May 6, 2015 City Commission Meeting

Announcements

• Shawnee Splash Water Park Opening: The new water park is set to open on 📅 May 23rd. A "floating flick" event (showing the movie "Jaws") is scheduled for 📅 May 29th (later corrected to 📅 May 30th).
• Bike Patrol Training: Five additional officers will receive bike patrol training on 📅 June 1st to assist with operations at the pool, downtown, and Boy Scout Park splash pad.
• Downtown Shawnee Updates: A periodic insert in the Shawnee News Star, focusing on downtown activities and businesses, will be published on the 📅 third Friday of each month.
• Ada Air Expo: The Ada Air Expo will take place on 📅 June 6th at the Ada Municipal Airport.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Consent Agenda Approval: The consent agenda was ✅ Approved, with the exception of item 1G, which was pulled for discussion.
• Dispatch Center Change Order: Change Order Number 3 for the Dispatch Center project, totaling $30,092.72 for door modifications and repairs, was ✅ Approved. Commissioner Shaw raised concerns about the cumulative cost of change orders, but Chief Francis confirmed the project remains within the initial budget and construction is nearing completion.
• Waiving City Nuisance Lien (11 East Hayes Street): A motion to ✅ Waive the $200 administrative fees associated with two nuisance liens (L12-185 and L14-308) for property at 11 East Hayes Street was approved. The property owner's family stated they were not informed of the liens by the county, despite inquiries. The remaining $150 for services rendered (mowing, trash removal) and county-accrued fines (totaling approximately $600 initially) are still due.
• Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group (OMAG) Election: A resolution authorizing the Mayor to cast a vote for the OMAG election of two trustees was ✅ Approved.
• Shawnee Water Park Concession Stand Operations: Authorization was ✅ Approved for staff to negotiate and finalize an agreement with Honey's Snack and Snow Cones to operate the concession stand at the new Shawnee Water Park. This follows a previous lack of proposals. The vendor will pay the city a fee (estimated $500-$4000 for the season) to cover electricity costs.
• Boy Scout Restroom Project Bids: Bids for the Boy Scout Restroom Project were received, with Craig Contractors submitting the lowest bid at $98,522 (under the $100,000 budget). The decision on awarding the bid was ❌ Tabled to the next meeting to allow staff to investigate Craig Contractors.
• Appointment of Ward 1 City Commissioner: After multiple rounds of voting, no candidate received the required majority. The decision to appoint a Ward 1 City Commissioner was ✅ Continued to the 📅 May 18th meeting to allow commissioners more time to consider the applicants.
• Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) Letter Dissemination:
  • A motion to table discussion on including the OWRB letter in citizens' monthly water bills was ❌ Defeated.
  • A motion to ✅ Place the OWRB letter on the city's website was approved.
  • A motion to investigate the cost of publishing the letter in the Shawnee Outlook was ❌ Defeated.

Financial Matters 💰

• Dispatch Center Change Orders: The project's original contract was $218,000. Three change orders have increased the cost by $30,092.72, primarily for door modifications and bringing grounding up to Motorola standards. The project remains within its initial budget.
• Nuisance Lien Costs: Two city nuisance liens totaled $350 in fees ($175 each, including a $100 administrative fee and $75 for contractor services). County fines increased the total to approximately $600. The Council voted to waive the $200 in administrative fees.
• Water Park Concession Revenue: The city expects to receive $500-$4000 from the concession stand operator for the season, primarily to offset electricity costs.
• Boy Scout Restroom Project Budget: The project was budgeted at $100,000. The lowest bid received was $98,522.
• OWRB Letter Dissemination Costs: It was estimated that inserting the OWRB letter into water bills would cost approximately $1,800. Placing it on the city website is free.

Public Comments

• Kickapoo Street Project Delays: John Greer expressed significant concern over the prolonged Kickapoo Street construction, noting that several businesses (Taco Mayo, Pizza Hut, Korean donut shop) have closed, impacting the local economy. City staff explained that it is a state project (ODOT), subject to delays due to utility relocations (OG&E, AT&T) and weather. The project's directive to maintain two-way traffic and business access also contributes to slower, segmented work. The project is now expected to be completed by 📅 October 2015. Staff clarified that Pizza Hut relocated and Taco Mayo's closure was not directly due to the construction.
• Ward 1 Commissioner Appointment: Tom Smith addressed the council, stating he has felt unrepresented for 15 years and urged them to use their best judgment in appointing a Ward 1 Commissioner who would truly represent all citizens.

Agenda Summary Table