Meeting Recap: July 29, 2014

(STILLWATER, OKLA. / July 31, 2014) — The Stillwater Utilities Authority met for a special meeting Tuesday, July 29, 2014. (View agenda here.)

Resolutions

a.       A resolution authorizing execution of a bond purchase agreement and other documents pertaining to the sale and issuance of Stillwater Utilities Authority bonds, series 2014A in the principal amount of $______ for the purpose of financing the construction, furnishing and equipping of a new public power plant within the City of Stillwater

John Wolfe presented summary of staff activities in New York. The finance amount approved at a previous meeting was $70 million, not to exceed; the financing amount ended up at $61,830,000.

Trustees approved 4-0.

SUA adjourned

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Written by Zach Kinder, Marketing and Public Relations

Meeting Recap: July 28, 2014

Note: Items of discussion in this recap include links indexed to that portion of the City Council meeting replay. Click on the bold headers that are linked to view that portion of the video.

(STILLWATER, OKLA. / July 29, 2014) — The Stillwater City Council met for its regular meeting Monday, July 28, 2014. (View agenda here.)

Council discussion of City of Stillwater economic development guidelines (The Mayor will facilitate discussions of Council regarding establishment of economic development guidelines, but no action will be taken.)

Specific economic development needs Stillwater needs to focus on?

Mayor John Bartley asked what areas the councilors felt Stillwater should be focusing on.

Councilor Miguel Najera said he would like to see development on the west side of town and sort of outdoor community meeting venue.

Councilor Pat Darlington suggested looking into a sports and/or aquatic center

Councilor Gina Nobles said she would like to look into adding entertainment, recreation and high-end shopping.

Bartley suggested a leakage study to see what money is leaving Stillwater to determine what to add, and a convention/conference center.

Noble reiterated the need for more restaurants.

Darlington wanted to see development east of town.

What are concepts/criteria important to incentives to businesses?

Darlington said age structure, number of jobs and corporate citizenship were important factors.

Vice Mayor Joe Weaver suggested results-based constraints on incentives.

Noble said respect for businesses here and helping them expand is important (internal growth).

Bartley said uniqueness of the business to Stillwater and location are important elements of possible incentives.

Weaver said to ask what the college students want in town.

Darlington suggested possible incentives for businesses filling empty or historic buildings instead of building a new one.

How does the City of Stillwater get businesses to take the action it would like to see?

Weaver suggested selling city owned land at a discounted price or a fast track process.

Bartley said utilities rate structure is an option to consider.

Weaver suggested tying the rate structure to job creation, and a way to measure return on investment (ROI). Weaver also suggested the idea of long-term leases for security. Also sales/auctions.

Bartley asked how to make sure the city offers enough jobs for people at all skill levels.

Weaver asked about possibility of the City of Stillwater acquiring dilapidated housing and offering incentives for businesses or housing to redevelop the areas.

Darlington discussed public communication options to get the public to buy in and neighborhood grants.

Noble also suggested highlighting neighborhoods when talking with businesses considering coming to Stillwater.

What are important financial attributes of monetary incentives?

Darlington said accountability was important.

Weaver said the deal needs to be simple and easily understood.

Noble highlighted fairness.

Bartley said there needs to be a determinant of return on investment, and business plans need to be critically reviewed.

Noble said a short-term limit span was also important in cases when it was feasible for a business to do so.

Bartley suggested a rebate over time instead of all up front.

What are factors that would be negatives?

Najera said negative company history would be an important factor.

Darlington said we don’t want bad corporate citizens or lack of a commitment to the community.

Noble and Darlington also said predatory companies would be negatives, and Weaver added not to provide these companies with incentives.

Miscellaneous

Darlington said to look at cities who have done this before to determine how the City of Stillwater should develop its guidelines.

Weaver highlighted Stillwater’s low unemployment rate, but wanted to focus on how to get workers and get them trained.

City Council is adjourned

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Written by Zach Kinder, Marketing and Public Relations

Meeting Recap: July 21, 2014

Note: Items of discussion in this recap include links indexed to that portion of the City Council meeting replay. Click on the bold headers that are linked to view that portion of the video.

(STILLWATER, OKLA. / July 23, 2014) — The Stillwater City Council met for its regular meeting Monday, July 21, 2014. (View agenda here.)

Pledge of Allegiance

Consent Docket

a.       Traffic signal management system sole source purchase

b.      Amendment to lease agreement with Sprint for space on City water tower

c.       Amendment to Electric Utilities tree trimming agreement with Asplundh Tree Expert Co. to include additional tree maintenance services

d.      Authorize scheduling of public hearing for closing of a portion of East Fifth Avenue between Perkins Road and Dryden Street

Item D removed to address date.

Council approved 5-0.

Items Removed from Consent Docket

City Attorney John Dorman asked the date be set for Sept. 24, 2014.

Council approved 5-0.

Public Hearings

a.       Receive public comment regarding closing of portions of easements at 2399 N. Perkins Rd. and 798 E. Lakeview Rd.

Development Services Director Paula Dennison presented request, and reported staff’s recommendation to approve the closing.

Council approved 5-0.

b.      Receive public comment regarding closing of platted right-of-ways and easements for property on south side of 12^th Avenue between Stillwater Medical Center property and including Washington School

Dennison and staff recommended approval of the request to close.

Council approved 5-0.

c.       Receive public comment regarding a request for a map amendment rezoning property addressed as 214 W. Elm Ave. from RMI (residential multi-family – intermediate) to HR (high rise)

Kelly Harris spoke representing the eventual owners and developers to answer questions. Councilor Miguel Najera asked about the developers keeping the roads clean. Planning Commission’s recommendation was to approve the request.

Council approved 5-0.

d.      Receive public comments regarding a request for a map amendment rezoning property addressed as 406 S. Hester St. from RMI (residential multi-family – intermediate) to HR (high rise)

Mayor John Bartley excused himself from the public hearing. Planning Commission’s recommendation was to approve the request.

Council approved 4-0.

e.       Receive public comments regarding a request for a map amendment rezoning property addressed as 498 and 519 S. Jardot Rd. from RTM (residential two-family and multi-family) to RMI (residential multi-family – intermediate)

Jimmy Hill, engineer for the applicant, gave background on the request. Planning Commission’s recommendation was to approve the request.

Council approved 5-0.

General Orders

a.       Annual report from Friends of Lake McMurtry

Executive Director Dan Lowrance and Park Manager Jared Avilez presented the annual report.

b.      Annual report from Friends of Multi-Arts

President Valerie Bloodgood and Executive Director Bill Miller presented the annual report.

c.       Land exchange agreement between the City of Stillwater and Commissioners of Land Office; properties located at 4220 N. Perkins Rd. and the NW corner intersection of Jardot and Airport Roads for purpose of constructing power generation plant

Dan Blankenship, director of the Stillwater Utilities Authority, presented the land exchange agreement.

Resolutions

a.       Resolution No. 2014-9: Resolution declaring the necessity for acquiring permanent and temporary easements on certain tracts of real property, hereinafter described, for the purpose of the Western Road water line connection project for the city of Stillwater, Okla.

City Manager Dan Galloway said the resolution give the City the power to begin negotiations with property owners to acquire easements to build a connecting water line.

Council approved 5-0.

Ordinances

First reading

a.       Ordinance No. 3271: Ordinance authorizing the sale of certain parcel of property located at 4220 N. Perkins Rd.; providing for citizen initiated referendum of said sale

Council approved 4-0-1.

Najera abstained from voting.

Second reading

a.       Ordinance No. 3268: Ordinance amending Stillwater city code, land development, use categories and limitations, creating mobile food service establishment courts

Council approved 5-0.

b.      Ordinance No. 3269: Ordinance rezoning tract of land located at 1711 W. Lakeview Rd. from RSS (residential small lost, single family) to CS (commercial shopping)

Council approved 5-0.

c.       Ordinance No. 3270: Ordinance closing ten feet of the right of way of 12^th Avenue adjacent to property addressed as 214 E. 12^th Ave.

Council approved 5-0.

Reports from Officers and Boards

a.       Miscellaneous items from the City Attorney

b.      Miscellaneous items from the City Manager

c.       Miscellaneous items from the City Council

Najera discussed the options for researching outlawing smoking at public parks.

Appointments

a.       Library Board

Bartley nominated Robin Cornwell to the Library Board.

Council approved 5-0.

City Council adjourned; Stillwater Utilities Authority called to order

General Orders

a.       Bid recommendation for Kaw Pump Station improvements

Water Utilities Director Bill Millis discussed bid recommendations.

Trustees approved 5-0.

SUA adjourned

-END-

Written by Zach Kinder, Marketing and Public Relations

Meeting Recap: July 7, 2014

Note: Items of discussion in this recap include links indexed to that portion of the City Council meeting replay. Click on the bold headers that are linked to view that portion of the video.

(STILLWATER, OKLA. / July 9, 2014) — The Stillwater City Council met for its regular meeting Monday, July 7, 2014. (View agenda here.)

Pledge of Allegiance

Led by Spencer Carter of Boy Scouts of America

Consent Docket

a.       Approval of minutes          Regular meeting           June 16, 2014

Executive session        June 16, 2014

Regular meeting           June 23, 2014

Special meeting           June 23, 2014

Executive session        June 23, 2014

b.      Rid recommendation for hay and pasture lease to Mike Frank

c.       Emergency purchase/repair for voice switching equipment with the air traffic control tower at Stillwater Regional Airport

d.      Budget revenue and expenditure carry forwards for 2014-15

e.       Memo to set August 18, 2014 as public hearing date to consider request to close right-of-way of 5^th Avenue between Walnut and Pine Streets

Item B removed from consent docket.

Council approved 4-0.

Public Hearings

a.       Receive public comment regarding request for map amendment for property addressed as 499 and 519 S. Jardot Rd.

Motion to postpone to July 21 meeting.

Council approved 4-0.

b.      Receive public comment regarding proposed text amendment to the City of Stillwater code, land development code, mobile food service establishment courts

Development Services Director Paula Dennison presented information regarding mobile food courts.

Planning Commission recommended approval.

Council approved 4-0.

General Orders

a.       3^rd Avenue bridge replacement concept design recommendation

Transportation Engineering Manager Jason Peek presented information regarding the bridge. Peek made recommendations for updated the bridge.

Council approved 4-0.

b.      Pavement management projects recommendation for 2015

Peek presented information regarding pavement reconstruction projects for the next fiscal year.

Council approved 4-0.

c.       Bid recommendation for the approval of payment to Oklahoma Department of Transportation for remaining construction funds necessary to award contract for the Country Club Rd. project.

Peek presented updated information about the Country Club widening and reconstruction project. Peek also updated available information about bids presented.

Council approved 4-0.

Ordinances

First reading

a.       Ordinance No. 3268: Amending Stillwater city code, land development, use categories and limitations, creating section 23-114, mobile food service establishment courts

Council approved 4-0.

b.      Ordinance No. 3269: Rezoning tract of land located at 1711 W. Lakeview Rd from RSS (residential small lot, single family) to CS (commercial shopping)

Council approved 4-0.

c.       Ordinance No. 3270: Closing ten feet of the right-of-way of 12^th Avenue adjacent to property addressed as 214 E. 12^th Ave.

Council approved 4-0.

Second Reading

None

Reports from Officers and Boards

a.       Miscellaneous items from City Attorney

      a. Request for executive session for purpose of confidential communication regarding employment, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining or resignation of Stillwater City Manager Dan Galloway

      b. Request for executive session to discuss labor negotiations with Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 102

b.      Miscellaneous items from the City Manager

c.       Miscellaneous items from the City Council

      a. Discussion about scheduling items for upcoming meetings

City Council recessed; Stillwater Utilities Authority called to order

Consent Docket

a.       Approval of minutes           Regular meeting           June 16, 2014

Special meeting           June 23, 2014

b.      Set date of July 29, 2014 for special meeting to approve financial transaction and signing of bond purchase agreement

c.       Bid recommendation for Wastewater Treatment Plant headwords improvements

d.      Bid recommendation for purchase of steel transmission poles for electric utility

e.       Bid recommendation for purchase of digger derrick truck for electric utility

f.       Approval of payment to Oklahoma Department of Transportation for remaining construction funds necessary to award contract to the Country Club Road project

Trustees approve 4-0.

Public comment on agenda items not scheduled for public hearing

Sidney Williams asked the SUA to table the proposed utility rate increase.

General Orders

a.       Discussion and possible adoption of resolution authorizing issuance of bonds by the authority for the purpose of financing the construction of a new public power plant within the City of Stillwater

Stillwater Utilities Authority Director Dan Blankenship presented the proposal. Not action taken on general order; looking for action on resolution.

b.      Adjustments to the water and wastewater rates for FY 2015

Mayor John Bartley, addressing Williams’ comments, motioned to table this and future rate increases until a new cost of service study can be completed.

Trustees approved 4-0.

Resolutions

a.       Resolution No. SUA-2014-5: Resolution approving certain terms of issuance of bonds by the authority for purpose of financing construction, furnishing and equipping of a new public power plant within the City of Stillwater

Trustees approved 4-0.

b.      Resolution No. SUA-2014-6: Resolution amending the water rate structure for the Stillwater Water Utility Services; and providing for subsequent annual rate increases

Increase tabled in previous general order.

SUA adjourned; City Council reconvened

General Orders

d.      Discussion and possible approval of resolution approving incurrence of indebtedness by Stillwater Utilities Authority for purpose of financing construction of new public power plant within city

Resolutions

a.       Resolution No. CC-2014-8: Approving issuance of bonds by City of Stillwater Utilities Authority for purpose of financing construction, furnishing and equipping of a new public power plant with city

Council approved 4-0.

Executive session

b.      Executive session for purpose of confidential communication regarding employment, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining or resignation of Stillwater City Manager Dan Galloway

b.      Executive session regarding labor negotiations with Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 102

Return from executive session

a.       Possible action regarding the employment, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining or resignation of Stillwater City Manager Dan Galloway

b.      Possible action regarding labor negotiations with Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 102

City Council adjourned; Stillwater Economic Development Authority called to order

Request for executive session

a.       Request for an executive session for the purpose of conferring on matters pertaining to economic development

Executive session

a.       Confidential communication on matters pertaining to economic development

Return from Executive session

No action taken

GeneralOrders

a.       Economic development agreement between Stillwater Economic Development Authority and Andy Patel dba OSU Holdings, Inc.

Councilors denied 0-4.

SEDA adjourned.

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Written by Zach Kinder, Marketing and Public Relations