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Min 05/02/2017 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 2, 2017 Page 1 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Wichita Falls, Texas Memorial Auditorium Building May 2, 2017 Item 1 - Call to Order The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas met in regular session on the above date in the Council Chambers of the Memorial Auditorium Building at 8:30 o’clock a.m., with the following members present. Stephen L. Santellana - Mayor Michael Smith - Councilors DeAndra Chenault - Jesse Brown - Romeo Montez - Eric West - Brian Hooker - Darron Leiker - City Manager Kinley Hegglund - City Attorney Tracy Norr - City Clerk - - - - - - - - Mayor Santellana called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. - - - - - - - - Item 2 – Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance Reverend Justin Miller, Trinity United Methodist Church, gave the invocation. Mayor Santellana led the Pledge of Allegiance. - - - - - - - - Item 3a –Employee of the Month – Laci Edwards, Health Department 8:42:47 AM Lou Kreidler introduced Laci Edwards, Diabetes Program Manager, as the Employee of the Month. Mayor Santellana presented a plaque, a letter of appreciation, restaurant voucher , and a check to Ms. Edwards and thanked her for her service. - - - - - - - CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 2, 2017 Page 2 Item 3b – Proclamation – Mental Health Awareness, NAMI Wichita Falls 8:33:14 AM Mayor Santellana read a proclamation establishing May 2017 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Wichita Falls. He urged citizens to support the cause by recognizing mental health problems and helping those suffering to get treatment. - - - - - - - Item 3c – Proclamation – Letter Carriers Food Drive Day, National Association of Letter Carriers 8:35:42 AM Mayor Santellana read a proclamation establishing May 13, 2017 as Letter Carriers Food Drive Day in Wichita Falls. He encouraged citizens to participate by donating food on that day. Mr. Deason from the Post Office said 37,000 pounds of food were donated last year in Wichita Falls. - - - - - - - Item 3d – Proclamation – Man Up and Mentor Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters 8:38:10 AM Mayor Santellana read a proclamation establishing May 2017 as Man Up and Mentor Month in Wichita Falls. He urged men and women to support the program to help the youth succeed. The representative from Big Brothers Big Sisters said the goal is to find 20 big brothers during the six-week campaign. - - - - - - - Item 3e – Proclamation – Day of Recognition for National Service, Americorp Vista 8:40:08 AM Mayor Santellana read a proclamation establishing May 2, 2017 as National Service Recognition Day in Wichita Falls. He urged all citizens to serve and give back. - - - - - - - Item 4-5f- Consent Items 8:46:45 AM City Manager Darron Leiker gave a briefing on the items listed under the Consent Agenda. Mo ved by Councilor Hooker that the consent items be approved. Motion seconded by Councilor West and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Montez, and Smith. Nays: None CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 2, 2017 Page 3 Item 4 - Approval of Minutes of the April 18, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council Item 5 - Receive Minutes Minutes of the following boards and commissions were received: (a) WF MPO Technical Advisory Committee, January 12, 2017 (b) WF MPO Transportation Policy Committee, January 25, 2017 (c) 4B WF Sales Tax Corporation, January 26, 2017 (d) Park Board, January 26, 2017 (e) Planning & Zoning, March 8, 2017 (f ) Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee, March 14, 2017 - - - - - - - Item 6a – Resolution #65-2017 8:47:43 AM Resolution #65-2017 Resolution Authorizing Placement of an Angel of Hope Sculpture on the MPEC Grounds Moved by Councilor Brown that Resolution No. 65-2017 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor West. Mr. Landavazo thanked the community for the support in this effort. He said the site offers serenity to the grieving parents and hope for the future as they try to rebuild their lives. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez Nays: None - - - - - - Item 6b – Resolution #66-2017 8:51:01 AM Resolution #66-2017 Resolution Authoriz ing the Sale of the Former Fire Station #8 Located at 4415 Miller Road Moved by Councilor Hooker that Resolution No. 66-2017 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez Nays: None - - - - - - CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 2, 2017 Page 4 Item 6c – Resolution #67-2017 8:54:32 AM Resolution #67-2017 Resolution of No Objection from the City of Wichita Falls for a Proposed Application for The Duke I TX TC, LP, to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for 2017 Housing Tax Credits at 5500 (5514) Profess ional Drive, Wichita Falls, Commonly Known as Highpoint Village I Apartments for the Redevelopment of the Property by the Developer, The Duke I TX TC, LP.; and Providing an Effective Date. Moved by Councilor Hooker that Resolution No. 67-2017 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Smith. Dave Clark, Nortex Housing Finance Corporation, said Nortex is a quasi-public entity. This is the first partnership of this sort although they have partnered with other housing providers throughout the area during the past 20 years. This is an important project for the rehabilitation of these properties and for the potential for future housing projects. He explained the impact of the tax relief on the project. Discussion was held about the impact of foregoing property taxes on these properties for 99 years. Greg Bierbaum, Millenia Housing Development, said the project cannot be done without a partnership with the city. He added that this is the type of projects they do nationwide. Valerie Garrity, Sr. Developme nt Director for Millenia Housing Development, said the projects will be HUD financed projects. She explained the different hard and soft costs for the financing of the project. She said the only way to financially make the properties feasible is with the partnership of Nortex for the tax exemption. Ms. Garrity said they have not looked into payments in lieu of taxes. Council discussed the tight budget and said they need to find a positive financial impact if this is approved. Temporary employment and housing needs were discussed. Dave Clark said his board would be willing to approve a 50-year lease if 99 years is the concern. Motion to table to the next regular meeting was made by Councilor West. Motion seconded by Councilor Hooker. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez Nays: None - - - - - - CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 2, 2017 Page 5 Item 6d – Resolution #68-2017 9:45:37 AM Resolution #68-2017 Resolution of No Objection from the City of Wichita Falls for a Proposed Application for The Duke II TX TC, LP, to the Texas Department of Hou sing and Community Affairs for 2017 Housing Tax Credits at 5500 Professional Drive, Wichita Falls, Commonly Known as Highpoint Village II Apartments for the Redevelopment of the Property by the Developer, The Duke II TX TC, LP.; and Providing an Effective Date. Moved by Councilor Hooker that Resolution No. 68-2017 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Brown. Motion to table to the next regular meeting was made by Councilor Hooker. Motion seconded by Councilor Brown and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez Nays: None - - - - - - Item 6e – Resolution #69-2017 9:46:27 AM Resolution #69-2017 Resolution of No Objection from the City of Wichita Falls for a Proposed Application for Archer Courts TX TC, LP, to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for 2017 Housing Tax Credits at 5282 Professional Drive, Wichita Falls, Commonly Known as Country Park Apartments for the Redevelopment of the Property by the Developer, Archer Courts TX TC, LP.; and Providing an Effective Date. Moved by Councilor Hooker that Resolution No. 69-2017 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor West. Motion to table to the next regular meeting was made by Councilor Hooker. Motion seconded by Councilor West and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez Nays: None - - - - - - CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 2, 2017 Page 6 Item 6f – Resolution #70-2017 9:47:17 AM Resolution #70-2017 Resolution Directing the Publication of Notice of Intention to Issue Certificates of Obligation and Resolving Other Matters Relating to the Subject Jim Dockery explained this item is related to the proposed hotel at MPEC. He explained the ownership, construction, and management of the hotel. The certificates of obligation are for the conference center portion of the project. This resolution authorizes the publication of the intention and subsequent action will be at least 30 days in the future. The 4B Sales Tax Corporation will be paying the annual debt for these certificates of obligation. Moved by Councilor Hooker that Resolution No. 70-2017 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Chenault. Councilor Smith left the meeting. Norm Cochran, 4651 Sierra Madre, said he spoke to the 4B board with these comments. He said the certificates of obligation should be put to a vote of the citizens. He said the city is failing in the economic development business. He does not approve of this “flip -flop.” Henry Florsheim, Chamber of Commerce, said the city needs the assets in place to bring in conferences and conventions if we want to be competitive. That means on -site hotels. This is a needed investment. He also pointed out the council was elected by the citizens and the council appoints the 4B Sales tax board members. This process is the democratic process in action. Brian Hoffman, Spectra Management, said they support this project completely. Without the hotel, the conferences and businesses cannot be attracted. The hotel and conference center will be an asset and compliment to the MPEC. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, and Montez Nays: None - - - - - - Item 7 – Appointments to Downtown Development Steering Committee 10:35:14 AM Mayor Santellana nominated Councilors Brown and Chenault to fill places 1 and 2 on the Downtown Development Steering Committee. Councilor West nominated Danny Ahern to Place 10. Councilor Brown nominated Robert Whitely to Place 11 and to accept the recommendations from the Downtown Wichita Falls Development Board, Chamber of Commerce, and 4B Sales Tax Commission as follows. All terms will expire September 2018. Place 2 Jesse Brown City Councilor CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 2, 2017 Page 7 Place 3 DeAndra Chenault City Councilor Place 4 Dusty Potter Downtown Wichita Falls Development Board Member Place 5 Mark Chase Downtown Wichita Falls Development Board Member Place 6 Scott Poenitzsch Chamber of Commerce Board Member Place 7 Ripley Tate Chamber of Commerce Board Member Place 8 Rick Hatcher 4B Sales Tax Commission Member Place 9 Dave Clark 4B Sales Tax Commission Member Place 10 Danny Ahern Downtown CBD Property Owner Place 11 Robert Whitely Downtown CBD Property Owner Motion seconded by Councilor Chenault and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, and Montez Nays: None - - - - - - Item 8a – Staff Reports Quarterly MPEC Operating Update 10:38:42 AM Brian Hoffman gave a staff update. He reviewed capital investments that have been done. He reviewed the financials for the first six months. He said the net operating loss of $663,274 is greater than budgeted. He is confident they will continue to chip away at that loss. He reviewed the events and attendance. He said the hockey team is being sold. Potential investors have been contacted but the status is unknown at this time. He reviewed corporate sales. Mr. Hoffman noted different community events that Spectra has been involved with. He concluded by reviewing the agreement with the city for the management of the facility. Convention and Visitors Bureau Update 11:12:51 AM Lyndsay Barker gave an event overview. She reviewed the mock-up web site for the proposed hotel. She noted that within the past year, there have been 20 events, 22,334 attendees, and 19,000 room nights that have not been bid on because of the lack of hotel space. She reviewed tourism efforts. She gave a marketing update and showed a mockup of their new website. - - - - - - Item 8b – Items of Concern to Members of the City Council 11:25:05 AM Members of the City Council presented the following matters: Councilor Chenault congratulated Leadership Wichita Falls Class of 2017 on their upcoming graduation. She encouraged people to experience downtown. - - - - - - - CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 2, 2017 Page 8 Item 9 – Executive Session City Council went into Executive Session at 11:26:16 AM in accordance with Texas Government Code §551.072. City Council reconvened at 12:26:42 PM. Mayor Santellana announced that no polls or votes were taken during Executive Session. - - - - - - - Item 10 – Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning Items That Are Not on the City Council Agenda. 12:26:48 PM Rev. Mel Martinez, 4622 Dennis Blvd., said her church has 30 years of history and continues to help Wichita Falls be a better place. She said Wichita Falls is diverse in many aspects. She has submitted a proclamation request f or June as Diversity Pride Month. She asked the council to support the proclamation. Norman Cochran, 4651 Sierra Madre, said he spoke to Mr. Hoffman about MPEC about the monthly fee he receives every month , about bringing in an executive chef for a recent event, and about alcohol sales. He said we should be able to get figures from the State sooner. There were no other comments given. - - - - - - - Item 11 - Adjourn City Council adjourned at 12:35:26 PM. PASSED AND APPROVED this 16th day of May, 2017. __________________________________ Stephen L. Santellana, Mayor ATTEST: ____________________________________ Tracy B. Norr, TRMC/MMC, City Clerk