Meeting Recap: Nov. 7, 2011

Meeting Recap: Nov. 7, 2011

Four public hearings were held

(Stillwater, Okla. / Posted Nov. 10 , 2011) — The Stillwater City Council met Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, for a regular meeting.

The meeting began with “Pancreatic Awareness Month” proclamation and the approval of minutes from meeting held Oct. 17.

City Council approved all but one item on the consent docket. Councilor Cody Scott asked to hear more about public improvements for the Berry Creek Addition. Development Services Director Paula Dennison reported the improvements were underway for streets, water and sewer mains at 19^th Avenue and Sangre Road.

Public Hearings:

• Special Planner Patty Evans presented plans for a video display sign at Duck and 4^th Avenue for the RCB Bank. The monument sign would include video capabilities but no flash and was in compliance with existing code. Councilor Joe Weaver asked why the sign needed council approval, and Evans explained that all video signs need a special use permit because there are additional traffic issues that have to be addressed.  This was approved by all.
• Planner Tom Coots presented a Map Amendment for property at 619 W. 12 Avenue to change the zoning from  P (public) to O (office). This property is the site of Washington School, Stillwater’s former segregated African American School. Representatives from the Southern Woods neighborhood asked for council to postpone the decision because they  only recently had heard of the proposed development. The hearing will be continued Dec. 5. Passed by all members of council.
• Special Planner Patty Evans presented plans for Preliminary Planned Unit Development for a multifamily development known as 51@Tradan Heights at 750 S. Country Club Drive. Passed by all members of council.
• Public hearing regarding a request for a Preliminary Planned Unit Development for a parking lot in the RSS (Small Lot Single Family) at 412 S. Walnut Street to be used by the Epsilon Nu House. There was a discussion about drainage and traffic density and several residents (both for and against the rezoning) spoke. The rezoning was approved by all.
• Public hearing regarding a request for a Preliminary Planned Unit Development known as Aspen Heights and an associated Map Amendment for property located at 1009 N. Jardot Road and 2100/2204 E. McElroy Road. This hearing was continued from Oct. 3. After lots of public input, council discussed whether this project was looking at the best location; this was followed by a vote where "yes" mean not accept Planning Commission's recommendation. Bates was the sole vote to accept the recommendation.

General Orders

1. Financial Reports for first quarter fiscal year 2012 by Chief Financial Officer Marcy Alexander. General revenue is slightly above the 25% mark for the year, and expenditures are slightly below that mark. In the Stillwater Utilities Authority revenues are at the 36.88% mark for the year, while expenditures are at the 25% mark.
2. City Attorney Dorman explained the contract between City of Stillwater and Stillwater Public Schools (Board of Education) for the sale/purchase/lease of property on North Washington Street for the construction of the new Will Rogers School building.

Resolutions (Click here to read resolutions in full.)

• Resolution CC-2011-15. A resolution concerning acceptable water pressure (above 25 psi) for the Twin Tower service area located within the Rural Water Corporation #3. Passed by all members of council.

Ordinances: (Click here to read ordinances in full.)

• Ordinance No. 3153 (First Reading). An ordinance authorizing sale of a portion of the property at 1299 N. Washington Street, commonly known as Will Rogers Park.  Passed by all members of council.

Reports from Officers & Boards.

• City Attorney Dorman requested an executive session.
• Councilor John Bartley reported that the Land Development Committee look at possibly rezoning areas to make them match their current use. They are also looking at the area south and southeast of OSU to determine if there needs to be adjustments to the zoning
• Mayor Nathan Bates asked about updating the Wellness Committee membership. He also asked for an update on the “meth ordinance.”  Dorman said they are still researching it.
• Vice Mayor Chuck Hopkins asked to remove the 4^th Avenue and Hester Street development from the table and add it to the Dec. 5 meeting agenda. Passed by all members of council.
• Bartley asked if a Land Development Ad Hoc Committee should review the need for a special use permit for video signs. Galloway agreed.

Appointments

• Board of Adjustment: John Walker and Richard ?. Passed by all members of council.
• Rural Water Advisory Board:  John Smith, Kent Bradley, Norman Durham.

Council recessed for the SUA Meeting.  Passed by all members of council.

Stillwater Utilities Authority Meeting Nov. 7, 2011

The meeting began with the approval of minutes for Oct. 17. Passed by all members of council.

Resolutions 

•  SUA-2011-10 A resolution concerning acceptable water pressure (above 25 psi) for the Twin Tower service area located within the Rural Water Corporation #3. Passed by all members of council. 

 Reports

• Appointments: Appoint member of SUA to serve on the Smart Energy Sources (SES) Board of Directors. Vice Mayor Hopkins appointed.

Meeting adjourned.

END

Recap by Sherry Fletcher, Marketing and Public Relations. 

*****

Next City Council Meeting: Monday, Nov. 14 , 2011, at 5:30 p.m. is the Council 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. Note: if meetings are longer than two hours, the video may be available on Stillwater’s Vimeo channel only.

Meeting Recap: Oct. 24

Stillwater Industrial & Redevelopment Authority (SIRA) Oct.  24, 2011, Meeting

City Manager Dan Galloway and the Board Trustees discussed economic development. The meeting ended with Mayor Nathan Bates and City Councilor John Bartley agreeing to serve on  a SIRA retail economic  development ad hoc committee.

END

Recap by Sherry Fletcher, Marketing and Public Relations 

 

 

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Next City Council Meeting: Monday, Oct. 30, 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. Meetings longer than two hours may be available only on the City's Vimeo.com channel.

Meeting Recap: Oct. 17, 2011

Presentations by Friends of Lake McMurtry, Multi Arts Center


City Council Meeting 10-17-2011 from City of Stillwater TV on Vimeo.
The City of Stillwater's City Council Meeting held on 10-17-2011


(Stillwater, Okla. / Oct. 19, 2011) — The Stillwater City Council met Monday, Oct. 17, 2011, for a regular meeting.

The meeting began with “Fall Disability Awareness Week” proclamation, and the approval of minutes from meetings held Oct. 3.

City Council approved all items on the consent docket.

Public Hearings

• The public hearing for a Preliminary Planned Unit Development for 5FiftyOne@Tradan Heights was postponed until Nov. 7.
• Council heard two people in favor of the draft Off-Street Parking Ordinance and two people against it. External Services Director John McClenny spoke about how the parking issues now are the same ones discussed 20 years ago: many difference groups needing different parking solutions; continued growth; and enforcement issues. He recommended hiring a parking consultant company to provide creative answers for Stillwater as a whole.
  
  Councilor John Bartley agreed and said that if residents can’t park on the street, can’t park on the grass, where do they park? Councilor Joe Weaver said that one solution doesn’t fit all needs.
  
  Council asked McClenny to consider hiring a parking consultant.

General Orders

• Two similar presentations were made by the Friends of Lake McMurtry (the group's president is Scott Stoodley) and the Friends of Multi Arts Center (Bill Miller). In short, the non-profit organizations made a presentation for public-private partnerships. Both proposed to take over day-to-day operations. Both presentations made the point that they had ideas that would improve/expand programming.
  
  Councilor Weaver said the idea was exciting, and Councilor Bartley agreed. McClenny was encouraged to explore this type of partnerships.
  
  Galloway said that the City would still own the facilities and they would be for public use; instead, local citizens are working together to encourage and expand public use.

Ordinances (Click here to read ordinances in full.) 

• Ordinance No. 3152 (Second Reading). An ordinance regarding remediation of chemically contaminated real property. City Attorney John Dorman reported this needed further review. Council moved to table the ordinance. Councilor Cody Scott voted no.

Reports from Officers and Boards

• Galloway reported that Quad/Graphics was closing it doors.
• Councilor Weaver was pleased that the Oklahoma WONDERtorium opened this weekend and that he was impressed with the facility.
• Mayor Nathan Bates wanted to clarify that the incentive for GMRI, Inc. (parent company of Olive Garden) concerned a tax rebated agreement and not a cash incentive.

Appointments

• Council made appointments to the Accessibility Advisory Board (Alicia Payne, Julie Miller, and Paul Sisney) and to the Planning Commission (Mike Buchert and Joe Merrifield).

Council recessed for the SUA Meeting.
Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) Oct. 17, 2011

Meeting began with the approval of minutes for the Sept. 12 & 19 regular meetings.
The Board of Trustees then approved the consent docket.

General Orders

• Water Utilities Deputy Director Bill Millis gave a status report on the Twin Towers in the Rural Water Service Area. The discussion revolved around what level of water pressure is acceptable to residents in this service area. The state requires 25 psi, while the City tries to provide 40 psi. SUA Director Dan Blankenship explained that adding taps would affect the level of service until changes can be made to the system.
  
  Trustee Weaver wanted to know what the long-term solution for this area is. Blankenship and Millis explained that a consultant is working on the Twin Tower area as well as the wider southwest service area.
  
  
• Update on the GRDA wholesale power contract and OG&E review of the City’s electric system.

SUA meeting adjourned for the Use Tax Oversight Committee.
 
Use Tax Committee Meeting Oct. 17, 2011

Meeting began with the approval of minutes for the July 18 regular meeting.

Review and discussion of Use Tax Revenues. CFO Marcy Alexander said revenues were down, especially in construction materials.

Meeting adjourned.

END

Recap by Sherry Fletcher, Marketing and Public Relations. 

*****

Next City Council Meeting: Monday, Oct. 17, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. is a study session in Room 2073.  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. Note: if meetings are longer than two hours, the video will be available on Stillwater’s Vimeo channel only.

Meeting Recap: Oct. 3, 2011

Public hearing on apartment complex 

City Council Meeting 10-3-11 from City of Stillwater TV on Vimeo.
City of Stillwater's City Council Meeting held on 10-3-11

(Stillwater, Okla. / Oct. 5, 2011) — The Stillwater City Council met Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, for a regular meeting.

Before the meeting, Mayor Nathan Bates asked for a moment of silence to remember City of Stillwater employee John Tate.

First item of the evening was approval of minutes from meetings held Sept. 12, 19 and 26, which were approved by all members of council.

City Council approved all items on the consent docket.

Public Hearings

• Special Planner Patty Evans began a discussion on a Preliminary Planned Unit Development for a new location for Honda of Stillwater at 105 S. Perkins Road/703 E. Virginia Avenue. The developer/owner agreed to several modifications, and council approved the plan pending the revisions.
  
• The Preliminary Planned Unit Development for Aspen Heights was postponed until Nov. 7.
  
• Special Planner Patty Evans also began a discussion on a Preliminary Planned Unit Development for a multi-family complex at 315 S. Hester and 614/625 W. 4th Avenue. The proposed plan includes 164 bedrooms and a 6-story parking garage. Evans said that the complex was compatible with the neighborhood, but staff lacked information to evaluate some features including parking. The developer(s) indicated that they would add a seventh story to address parking questions that a came up during neighborhood meetings.
  
  Public comments included concerns about infrastructure, parking, size, density, lack of green space.
  
  Mayor Bates asked the presenter about parking, bike rakes and city infrastructure issues. Councilor John Bartley had questions about the small setback from the street. Vice Mayor Chuck Hopkins expressed concern about the density. Councilor Joe Weaver also remarked on the high density, and he liked that the developers’ design was compatible with OSU’s modified Georgian architecture and that the intent is to have smooth transition to downtown. Councilor Cody Scott thought the project was a step in the right direction, but wanted more information. Vice Mayor Hopkins asked for the topic to be tabled subject to call. The council voted to table this item.

General Orders

• Presentation of Ordinance No. 3152 regarding remediation of chemically contaminated real property by Assistant Attorney Dennis McGrath. He explained that the ordinance referred to any property, including rental property, that had been contaminated by methamphetamine or other noxious substances to be cleaned up and receive a bill of good health by a trained and authorized clean-up company before  it can be occupied again.
  
  City manger Dan Galloway said the part of the intent was to assure people that health risks have been addressed at these properties.
  
  Vice Mayor Hopkins began a discussion about who was responsible for paying for the clean up. Councilor Scott said he supported the ordinance. Councilor Bartley agreed with the concept, but wanted to make sure the ordinance was the right solution for the problem.
  
  McGrath explained that government is responsible  for keeping residents safe, but the government can’t clean up private property. Currently, landlords are not required to notify renters if there had been contaminates on the property; this ordinance would ensure that the property was sealed until clean up was completed, explained McGrath.
  
• Request to make emergency repairs to “rock hanger” at Stillwater Regional Airport was approved.

Ordinances (Click here to read ordinances in full.)

• Ordinance No. 3152 (First Reading). An ordinance regarding remediation of chemically contaminated real property. Passed by all except Vice Mayor Hopkins who abstained.

• Ordinance No. 3151 (Second Reading). An ordinance to rezone a track of land at 1001 W. 12th Ave. Passed by all members of council.

Reports from Officers and Boards

• Galloway stated the Stillwater Regional Airport received a state grant to help fund improvements.
• Councilor Bartley congratulated Stillwater on its busy weekend.
• Mayor Bates made a correction that at last meeting, he didn’t mean to say that parking on the grass dragged sediment into the sewer system but drainage system.
• Mayor Bates wants to bring the “Healthy Community” program to the Wellness Committee and discuss with them the possibility of some type of semiannual walks or runs.

Council recessed for the SIRA Meeting.

Stillwater Industrial & Redevelopment Authority (SIRA) Oct. 3, 2011 Special Meeting

Meeting began with the approval of minutes for the Aug. 22 meeting.

The Board of Trustees then approved the consent docket.

Under General Orders, the Trustees approved the Business Development Incentive Agreement with GMRI, Inc. (parent company of Olive Garden) who is considering opening an Olive Garden in Stillwater. The proposal is a tax rebate agreement.


Trustee Bartley wants to see an overall city economic development plan.

SIRA meeting adjourned, and City Council recessed for executive session.

END

Recap by Sherry Fletcher, Marketing and Public Relations. 

*****

Next City Council Meeting: Monday, Oct. 17, 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.

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. 

******

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

*****

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  

*****

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.