, and asked if maybe Wichita Falls
could assist them in their time of need, of the use of loaned
executives, engineers, and police department. Look into that to
see if feasible.
Councilor Loughry said the removal of the lights was one of
the best things that had happened to downtown, but he said once
lights go out they may not meet a warrant to keep. Mr. Parker
commented that none of the intersections met warrants.
Councilor Loughry had calls about over-sized trucks parking
and driving through Bonny Homes. He also mentioned Lake
Arrowhead lake lot leases and the amount of money put into road
maintenance. He suggested the possibility of setting up a
separate fund for these fees paid in. The City Manager said
that a clear picture was needed of what is covered with this.
When you earmark money, you make things more difficult on
yourself. May look into an enterprise fund.
Councilor Loughry, out of curiosity, asked why older police
officers appear to drive the older police cars and younger
officers drive the newer cars. Chief Harrelson replied that
vehicles are replaced by Mr. Parker. The shift commander makes
car assignments at each shift.
Item 11c
Mr. Dockery gave an update report on the catering and
concession contract for the Activity Center. RFPs are being
sent out to vendors today. We are in a temporary arrangement
with a particular company. The contract period we are asking
the vendors to respond to is March 21-December 31 , 1995. The
terms they will serve at the Activity Center have been placed in
the RFPs. We needed to make the RFPs appealing to the vendors
and hope to receive some responses. Councilor Hawkins asked if
the caterer would have the coke concession and Mr. Dockery
responded in the negative.
The City Council recessed at 11 : 05 a.m. for ten minutes,
followed by an executive session in accordance with Section
551. 071 of the Texas Government Code. The meeting reconvened at
11: 37 a.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Hughes had to leave, therefore, Councilor
Mallonee presided.
Moved by Councilor Hawkins to appoint Mr. Arnold Oliver to
serve on the Wichita Falls Clean Community Commission.
477
Item 11c, cont'd.
Motion seconded by Councilor Martin, and carried by the
following vote.
Ayes: Councilors Mallonee, Loughry, Thompson, Martin,
and Hawkins
Nays: None
The City Council adjourned at 11 : 38 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this day of , 1994.
Michael Lam, Mayor
ATTEST:
tycl Torres
City Clerk