Min 05/16/2017
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
May 16, 2017
Page 1
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Wichita Falls, Texas
Memorial Auditorium Building
May 16, 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
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Mayor Santellana called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
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Item 2 – Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Mike Rucker, Pastor, Bible Baptist Church , gave the invocation. Mayor Santellana led
the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Item 3a – Proclamation – Historic Preservation Month, Wichita County Heritage Society
8:32:50 AM
Mayor Santellana read a proclamation establishing May as Historic Preservation Month
in Wichita Falls. The representative from the Heritage Society talked about their new project,
the restoration of the Kell House.
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May 16, 2017
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Item 3b– Proclamation – Hope Sunday, American Cancer Society
8:36:43 AM
Mayor Santellana read a proclamation establishing May 21, 2017 as Hope Sunday in
Wichita Falls. He urged citizens to set aside time to support family, friends and neighbors who
are battling cancer, to reflect on those who have lost the flight, and to embrace hope for more
survivors. The representative from American Cancer Society said there are over 26 churches
that are participating in Hope Sunday.
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Item 3c – Proclamation – American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Wichita County,
American Cancer Society
8:38:54 AM
Mayor Santellana read a proclamation establishing June 2, 2017 as American Cancer
Society Relay for Life of Wichita County in Wichita Falls. He encouraged citizens to join with the
American Cancer Society and participate in the relay for life benefits. Lou Kreidler invited
attendance at the Relay for Life events.
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Item 4-5c - Consent Items
8:41:56 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 Chenault and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Montez, and Smith.
Nays: None
Item 4 - Approval of Minutes of the May 2, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City
Council
Item 5 - Receive Minutes
Minutes of the following boards and commissions were received :
(a) Park Board, March 23, 2017
(b) Landmark Commission, March 28, 2017
(c) 4B Sales Tax Corporation, April 10, 2017
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
May 16, 2017
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Item 6a – Ordinance #16-2017
8:42:32 AM
Ordinance No. 16-2017
Ordinance Approving a Negotiated Settlement between the Atmos Cities Steering
Committee (“ACSC”) and Atmos Energy Corp., Mid-Tex Division Regarding the
Company’s 2017 Rate Review Mechanism Filings; Declaring Existing Rates to be
Unreasonable; Adopting Tariffs that Reflect Rate Adjustments Consistent with the
Negotiated Settlement; Finding the Rates to be Set by the Settlement Tariffs to be Just
and Reasonable and in the Public Interest; Requiring Reconciliation and Rate
Adjustments if Federal Income Tax Rates Change; Terminating the RRM Process for 2018
Pending Renegotiation of RRM Terms and Conditions; Requiring the Company to
Reimburse ACSC’S Reasonable Ratemaking Expenses; Determining That This Ordinance
Was Passed in Accordance with the Requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act;
Adopting a Savings Clause; Declaring an Effective Date; and Requiring Delivery of This
Ordinance to the Company and the ACSC’S Legal Counsel
Moved by Councilor West to approve Ordinance No. 16-2017.
Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez
Nays: Chenault
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Item 7a – Resolution #71-2017
8:45:25 AM
Resolution #71-2017
Resolution Amending the Contract Agreement with Johnny Simmons as Tennis
Professional at Hamilton Park Tennis Center and Terminating the Contract Agreement
with Bobby Hagerman as Tennis Professional at Weeks Park Tennis Center
Moved by Councilor Hooker that Resolution No.71 -2017 be passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Brown.
Johnny Simmons, 1644 Victory Avenue, said the tournaments won’t go away. The
biggest thing is the junior program, which is the backbone of the program. He discussed the
history of the tennis program in Wichita Falls, noting it is still a good vibrant program although
numbers have decreased as other options have become available for youth. He said he has
been in Wichita Falls since 1970.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez
Nays: None
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May 16, 2017
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Item 7b – Resolution #72-2017
9:01:08 AM
Resolution #72-2017
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to File and Prosecute an Application with the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to Construct Lake Ringgold Reservoir
Moved by Councilor Chenault that Resolution No. 72-2017 be passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Brown.
Debra Clark, Henrietta, thanked the city for the work done on water conservation and
stewardship. She said there are misunderstandings about Lake Ringgold. She said she and
other ranchers have not given permission for Freese and Nichols to come onto their property to
do environmental studies. The city does not own all the needed land for the lake. She said the
$300 million study is based on today’s average cost of purchasing acreage for the reservoir.
She believes that will not be sufficient. She asked the council to use their own record for
innovative thinking and new technology which she believes will far outlay the consequences of
digging up the land for Lake Ringgold. She said the proposed acquisition will divide her ranch
and destroy the way she uses the property. She invited the council and staff to come to her
ranch and see the habitat, range land conditions, and operations of the ranches.
Darron Leiker said those comments have been taken into account. The needs and
priorities of people are protected in the process. He said the long -term issues are the water for
the community and area as well as protecting Sheppard Air Force Base. He said SAFB is very
interested in getting this lake built. Water supply is very important in keeping the base open.
The city will work with the property owners to try to mitigate any negative consequences .
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez
Nays: Chenault
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Item 7c – Resolution #73-2017
9:15:50 AM
Resolution #73-2017
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Award Bid and Contract for the Hike and Bike
Trail from Wichita Bluffs to Loop 11 to Scales Concrete Construction Co., Inc. in the
Amount of $1,436,123.00
Moved by Councilor Brown that Resolution No. 73-2017 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
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Item 7d – Resolution #67-2017
9:18:15 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) Professional 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
Item 7e – Resolution #68-2017
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 Housing 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 Developer The
Duke II TX TC, LP.; and Providing an Effective Date
Item 7f – Resolution #69-2017
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 Brown to combine Items 7d, 7e, and 7f. Motion seconded by
Councilor Chenault.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez
Nays: None
Motion to table these items until June 6, 2017 by Council Hooker and seconded by
Councilor Smith.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez
Nays: None
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Item 7g – Resolution #74-2017
9:20:30 AM
Resolution #74-2017
Resolution Expressing the City’s Intent to Either Transfer Title of Land or Provide a 99-
Year Land Lease to Gatehouse Capital for the Proposed Doubletree Hotel Project
Moved by Councilor West that Resolution No. -2017 be passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Hooker.
Norm Cochran, 4651 Sierra Madre, said most of his questions were answered by Jim
Dockery before the meeting.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez
Nays: None
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Item 8 – Items of Concern to Members of the City Council
9:24:51 AM
Members of the City Council presented the following matters:
Councilor Chenault thanked those in attendance.
Councilor Smith said the Police Dep artment had held a moving Police Memorial service.
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Item 9 – Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council
9:25:50 AM
Norman Cochran, 4651 Sierra Madre, said that the public comments were moved to the
end of the meeting and the time was shortened. He said the council does not want to hear from
the citizens and that is the reason people don’t want to get involved. He said Mrs. Clark is
sharp. He said he planned to try to get voters to submit a petition against the hotel/Gatehouse
project but he does not have time to get the necessary signatures due to his health .
Reverend John Woods, Jr., 502 Ft. Worth Street, asked for council support to allow the
Nelson Lodge #40 Masonic Lodge to assume the responsibility of management of the
Sunnyside Community Center.
Ronda Reese, 1001 Redwood Avenue, said as a member of the Kemp Sunnyside
Center, said she does not want the council to take the center away from them.
Mayor Santellana said the council is not trying to limit the comments from the public.
Comments are allowed on every topic as well as during public comm ents. The council meeting
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May 16, 2017
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is not the place to air grievances that can be handled with staff. The council needs to retain
control of their meeting. He encouraged citizens to contact their individual council members and
work with the staff members.
The meeting recessed until 1:30 p.m.
Item 10 – Joint Work Session of Wichita Falls City Council and the Wichita Falls
Economic Development Corporation to Hear the Final Report from our Aerospace
Consultant, Bruce Facility Planning Consultants
1:30 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 1:30 p.m. to meet jointly with the Wichita Falls Economic
Development Corporation and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor
Santellana arrived during the presentation and Councilor Hooker was absent.
Jim Bruce, Jerry Snyder, and Bill Boyd from Bruce Facility Planning Consultants gave an
overview of the aerospace economic development report they have prepared. They reviewed
five phases of the project: strategic analysis of the area economy, a competitive and
comparative analysis of Wichita Falls, target industry identification, development of economic
development marketing studies for selected business and industry targets, and a consolidated
marketing plan.
Item 11 - Adjourn
There being no further business, City Council adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 6th day of June, 2017.
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Stephen L. Santellana, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tracy B. Norr, TRMC/MMC, City Clerk