[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6350221,"mediaKeyId","2234380-75668c1fe146988fb21846ecf9effe9e","parentId",2234380,"title","Votes at a glance: Wichita Falls council approves records clean‑up, transit grants, public‑safety grants and contracts","audioSeconds",4339,"startMs",3098000,"endMs",7437000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2234380-75668c1fe146988fb21846ecf9effe9e&start=3098&end=7437","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2234380-75668c1fe146988fb21846ecf9effe9e/thumbnail_3098000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6350221/Wichita-Falls/Wichita-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Wichita-Falls-council-approves-records-cleanup-transit-grants-publicsafety-grants-and-contracts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350221-49d8e6149b961d982103dd25737c691d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153499&Signature=McsRv~qds5FOxkaBf8HSD0z6SVuYQJg~-e0ezsVI5~YdNPxumPJFj3d7-Khe-U5Nza9MuMPd72DRWJmqKWbdGEfv3hfXDqB1ZXHWifB50cHFuxIdrOeB-zEQA6yKAkYLjkpzbGdoaiWUDLiBgKmrGVRfNSGKyRYY8zevGLA6-xdpmWU6teq1qbXovO-JW4GsYkw94JexdrujU1XV-DaVsdZV-rnqOPnPBo7ot2uBTPSRqSWBsXRWUnbXkScnSrnTJETTkHNqXe3UhBGL8p3H6UX81okiqz6jmJubqNwqHSoyKgf4W8jX7aSx1MwPxBRE0YZHTViY3XGmRMT1YHTzUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Wichita Falls TX","date","2025-02-05T14:02:27Z","article","The Wichita Falls City Council approved multiple ordinances, appropriations and resolutions during its Feb. 4 meeting. Most items passed on motion and voice vote with no recorded roll‑call tallies in the public transcript. Items approved included housekeeping changes to the city code, several grant appropriations and contract awards.

Key actions approved (voice votes unless otherwise noted):

- Records management code cleanup (Agenda item 7b): Ordinance to amend Chapter 2, Article 7, Division 3 (public records/records management) to remove language now covered in internal policies and the records management program. Staff said the change moves operational details out of the code and into internal policy.

- Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) grant appropriation (Agenda item 7c): Ordinance making a $10,000 appropriation to the special revenue fund as a non‑matching reimbursement grant from the Dallas ICAC Task Force. Police said funds support training, travel, software and forensic upgrades for an assigned detective.

- FTA bus and bus facilities formula grant (Agenda item 7d): Ordinance accepting $175,205 from the Federal Transit Administration for bus and bus facilities (FY 2024). Transit staff said funds will support architectural/engineering work for a future transfer plaza and continued bus‑shelter pad installations; the local match will be covered by transportation development credits.

- FTA Section 5307 operating funds (Agenda item 7e): Ordinance appropriating $2,023,546 in FTA funds and $416,133 in state funds for transit operations, preventive maintenance and some capital/planning expenses (FY 2024). Staff said farebox revenue and contracts offset part of operating costs; overall allocation covers the bulk of system operating expenses.

- Professional services for collective bargaining (Agenda item 8a): Resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a professional services agreement with Denton, Navarro, Rodrigues, Bernal, Santi and Zamboni (firm name per agenda) for legal services related to 2025 collective bargaining with the Wichita Falls Professional Fire Fighters Association. Staff said the contract brings specialized labor‑negotiation support the city attorney’s office cannot staff internally at present.

- Transfer station wall repairs (Agenda item 8b): Resolution awarding the 2025 transfer station wall repairs project to First Construction LLC for $192,397.34. Staff said the facility—built in the early 1980s—has identified structural damage; the contract allows 90 days for completion and noted partial station closures to the public during work.

- Public‑safety grants (Agenda items 8d and 8e): Resolutions authorizing applications for up to $93,000 from the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Assistance Program for dive team equipment and training, and up to $40,000 from the State Homeland Security Program for replacement SWAT vests and helmets.

Votes and implementation: Most items passed unanimously on voice votes. Where the transcript recorded only a voice vote, the council did not provide a roll‑call tally. Staff noted next steps for grant applications and contract scheduling; several capital items require future coordination to minimize operational disruptions (for instance, transfer station closures during repairs).

Why it matters: These routine items fund public‑safety equipment, transit capital and operations, legal support for collective bargaining, and necessary infrastructure repairs—each has near‑term operational implications for city services.

Next steps: Staff will execute contracts, submit grant applications, pursue reimbursements where applicable, and return to council as required for additional approvals or reporting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council February 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Wichita Falls City Council on Feb. 4 approved a set of ordinances, grant appropriations and contract awards covering records management, transit grants and operations, collective bargaining legal services, transfer‑station repairs, and public‑safety equipment.","taxTitle","Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas","taxId",2821,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6350230,"Council approves rezoning of 1446 Trout Street to allow storage for Alliance (Lions) Court properties",1393,1692000,3085000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2234380-75668c1fe146988fb21846ecf9effe9e&start=1692&end=3085","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2234380-75668c1fe146988fb21846ecf9effe9e/thumbnail_1692000.jpg","/articles/6350230/Wichita-Falls/Wichita-County/Texas/Council-approves-rezoning-of-1446-Trout-Street-to-allow-storage-for-Alliance-Lions-Court-properties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350230-ac369c022314a04957a748293a45edae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153499&Signature=PjpXYLdsfH7VkbSa~s9cXZDhvP5yYuW0m3kjcvgvK8z~zB4vKgierkqx2w0xMLdUfYNoS7RR9w6MuW7m0D9se6lExTnW9LA3QHLX~hOPkWz5n7ejvXcy8FsJIVex6-0qjAf5CAINe7-YfWCnJMciYsV24p~mPBb8o-VWhTZbQlWv3YjdI3hpguRy8Q~An7DL9nXusTgEC3nEtw50FkR8xTrRlZay37XEaFk8qNR6jJCmqmJK03R5H2bf1iw4scXvIIw4Adnf5emS7lZGW53Dm~OCxgPi29l0HWt6rTEVzAn6Y5H5HN5b~1QMhwed3a2TqAWrc0BVttV5wCwrcsnBDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wichita Falls City Council approved an ordinance at its Feb. 4 meeting to rezone 1446 Trout Street from single‑family (SF‑2) to Residential Mixed‑Use and to amend the land‑use plan from low‑density to high‑density residential, clearing the way for a storage facility to serve Lions (Alliance) Court apartments.

City staff and the applicant said the lot—about three‑quarters of an acre where an old house has been demolished—was purchased to expand resident amenities such as pool and storage for the apartment community. Terry Floyd of the city’s Development Services told council the planning commission had recommended approval and staff supported the rezone and land‑use amendment.

Several nearby residents spoke at the public hearing. Jessie Lanier, who lives at 1451 Trout, said she feared increased traffic at the front of the property and asked that any storage facility be placed toward the rear and be gated to reduce access from Trout Street. Beverly Ellis and other residents asked that access and drive location be planned to reduce traffic on Trout and Thompson streets.

Representatives of Lions (Alliance) Court said the facility would primarily be used by the apartment property (they estimated roughly 60% for on‑site uses) and would be set back from Trout Street, fenced and alarmed. The applicant said they plan two entrance points—one from Trout Street and one from the internal parking area—and that the storage units would be used mainly by residents but could be available to family members if needed. Police Chief noted the property has seen far fewer calls since the apartment complex was redeveloped and said storage buildings are sometimes targeted for break‑ins but are not typically the same pattern as burglaries of private residences.

Council members and staff said site‑plan review will address fencing, setback, parking, screening and final access, and that typical code requirements (fencing, paving, and driveway standards) apply at the permitting stage. The council closed the public hearing, took a motion and approved the ordinance by voice vote.

Why it matters: The rezoning allows the apartment owner to add resident amenities and storage capacity on a vacant lot adjacent to a multifamily complex. Neighbors sought assurances about placement, screening, fencing and access to limit traffic and perceived crime impacts; staff said these are addressed later in site plan review and building permit requirements.

Next steps: Applicant will submit site plans and permits; city staff will review access, traffic and fence/screening plans during site plan review and require code compliance before construction.","The Wichita Falls City Council approved rezoning and a land‑use amendment Feb. 4 for a 0.75‑acre lot at 1446 Trout Street to permit a storage facility serving the adjacent Lions/Alliance Court apartments.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6350235,"Wichita Falls council approves contract steps toward Lake Ringgold federal permit",3138,4267000,7405000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2234380-75668c1fe146988fb21846ecf9effe9e&start=4267&end=7405","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2234380-75668c1fe146988fb21846ecf9effe9e/thumbnail_4267000.jpg","/articles/6350235/Wichita-Falls/Wichita-County/Texas/Wichita-Falls-council-approves-contract-steps-toward-Lake-Ringgold-federal-permit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350235-2c90908c98f641e2a8c109059f71be16/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153499&Signature=lhU1KIzyC103gXZQkR-TVEQxZKkszysme4pdp5gntd0Mf3TKtcyLN8~FQ4Bo8MGe~2IAiA6MmbeAOiD5vp2FGVnAmN8C8m67URkfdLssyx2G6YHuHjnBrOgnTbwCcoVKq4~8KZzHsfv0yZBeD4gcIgnZY7-dDnUIkrLNx4JrQBWJBgYnEl8BqC1TVrQm9dNe9nzKp1ILL-oqx5uDHEfic4fVmaaUsDUadMKUmgfeL6wRN2XQ60w-AIC4FFJ76KxK2N1V0ax0SB216sBugb~6j5AJeNEitZGf7XjaajeE8ki3TAognLl0aEpsl6L5fXFgvphOko3MhdJbPusdn~8sSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wichita Falls City Council voted 02/04/2025 to authorize the city manager to execute a professional services agreement with Freese and Nichols Inc. to prepare a Section 404 permit application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the proposed Lake Ringgold reservoir, in an amount up to $3,053,000.

Council action advances a long-running city effort to secure an additional surface water supply. City staff told the council the work will include project management, agency coordination, environmental/resource evaluations, pipeline routing, mitigation planning, and preparation and submission of the federal permit application.

The council majority framed the agreement as the next technical step after a state water‑right process. City staff said the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issued a water right to Wichita Falls in August 2024 after a contested‑case process and that federal Section 404 permitting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the next milestone to develop the reservoir. The contract was presented as payable in phases as work is completed, not as an up‑front expenditure of the full amount.

Opponents at the public hearing urged delay. Shane Cody of Henrietta asked the council to wait because state proposals under consideration could offer a different regional approach; he also raised potential conflicts in state legislation and questioned the project's total cost. Resident Deborah Clark and other nearby landowners said the council should pause to review proposals expected soon from state leaders and to update older feasibility studies before committing more city funds. Speakers asked how land acquisition, local tax impacts and environmental mitigation would be handled.

Supporters, including local business and military‑related leaders, urged the council to continue. Glenn Barham, president and CEO of the Shepherd Military Affairs Committee and a former mayor, cited the drought of record and said Lake Ringgold would protect military missions at Sheppard Air Force Base and regional economic stability. Kerry Maroney of Biggs & Matthews Consulting Engineers and other technical speakers described Lake Ringgold as the only remaining viable reservoir site in Region B based on multiple regional planning cycles dating back to the 1990s.

Council members emphasized the decision was procedural: the contract funds work on the federal permit application and can be stopped if the council later chooses. Mayor Tim Short and other councilors said they view the step as preserving options and keeping the city’s long‑term supply plan moving forward while noting that any later land purchases, construction or bonding would require additional council action.

The motion to authorize the agreement passed following a voice vote. The council directed staff to continue coordinating with Freese and Nichols and to provide periodic updates to the council as key tasks and invoices are completed.

Why it matters: Lake Ringgold is the most consequential water‑supply project the city has considered in decades. If built, it would supply Wichita Falls and a portion of the Region B service area; if delayed, the city risks slower permit timelines and rising costs, but several residents and outsiders urged the council to wait for possible state‑level proposals that may alter the regional water picture.

Next steps: Staff will begin the agreed tasks with Freese and Nichols, bill in phases as work is completed, and return to the council with updates and decisions tied to key milestones and expenditures.","The City Council voted to authorize a professional services agreement with Freese and Nichols to prepare a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permit application for the proposed Lake Ringgold reservoir, continuing a multi‑decade effort to secure long‑term water supply despite public opposition and questions about statewide alternatives.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6350225,"Council discusses sidewalk gaps, asks staff to seek funding options",1093,4602000,5695000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2234380-75668c1fe146988fb21846ecf9effe9e&start=4602&end=5695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2234380-75668c1fe146988fb21846ecf9effe9e/thumbnail_4602000.jpg","/articles/6350225/Wichita-Falls/Wichita-County/Texas/Council-discusses-sidewalk-gaps-asks-staff-to-seek-funding-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350225-7f8e939805e1bf447e4709299c3003bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153499&Signature=KzZuXMdx7YiZDZTO5j1dDWAMENjnDhELWpqVSCyLNq~FQ8ZC2hZppxAtNrKWacCSpUBhtVzOHNrBf2G6wltyhCS2zUjlr2U1IhCuLSyU0R8rZsTMHO6zhyC4L46PF-G7rccMEhGyC1~PdPJE0fT60BQTUuzkfo-g14KiPjin6rOamFIBlJv4L3PuhUSitTX2VuXjA6fvkElVqw463MVmz-aJi2cnxJkO-eeIf3b-R3C5ek8OokWr-1Wg~O6caGCc0iV~GgivyVq86ysgTXvv8sj5HiyCk6kGjIA-~p1bS5BuRn3ArzisQrc13tishsBYFTK8FRSbWUBfI2-~MkpB4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors on Feb. 4 held a discussion on sidewalk infrastructure after a Planning & Zoning member requested a briefing on gaps that leave pedestrians walking in street rights‑of‑way. Terry (Development Services) explained that, by ordinance and long practice, sidewalks are installed by developers as areas are developed and are maintained by adjacent property owners; exceptions exist and some corridors require coordination with agencies such as TxDOT.

Residents and volunteers urged a more proactive city role. Jack Brown (a resident and P&Z member) and other speakers described short missing links—some on city‑owned former railroad right‑of‑way—and said gaps prevent safe walking routes for schoolchildren, older residents and people who exercise on foot. Brown said he regularly encounters pedestrians forced into the roadway and urged the city to budget for or apply for grants to close specific gaps.

Councilors discussed options. Staff noted existing funding avenues—Safe Routes to School, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs and other federal/state grants—and recommended returning to Planning & Zoning to examine sidewalk exceptions in city code. Council directed staff to investigate grant eligibility and amounts for targeted sidewalk projects and to return with options, including possible pilot projects or an internal grant/reimbursement program for property owners where feasible.

Council members said the work ties to broader walkability and parks/trails planning and suggested prioritizing gaps that provide connections to schools, parks and commercial centers. No ordinance or appropriation was approved at the meeting; council asked staff to report back with specifics on eligible grants, cost estimates and proposed prioritization.

Why it matters: Missing sidewalks affect pedestrian safety, mobility for children and seniors, and residents’ ability to use parks and transit. Council discussion marks a shift from relying solely on developers to a more active approach to closing gaps in older neighborhoods.

Next steps: Staff will identify funding opportunities, assess priority gaps, bring code exception language back to Planning & Zoning for review, and present a budget or grant strategy to council.","Councilors heard a staff briefing and resident testimony on sidewalk gaps and directed staff to explore grants and policy options to address missing sidewalks and related safety concerns, particularly on older northside streets.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Wichita Falls council approves records clean‑up, transit grants, public‑safety grants and contracts

Council approves rezoning of 1446 Trout Street to allow storage for Alliance (Lions) Court properties

Wichita Falls council approves contract steps toward Lake Ringgold federal permit

Council discusses sidewalk gaps, asks staff to seek funding options