August 6, 2019 City Commission Meeting

Announcements

• Pet of the Week: Icy, a 2-3 year old fixed Pitbull mix, is available for adoption. Adoption fees are $10 for in-city residents and $5 for those outside city limits.
• Upcoming Events:
  • Shawnee Stock: Next Friday (date not specified, but "the week from Friday this time").
  • Cops and Kids: 📅 August 24th at 1:00 PM at the Expo.

Public Comments

• Representatives from Senior Citizens of Shawnee Incorporated announced their dissolution and presented a $15,000 grant from the Arvest Foundation to the city. These funds are specifically designated for the flooring project at the Shawnee Senior Center.

Key Decisions & Votes

City Manager Appointments & Contracts

• The Commission approved a resolution establishing the compensation for City Manager William Chance Allison. ✅ Approved 7-0.
• A contract with City Manager William Chance Allison was approved, formalizing his employment terms. Discussion included a clause regarding a minimum 40-hour work week. ✅ Approved 7-0.
• William Chance Allison was officially sworn in as the City Manager.

Board Appointments

• Rachel Milo was appointed by the Mayor to fill a vacant position on the Planning Commission. Ms. Milo, an entrepreneur with a background in construction, emphasized her experience with local planning departments and her involvement in the comprehensive plan steering board. ✅ Approved 5-0 with 2 abstentions.
• Randall J. Rogers was appointed by the Mayor to fill a vacant position on the Airport Advisory Board. Mr. Rogers is a private pilot, airport tenant, and mechanical engineer. ✅ Approved 7-0.

New City Ordinance: Towing Services

• An ordinance amending Chapter 8 of the City Code was approved, creating Article 4 for municipal regulation of wrecker and towing services within city limits. This aims to restrict out-of-town wreckers for police-initiated calls, addressing issues with extended wait times, but will not impact private business. Existing services are grandfathered in unless they fail to meet new criteria. ✅ Approved 7-0.

Senior Center Flooring Project

• The Commission awarded a bid of $36,000 to Bryan's Flooring for the Senior Center flooring project. The project will be partially funded by the half-cent temporary sales tax and supplemented by the $15,000 grant from Senior Citizens of Shawnee Inc. and the Arvest Foundation. ✅ Approved 7-0.

Water and Wastewater System Improvements

• The City Commission approved a resolution confirming the Shawnee Municipal Authority's action to pursue financing with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) for the rehabilitation of the city's water treatment plant and two wastewater plants. The financing is expected to be a 30-year loan at approximately 2.1% interest. ✅ Approved 7-0.
• The Shawnee Municipal Authority (SMA) approved filing an application with the OWRB for financial assistance through both the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan programs. ✅ Approved 7-0.
• The SMA further approved and authorized a Clean Water SRF loan from the OWRB for up to $37,920,000 for the water and wastewater treatment system improvements, including the issuance of a promissory note and related agreements. This major project follows approximately three years of study and engineering recommendations. ✅ Approved 7-0.
• The SMA approved Task Order #2 with CH Guernsey and Company for engineering services for the stabilization of the Shawnee Water Treatment Plant residual lagoon. This addresses recurring issues with the lagoon due to rainfall and its proximity to the river, with commissioners emphasizing the need to explore long-term solutions beyond temporary repairs. ✅ Approved 7-0.

Financial Matters 💰

• A $15,000 grant from the Arvest Foundation, facilitated by Senior Citizens of Shawnee Inc., was received for the Senior Center flooring project.
• A $36,000 bid was awarded to Bryan's Flooring for the Senior Center flooring, funded by a combination of half-cent sales tax and the Arvest Foundation grant.
• A loan of up to $37,920,000 from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) was approved for water and wastewater treatment system improvements, with an estimated interest rate of 2.1% over 30 years.
• Engineering services for the water treatment plant residual lagoon stabilization were approved, with costs to be determined through Task Order #2.

Agenda Summary Table