August 5, 2020 City Commission Meeting

📅 Announcements

• National Health Center Week is recognized from 📅 August 9-15, 2020, celebrating the comprehensive and affordable healthcare provided by Community Health Centers of Oklahoma.
• Shawnee Animal Welfare is seeking volunteers, and Kobe the cat is available for adoption with a $5 fee.

Public Comments

Citizens voiced concerns on several key issues:

• Mask Mandate: One resident expressed concerns that the mask mandate infringes on personal rights, questioned its scientific efficacy, and stated it has created disunity and negatively impacted local businesses.
• Shawnee Twin Lakes Buoys: Multiple lake lot owners raised issues regarding the removal of buoys:
  • No Ski Buoys: Removed from the Patterson Road bridge area, creating potential hazards due to underwater obstacles. Residents requested their replacement for safety and to protect the city from liability.
  • No Wake Buoys: Removed from the western end of the lake, leading to increased shoreline erosion, sedimentation, and a reduction in the lake's water pool. Residents advocated for their reinstatement to protect the lake's integrity.
  • Boat Permit Enforcement: Concerns were raised about unpermitted boats on the lake causing large wakes and a perceived lack of enforcement by city officers.

💰 Financial Matters

• City Financial Performance (Performator) Presentation: Frank Crawford of Crawford Associates presented the city's financial health report for the year ending June 30, 2019. The city achieved an overall score of 7.1 out of 10, a significant improvement from 4.8 in 2018.
  • Financial Performance: 9.6 (rated near excellent).
  • Financial Position (health): 3.9 (climbing from 2.0 in the previous year).
  • Sustainability/Capability: 7.5.
  • It was noted that the city has no general obligation debt and recently implemented a half-penny sales tax.
• Water and Sanitary Sewer Rates: A resolution was approved to increase water and sanitary sewer rates by 2.21%, based on the Consumer Price Index. This will result in an estimated 81-cent monthly increase for the minimum bill, effective 📅 October 1, 2020. This increase was delayed from March 1st.
• Solid Waste Services (Sanitation) Rates: A resolution was approved to increase monthly rates for solid waste services, covering increased costs from the contract with Central Disposal.
  • Large poly cart rates will increase by $2.95 (from $17.89 to $20.84).
  • Small poly cart rates will increase by $1.95 (from $14.39 to $16.34).
  • These changes are effective 📅 October 1, 2020.
• General Fund Budget Amendment: A budget amendment was approved to incorporate a Department of Justice grant designated for COVID-19 related supplies for the police department, including overtime, face shields, generators, N95 masks, hand sanitizer, and a decon shower.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Consent Agenda (City Council): All routine administrative items were ✅ Approved (5-0).
• Water and Sanitary Sewer Rates Resolution: The resolution to adjust rates was ✅ Approved (5-0).
• Solid Waste Services Rates Resolution: The resolution to adjust sanitation rates was ✅ Approved (5-0).
• Chapter 28 (Wells, Oil and Gas) Ordinance: An ordinance amending portions of the city code to ensure compliance with state law and administrative regulations was ✅ Approved (5-0). Key changes include extending the well application submission period from 20 to 60 days and allowing the city to use an entity's bond to plug abandoned wells.
• Emergency Clause for Chapter 28 Ordinance: The emergency clause for the oil and gas ordinance was ✅ Approved (5-0), allowing for immediate enactment.
• Budget Amendment for General Fund: The budget amendment to incorporate the DOJ grant for COVID-19 supplies was ✅ Approved (5-0).
• Consent Agenda (Airport Authority): Routine items for the Airport Authority were ✅ Approved (5-0).
• Consent Agenda (Municipal Authority): Routine items for the Municipal Authority were ✅ Approved (5-0).
• Executive Session: The council voted to enter into an executive session to discuss evaluations of the City Manager and City Treasurer, which was ✅ Approved (5-0).
• Post-Executive Session Action: Following the executive session, the council ✅ Approved (5-0) a motion to delegate the City Treasurer's evaluation to the City Manager and authorize the Mayor to prepare and consolidate the City Manager's evaluation for review at the next meeting.
• Appointment of Ward 1 City Commissioner: A motion to appoint Rex Hennen to fill the vacant Ward 1 City Commissioner position for the remainder of the term (expiring 2022) ❌ Failed (3-2). The decision on the Ward 1 appointment was ➡️ Deferred to the next commission meeting on 📅 August 17th (3-2).

Agenda Summary Table