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Council approves park renaming, interim police chief contract and TIF loan; consent agenda passes
Summary
Wichita Falls City Council on April 7 approved a slate of routine and substantive items including renaming South Weeks Park for firefighter Kelly Crush, contracting an interim police chief, and allocating a $200,000 TIF forgivable loan to House of Empowerment for a commercial kitchen. Several residents urged more East Side drainage action during public comment.
Wichita Falls City Council approved multiple resolutions and consent items at its April 7 meeting, including a park renaming, a contract for an interim police chief, TIF funding for a community nonprofit, and a one‑year lease for the Wichita Falls Railroad Museum.
The council voted to rename South Weeks Park as the Kelly Crush Memorial Park at 2006 Southwest Parkway after a series of testimonials from firefighters, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the International Association of Firefighters. Michael Glenn, IAFF 11th district vice president, said Kelly Crush became “a voice and an inspiration” for firefighters and helped raise the profile of Wichita Falls within the union’s community. Council members approved the resolution by voice vote.
On personnel, the council authorized a contract with Texas 1st LLC to provide Mitch Bates as interim police chief at a rate of $117.40 an hour, effective April 7 for an anticipated 4–7 month period or until a permanent chief is appointed. Bates introduced himself to the council and said he is “excited to be here,” described plans to meet staff and community members during his tenure, and provided an email address for public contact.
The council also approved a TIF Zone 3 performance agreement to provide up to $200,000 in a three‑year forgivable loan to New Day Empowerment Center d/b/a House of Empowerment at 511 Mississippi Ave. City staff (Fabian) told the council the project has preliminary plans totaling about $285,000 and that the TIF board conditioned the allocation on the nonprofit raising an initial $75,000 within 12 months; the city’s $200,000 would be paid after that fundraising milestone is met.
Other items that passed as part of the consent agenda or regular calendar included:
• A $230,008.44 contract award to Freeman Paving LLC for the 2025 various drainage repairs project (Expressway Village Park drainage improvements).
• An appropriation of $124,416 for the city’s public health preparedness program (Texas DSHS, fiscal year 2027).
• An ordinance reducing the school‑zone speed limit at City View Elementary School from 25 mph to 20 mph.
• WFEDC authorizations related to redevelopment planning for the WFEDC‑owned property at 3111 Midwestern Parkway (up to $400,000), funding to WPT Power Corporation to assist expansion at 1600 Fisher Road (up to $640,000), and an agreement allowing Kingspan Group PLC UEC LP to assume an existing performance agreement.
• A one‑year lease (with two optional one‑year renewals) granting the Wichita Falls Railroad Museum use of city‑owned property at 501 E. 8th St; museum representatives said they plan a soft opening, pending power restoration and final preparations.
During public comment earlier in the meeting, several residents raised unrelated topics, including local fundraisers and a multi‑speaker appeal from East Side residents pressing the council to implement a 2011 USGS recommendation to expand Plum Lake Basin and remove flood‑zone restrictions so the neighborhood can pursue grants. City staff acknowledged drainage is being reviewed and funding options are being pursued.
The council moved into an executive session under Texas Government Code §551.087 for deliberations on financial incentives and negotiations, then reconvened and conducted a tour of the Memorial Auditorium renovation. No additional votes were reported after the tour.
