November 7, 2023 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• Upcoming Election: A Geo Bond election is scheduled for 📅 November 14th, featuring numerous street projects. Citizens are encouraged to vote.
• Community Events Success: The recent Red Ribbon parade and Haunt Old Town events were a great success despite cold and rain.
  • Red Ribbon Parade School Winners: Central Elementary (1st), Central Junior High (2nd), Broadmoor Elementary (3rd).
  • General Float Contestants: Evans Agency (1st), More Animal Shelter (2nd), A Step Above School Dance (3rd).
• Vice Mayor's Farewell: Vice Mayor Mark Ham announced this would be his last council meeting after serving for over 11 years, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the city and work with staff and fellow council members.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Consent Docket Approved: The Council approved the minutes from the October 16th, 2023 City Council meeting and September 12th, 2023 Planning Commission meeting. They also approved the appointment of Gary Bird to the More Urban Renewal Authority and ratified claims and expenditures for FY 2023-24 totaling 💰 $7,665,795.13.
• Board Appointments:
  • Plumbing Board: The appointment of Greg Satterfield, Chris Jackson, James Hayes, and Megan Holman for a two-year term was ✅ Approved.
  • Electric Board: The appointment of Mark White, Tom Baker, Noah Garut, and Daryl Elrod for a two-year term was ✅ Approved.
  • Mechanical Board: The appointment of Frank Randall, Rodney J. Hadley, and Corey L. Stanley for a two-year term was ✅ Approved.
• Planning Commission Interview Committee: The Council ✅ Approved the appointment of Louis Williams, Melissa Hunt, and Kathy Griffith to an interview committee to fill an open seat on the Planning Commission.
• New Permitting & Licensing System: A contract with Gov Built for a new Permit, Land Use, Cemetery, and License Tracking System, including an online citizen portal, was ✅ Approved as a sole source provider. The total implementation cost is 💰 $124,000 with an annual subscription of 💰 $41,990. This system will replace Intergov, Tyler Cemetery, and Code 9 systems, streamlining operations and freeing up a server.
• DM Estates Preliminary Plat: The preliminary plat for DM Estates, located north of Southeast 4th Street and west of Sunny Lane Road, was ↔️ Tabled.
• Rezoning RZ-1036 (I-35 Commercial/Industrial): An application by CHI Oklahoma Real Estate Partners to rezone property north of Northeast 27th Street and east of I-35 from A2 Suburban Agriculture to C3 PUD General Commercial and I1 PUD Light Industrial was ✅ Approved, despite a Planning Commission recommendation for denial (4-3) due to traffic concerns. The approval is contingent upon the applicant providing a traffic mitigation plan with the first final plat of the industrial tract, addressing site distance limitations and public safety. The development includes amenities such as enhanced masonry, increased landscaping, and screening for outdoor storage.
• Envision More 2040 Plan Amendment #5: An amendment to change the comprehensive plan designation for property north of Northwest 24th Street and west of Janeway Avenue from Employment Mixed Use to Transitional Commerce was ✅ Approved.
• Rezoning RZ-1037 (Commercial Recreation): An application by Brent Irish to rezone property north of Northwest 24th Street and west of Janeway Avenue from C4 Planned Shopping Center to C5 Automotive and Commercial Recreation District was ✅ Approved. This allows for a commercial recreation business with indoor batting cages and an outdoor baseball diamond. Approval is contingent on lighting review to eliminate glare to residential properties and compliance with the city's noise ordinance for outdoor activities.
• Rezoning RZ-1038 (Neighborhood Commercial): An application by Frazna Development LLP to rezone property north of Southeast 19th Street and west of Sunny Lane Road from A1 Rural Agriculture to C2 Neighborhood Commercial District was ✅ Approved. This speculative development aligns with the Envision More 2040 plan for neighborhood commercial uses in an area anticipating significant residential growth.
• Bridge Inspection Responsibility: Resolution number 6923, concerning bridge inspection responsibility by local government for compliance with National Bridge Inspection Standards, was ✅ Approved. This authorizes the selection of a pre-qualified consultant to inspect the city's 28 bridges from 📅 April 1, 2024, through 📅 March 31, 2026.
• Fitness Equipment Lease Agreement: Option three of a lease agreement with Kansas State Bank for the purchase of fitness equipment for The Station expansion was ✅ Approved. The total cost over three years is 💰 $145,745.64, with annual payments of 💰 $48,581.88.
• Trash Receptacles Change Order: A change order totaling 💰 $31,074.62 to Lighthouse Recreation for the installation of 109 trash receptacles for all More parks was ✅ Approved.

Financial Matters

• FY 2023-24 Claims & Expenditures:
  • City Council: 💰 $7,665,795.13 (Approved as part of consent docket).
  • More Public Works Authority: 💰 $1,348,811.37 (Approved as part of consent docket).
• Gov Built System Contract: 💰 $124,000 for implementation and 💰 $41,990 annual subscription for a new permitting and licensing system.
• Police Vehicles:
  • Six Ford Police Interceptor Utility AWD SUVs: 💰 $286,944 (Purchase authorized, delivery expected to be delayed until 2025 models due to industry uncertainty).
  • Two 2024 Ford Explorer 4x4 base model SUVs (for detectives): 💰 $85,956.
• Repair Parts Management Program: Staff was ✅ Authorized to solicit proposals for a repair parts management program for city equipment and vehicle repair and replacement parts. This program aims to improve efficiency and achieve 15-20% cost savings on the city's annual 💰 $600,000 parts expenditure by contracting with a third-party provider who would manage inventory and provide a full-time parts person.
• Municipal Court Audio/Video System: The purchase and installation of an audio/video system for municipal courtrooms from Ford Audio Video Systems for 💰 $26,391 was ✅ Approved, using court technology funds. This includes new microphones, recording capabilities, and flat-panel displays to improve court proceedings and comply with new laws regarding appeals for court cost collection.
• Fund Transfer & Budget Adjustments: A fund transfer between streets and sanitation, an increase in the budget for technology fees, collection of available ARPA funding, budgeting project funds for North Moore Avenue improvements, and budgeting carryover CDBG monies were ✅ Approved.
• Traffic Signal Battery Backup Systems: The purchase of 15 battery backup systems for traffic signals from Paradigm Traffic Systems for 💰 $84,000 was ✅ Approved. These systems will provide up to five hours of backup power during outages, starting with the 19th Street corridor.
• Building Maintenance Vehicles:
  • 2023 Ford F-350 Crew Cab and chassis: 💰 $52,001.
  • 8-foot stall utility body for the F-350: 💰 $18,236.20.
  • Two 2024 Ford Transit Cargo Vans: 💰 $92,210 (total).
• Street Department Vehicles:
  • 2023 Diesel Ford F-550 Crew Cab and chassis: 💰 $68,992.
  • Utility and tool body for the F-550: 💰 $75,120.
  • 2023 Ford F-250 Crew Cab pickup truck: 💰 $51,587.
• Fleet Maintenance Vehicles:
  • 2023 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 4x4 truck: 💰 $52,332.
  • 2023 Ford F-250 Extended Cab 4x4 truck: 💰 $49,687.

Public Comments

• Tim Barnett (3612 Knight Street): Expressed concerns about city cleanliness and excessive spending. He specifically questioned the Urbansky project, raising concerns about animal displacement and the impact of development on natural habitats. He challenged the city's Christian-based values and stated his intention to reclaim land for animal welfare, claiming support from various individuals.

Agenda Summary Table