October 17, 2016 City Commission Meeting

Announcements

• 📅 Fire Prevention Week: October 9-15, 2016
  • Mayor Richard Finley issued a proclamation emphasizing the importance of replacing smoke alarms every 10 years.
  • The Shawnee Fire Department offers free smoke alarm checks and installations. Citizens can call 878-1671 to schedule.
  • Fire Prevention Week Activities:
    • The annual Fire Clown program is visiting schools, with a community program scheduled for 📅 Thursday evening at Shawnee Middle School at 7 PM.
    • A smoke detector installation drive in partnership with the Red Cross is set for 📅 Saturday, October 8, aiming to install 1,000 detectors starting in the southeast part of town.
    • An Open House / Fire & Life Safety Education event will be held at Station 1 (City Hall West End) on 📅 Thursday, October 13, from 2 PM to 7 PM. It will cover kitchen fire prevention, smoke detector maintenance, safe use of extension cords and space heaters, and home escape plans.
    • Fire Marshal talks will be given at Project Heart (South Side Community Center) on 📅 Tuesday and at the Senior Center on 📅 Wednesday.
    • A Child Car Seat Safety Check will take place at Station 3 on 📅 Saturday, October 15, from 9 AM to Noon.
• Employee Recognition: The City Manager recognized several employees for outstanding service:
  • Captain Scott Kilgore (Fire Department) for saving a 6-year-old girl from a swift current while off-duty.
  • Kristina Brown (Emergency Communication Manager) for winning the Oklahoma Public Safety Telecommunicator of the Year award.
  • Sergeant George Stafford and Officer Robert Barton (Police Department) for successfully de-escalating a suicide attempt.
• Community Updates:
  • Commissioners praised the recent Air Show as a great event.
  • Thanks were extended to "One Safe Place" and First Christian Church for their work with victims; Mayor Finley will explore city assistance options.
  • Citizens were reminded to be weather-aware for a storm expected 📅 tomorrow.
  • A Commissioners' Retreat is being scheduled for 📅 the next 8-12 weeks to discuss city priorities; citizens are encouraged to submit ideas.
  • A presentation on the Blue Zones project is scheduled for 📅 October 11.
  • The Good Sam's RV group is in town this week.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Consent Agenda (City Council): The routine administrative items on the consent agenda were ✅ Approved.
• Disposal of Carbon Monoxide Euthanasia Systems: The Council considered a resolution to declare two carbon monoxide euthanasia systems at the animal shelter as surplus property and authorize their disposal. Discussion noted that the Chief of Police had already removed the systems. Concerns were raised regarding the safety of staff when euthanizing dangerous animals without gas, but staff confirmed alternative provisions with local veterinarians and that this aligns with practices in many other cities. The method was described as "cruel and unusual" by one commissioner. The resolution was ✅ Approved.
• Partial Easement Release to State of Oklahoma Commissioners of Land Office: A resolution to clarify and modify an existing vague 1935 easement at Shawnee Lake #1 was discussed. The modification sets the easement elevation to 1077.3 feet (the FEMA base flood elevation), which protects the city's interests and facilitates the state's process of transferring lake leases to individual ownership. The resolution was ✅ Approved.
• Land Exchange for Easement: The Council considered deeding over 0.31 acres of city property in exchange for an easement. This exchange addresses a unique situation with a split lake lot and provides the city with a crucial easement needed to extend sewer lines north of I-40 to West Tech Road. This extension is expected to facilitate commercial and residential development and the use of the city's 160-acre park site. Staff confirmed the exchange is of equal value, has no immediate budgetary impact, and saves the city money on a future easement purchase. The action was ✅ Approved.
• Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Park Design: The Council reviewed the list of firms that submitted qualifications for park design services. This item is for conceptual design and cost estimates for park improvements, not immediate construction. Staff will review the submittals, select a qualified firm, and return to the Commission for authority to negotiate a contract. No action was needed at this meeting as it was an information item.
• Consent Agenda (Shawnee Airport Authority): The routine administrative items for the Airport Authority were ✅ Approved.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for T-Hangar Facility Financing: The Airport Authority considered an MOU with the Shawnee Industrial Authority (SIA) for a $350,000 loan to finance the construction of a 10-unit T-Hangar facility. This MOU expresses the SIA's commitment, though the official loan agreement will be contingent on City Commission approval and FAA grants. The loan terms include a 12-year repayment period using revenue from the new hangars, with the City of Shawnee guaranteeing the loan. The interest rate will be determined at a later date to reflect current market conditions. Discussion highlighted a significant backlog of demand for hangar space, ensuring quick occupancy and revenue generation. The MOU was ✅ Approved.
• Consent Agenda (Shawnee Municipal Authority): The routine administrative items for the Municipal Authority were ✅ Approved.

Public Comments

• The "Citizens Participation" section was opened for public comments. However, no citizens approached the podium to speak. The Mayor noted that many attendees were present regarding the animal shelter's euthanasia systems, but the Chief of Police had already decided to remove them, making it a "dead issue."

Agenda Summary Table