Visioning Session Recap: Feb. 24, 2014

(STILLWATER, OKLA. / Posted Feb. 24, 2014) - The Stillwater City Council met for its visioning session Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (View the meeting agenda here)

Call meeting to order

Council discussion of vision and goals

A third party neutral facilitator will coordinate the discussions of Mayor and Council to facilitate development of preliminary goal and/or mission statements for Stillwater over the next five years. (No action taken)

Discussion:

Here (Where are we now?)

• Crossroads
• Pivotal point
• Good communication efforts by City
• Exceeding expectations in some areas, room to make improvements in others
• Exciting
• Staff is progressive, finding new ways to make things better
• Streets will always be an issue as City continues to grow
• No more debt creation
• Address needs and wants
• Need for new single family developments
• Need for action
• Downtown is growing
• Parking problems/lack of spaces
• Water funding issue
• A lot of new student housing
• Ahead on sales tax dollars 

There  (What do we want to see Stillwater in one year?)

• Parking committee suggestions implemented
• A plan of convention center/hotel for Council to review
• 2 to 3 economic development deals in the books
• Trust Authority (SUA) issue solved
• Road financing plan solved
• Increased public input on continual basis
• Less focus on student housing
• More development that hires people into Stillwater
• Residents feel appreciated and are proud to invest in Stillwater
• Plans to widen Perkins Road
• Water funding solved
• Brand for City and plans to use it
• Get Water 2040 project underway and dirt moving

Roadblocks that might come along

• Trying to please everyone
• Fear
• A dynamic lack of communication
• Rules may get in the way
• SUA trust debt limit
• Lack of money
• Economic downturn
• Citizens' vision
• Lack of strength to make tough decisions

How will we get there?

• Funds for pavement management in budget
• Making choices
• Amending the SUA trust
• Best information equals the best decision
• Working together
• Planning
• Making a motion
• Respect for differing opinions
• Leadership
• Compromise
• Help get citizens involved and gaining information
• We were made to be courageous

Adjourn

END

Recap by Blake Schaich, Marketing and Public Relations.

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Next City Council meeting is March 3, 2014, beginning at 5:30 p.m. This meeting will be televised.  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. You can watch the meetings live on City of Stillwater Television (Suddenlink channel 23 and AT&T U-verse channel 99).

Visit the City of Stillwater's Economic Development webpage.