May 20, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• National Public Works Week: The week of 📅 May 18th through 24th, 2025, was officially declared National Public Works Week. The Public Works Director invited all to a barbecue on Friday at 512 Northwest 27th Street to celebrate public works personnel.
• Special Election Date: A special election will be held on 📅 August 12th, 2025, for citizens to vote on the proposed Hotel Motel Room Tax increase and several City Charter amendments.
• Big Trash Pickups: Scheduling for big trash pickups is now back to within a one-week timeframe.
• Historic Rail Secured: The City has secured 200 feet of historic railroad track from BNSF, dating back to 1912, for future display in the planned Old Town Park or for museum use.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Consent Docket Items: All items on the consent docket (A through E) were approved by a 6-0 vote.
• Hotel Motel Room Tax Increase: Ordinance 1065-25, which amends the city's Hotel Motel Room Tax Ordinance to increase the tax from 5% to 8%, was approved (6-0 vote). The additional 3% revenue will be allocated for park development, improvement, replacement, and maintenance of park equipment, or for public transportation. This increase will be put to a public vote.
• Special Election for Hotel Motel Tax: Resolution 108-25, authorizing a special election on 📅 August 12th, 2025, for registered voters to approve or reject the proposed hotel motel tax increase, was approved (6-0 vote).
• Rezoning Application RZ-1049 (Planned Unit Development):
  • An amendment to the PUD design statement for a property north of Southwest 34th Street and east of Santa Fe Avenue was approved (5-1 vote). This amendment specifically reduces the allowed uses to C3 General Commercial District by right, in addition to light automotive repair (e.g., oil changes, tire rotations), and mandates that six of the ten required trees for the lot be evergreens, at least 20 feet tall at maturity, placed within the eastern landscape buffer, and served by an automatic irrigation system.
  • The rezoning application RZ-1049 itself, changing the property from C3 General Commercial District to C3 PUD Commercial District, was subsequently approved (5-1 vote) with the adopted amendments.
• City Charter Amendments: Resolution 109-25, proposing several amendments to the City Charter and calling a special election for 📅 August 12th, 2025, was approved (6-0 vote). Notable amendments include:
  • Increasing the Mayor's salary from $200 to $500 and Council members' salaries from $100 to $200, effective for their next terms.
  • Raising the threshold for the sale of city property requiring resident approval from $25,000 to $75,000.
  • Revising the designation of the City Clerk's role and officially designating the Finance Director as the City Treasurer.
  • Removing the personnel board and extending classified service designation for certain employees.
  • Establishing specific qualifications for Council members, including U.S. and Oklahoma citizenship, being at least 25 years old, and one year of residency/voter registration within the city or respective ward.
• Special Election Notification for Charter Amendments: Resolution 110-25, formally notifying the Cleveland County Election Board of the 📅 August 12th, 2025, special election for the proposed City Charter amendments, was approved (6-0 vote).

Financial Matters 💰

• Hotel Motel Room Tax Increase: The Council approved an ordinance to increase the hotel motel room tax from 5% to 8%. This change, if approved by voters in August, will provide additional funds for park development or public transportation.
• Calcium Hypochlorite Purchase: A contract with Sunbelt Pools for the purchase of calcium hypochlorite, used at the Aquatic Center, was approved for $13,182 per three-pallet shipment. This bulk purchase aims to save on shipping costs.
• Annual Financial Statements Contract: A contract with Crawford and Associates for an estimated $50,000 was approved for the preparation of the city's annual financial statements for Fiscal Year 2025 and to provide financial services on special projects as needed.
• Proposed Salary Increases: Charter amendments, if approved by voters, would increase the Mayor's salary from $200 to $500 and Council members' salaries from $100 to $200, effective for their next terms.
• City Property Sale Threshold: Proposed charter amendments would raise the limit for city property sales requiring resident approval from $25,000 to $75,000.

Public Comments & Council Member Feedback

• Police Department Achievements: A Council member commended Police Chief Gibson and the Police Department for the recent swearing-in of five new police recruits who graduated from Cley, noting their excitement and the Mayor's address. The Mayor further praised the department's high standards and effectiveness, stating Moore's law enforcement compares well with larger cities.
• Citizen Concerns (via Council Member): A Council member brought attention to:
  • Several dead trees on Eastern Avenue between Southeast 4th and 19th Streets, requesting staff to investigate potential warranties.
  • Trash not being collected after mowing on Eastern Avenue between Northeast 27th and Northeast 12th Streets.
• Rezoning Applicant's Address: Larry Battison of Battison Properties, the applicant for the rezoning of RZ-1049, addressed concerns about potential noise and traffic from the proposed light automotive repair shop. He assured the Council that the facility would be fully enclosed and air-conditioned, minimizing noise, and that traffic generation would be minimal compared to other commercial establishments.

Agenda Summary Table