January 7, 2025 City Council Meeting

Moore City Council Meeting Summary – January 6th

Announcements

No specific announcements were made regarding upcoming events or deadlines.

Key Decisions & Votes

Rezoning Application RZ-1047 (Paintless Dent Repair)

The Council considered and approved rezoning application RZ-1047 for a property at 2879 North Hillcrest Avenue. The rezone changes the property from C3 General Commercial District to C3/PU General Commercial District with a permissive use for automotive equipment light, specifically allowing a paintless dent repair business. Staff recommended approval, noting the area's historical automotive use and no plans for new construction. Concerns about drainage for potential wash bays were addressed, confirming proper sewer protection would be required.

Final Plat of The Well Church

The Council approved the final plat for The Well Church, located north of Southeast 34th Street and east of Eastern Avenue. The plat is for the development of a church on a 2.9-acre vacant lot, currently zoned R1 single-family residential. Public water and sewer are available, and stormwater detention is provided. Access will be from Southeastern Avenue, with limits of no access along Eastern Avenue to prevent traffic congestion. Staff recommended approval contingent on a 10-foot wide multi-use trail along Eastern Avenue.

Appeal of Home Occupation Decision: Board to the Bone

The Council heard an appeal regarding a decision by the Community Development Director to limit Board to the Bone, a home-based doggy daycare, to four animals on the premises at any given time.

• Background: A complaint was filed alleging over 20 dogs per day, traffic congestion, and smells.
• Staff Findings: City staff conducted patrols and observed only four dogs being dropped off from three vehicles during peak hours. No barking, smells, or traffic congestion were observed. The reporting party does not live near the business, and no complaints from direct neighbors have been received.
• Legal Interpretation: The city attorney clarified that while the animal control ordinance limits ownership to four animals, the home occupation ordinance allows for kennels, which are an exception. Staff found no violations of the home occupation ordinance (e.g., noise, odors, traffic, signs).
• Public Comments: Several neighbors and customers spoke in strong support of Board to the Bone, praising the business for its lack of noise, odors, and traffic issues, and the exceptional care provided to the dogs.
• Decision: The Council voted to sustain the appeal, allowing Board to the Bone to continue operating as usual without the four-animal limit, noting that future issues (e.g., excessive noise, odor, traffic) would be addressed on a case-by-case basis under the home occupation ordinance.

Declaring Surplus Bulletproof Vests

The Council approved declaring 22 bulletproof vests as surplus and authorizing their donation to the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police. These vests are part of the annual replacement program for officers and will be provided to more rural and smaller agencies through a program that absolves the city of liability.

Resolution Supporting OTA Access Oklahoma Program

The Council adopted Resolution number 103-24, declaring support for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's (OTA) Access Oklahoma program. This program aims to improve and construct turnpike facilities near Moore. A significant benefit for the city is the OTA's agreement to pay 100% of the estimated $27 million cost to relocate the city's sewer line, which runs from the wastewater treatment plant to the river.

Financial Matters

💰 Budget Purchase: Handheld Portable Radios

The Council approved a budgeted purchase of 11 handheld portable radios and associated licensing and accessories from L3 Harris for $36,768.56. These radios are replacements for end-of-life units in the city's inventory.

💰 Budget Purchase: Fire Station Fitness Equipment

The Council approved a budgeted purchase of two treadmills, benches, and dumbbells from Core Health and Fitness for $25,697.88. This equipment will replace two beyond-repair treadmills and provide dumbbells for each fire station, supporting firefighter physical fitness.

💰 LED Lighting Upgrades (Grant Funded)

The Council approved a contract with Voss Electric Company (Voss Lighting) for $96,200 for LED lighting upgrades at the Moore Public Safety Center and the tennis courts at Buck Thomas Park. This project is fully funded by grant funds from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce's Energy Efficiency Lighting Retrofit Program.

💰 Emergency Police Dispatch Protocol System (Grant Funded)

The Council approved an agreement for $126,632 with Medical Priority Consultants Inc. (Priority Dispatch Corp.) for the implementation of the Emergency Police Dispatch Protocol System. This system, which provides step-by-step protocols for dispatchers, will complete the city's set of medical and fire protocols, enhancing emergency response. The implementation and training will be funded entirely by grant funds from the Oklahoma 911 Management Authority.

💰 Underground Vault and Storage Lease Agreement Addendum

The Council approved an addendum to the underground vault and storage lease agreement, modifying the monthly lease rate from 29 cents to 31 cents per cubic foot, effective 📅 January 1st, 2025. The city noted significant savings in 2024 compared to initial projections, with actual costs at approximately $2,290.

💰 457B/401A Retirement Plan Group Annuity Contract

The Council approved a group annuity contract with Standard Insurance Company for investment services in its Apex guaranteed fixed interest fund for the city's 457B deferred compensation plan and 401A retirement plan. This move, necessitated by the transfer of the plan to Voya Financial, addresses a market value adjustment fee from the previous provider. Standard Insurance Company will pay the fee upfront and recover costs by reducing the fund's gross interest rate by 1.45% annually for up to 8.5 years. This change is projected to generate an additional $3,600 in annual interest for participants.

💰 Interim Part-Time Public Works Director Services

The Moore Public Works Authority approved an agreement with Dennis Bothol, an independent contractor, for interim part-time Public Works Director services at $1,500 per week. Mr. Bothol has a three-year history of consulting with the city's fleet maintenance and extensive experience from the City of Lawton's Public Works Department. The city manager indicated a search for a full-time director would begin quickly.

💰 Delta Dental Plan Administrative Fee Increase

The Moore Public Works Authority approved an addendum to the Delta Dental Plan for the Oklahoma Administrative Service Agreement, modifying the administrative fee from $6.70 to $7.90 per subscriber per month, effective 📅 January 1st, 2025. This is the first change to this agreement in approximately four years.

Public Comments

• Item 5 (Board to the Bone Appeal): Several citizens, including neighbors and customers, spoke in favor of Board to the Bone, attesting to the business's quiet operation, lack of odor, and minimal traffic impact.
• Item 18 (Citizens Forum): No citizens signed up or spoke during the Citizens Forum.

Agenda Summary Table