August 18, 2020 City Commission Meeting

Announcements

• Expo Center Concerts: The Expo staff announced two upcoming concerts:
  • 📅 August 22nd: David Nail (country singer) will perform indoors. Tickets are available, and a Facebook contest is running for free tickets. Social distancing measures include "Tetris seating" (spread out, grouped in fours) and a modified meet-and-greet (Q&A, merchandise, no close contact).
  • 📅 August 28th: For King & Country (Christian concert) will be a drive-in event. Attendees can bring a car with up to five people, purchase a cooler pass for outside food, or enjoy food trucks.
• Animal Adoption Event: Shawnee Animal Welfare is holding an adoption event with waived adoption fees for fixed animals. A $25 deposit is required for unfixed animals to cover spay/neuter costs.
• Special Election: A special election will be held on 📅 January 12, 2021, for the One Gas Inc. franchise renewal.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Consent Agenda Approval: The Consent Agenda was ✅ Approved (6-0), with one item (related to Canadian Valley Electric) pulled due to a commissioner's potential conflict of interest. That item was then ✅ Approved separately (5-0, 1 abstention).
• Parks & Recreation Committee Appointment: Commissioner Weaver was ✅ Appointed to fill the City Commissioner role on the Parks and Recreation Committee (6-0).
• Motorola Credit Corporation Lease Renewal: A resolution approving the renewal of the lease agreement with Motorola Credit Corporation for the city's digital radio system was ✅ Approved (6-0). This marks the final payment of $320,827.60 for the system upgraded in 2013.
• One Gas Inc. Franchise Renewal Ordinance: An ordinance granting One Gas Inc. (Oklahoma Natural Gas Company) a 25-year non-exclusive franchise was ✅ Approved (6-0). This agreement maintains the city's current franchise rate, which is among the highest in Oklahoma. This ordinance will proceed to a special election for voter approval.
• Special Election for One Gas Inc. Franchise: A resolution calling for a special election on 📅 January 12, 2021, for the One Gas Inc. franchise ordinance was ✅ Approved (6-0). One Gas Inc. will cover the costs of this election. City staff emphasized the importance of this passing, as failure would reduce the city's franchise tax revenue from 4.25% to 2%.
• Rezoning for Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) at 1120 N Eliza Ave: An ordinance to rezone the property from R1 (Single-Family Residential) to R1 with a Conditional Use Permit for an ADU was ✅ Approved (6-0). The ADU, intended for family visits and not for rent, meets all city criteria regarding size, location, and design.
• Rezoning for Residential Subdivision on E 39th St: An ordinance to rezone property from A1 (Rural Agricultural) to PUD (Planned Unit Development) for a residential subdivision was ❌ Denied (6-0). This decision aligns with the Planning Commission's recommendation. Commissioners expressed concerns about the use of PUDs for standard residential development, the inadequacy of E 39th Street infrastructure, and the need to adhere to the city's Comprehensive Plan, which designates this area for high-density residential. The applicant may reapply for an R1 (single-family) zoning, which would require a new application and public notification process.
• Rezoning for 1018 W Benedict St: A public hearing and consideration of an ordinance to rezone property from C1 (Neighborhood Commercial) to C3 (Highway Commercial) was ✅ Deferred to the 📅 September 8th City Commission meeting (6-0) at the applicant's request.
• City Manager Pay Increase: Following an executive session, a motion to give the City Manager a 2.5% pay increase, effective on his one-year anniversary date, was ✅ Approved (5-1).
• Ward 1 City Commissioner Appointment: Daniel Matthews was ✅ Appointed as the City Commissioner for Ward 1 to complete the remainder of the term expiring in 2022 (6-0). He was subsequently sworn into office.

Financial Matters 💰

• Monthly Sales Tax and Budget Reports: The city's financial reports showed positive trends:
  • Sales Tax: August sales tax collections were 25.91% above projected budget, with year-to-date collections 26.56% above projected.
  • Use Tax: Use tax was 8.7% below projected for August but remains 4.61% up year-to-date. The decrease in August was attributed to citizens potentially shopping less online and more in local stores.
  • Budget: Both the SMA and General Fund budgets are performing well, sitting at 90-95% on track with no significant unexpected expenditures in July.

Public Comments

• Airport and Police Department Appreciation: One citizen thanked the airport staff for their work in reducing costs for runway and taxiway sealing, and also expressed gratitude to Chief Mason and the Shawnee Police Department for their excellent service.
• E 39th Street Rezoning (Residential Subdivision):
  • Concerns: Several residents from the Northridge 7 addition and surrounding areas voiced strong opposition to the proposed PUD, particularly against any multi-family development. Key concerns included:
    • Drainage: Fear of increased water runoff into existing ponds, which residents have invested significantly in maintaining.
    • Traffic: E 39th Street is currently inadequate for increased traffic, raising safety concerns, especially at the intersection with Northridge, and potential for speeding.
    • Property Values: Belief that apartments or higher-density housing would decrease surrounding property values and potentially increase crime.
    • Comprehensive Plan Notification: Residents felt they were not adequately notified about the city's Comprehensive Plan, which designated the area for high-density residential.
  • Support for R1: Many residents expressed a preference for R1 (single-family residential) zoning if the property were to be developed, believing it would better blend with the existing neighborhood.
  • Developer/Engineer Perspective: The developer and engineer clarified that the PUD was an attempt to balance the city's desire for higher density (as per the Comprehensive Plan) with the community's preference for single-family homes. They expressed willingness to pursue an R1 zoning and work with the city on road improvements, suggesting that new residential development could generate tax revenue to fund such upgrades.

Agenda Summary Table