September 17, 2019 City Commission Meeting

Announcements

• 📅 Walking School Buses: Completed their first week with 1,561 participants walking a collective 787.2 miles, achieving 10% of their goal to Japan. Six schools are participating.
• 📅 Cyclists on Broadway: From September 22nd through 29th, cyclists will be actively riding on Broadway to increase visibility for residents and patrons.
• Broadway Marquee Project: Received positive feedback, including an email from a 90-year resident expressing 100% support for the project and street improvements.
• County Fair: Reported good attendance, with the Fire Department well-represented on Saturday morning.
• Sunny Forwards Tasty Affair: The annual fundraiser at the expo was a great event.
• Lions Club Park: Appreciation was extended to the Lions Club for their hard work in rehabilitating the park property.
• Police and Fire Guns and Hoses Golf Tournament: A successful fundraiser and enjoyable event.

Public Comments

• Vaping Concerns: A citizen, Chuck, addressed the Commission regarding the alarming rise in vaping-related illnesses (over 300) and deaths (6 reported). He cited a pulmonologist's view that vaping is clinically more dangerous than cigarette smoking and challenged the Commission to draft ordinances to severely limit access and use of vaping products in the community. Commissioners later echoed these concerns, acknowledging the state's pre-emptive laws but expressing a desire for strong local action.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Consent Agenda Approval: The consent agenda, which typically includes routine administrative items, was ✅ Approved unanimously.
• Rezone Property at 306 East 45th Street: An ordinance to rezone property from A1 Rural Agricultural to C3 Highway Commercial District for commercial development (Case P-1519) was ✅ Approved. The Planning Department and Commission recommended approval, noting compatibility with the 2005 comprehensive plan and adjacent C3 zoning. No letters of support or opposition were received.
• Final Plat for Domino Plaza Addition Section Two: The final plat for commercial retail development at the southeast corner of North Harrison Avenue and John C. Bruton Boulevard (Case Z-0719) was ✅ Approved. The plat was amended from three lots to two for builder flexibility.
• Preliminary Plat for Cardinal Point: A preliminary plat for a single-family and commercial development north of East 45th Street (Case S-0219) was ✅ Approved. The development will be in two phases, with 39 residential lots in Phase 1 and 44 in Phase 2, featuring houses priced from $175,000 to $225,000.
• Police Department Vehicle Surplus (Scrap): A resolution to declare certain Police Department vehicles surplus property and authorize their sale for scrap was ✅ Approved. These vehicles had been stripped for parts.
• Police Department Vehicle Surplus (Auction/Disposal): A resolution to declare certain Police Department vehicles surplus property and authorize their sale at auction or disposal at the city's discretion was ✅ Approved. These vehicles may still fetch some money at auction.
• Police Department Vehicle Surplus (Donation to OBU PD): A resolution to declare an older Police Department ambulance surplus property and authorize its donation to the Oklahoma Baptist University Police Department, or disposal if not accepted, was ✅ Approved.
• Revised Emergency Operation Plan Adoption: A resolution adopting the revised Emergency Operation Plan (EOP) for the City of Shawnee was ✅ Approved. This plan is required by state and federal laws, defines preparedness and response steps for community hazards, and sets the stage for long-term recovery. It was developed through extensive stakeholder review and will be reviewed annually.

Financial Matters

• 💰 Monthly Sales Tax and Budget Report: The report indicated that sales tax revenue is 2.2% above the projected year-to-date budget. Use tax continues to come in "extremely high" at 63.36%. The general fund has 82% of its budget remaining, and the Water Utility/Shawnee Municipal Authority budget has 92% remaining, with no major concerns noted.

Agenda Summary Table