February 19, 2020 City Commission Meeting

Council Notes: City of Shawnee Council Meeting Summary

📅 Announcements

• Budget Season Approaching: The City Council will be reviewing budgets and line items in the next 60 days.
• Ward 2 Election: Commissioner Gillen announced that Ward 2 will be open for election in June. Commissioner Herod also announced his intention to run for re-election.

Public Comments

Several citizens addressed the Council, primarily focusing on the proposed Broadway Street project and other infrastructure concerns:

• Broadway Project Concerns:
  • Jim Greenfield questioned the influence of Blue Zones (a for-profit company) on the Broadway project, noting the proposed design firm is Blue Zones approved. He urged commissioners with Blue Zones connections to abstain from voting.
  • Linda Agee raised concerns about transparency regarding the Broadway project's bid, noting a lack of dollar figures or low-bid information in the memorandum. She also highlighted past financial issues, including $7 million transferred from the street fund, delayed 45th Street improvements, and sales tax funds for 45th Street being reallocated to the Kickapoo Street project.
  • LaDonna Bryce opposed the Broadway project, citing concerns about residents being forced to park in their yards and the city's existing issues with crime and homelessness. She mentioned that Cedar Rapids and Marion, Iowa, dropped their Blue Zones contracts due to cost and questioned Blue Zones' bike path requirements.
  • Glen Peck expressed concern about the process, stating Blue Zones had "hypnotized" the city. He questioned if the "Blue Zones community" designation was worth the cost and inconvenience, suggesting funds should address potholes and lighting in other areas.
  • Rob Morris argued the Broadway project is a poor use of funds, advocating for investment in critical infrastructure like drainage and old pipes. He also questioned the proposed increase in dispensary licensing fees, asking for a detailed cost-benefit analysis.
• Development & Infrastructure Concerns:
  • Carrie McIntyre voiced concerns about the rezoning for the National Institute on Developmental Delays (NIDD) campus at Bryant and 45th Street, specifically regarding potential traffic impact on 45th Street and the single access point for the Enchanted Forest subdivision.
  • Chuck Glaive (New Beginnings Church) addressed the Hyatt Edition Section 4 preliminary plat, reminding the Council of a 2013 requirement for the developer to pave half of 42nd Street and extend Hyatt Boulevard to create a second access point. He noted 42nd Street was designated a collector street in 2006 and an easement was accepted in 2007, but the Planning Commission recently deemed the paving not a current requirement. He emphasized the safety risk of 120 homes having only one access point.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Approval of Proposal with Young Strategies for Tourism Analysis: The Council approved a proposal with Young Strategies Inc. for a tourism lodging market analysis, visitor profile research, and strategic planning. The contract amount is $37,650, funded by hotel-motel tax dollars. This aims to create a comprehensive marketing plan for the city's tourism department. ✅ Approved (7-0)
• Rezoning for National Institute on Developmental Delays (NIDD) Campus: The Council approved an ordinance to rezone 40.08 acres located west of the northwest corner of East 45th Street and North Bryan Avenue from A1 Rural Agricultural District to PUD Planned Unit Development. The proposed campus will serve as a retreat center for families with children with developmental disabilities, offering horse therapy and potentially a children's museum and indoor pool open to the public. Former Governor Brad Henry spoke in favor, noting his family's personal connection to the program and donating the land. ✅ Approved (7-0)
• Rezoning for Commercial Development: An ordinance to rezone 0.11 acres located east of the northeast corner of North Harrison Avenue and East Whittaker Street from R2 Combined Residential District to C3 Highway Commercial District was approved. This will allow the property owner to combine it with adjacent commercial lots for future commercial development. ✅ Approved (7-0)
• Rezoning for Cell Tower with Conditional Use Permit: The Council approved an ordinance to rezone 0.29 acres at 1310 North Kickapoo Avenue from C3 Highway Commercial District to C3 Highway Commercial District with a Conditional Use Permit for an AT&T cell tower. The tower will serve as a first responder tower and improve data/wireless service. The design is self-collapsing within the compound, addressing previous safety concerns. ✅ Approved (6-0, 1 abstention)
• Preliminary Plat for Hyatt Edition Section 4: The preliminary plat for Hyatt Edition Section 4, located east of North Harrison Avenue and south of East 45th Street, was approved. This phase includes 25 additional single-family residential lots on 6.57 acres. Staff noted that while a previous developer had plans for 42nd Street access, the current phase does not include lots adjacent to 42nd Street, so road improvements are not currently mandated by ordinance. ✅ Approved (7-0)
• Final Plat for Robin Hills South Addition: The final plat for Robin Hills South Addition, located on the southeast corner of Bryan Avenue and East Main Street, was approved. This three-acre development will include a cul-de-sac extension and be home to Shawnee's second Friendship House, run by the Community Renewal nonprofit, along with additional housing units by the Absentee Tribe. ✅ Approved (7-0)
• Ordinance Amending Zoning Code for A1 Districts: An ordinance amending portions of the city's zoning code (Chapter 22, Article 7) to revise dimensional standards for minimum lot width and minimum street frontage requirements within A1 Rural Agricultural Districts was approved. This "housekeeping" measure aims to prevent future issues with illegal non-conforming lots and ensure appropriate infrastructure for property splits. An emergency clause was also approved. ✅ Approved (7-0)
• Upgrade and Replace City Outdoor Warning System: The Council approved the bid from Federal Signal Corporation for $309,509.73 to upgrade and replace the city's outdoor warning system. Federal Signal Corporation was the lowest bidder and met all specifications. ✅ Approved (7-0)
• Shawnee Police Department Architects Project: The Council approved the bid from WL McNab for $2,443,000 for the Shawnee Police Department architects project. WL McNab was the lowest bidder. ✅ Approved (7-0)
• Broadway Street Project Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Award: The Council approved awarding the RFQ for the Broadway Street project to Freese Nichols. This decision allows the city to engage Freese Nichols for design and engineering services. The initial phase, focusing on concepts and community engagement, is estimated to be funded by a $600,000 50/50 grant with the Avitus Foundation. The total project cost is estimated around $1.2 million, with design/engineering potentially up to 20% of the total. The vote was contentious, with commissioners debating fiscal responsibility, the timing of the project versus other street needs (like 45th Street), and the potential impact on residents (e.g., parking). Staff emphasized that this vote only selects the firm for contract negotiation and design, with no final design or full project cost committed yet. ✅ Approved (4-3)
• Airport Authority: Agreement with H.W. Lochner Inc. for Runway/Taxiway Resurfacing: The Airport Authority approved an agreement with H.W. Lochner Inc. for engineering services related to the resurfacing of runways and taxiways at the Shawnee Airport. The engineering contract is for $273,100, with an estimated construction cost of $993,299. The project is FAA-funded, including an extra $765,000 discretionary grant. ✅ Approved (7-0)

💰 Financial Matters

• Budget Amendments: The Council approved several budget amendments:
  • General Fund: Adjustments for personnel movements and other fiscal year changes.
  • Hotel-Motel Fund: Updating the Department of Tourism budget to reflect changes since August 2019, including funding for grants and advertising.
  • Capital Improvement Fund: Budgeting for Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group funding for body cameras, SP and SPF, and burn grant funds for two motorcycles.
  • Street Improvement Fund: Providing for an Oklahoma Department of Transportation payment for Phase One of the Kickapoo Street project (McArthur to Kickapoo Spur).
  • All budget amendments were approved (7-0).
• Monthly Sales Tax and Budget Report: The monthly report indicated that sales tax revenue was down 8.67% for the month but remained up 4.39% year-to-date. Use tax continued to perform strongly, up 43.64% for the month and up 49.7% year-to-date.

Agenda Summary Table