Meeting Summary
Announcements
- Arbor Week Proclamation: Mayor West Maynard proclaimed 📅 March 22nd through 28th, 2015, as Arbor Week. Shawnee was recognized as a 2014 Tree City USA Community for the 12th consecutive year.
- Tree Planting Event: The Shawnee Beautification and Enhancement Committee will plant a tree at Kids Space Park on 📅 March 19th at 4 PM.
- Third Friday Downtown: The next Third Friday event is 📅 this Friday, March 20th, from 6 PM to 8 PM, featuring free entertainment and food.
- Trash Off Day: The annual Trash Off Day is scheduled for 📅 April 18th. Volunteers are encouraged to participate.
- Beautification Committee Opening: An opening is available on the Beautification Committee. Citizens interested in serving are encouraged to reach out.
- Health Week: A "Health Week" event is planned for the 📅 week of May 23rd, featuring a pool opening, splash pad opening, glow run, and "learn a sport" day. Volunteers are needed.
- Japanese Delegation Visit: A Japanese delegation will visit Shawnee 📅 next week (March 23rd-27th). Citizens are encouraged to welcome them.
- Pioneer Library System "Big Read" Kickoff: The Pioneer Library System will host its "Big Read" kickoff event with Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael Chabon at OBU on 📅 March 26th at 10 AM.
Public Comments
- Police Department Praise: Mike McCormick commended the Shawnee Police Department for their "excellent police work" in apprehending a suspect involved in a recent home invasion and homicide.
Key Decisions & Votes
- Consent Agenda Approval: The City Commission, Shawnee Airport Authority, and Shawnee Municipal Authority ✅ Approved their respective consent agendas.
- Rezone Property North of Walmart (Case #PE01-15): An ordinance to rezone approximately 55.5 acres north of Walmart on Union Street from A1 rural agricultural to C3 automotive and commercial district was ✅ Approved. Staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval. Discussions included potential flood zone considerations and future road extensions.
- Rezone Property at 1500 East Independence Street (Case #PO4-15): An ordinance to rezone approximately 12 acres at 1500 East Independence Street from A1 rural agricultural to R1 single-family residential district, for the "Tamarack The Village" development, was ✅ Approved. Staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval.
- Preliminary Plat for Tamarack The Village (Case #SO4-15): The preliminary plat for "Tamarack The Village," proposing 42 single-family dwelling units (with a gated portion for senior living) on Independence and Elm Street, was ✅ Approved with conditions. Conditions primarily relate to addressing drainage concerns raised by commissioners and city engineer notes.
- Final Plat for Golden Acres Cottages Two (Case #SO2-15): The final plat for "Golden Acres Cottages Two" on West MacArthur Street, comprising 15 multi-family units (duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes) managed by a property association, was ✅ Approved with conditions. Conditions include required sidewalks on MacArthur Street and additional sidewalks on Wiley Street.
- Preliminary Plat for Shawnee Automall Edition: The preliminary plat for the "Shawnee Automall Edition," a 21-acre site east of Union Street for four car dealerships, was ✅ Approved with conditions. Conditions include requiring a six-foot sidewalk along the southern portion and a landscaping plan for the final plat. Discussions focused on potential traffic congestion on the Service Road and the need for future road improvements.
- Oklahoma Municipal Retirement Fund (OMRF) Trust Indenture Amendment: A resolution approving an amended and restated trust indenture for the OMRF, allowing for daily valuations and accounting of defined contribution plans (enabling employees to change investment elections and view account values daily), was ✅ Approved. This change aims to modernize the retirement system for non-union city employees, potentially lowering fees, and providing online investment advice.
- Visit Shawnee Incorporated (VSI) Contract: After extensive discussion regarding contract terms, the Commission ✅ Approved a motion to draft a final resolution with specific conditions for the VSI contract. These conditions include:
- Changing the termination notice period from 180 days to 90 days.
- Including a conflict of interest provision in the contract, mirroring the Commissioners' policy.
- Adjusting the spending limits for items not in the budget from $10,000 (assets) and $20,000 (services) to $5,000 (assets) and $10,000 (services).
- Cleaning up ambiguous language regarding contract termination and renewal. This revised draft will be presented to VSI for their approval.
- Boy Scout Park Splash Pad Bids: The bid for the Boy Scout Park Splash Pad project was ✅ Approved to C3 Construction for $148,364, contingent on a final review of bid tabs. The equipment for the splash pad has already been purchased.
- Barbara Roush Legal Services Agreement: An agreement with Barbara Roush for legal services related to the protection and expansion of the city's utility services was ✅ Approved. The agreement is on an hourly basis ($100/hour) with no minimum or maximum, and can be terminated by stopping work.
Financial Matters
- Sales Tax Report: The sales tax report for March 2015 showed a 💰 2.14% increase, with $1,292,000 collected. The Finance Director anticipates a significant increase in use tax next month due to deliveries for new "big box" stores (e.g., Hobby Lobby), clarifying that reported figures will reflect net revenue after any contract-mandated rebates.
Commissioner Comments
- Veterans Museum: Commissioner Shaw expressed concern about the Veterans Museum and requested revisiting agreements with veterans and current auditorium users.
- Drought Management Plan: Commissioner Shaw raised concerns about the city's drought management plan and water levels, encouraging public vigilance and adherence to voluntary odd/even watering.
- City Manager Job Description: Commissioner Shaw requested more inclusive input from all commissioners on the city manager job description for future recruitment.
- Shawnee High School Graduation: Commissioner Shaw voiced concerns about the limited seating for families at the OBU venue for Shawnee High School graduation, advocating for more spacious options.
- Potholes: Commissioner Hall noted a significant increase in potholes on MacArthur Street following recent snowstorms and requested attention to road repairs.
Deferred Items
- Boy Scout Restroom Project Bids: Consideration of bids for the Boy Scout Restroom Project was ➡️ Deferred to the next commission meeting for further review of bid documents.
- Auditorium Heating and Air Conditioning RFQ: Consideration of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Auditorium Heating and Air Conditioning design system was ➡️ Deferred until a qualified company is selected and a contract is ready for approval.
- Shawnee Lake Maintenance Office Building Bids: Consideration of bids for the Shawnee Lake Maintenance Office Building was ➡️ Deferred to the next commission meeting for further review of bid documents.
Agenda Summary Table
| Agenda Item | Description