November 23, 2015 City Commission Meeting

City Council Meeting Summary - November 2, 2015

Key Decisions & Votes

• Consent Agenda Items A & B: Approved without discussion.
• Civic and Cultural Development Authority (Item C):
  • Discussion regarding high OG&E electrical service costs. The City Manager was tasked with investigating potential cost savings.
  • A claim from the City of Shawnee for $4,220.77 was noted.
  • Approved.
• Street Naming (Item D):
  • Discussion on the process for naming streets, specifically for a new 500-foot stub street 250 feet north of Wall Street, built as part of the Pikapoo Street project.
  • The Traffic Commission recommended naming it RJ Bernard Street.
  • Approved, subject to the Traffic Commission's minutes being officially approved.
• Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) Board Appointments (Item E):
  • Discussion about the appointment process and the need for bios/backgrounds for appointees.
  • OBU submitted two new candidates to replace two current employees who were initially considered.
  • Approved.
• Budget Amendment for Streetscape (Item F): 💰
  • Discussion centered on the use of a large sum from the dedicated streetscape district fund for the Main Street project.
  • Concerns were raised about remaining funds for unexpected future projects, but staff clarified additional funds would be available in January/February.
  • Approved.
• Oklahoma Tax Commission Sales/Use Tax Collection (Item G): 💰
  • Discussion on a new contract with the Oklahoma Tax Commission, reducing the city's retention fee for sales and use tax collection from 1% to 0.5% due to House Bill 1875. This change means the city retains more tax revenue.
  • Approved.
• Resolution Authorizing Sale of OBU Refunding Revenue Notes (Item 3): 💰
  • The resolution authorized the sale of Oklahoma Baptist University Authority Refunding Revenue Notes, Series 2015A and 2015B, designating them as "bank qualified" and waiving competitive bidding.
  • OBU's Chief Financial Officer explained the notes:
    • Series 2015A: Refinances approximately $7.3 million of a 2005 bond issue at a lower interest rate (from 5.2% to 2.12%).
    • Series 2015B: Refinances approximately $3.5 million of a 2014 bond anticipation note used to begin construction on Stavros Hall (the new nursing building at Pikapoo and MacArthur).
  • The notes are secured by OBU's general revenues and guaranteed by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.
  • The City incurs no liability or loss from this action.
  • Approved by a supermajority vote (5-0).

Public Comments

• No citizens came forward to speak during the public participation segment.

Commissioner Comments

• A commissioner praised the efforts of the fire and police departments for their positive community engagement during the recent Trick or Treat night, noting their presence in neighborhoods and interaction with children and parents.

Airport Authority Meeting

• Consent Agenda: Approved.
• Consider Bids for Concrete Hardstand (OAC Project SNL):
  • Three bids were received for replacing a portion of the asphalt apron with concrete. The lowest bid was $107,536, well under the OAC's $250,000 estimate.
  • Deferred to the next meeting to allow staff to thoroughly review all bids.

Municipal Authority Meeting

• Consent Agenda: Approved.
• Executive Session: The Authority entered executive session to discuss potential claims, litigation, or other options regarding cases involving the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and Pottawatomie Rural Water District.

City Commission Reconvenes

• Executive Session: The City Commission reconvened and immediately entered executive session to discuss potential claims, litigation, or other options regarding a Pottawatomie County District Court case involving the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.

Agenda Summary Table