Meeting Recap: April 20, 2015

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.

City Council meeting for April 20 - Part 1
City Council meeting for April 20 - Part 2

(STILLWATER, OKLA. / April 27, 2015) — The City of Stillwater City Council met for its regular meeting Monday, April 20, 2015. (View agenda here.)

Pledge of Allegiance

a.       Led by Will Rogers Elementary School student Kambree Davis

Consent Docket

a.       Approval of minutes:                     Regular meeting           April 6, 2015

Executive sessions       April 6, 2015

Special meeting                        April 9, 2015

b.      Accept general utility easements, 1405 & 1425 S. Sangre Rd.

c.       Bid recommendation for the Bridge Rehabilitations Project

d.      Bid recommendation for Pavement Management Project 15TR01 – F

e.       Accept easement required for Water 2040 West Highway 51 booster pump station and Range Road tower water line

f.       Engagement letter with the firm of Berberich Trahan & Company to perform the audit for the City of Stillwater and related Trust Authorities for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015

Council approved 5-0.

Swearing-in of Mayor Gina Noble

Judge Tanya Raun swore in new Mayor Gina Noble

Special Ceremonies

a.       Special presentations/proclamations

Mayor Gina Noble expressed gratitude on behalf of the City Council for former mayor John Bartley’s contribution to the City of Stillwater. Bartley said he was happy for what the council has been able to accomplish and the people he has worked with.

Election of Vice Mayor

Councilor Miguel Najera nominated Councilor Pat Darlington for the position of vice mayor.

Council approved 4-0.

Public Hearings

a.       Receive public comment regarding the project selection for the 2015 Community Development Block Grant

Development Services Director Paula Dennison presented the project selection. The project amount is at least $191,252.

One resident spoke against using the funds and seed money for the public garden. Dennison replied the money allocated is for the physical components of the garden, and recommended approval of all three projects.

Council approved 4-0.

b.      Receive public comment regarding a request for a Map Amendment for 17 properties located on South Ramsey and South Hester Streets and West 4^th Avenue from RMI (multi-family intermediate) and CG (commercial general) to HR (high rise)

Planning Manager Aaron Baggarly presented the map amendment.

Najera was concerned about the construction crew being good neighbors, and Darlington encouraged the developer to review form-based codes.

One resident was worried about the cost of new housing.

Council approved 4-0.

c.       Receive public comment regarding a request for a Map Amendment for property addressed as 1299 N. Jardot Rd. from RSL (residential single-family large lot) to RSS (residential single-family small lot)

Baggarly also presented this map amendment.

Council approved 4-0.

d.      Receive public comment regarding a request for a Map Amendment for properties addressed as 1312 and 1324 N. Henderson St. and 1411 N. Hightower St. from A (agriculture) and RSL (residential single-family large lot) to RSS (residential single-family small lot)

Baggarly presented the item.

Council approved 4-0.

e.       Receive public comment regarding a request for a Map Amendment for property addressed as 702 E. 14^th Ave. from RSS to IL (light industrial)

The building on this plot is a legal, nonconforming use. The Planning Commission recommended denying the amendment 5-1 because it was not an appropriate use based on the surrounding area.

Najera made a motion for approval.

Council voted 2-2, with Vice Mayor Weaver and Noble voting against.

The applicant expressed his intention to continue the plots current use and rent the property. Najera resubmitted the motion for approval after hearing more information.

Council approved 3-1, with Noble voting against.

f.       Receive public comment regarding a request for a Map Amendment to rezone property addressed as 2302 W. 8^th Ave. from RSS to CS (commercial shopping) (NOTE: The applicant requested this item be postponed to the May 18, 2015 meeting.)

Council approved rescheduling of item 4-0.

g.       Receive public comment regarding a Text Amendment to the Land Development Code, Chapter 27, Article XXI Oil, Gas and Disposal Well Regulation and Chapter 18, Article III, Miscellaneous Nuisance

Dennison presented the amendment. The amendment adds a mitigation plan, increased separation distances, protection for adjoining properties, an extraterritorial application, ban on disposal wells, insurance increases and bonding requirements.

There are three bills pending before the legislature. City Attorney John Dorman said the laws at the state level must be heard within the week.

Eight people spoke for the approval of the amendment, and 16 spoke in opposition. Of those who spoke against, three were students at Oklahoma State University, eight were professionals working in the oil field in some form and two others represented mineral rights. One of those in opposition noted there was no difference between horizontal and vertical wells in the amendment.

City Council postponed further action until the meeting on Monday, May 18, 2015.

h.      Receive public comment regarding amendment to Land Development Code: Form-based code

Dennison presented the amendment on form-based codes. There will be a phased approach, all brought together before the Council prior to July 1. The Planning Commission recommended approval.

No action was taken on this item.

Resolutions

a.       Resolution 2015-7: Resolution regarding commitment of leverage for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce community development block grant (CDBG 15), 2015 State Small Cities Program

Council approved 4-0.

Ordinances

First reading

a.       Ordinance No. 3299: Ordinance rezoning tract of land located at 700 and 800 E. Northgate Drive from CS (commercial shopping) to RSS (residential single-family small lot)

Council approved 4-0.

b.      Ordinance No. 3300: Ordinance amending Stillwater City Code by creating Article XXV, Corridor Redevelopment Area Planning District, and Section 23-450, Site plan amendments and Appendix 1, form-based codes

Council approved 4-0.

Second Reading

a.       Ordinance No. 3296: Ordinance amending Stillwater City Code, repealing in its entirety Section 16-49, trespass upon land after forbidden, and creating new Section 16-49, trespass forbidden, enforcement, defenses for trespassing and penalties for trespassing

Council approved 4-0.

b.      Ordinance No. 3297: Ordinance amending Stillwater City Code, Section 29-16, impounding of vehicles

Council approved 4-0.

c.       Ordinance No. 3298: Ordinance amending Stillwater City Code, Chapter 43, vehicles for hire, insurance required and repealing Sections 43-4 to 43-125

Council approved 4-0.

Reports from Officers and Boards

a.       Miscellaneous items from the City Attorney

Request for an executive session

b.      Miscellaneous items from the City Manager

c.       Miscellaneous items from the City Council

City Council recessed; Stillwater Utilities Authority called to order

Consent Docket

a.       Approval of minutes:                     Regular meeting           April 6, 2015

Executive session        April 6, 2015

b.      Bid recommendation for the Main Street Water Line, 6^th to Miller, Replacement Project

c.       Bid recommendation for the substation switchgear package for the new 69kV switching/distribution substation

d.      Bid recommendation for the 69kV circuit breakers for the new 69kV switching/distribution substation

e.       Bid recommendation for ventilation fans for the new Power Generation Station

f.       Bid recommendation for site preparation for the new Power Generation Station

g.       Buy-back agreement for five Heil side-load refuse vehicles between Carolina Environmental Systems, Inc. and Stillwater Utilities Authority

Trustees approved 4-0.

SUA adjourned; City Council reconvened

Executive Session

a.       Confidential communication regarding labor negotiations with Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #102 and International Association of Firefighters Local #2095

Return from Executive Session

a.       Possible action regarding labor negotiation with Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #102 and International Association of Firefighters Local #2095

No action was taken.

City Council adjourned

-END-

Written by Zachary Kinder, Marketing and Public Relations

Meeting Recap: April 9, 2015

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.

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(STILLWATER, OKLA. / April 13, 2015) — The City of Stillwater City Council met for its regular meeting Monday, April 6, 2015. (View agenda here.)

Consent Docket

a.       Budget amendment to the storm water budget to obligate $147,319 to the 2014 Small Cities Set-Aside Program contract #16111 CDBG 14 and authorize the mayor to sign the documents

Council approved 5-0.

General Orders

a.       Preliminary presentation and discussion of the FY 2015-16 fiscal budget

Presentations made by City Manager Dan Galloway, Public Safety Director Norman McNickle, Chief Financial Officer Marcy Lamb, External Services Director John McClenny, Stillwater Utilities and Authority Director Dan Blankenship.

Galloway said there was no increase in the City Manager’s department.

Lamb said budget increases for the Finance Department were mostly due to reorganization. Increases in IT were due to maintenance contracts on software. The Bid Division would have the same budget until it could bring forward its budget at the end of the fiscal year. Capital items to be funded were all in the IT Department, including a fiber optic network. Another item was the OneSolution software for employees. One of the more critical items was the Storage Area Network because the current provider is going out of business.

Vice Mayor Joe Weaver said the Council needed to discuss how much the fund balance should be on the city and Stillwater Utilities Authority side. Lamb said there is also a small contingency funded each year.

McNickle discussed the Airport, Police, Fire and Emergency Management. The airport, the 4^th busiest in Oklahoma, set a record for flights. Major airport funding was replacement and maintenance of buildings and runways. Emergency Management, Police and Animal Welfare are budgeted together. Capital projects include a use-of-force simulator, new incinerator and repairs to doors for Animal Welfare, funding to maintain rain and street systems and close circuit cameras for Emergency Management.

McClenny discussed Transportation, Human Resources, Parks and Recreation, Development Services and Operations. Transportation funding includes road maintenance and repair. Human Resources had no capital projects. Parks and Recreation is looking to expand programs for the developmentally disabled among other things, but had a decreased budget due to movement of something things to Operations and a contract for city sports programs. Development Services projects include form-based codes, building safety and planning progression, and paperless land use application (electronic documents). Operations has general and SUA fund components. McClenny presented the general fund component. Capital projects include replacing sun deck at Boomer Lake, buying an asphalt patch truck, and implementation of the skills-based pay plan.

McClenny and Blankenship also both discussed the consolidation and efficiency of the department. Blankenship discussed the SUA budget. The electric department is responsible for the Power Generation Station. Capital items include two bucket truck replacements, battery bank replacements in the substations. The top expenditure in the SUA is purchasing electricity. Capital projects for the water department include new water system components, a water tank mixer, trench shoring equipment, replacing variable frequency drives, lime system replacement design and inspection of the water towers. Wastewater projects include evaluating digesters and designing permanent improvements of the south interceptor. Waste management had no proposed capital, but there were possible additions of solar trash compactors.

Galloway and staff closed with thoughts about other miscellaneous budget items, such as updating the City of Stillwater website.

Councilor Gina Noble asked residents to email the City Council with comments and questions. 

Meeting Recap: April 6, 2015

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. / April 10, 2015) — The City of Stillwater City Council met for its regular meeting Monday, April 6, 2015. (View agenda here.)

Pledge of Allegiance

Proclamations and Presentations

a.       Purple Heart City

Mayor John Bartley proclaimed the Stillwater a Purple Heart City

b.      Fair Housing Month

Bartley proclaimed April 2015 as Fair Housing Month in Stillwater.

Consent Docket

a.       Approval of minutes:                     Regular meeting                       March 23, 2015

b.      Acknowledgement of receipt of Oklahoma Departmern of Environmental Wuality Permit No. WL000060150129 for construction of 110 linear feet of 12 in DIP, 3750 linear feet of 12 in PVC, 720 linear feet of 8 in PVC and 560 linear feet of 6 in PVC potable water line with all appurtenances to serve the Main Street Waterline Replacement, Payne County, Oklahoma

c.       Bid recommendation for construction contractor for the 2014 CDBG contract for Hall and Leigh Streets storm water drainage project

d.      Acceptance of public improvements, Alpha Omicron Pi, Gray Street water line replacement project

e.       Acceptance of water line easement at 6015 N. Chateau Drive for RWD #1 water line extension

f.       Acceptance of electric easement at 3802 N. Land Run Drive

g.       Acceptance of easement for the West Highway 51 Booster Pump Station and Range Tower Water Line

Item C was stricken from the record.

Council approved 5-0.

Public Hearings

a.       Receive public comment regarding application for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity submitted by Dr. Sarah Land for Ease DD, LLC

No requests to speak.

Council approved 4-1, with Councilor Miguel Najera voting against.

b.      Receive public comment regarding a request for a map amendment by Gary & Micki Rogers for property addressed as 700 & 800 E. Northgate Drive, North Tower Park, 5^th Section

Planning Manager Aaron Baggarly presented the map amendment.

Council approved 5-0.

General Orders

a.       One-half cent Transportation Sales Tax Program update

Transportation Director Jason Peek presented the update on the transportation sales tax. Peek requested the City Council renew the sales tax for 10 more years.

Council approved 5-0.

Ordinances

First reading

a.       Ordinance No. 3296: Ordinance amending Stillwater City Code, Miscellaneous offenses and provisions, involving property, by repealing in its entirety section 16-49, trespass upon land after forbidden, and by creating new section 16-49

Council approved 5-0.

b.      Ordinance No. 3297: Ordinance amending the Stillwater City Code, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, impoundment of vehicles

Council approved 5-0.

c.       Ordinance No. 3298: Ordinance amending Stillwater City Code, Vehicles for Hire, insurance required and repealing in its entirety sections 43-4 to 43-125

Council approved 5-0.

Second reading

a.       Ordinance No. 3295: Ordinance relating to public health and safety revising the 911 emergency number ordinance, maintaining the current 5 percent user fee established, and declaring an emergency

Council approved 5-0.

Council approved emergency 5-0.

Reports from Officers and Boards

a.       Miscellaneous items from the City Attorney

Request for an executive session pursuant to 25 O.S. 307 (B)(4) for the purpose of confidential communication with the City Attorney regarding a pending workers’ compensation claim filed by Rick Hauf. It is the opinion of the City Attorney that public disclosure of this matter will seriously impair the ability of the City Council to process this claim and/or conduct an investigation and/or to prosecute/defend any resulting litigation or proceeding in the public interest

b.      Miscellaneous items from the City Manager

c.       Miscellaneous items from the City Council

Appointments

a.       Stillwater Public Housing Authority

Bartley nominated Sue Bonner for reappointment.

Council approved 5-0.

City Council is recessed; Stillwater Utilities Authority called to order

Consent Docket

a.       Approval of minutes:                     Regular meeting                       March 2, 2015

Special meeting                                    March 23, 2015

b.      Acceptance of the Rural Water Advisory Board Semi-annual report for the period of July through December 2104

c.       Inspection services contract amendment: Wastewater treatment plant aeration basic painting

Trustees approved 5-0.

General Orders

a.       Declaration of Immediate Emergency and contract award: Wastewater Treatment Plant emergency pipe replacement

Water Utilities Director Bill Millis presented the request.

Trustees approved 5-0.

b.      Final presentation by Raftelis on the water and wastewater cost of service study and rate design

This item was stricken from the record.

Resolutions

a.       Resolution NO. SUA-2015-4: Resolution amending the water and wastewater rate structures for the Stillwater Water Utility Services; and providing for subsequent annual rate increases

This item was stricken from the record.

Reports from officers and boards

a.       Request for an executive session for the purpose of confidential communication regarding the purchase or appraisal of real property pursuant to 25 O.S. 307 (B)(3)

SUA adjourned; Stillwater Economic Development Authority called to order

Consent Docket

a.       Approval of minutes:                     Regular meeting                       March 2, 2015

Executive session                    March 2, 2015

Special meeting                                    March 23, 2015

Trustees approved 5-0.

General Orders

a.       Bid recommendation for citywide landscaping project and associated budget amendment

External Services Director John McClenny presented the project request. The project is to beautify certain parts of the city for high visibility areas. Cross Timbers Landscape submitted a bid for the project. Najera had questions about which fund the project was coming from. He suggested reaching out to resident groups, such as garden clubs.

Trustees approved 4-1, with Najera voting against.

b.      Discussion of working timetable and plan regarding a proposed downtown project

City Manager Dan Galloway presented the resident questions and responses about the project. He said the City needs a public outreach component to the timetable coordinated by an independent, professional group.

c.       Consideration of Downtown Mixed-Use project proposals and possible action to authorize staff to initiate discussions with one company to develop a mutually agreed site plan and project plan as a basis to move forward with negotiations for a pre-development agreement

Najera proposed filing a letter of intent with Block 34 Group to work with the City and plan everything and recommended Bartley as chairperson for downtown development. Trustee Gina Noble added more resident input was needed, and seconded Najera’s letter of intent to Block 34. Bartley said there was a need for someone with planning experience to be a guide.

Galloway outlined the form and wording of what a letter of intent to Block 34 Group would say and mean.

Najera made a motion for SEDA to release a request for proposal to contract an urban planner.

Trustees approved 5-0.

Najera made a motion to issue a letter of intent to Block 34 Group.

Trustees approved 4-1, with Vice Mayor Joe Weaver voting against.

SEDA adjourned; Stillwater City Council reconvened

Executive Session

a.       Confidential communication regarding a pending workers’ compensation claim filed by Rick Hauf

Return from Executive Session

City Attorney’s office to compromise settlement agreement in the amount of $37,770.

City Council adjourned; SUA reconvened

Executive Session

a.       Confidential communication regarding the purchase or appraisal of real property

Return from Executive Session

a.       No action taken

SUA adjourned

-END-

Written by Zachary Kinder, Marketing and Public Relations