Min 08/15/2017
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 15, 2017
Page 1
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Wichita Falls, Texas
Memorial Auditorium Building
August 15, 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
Pastor Gene Holley, Life Tabernacle Church, gave the invocation. Mayor Santellana led
the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Item 3a – Proclamation – 35th Anniversary, Wichita Adult Literacy Council
8:32 am
Mayor Santellana read a proclamation establishing August 30, 2017 as the 35th
Anniversary of the Wichita Adult Literacy Council. He said literacy is the means where every
person can recognize their full potential. Carla Smith recognized the two women who started
the program.
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August 15, 2017
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Item 3b – Presentation – The Kitchen/Meals on Wheels
8:35 am
Pam Hughes thanked the council for the funding Meals on Wheels recently received
from the city. Plates were distributed to each councilor. Mayor Santellana read his plate, which
was a thank you from a recipient of Meals on Wheels.
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Item 4 – 5 - Consent Items
8:39 am
City Manager Darron Leiker gave a briefing on the items listed under the Consent Agenda.
Mo ved by Councilor West that the consent items be approved.
Motion seconded by Councilor Brown 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 August 1, 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, June 22, 2017
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Item 6a – Ordinance #30-2017
8:40 am
Ordinance No. 30-2017
Ordinance Amending the 2016-17 Budget in the Amount of $838,253 and Awarding a
Contract to Tyler Technologies, Inc. for Software and Professional Services to Replace
the City’s Finance and Human Resource Software Applications
Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Ordinance No. 30-2017.
Motion seconded by Councilor Hooker and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, Montez, West, and Smith
Nays: None
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Item 6b – Ordinance #31-2017
8:49 am
Ordinance No. 31-2017
Ordinance Making an Appropriation to the Special Revenue Fund for Grant Revenue from
the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for a Comprehensive Selective Traffic
Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant for Fiscal Year 2018 and Authorizing the City
Manager to Execute All Documents Necessary to Accept Said Funds
Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Ordinance No. 31-2017.
Motion seconded by Councilor Brown and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, Montez, West, and Smith
Nays: None
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Item 6c – Ordinance #32-2017
8:51 am
Ordinance No. 32-2017
Ordinance Authorizing the City Manager to Execute All Documents Necessary to Apply
for and Accept up to $1 million in Federal Aviation Administration Grants for Debt
Service and Entry Road Reconstruction at Wichita Falls Regional Airport and
Appropriating Said Funds to the FAA Airport Improvement Grant 2017 Fund
Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Ordinance No. 32-2017.
Motion seconded by Councilor Brown and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, Montez, West, and Smith
Nays: None
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Item 6d – Ordinance #33-2017
8:56 am
Ordinance No. 33-2017
Ordinance Designating Property as a Reinvestment Zone That Is Located at 300 Travis;
Providing for Severability; Declaring an Emergency; and Providing an Effective Date
Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Ordinance No. 33-2017.
Motion seconded by Councilor West and carried by the following vote:
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August 15, 2017
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Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, Montez, West, and Smith
Nays: none
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Item 7a – Resolution #108-2017
8:58 am
Resolution #108-2017
Resolution to Accept Bids as Presented for 63 Excess City Trustee Parcels and
Authorizing Execution of Deeds to Convey Title
Moved by Councilor Hooker that Resolution No. 108-2017 be passed.
Mo tion 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 7b – Resolution #109-2017
9:07 am
Resolution #109-2017
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Approve Change Order No. 2 for the
Permanent Indirect Potable Reuse System Pipeline Project, in the Amount of $153,005.44
Moved by Councilor Brown that Resolution No. 109-2017 be passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Hooker and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez
Nays: None
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Item 7c – Resolution #110-2017
9:10 am
Resolution #110-2017
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Award Bid and Contract for the 2017 Sanitary
Sewer Budget Utility Improvement Project – Phase 2 to Platinum Utility and Construction
Partnership in the Amount of $759,691.00
Moved by Councilor West that Resolution No. 110-2017 be passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Chenault and carried by the following vote:
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August 15, 2017
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Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez
Nays: None
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Item 7d – Resolution #111-2017
9:13 am
Resolution #111-2017
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for Grant Funds from the Edward
Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program in the Amount of $31,653.00 with Co -
Applicant, Wichita County Sheriff’s Office
Moved by Councilor Brown that Resolution No. 111-2017 be passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Hooker and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez
Nays: None
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Item 7e – Resolution #112-2017
9:18 am
Resolution #112-2017
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for Grant Funds from the Firehouse
Subs Foundation Grant Program in the Amount of $25,000.00
Moved by Councilor Chenault that Resolution No. 112-2017 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 7f – Resolution #113-2017
9:20 am
Resolution #113-2017
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Make Application to the Office of the
Governor, Criminal Justice Division, Rifle Resistant Body Armor Grant Program, Grant
Number 3479701, in the Amount of $21,055.00
Moved by Councilor West that Resolution No. 113-2017 be passed.
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Motion seconded by Councilor Chenault and 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 #114-2017
9:23 am
Resolution #114-2017
Resolution Awarding Bid for Demolition, Clearing and Cleaning of 11 Properties to Jake’s
Backhoe Service, LLC in the Amount of $54,206.00
Moved by Councilor Chenault that Resolution No. 114-2017 be passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Brown.
Norm Cochran asked about the location of the properties and how they were determined
to be dangerous. He was told that Code Enforcement office has inspected the properties to
make a determination that they are hazardous.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez
Nays: None
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Item 8a – Staff Reports – Presentation on Phase 1 of Riverside Cemetery Expansion
9:36 am
Jack Murphy presented regarding phase 1 of the Riverside Cemetery expansion. EDA
Land Planning completed the master plan in 2014. The plan includes a business plan that
indicates the city can achieve the goal of financ ial self-support of its cemetery operations in four
to six years. The expansion plan includes property along Cliff Street which, expect for three
parcels, has been acquired. He discussed a cremation and estate garden by the river and a
new sales building. He said an additional 600 spaces can be developed in the existing carriage
ways. Mr. Murphy showed the work proposed in Phase 1. The estimated cost is $1.2 million
which will be paid by selling the infill lots and using the available perpetual care funding.
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Item 8b – Items of Concern to Members of the City Council
9:50 am
Members of the City Council presented the following matters:
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August 15, 2017
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Councilor Chenault thanked those who are in attendance and also those who attended the
grand opening of the Dollar Store in her district.
Councilor Smith thanked Councilor Chenault for her leadership in getting the Dollar Store to
her district.
Councilor Brown thanked staff for their work.
Mayor Santellana added his thanks to Councilor Chenault for her efforts in her district. He
also thanked staff for their work, particularly during the budget season.
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Item 9 – Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council
9:53 am
Jennica Lambert, 2200 3rd Street, spoke regarding an event called Over the Edge for
River Bend Nature Center to be held on September 23. She said Big Blue has partnered with
them in this event. If the fund raising is successful, participants will have the opportunity to
rappel off Big Blue.
Item 10 – Work Session to Consider Proposed FY 2017-2018 Budget
10:30 am
Darron Leiker said he had sent out the proposed budget. The purpose of the work
session is to review the budget and answer questions.
Jim Dockery reviewed the budget process. He said there are two budget documents,
the preliminary budget and the capital improvement plan. He reviewed the overall budget
expenditures and revenues and noted changes from the current year. Mr. Dockery said the
certified tax base was 1.88% higher than the estimate. He highlighted increases in revenues
and expenditures, noting pay plan adjustments and staffing adjustments. He summarized that
recurring general fund revenues are showing slow growth. The budget is very flat and no new
programs or services are included. No cost of living or one -time expenditures are in the
proposed budget. Mr. Dockery reviewed the water/sewer fund highlights. No rate increases are
proposed. Mr. Dockery said the sanitation fund expenditures is only -.23% less than the current
year. No rate changes are proposed. Major highlights of other funds were cited, noting the
storm water improvement fund include $3.5 million for phase II of the Kemp/Monroe drai nage
project. He discussed lowering the subsidy for MPEC.
Each director presented information on their divisions’ staffing and responsibilities.
Item 11 – Resolution #115-2017
4:40 pm
Resolution #115-2017
Resolution Expressing the City Council’s Intent to Place a Proposal on a Future Council
Agenda Approving a Property Tax Rate that Exceeds the Notice and Public Hearing Limit;
Scheduling Two Public Hearings, and Establishing the Date to Vote on Same.
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Moved by Councilor Chenault that Resolution No. 115-2017 be passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Brown.
Councilor Smith said he feels the city is boxed in by the state’s requirements on tax
rates. He reminded the councilors there are problems with the pay plan. He said he hopes to
set the rate at a level where there is latitude to consider a $.02 increas e for a 2% cost of living
raise for all employees. Mr. Dockery said $.02 would not quite cover a 2% COLA. Councilor
Montez said he feels the current rate is a fair assessment. Mayor Santellana said council needs
to balance the employee raises with the macro effect on all the citizens and on attracting
businesses and growth. Mr. Leiker noted that capital improvements planning for a potential
bond issue will also begin as soon as this budget is adopted. Mayor Santellana noted that no
COLA increases will affect turnover. Councilor Smith said it is a difficult situation but we also
need to have faith in the future and take care of the staff. Mr. Leiker said his recommendation is
to hold the tax rate to the current level. He said it is more difficult to get public acceptance for a
tax rate increase for employee pay. Mayor Santellana said if there is a tax increase, he would
want it to go toward growth. Councilor Brown said he believes we are having a better year than
last year but he agrees with holding the line on taxes. Councilor West said he would like to help
the employees but he realizes economic development is important. If the economy improves,
we can address the other issues. He is not in favor of raising the rate above the current rate.
Councilor Montez said that the employees are very valuable but this is a necessary action.
Motion by Councilor Hooker to amend the resolution to include a property tax rate of
$.70598.
Amendment seconded by Councilor Brown.
Amendment carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez
Nays: None
Motion as amended carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brown, Chenault, Hooker, West, Smith, and Montez
Nays: None
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Item 12 - Adjourn
There being no further business, City Council adjourned at 5:01 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 5th day of September, 2017.
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Stephen L. Santellana, Mayor
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August 15, 2017
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ATTEST:
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Tracy B. Norr, TRMC/MMC, City Clerk