Meeting Recap: December 12, 2011

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

Minutes for the meeting held Dec. 5 was approved by all.

Consent Docket.

• 2012 City Council meeting schedule. (The schedule is officially submitted to the State of Oklahoma.)
  
  Members of City Council discussed the proposed schedule, which called for two regular meetings a month (1^st and 3^rd Mondays), and if Monday is a holiday it would be moved to the following Thursday. Study sessions would be scheduled as special meetings—not regular meetings.
  
  Council discussed whether it was better to schedule study sessions and cancel them, or whether to schedule them as special meetings as necessary.
  
  In the end, Council John Bartley made a motion to approve the City Council meeting schedule as proposed, but asked for study sessions to be held at least quarterly. It passed 3 to 2. (Mayor Nathan Bates and Councilor Cody Scott voted against the motion.)

Public Comments on Agenda Items not Schedule for Public Hearing

• Four residents made comments concerning Ordinance No. 3156, which pertains to advisory boards and committees. They expressed their views concerning term limits and the need for an oath of office.

General Orders

• External Services Director John McClenny made a video presentation about the City’s pilot program that used goats for vegetation maintenance. He said the pilot program was deemed successful and that goats could be used to control vegetation in places such as Boomer Lake Dam and various rights-of-way. He indicated that staff would be coming back to Council to discuss ordinance changes that would allow those in city limits to used goats in this manner.
• Development Services Operations Director Paula Dennison presented a brief report about Resolution No.  CC-2011-16, which concerns using alternatives to asphalt and concert (permeable materials like gravel) for parking citywide.
• Authorize City Manager to pay one-time, lump sum payment to city employees. City Manager Dan Galloway said this was the third straight year without a cost-of-living adjustment. Council Joe Weaver reminded Council that when the budget was discussed earlier in the year, they wanted to make a mid-term adjustment, if it was financially possible. All agreed to make a one-time payment of $1,250 for regular full-time employees and $625 for regular part-time employees. Galloway thanked the Council on behalf of city staff.
  

Resolutions (Click here to read resolutions in full.)

• Resolution  No. CC-2011-16. A resolution that authorizes the mayor to sign and issue an election proclamation calling for a primary and general election. Approved by all.
•  Resolution  No. CC-2011-17. A resolution that amends the City’s Design and Construction Standards for driveways and parking areas. Approved by all.

Ordinances (Click here to read resolutions in full.)

• Ordinance No. 3156 (First Reading). An ordinance amending Chapter 2, Administration of Stillwater City Code, concerning advisory boards. The Council clarified that advisory board members are not officers and, therefore, are not required to take the State’s oath of office. Councilor Chuck Hopkins pointed out that removing term limits doesn’t mean that City Council has to keep reappointing them. The issue is that some boards have specific skills or knowledge and that if members are willing to serve they should have that option. The Council voted to table the ordinance until the Jan. 5 meeting.

Reports from Officers & Boards

• City Attorney requested an executive session.
• Councilor Joe Weaver asked about agenda items for the Dec. 19 meeting. It was agreed to cancel the meeting because the items were either not ready or could be postponed for a later meeting.

Council recessed for the SUA Meeting.  

Stillwater Utilities Authority Meeting Dec. 12, 2011

The meeting began with the approval of minutes for Dec. 5. Approved by all members of the authority.

Consent Docket

• Two items (the 2012 meeting schedule and purchase of a bucket truck) was approved by all.

SUA recessed for the City Council Meeting, which then recessed to an executive session.

END

Recap by Sherry Fletcher, Marketing and Public Relations.  

*****

Next City Council Meeting: Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, 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: December 5, 2011

(Stillwater, Okla. / Posted Dec. 7, 2011) — The Stillwater City Council met Monday, Dec. 5, 2011, for a regular meeting. 

Minutes for the meeting held Nov. 21 was approved by all.

Consent Docket.

• Both items were approved by all.

Public Hearings.

• Special Planner Patty Evans presented a request for a Specific Use Permit by Quench Buds (139 S. Duck) to sell low point beer. It was approved by all.
• Special Planner Patty Evans presented a request to build a single-family home in Brook Hollow Court, which is zoned Multi-Family. Evans said there were other single-family homes in the neighborhood and that this was the last lot to be developed. It was approved by all.
• A continuation from the Nov. 7 meeting for 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. Councilor Joe Weaver asked if there could be an interpretive, historical display on the property and the developer said they were open to the idea. Washington School representative Karen Washington spoke about the importance of the school to Stillwater’s black community. Weaver moved to approve the zoning change. The vote originally failed 3 to 2 (Hopkins, Bartley and Scott voted no). However, the council had a “do over” and tabled the zoning request subject to call. Councilor John Bartley said he believed the parties could reach and agreement.
• Continued discussion for the Preliminary Planned Unit Development for a multi-family complex at 315 S. Hester and 614/625 W. 4th Avenue. (The public hearing was held Oct. 3 and tabled subject to call.)   Public comments from Oct. 3 included concerns about infrastructure, parking, size, density, lack of green space. The developers addressed most of the concerns, including wider sidewalks, additional bike racks, deeper set back and a pet waste area, but there was still concerns about parking. Councilor Chuck Hopkins said he would prefer to address the topic following a development study for the area southeast of campus. There was a motion from Councilor Weaver to approve the PUD and it passed 3 to 2 (Scott and Hopkins voted no).

Resolutions (Click here to read resolutions in full.)

• Resolution CC-2011-17. A resolution to support a housing tax credit application by Legacy Senior Residences. Passed by all members of council.

Appointments:

• Rebecca Chavez was appointed to the Board of Drainage Appeals.

Council recessed for the SUA Meeting.

Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) Dec. 5, 2011

Meeting began with the approval of minutes for the Nov. 21 regular meeting. The Board of Trustees then approved the consent docket.

General Orders.

• Rural Water Corp #3 Quarterly Report was presented in a written document.
• Water Utilities Director Anthony Daniel made a presentation about a contract for the Kaw Pipeline inspection and evaluation. He explained there were three possible phases, depending on the results of each phase. The project, if all three phases were necessary, would take three years. City Manager Dan Galloway said the inspection was a good investment for citizens. The first report is due May 1, 2012.
• Waste Management services proposals and recommendation. This item was tabled at the Nov. 21 meeting and brought back tonight. Following a discussion, the Trustees were asked to vote on staff recommendation to reject the bid proposal. It passed 4 to 1 (Trustee Nathan Bates voted to accept the proposal.)

Council recessed for the SIRA Meeting.

Stillwater Industrial and Redevelopment Authority (SIRA) Dec. 5, 2011

The only item was approval of the 2012 SIRA meeting schedule.

Meeting adjourned.

END

Recap by Sherry Fletcher, Marketing and Public Relations. 

*****

Next City Council Meeting: Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at 5:30 p.m.  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: Nov. 21, 2011

SUA Discussion:  Waste Management services proposals and recommendations

(Stillwater, Okla. / Posted Nov. 22 , 2011) — The Stillwater City Council met Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, for a regular meeting. Councilor John Bartley was absent

Mayor Nathan Bates began the meeting with a moment of silence to honor OSU coach Kurt Budke, assistant coach Miranda Serna who were killed in plane crash last week.

Minutes for meetings held Oct. 28, Nov. 7, Nov. 10 and Nov. 16 were approved by all.

Consent Docket.

Item C (Lease Amendment with Hangar 1 Flight Center) was pulled off the Consent Docket by Council Cody Scott. All other items were approved.

Stillwater Regional Airport Director Gary Johnson explained that the monthly lease rate is currently around $450. There will be a CPI increase if there are adjustments.

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. 3154 (Second Reading).   An ordinance concerning rezoning of a track of land at 750 S. Country Club Road from CG-PUD, Commercial General Planned Unit Development to RSS-PUD, Small Lot Single-Family Planned Unit Development. Passed by all members of council.
• Ordinance No. 3155 (Second Reading).   An ordinance rezoning a tract of land located at  412 South Walnut Street from RSS, Small Lot Single-Family Residential District, to RSS-PUD. Small Lot Single-Family Planned Unit Development.

Reports from Officers & Boards.

• Councilor Scott explained his vote on the Will Rogers Elementary School land swap. He voted against it by mistake.
• Mayor remained people to be careful driving during the holidays.

Council recessed for the SUA Meeting.  

Stillwater Utilities Authority Meeting Nov. 21, 2011

The meeting began with the approval of minutes for Nov. 7. Passed by all members of the authority. Trustee John Bartley was absent.

Consent Docket.

Trustee Hopkins asked to remove Item B. David Higgins later explained he wanted to rebid the trucks. The Trustee approved the re-bid and Item A, which concerned the purchase of the digger derrick truck.

General Orders

Discussion about the Waste Management services proposals and recommendations. Residents expressed opinions about curbside recycling and landfill volume. Republic Services (Allied Waste) was the only bid on the contract. Councilor Joe Weaver and Vice Mayor Chuck Hopkins voted to reject the bid, and Mayor Bates and Council Scott cited a need for more time and information. The item was tabled for the Dec. 5 meeting.

Meeting adjourned.

END

Recap by Sherry Fletcher, Marketing and Public Relations.  

*****

Next City Council Meeting: Monday, Dec. 5, 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.

Special Meeting Recap: Nov. 10, 2011

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

• Ordinance No. 3154 (First Reading). An ordinance concerning rezoning of a track of land at 750 S. Country Club Road from CG-PUD, Commercial General Planned Unit Development to RSS-PUD, Small Lot Single-Family Planned Unit Development. Passed by all members of council.
  
• Ordinance No. 3154 (First Reading). An ordinance concerning rezoning of a track of land at 750 S. Country Club Road from CG-PUD, Commercial General Planned Unit Development to RSS-PUD, Small Lot Single-Family Planned Unit Development. Passed by all members of council.

• Ordinance No. 3153 (Second 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, except Councilor Cody Scott.

General Orders

• Approve contract and lease agreement for the sale of a portion of land at 1299 N. Washington Street. Passed by all members of council, except Councilor Cody Scott.
• Approve the purchase of a portion of land at 1299 N. Washington Street. Passed by all members of council, except Councilor Cody Scott.

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: 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 

 

 

*****

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.