Meeting Recap: Sept. 26, 2011

Presentation on Property Maintenance Pilot Program

The Stillwater City Council held a work session at the Monday, Sept. 26 2011, meeting. Two items were discussed. 

Property maintenance pilot program

View more presentations from City of Stillwater.

Property Maintenance Pilot Program

External Services Director John McClenny gave a review of the Property Maintenance pilot program. (View the PowerPoint presentation above.) He explained that the pilot program targeted the Westwood Neighborhood and was designed to gather data about the effectiveness of ticketing and to determine resources for citywide implementation.

He said that the ticketing mechanism worked and that ¾ of nuisance violations could be addressed by the ticketing process. He explained that this code enforcement program was designed more like the Stillwater Police Department’s parking ticket system.

McClenny also said the program benefited from the public information component. For example, OSU student renters were responsive to correcting code violations once they understood there was a problem.

He explained that the ticketing nuisances should be separate from the abatement/condemnation procedure. And he would like the ticketing process moved under SPD. City Manager Dan Galloway said that the move of code enforcement to SPD wouldn’t take resources from SPD. There are vacant positions that would be moved to SPD to cover this program.

McClenny asked Council for a consensus on direction, support for future ordinance changes and future financial commitment on abatement/condemnation.

Councilors Weaver and Hopkins said they have heard about the improved appearance in the Westwood Neighborhood from several residents.

Councilor Bartley commented that the code enforcement’s goal is to get grass cut—not collect fees. McClenny said during the pilot program all but three residents corrected the code problem without paying fines.

Mayor Bates asked about using newer technologies to help with code violations and Galloway said that was being investigated.

Councilor Scott said he wanted to make sure people’s privacy was not compromised by this process.

Parkins Ordinance Draft

The second discussion of the evening concerned a draft “parking surface (‘parking in yards’)" ordinance.

City Attorney John Dorman asked for direction concerning drafting a new parking ordinance. He explained that this is different from City Ordinance 3148, which affects Westwood only. This one addresses parking on nonpervious surfaces. There are questions concerning fees, permits and types of zoning to be included.

Everyone agreed that any parking ordinance should not be effective until Jan. 1, 2012. The Council asked for an ordinance to be drafted and a public hearing on Oct. 17. 

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Next Meeting: Monday, October 3, 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

 

Meeting Recap: Sept. 19, 2011

Discussion on wholesale power

(Stillwater, Okla. / Sept. 13, 2011) — The Stillwater City Council met Monday, Sept. 19, 2011, for a regular meeting.

Mayor Nathan Bates read a proclamation declaring it “Constitution Week.” Resident Mary Foster spoke on its importance.

City Council approved all items on the consent docket.

Ordinances (Click here to read ordinances in full.)

• Ordinance No. 3151 (First Reading). An ordinance to rezone a track of land at 1001 W. 12th Ave. Passed by all members of council.
• Ordinance No. 3149 (Second Reading) concerns amending penalties in the new Stillwater City Code, Chapter 1, Chapter 16, Chapter 18, and Chapter 20. Legal stated this was needed to correct clerical errors and to match state statutes. Passed 4 to 1with Councilor Scott voting nay. The emergency clause also passed by all.
• Ordinance No. 3150 (Second Reading) concerns amending penalties in the new Stillwater City Code, Chapter 29. Legal stated this corrected previously deleted sections of which parts should have remained in the code. Approved by all members of council. The emergency clause also passed by all.

Reports from Officers and Boards.
City Attorney John Dorman reminded residents that the new codes are effective Saturday, Sept. 24. He also requested an executive session.

Mayor Bates reminded everyone Western Payne County Trust Authority is looking for applications to serve on the authority.

City Council adjourned for the SUA Meeting.

Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) Sept. 19, 2011 Meeting

Consent docket approved.

Public comment on items not schedule for public hearing. GRDA’s Michael Kiefner addressed the trustees and provided projections on wholesale power. The trustees asked Kiefner a series of questions to clarify GRDA’s position.

General Orders

•  National League of Cities’ water and sanitary sewer service line warranty program. SUA Director Dan Blankenship made a general explanation. Bryan Davis, Utilities Service Partners made a presentation. Trustee accepted staff recommendation and approved the SUA enter this agreement.
•  Update on wholesale power provider selection. Blankenship made a brief presentation about the selection process, which included that OMPA withdrew its proposal. He will continue talks with GRDA.

Resolutions

• Resolution No. SUA-2011-8 determining its intent to reimburse itself for certain capital expenditures. Passed by all trustees.
• Resolution No. SUA-2011-9 authorizing participation in the Smart Energy Source. It's a partnership between CREC, OSU and SUA to identify and address smart energy issues. Passed by all.

No reports from Officers and Boards

Adjourn

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Next City Council Meeting: Monday, Sept. 29, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. in second floor conference room. Click here for agendas. 

Watch the City Council Meetings:  Videos of Stillwater City Council meetings are made available on the City of Stillwater's YouTube.com channel within five days of the meeting.

Meeting Recap: September 12, 2011

Waste Management requests for proposals

(Stillwater, Okla. / Sept. 13, 2011) — The Stillwater City Council met Monday, Sept. 12, 2011, for a regular meeting.

Approval of Minutes for meetings held Aug. 15 and Aug. 22. Both passed with Councilor Cody Scott abstaining due to his absent on Aug.22.

City Council approved all items on the consent docket.

Public hearings.

• Request for a specific use permit from AT&T for a telecommunications tower at 321 E. McElroy (behind the Community and University Credit Union).
• No requests to speak at public hearings.
• Planning Commission recommended approval of special use permit.
• Approved by all members of council.

•  Request for a map amendment from Stillwater Medical Center to rezone property at 1001 W. 12th Ave. (south of 12th Ave. between Washington and Blakley Streets  from A (Agriculture) and RSS (Small Lot Single Family) to O (Office).
• Mayor Bates asked if the area in the flood plain could be developed for single family homes. He was told that yes it could be but at a higher cost to developers.
• No requests to speak at public hearings.
• Planning Commission recommended approving the map amendment to the City Council.
• Approved by all members of council.

Ordinances (First Reading)(Click here to read ordinances in full.)

• Ordinance No. 3149 concerns amending penalties in the new Stillwater City Code, Chapter 1, Chapter 16, Chapter 18, and Chapter 20. Legal stated this was needed to correct clerical errors and to match state statutes. Passed 4 to 1with Councilor Scott voting nay.
• Ordinance No. 3150 concerns amending penalties in the new Stillwater City Code, Chapter 29. Legal stated this corrected previously deleted sections of which parts should have remained in the code. Approved by all members of council.

Report from City Manager Dan Galloway. He will be attending a national city mangers conference next Monday, so Director Dan Blankenship will sit in for him at the meeting.

Mayor thanked all who participated in the 9/11 ceremonies.

City Council adjourned for the SUA Meeting.

Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) Sept. 12, 2011 Meeting

Approval of Minutes for meetings held Aug. 15 and Aug. 22. Both passed with Councilor Cody Scott abstaining due to his absent on Aug.22.

Consent Docket: Mayor Bates asked to discuss items A and B.

• Item A: Contract award for a utility cut street patching. Engineering Manager Jason Peek said there was only one bid on the contract by a local company.
• Item B: Bid recommendation for the purchase of a new regenerative air street sweeper. Operations Manager David Higgins explained that the street sweeping program is a component of the storm water management program. The City sweeps the streets on a rotating basis and collects more than 2,000 cubic yards of waste a year. The department has increased it public education to inform the public about sweeping schedules and its benefits.

Next under General Orders, Higgins also made a presentation of solid waste management services request for proposals. In short, Higgins said he would like to see proposals concerning the City’s solid waste and recycling collections. He proposed four different schedules that included everything from complete privatization to any number of variations. The goal is to see what would be the best waste collection system for Stillwater.

Higgins said after the City receives the proposals, then the SUA trustees could make informed decisions. The trustees wanted to make sure the proposals included curbside recycling to see if it was affordable. Higgins said Stillwater residents enjoy superior customer service and that any proposal would have to address that need as well.

END

Recap by Sherry Fletcher, Marketing and Public Relations  

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Next City Council Meeting: Monday, September 19, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. Council Hearing Room. Broadcast on City of Stillwater TV on Suddenlink channel 23. Click here for agendas. 

Watch the City Council Meetings:  Videos of Stillwater City Council meetings are made available on the City of Stillwater's YouTube.com channel within five days of the meeting.