City staff update: goat mowing, strategic-planning consultant and a tour of Memorial Auditorium renovations

City Manager and staff on Oct. 7 briefed the Wichita Falls City Council on several city initiatives — including a goat mowing pilot, leadership training and a consultant-led strategic-plan update — then led council on an on-site tour of the Memorial Auditorium renovation.

Goat mowing, training and strategic plan: the city manager described a pilot using goats to clear 21 acres of difficult-to-mow terrain near Midwestern Farms and Bridge Creek; staff said the project is eco-friendly and supports fire-prevention work and that goats will return in 2026. Council also heard that department director training on organizational culture was completed and that the city expects to bring a consultant, Rick Robinson, in December to update the strategic plan for 2026–27.

Personnel note: the manager publicly thanked Ron Kitchens for his service and noted Kitchens will depart; council members offered appreciation and best wishes.

Memorial Auditorium renovation tour: staff led council on a multi-floor tour of the ongoing renovation of the historic Memorial Auditorium. Presenters described and showed completed and in-progress work including:

- Structural and mechanical upgrades: new HVAC systems with air-cooled chillers in a fenced mechanical yard, replacement of aged piping and new fire suppression equipment including a large fire pump for the sprinkler system. - Interior finishes and accessibility: polished concrete flooring in the public entry, restored storefront windows on the First Floor, a new public information studio, accessible ramps from the dais and a reconfigured council dais area with room for up to 11 seats and staff workstations behind the dais. - Council chamber layout: staff described a single main podium with a smaller secondary podium for staff use, five staff desks behind the dais, solid-surface and stained wood finishes on the dais front, and AV and electrical floor boxes routed to the podium and dais.

Staff said the renovated building has new electrical, HVAC and fire-suppression systems intended to reduce long-term maintenance costs. Project team members discussed minor scope adjustments made during construction (for example reusing and polishing original floor where feasible to control cost) and explained how ducting and air distribution were revised to minimize demolition of historic walls.

Schedule notes: during the tour staff indicated progress on multiple floors and said some office moves are planned in the near term; on the tour a staff member responded "By the next meeting" when asked about moving, indicating imminent internal moves connected to the project schedule. No new council votes were taken during the tour portion of the meeting.

Ending: Council members praised the renovation work; staff said they will share progress updates and scheduling details as the project approaches occupancy phases.