Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Meeting Recap: July 25, 2011

City Council hears update on rural water concerns

The Stillwater City Council held a work session at the Monday, July 25, 2011, meeting. Staff presented the following reports.

Annual Stormwater Programs
Stormwater Manager Cody Whittenburg provided a board overview of what is meant by stormwater programs. His report covered the program’s activities: audits, grants, staff certifications, public education, and compliance requirements. Council agreed that Stormwater Management programs should be a featured topic at an upcoming work session to discuss the new MS4 permit, future stormwater management plans, and stormwater utility fee structure. View PowerPoint at SlideShare.net.

Oklahoma Certified Retirement Community
Grants Coordinator Valerie Silvers presented the Oklahoma Certified Retirement Community program plan. She said that the Oklahoma Legislature selected Stillwater to be the pilot city for the statewide program. Council will be asked to consider a resolution to endorse the pilot program at next council meeting. The five-year program requires a commitment of $20,000, which the Chamber of Commerce has agreed to pledge. The first step of the process, if the council chooses to endorse the program, is to select an advisory committee that would help write the qualifications for Oklahoma cities to be certified as retirement communities. If the program is endorsed, Council will be asked to appoint the advisory committee at next week’s meeting.

City Council ad hoc committee assignments
  • Central Oklahoma Economic Development District:  City Manager to appoint a staff member
  • Stillwater Medical Center:  Mayor Bates
  • Oklahoma Technology & Research Park Board:  City Manager & Chuck Thomas
  • Annexation Committee:  Chuck Hopkins, Cody Scott
  • Capital Improvement Committee:  Chuck Hopkins, Joe Weaver
  • Land Development Committee:  Joe Weaver, John Bartley
  • Property Maintenance Committee:  Mayor Bates, Chuck Hopkins
  • OSU SGA Liaison:  Cody Scot, John Bartley
  • Stillwater Public Schools Coordinating Committee:  Joe Weaver, John Bartley
  • Personnel Policy Committee:  Mayor Bates, John Bartley

Discussion of City Code concerning “Boarding/Rooming Houses”
City Attorney John Dorman reported that a staff committee will resolve inconsistencies in the City Code regarding boarding/rooming houses.

Westwood Neighborhood Parking District
There will be a public hearing at next week’s City Council  regarding parking issues in the Westwood Neighborhood. Council discussed that there are many problems with parking and there are many possible solutions. First, the City will restrict parking to one side of the streets; the signs have been ordered. This is a safety issue and is allowed by state code; no further discussion is required. However, a parking district is needed to restrict available street parking to residents who are issued parking permits. Council agreed there are many ways to determine what form the parking district could take. Residents are encouraged to make their voices heard at next Monday’s public hearing. Agendas will be posted by Friday.

Stillwater City Code
City Attorney John Dorman presented the new Stillwater City Code and proposed adoption. He said this is the first recodification since 1984, and it includes every adopted ordinance and resolution through June 2011. It’s also in agreement with federal and state law. A public hearing on the adoption of the city code is scheduled for next Monday’s meeting. The hearing is for input about the compilation of the code, and not the individual ordinances.

Rural Water Update
Stillwater Utilities Director Dan Blankenship reported that over the past week water pressure in area served by the two 80-foot towers near 44th Ave. and Range  Road dropped below 25 psi, which is the point when DEQ can begin to issue fines for noncompliance. Staff has been capturing data and was able to report today (Monday, July 25) that the twin towers were full for the first time since the problem was reported last week. Blankenship concluded that rain “damped” the need for external watering, and the City was then able to fill the towers. In the meantime, the City is installing a new pump station and that should help with the water pressure issue. He also reported that Water Utilities will be holding a public meeting Thursday, July 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Stillwater Public Library. Area residents are encouraged to attend. Blankenship said that staff will continue to gather data and correct the problem as they can. As a water provider, he stressed that they must meet the water needs of their current customers first. Staff will provide another update at Monday’s council meeting. Follow this link for updates concerning this topic. http://stillwater.org/content/2011/rural-water-update.php


Next Meeting: Monday, August 1, 2011, at 5:30 p.m., Council Hearing Room. Broadcast on City of Stillwater TV on Suddenlink channel 23. Click here for agendas.

Recap by Sherry Fletcher, Marketing and Public Relations