April 4, 2014 City Commission Meeting

Announcements

• 📅 Youth Aviation Day: Scheduled for April 5th, this free event is for children aged 12-18. It will be held at the Golden Cooper Technology Center Aviation campus and will expose participants to aircraft, engines, and guest speakers. Registration is available at shawneeairport.com. Volunteers are also welcome.

Key Decisions & Votes

Shawnee Airport Authority

• Rules for Skydiving Operations: The Authority approved a resolution to amend the rules and regulations for the operation of Shawnee Regional Airport to include guidelines for skydiving and skydiving instruction. This ensures operations meet minimum safety requirements, federal regulations, and United States Parachute Association standards, with the city protected from liability through lease agreements and waivers.
• Consent Agenda: The consent agenda was approved.

Shawnee Municipal Authority

• Recycling Public Education Contract: A contract with Shawnee TV to continue the recycling public education effort with Central Disposal was approved. The contract is for approximately $31,000, with Central Disposal contributing $10,000. This campaign aims to educate citizens on the new city-wide recycling program, which began today (March 3rd). Central Disposal reported a successful, albeit challenging, first day, with over 14,000 inquiries on the city's Facebook page. The campaign will include a second "burst" of advertising in the fall to maintain participation.
• Riverbank Repair and Restoration Contract: The Authority approved awarding the contract for riverbank repair and restoration to CP3 Enterprises out of Maud, Oklahoma, for $154,628.60. This was the lowest bid received.
• Utility Service Area Encroachment: Following an executive session, the Authority approved motions to engage the services of Monreal Sperling and Barbara Roush Consulting Services in connection with resolving encroachment into the city's utility service territory.
• Consent Agenda: The consent agenda was approved.

City Commission

• Sales Tax Enforcement Action: Following an executive session, the Commission approved a motion to engage the services of Monreal Sperling in connection with reaching an agreement for the collection of sales tax.
• Budget Amendment for Legal Services & Public Relations: A budget amendment to the General Fund was approved to allocate additional money to Legal Services and the City Manager's contractual services for public relations.
• Agreement with Shaughnessy Group (City Connect Videos): An agreement with the Shaughnessy Group for "City Connect" videos and city promotion was approved retroactively, as it had fallen through the cracks.
• Acceptance of Roadway Dedications: The Commission approved the acceptance of roadway dedications by the Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office along North Kickapoo. These roadways, built to city specifications, will connect to a public street network within the upcoming Hunt property development.
• Repealing Non-Accessory Signs Ordinance: An ordinance repealing Section 3-216, which governs non-accessory signs (billboard type signs), of the Shawnee Municipal Code was approved with an emergency clause, preventing future billboard applications.
• Amending Chapter 1 General Provisions Ordinance: An ordinance repealing and amending portions of Chapter 1 (General Provisions) of the Shawnee Municipal Code was approved with an emergency clause. This includes adding definitions, setting penalties, providing for schedules, and prohibiting alteration of the code.
• Amending Chapter 7 Buildings and Building Regulations Ordinance: An ordinance repealing and amending portions of Chapter 7 (Buildings and Building Regulations) of the Shawnee Municipal Code was approved with an emergency clause. This adjusts fines, bonds, and penalties, and updates language regarding fair housing (changing "handicap" to "disability" and "service dog" to "service animal").
• Amending Chapter 13 Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance: An ordinance repealing and amending Chapter 13 (Fire Prevention and Protection) of the Shawnee Municipal Code was approved with an emergency clause. This provides that fees, bonds, and insurance will be set by resolution, transfers control of hydrants to the utility department, and updates personnel selection processes to align with other city departments.
• Amending Chapter 17 Law Enforcement Ordinance: An ordinance amending Chapter 17 (Law Enforcement) of the Shawnee Municipal Code was approved with an emergency clause. This moves offenses related to impersonating an officer to the offenses section and amends the disposal of unclaimed personal property to comply with state law.
• Calling for General and Runoff Elections Ordinance: An ordinance calling for a general and runoff election for Ward 1, Ward 5, and Ward 6 City Commissioner positions was approved with an emergency clause.
• Contract with Anglin PR for Sales Tax Education: A contract with Anglin PR for $45,000 to kick off a public education campaign on how sales tax is used to provide city services was approved. The campaign aims to inform citizens that 77% of the city's $19 million general fund budget comes from sales tax, not property taxes.
• Police Range Tower Project Bids: Bids for the new Shawnee Police Range Tower project were deferred to the next commission meeting for further review, as the bids received were higher than the budgeted amount.
• Consent Agenda: The consent agenda, with items C and E pulled for separate discussion, was approved.

Financial Matters 💰

• Financial Audit Report: Ann Cole from Arledge and Associates presented the audited financial statements for the City of Shawnee and related authorities for the fiscal year. The city received an unqualified opinion (clean audit). The overall net assets increased, and the General Fund now holds over $6 million. One finding was noted regarding budget appropriations.
• Recycling Public Education: The contract with Shawnee TV for recycling education is $31,000, with Central Disposal covering $10,000.
• Riverbank Repair: The contract for riverbank repair was awarded for $154,628.60.
• Sales Tax Public Education: A contract for $45,000 was approved for Anglin PR to conduct a public education campaign on sales tax usage.
• Police Range Tower Bids: Bids ranged from $181,600 to $266,000, which exceeded the project's budget.

Public Comments

• Kurt Buford (Citizen): Expressed concerns regarding the new recycling program. He questioned the mandatory nature of the recycling fee, viewing it as being "forced into a private company's enterprise." He also raised issues about potential future fines for non-participation, the stability of bins in high winds, and the requirement for citizens to clean items before recycling.

Agenda Summary Table