May 8, 2012 City Commission Meeting

Announcements

• Black History Month Celebration: A celebration will take place on 📅 Sunday, February 17th at 3:00 PM at Calvary Baptist Church. The public is invited. For more information, contact Dorothy Cooks at 275-3999.
• Special City Commission Meeting: A special meeting is scheduled for 📅 Friday morning at 9:00 AM to potentially adopt the collective bargaining agreement with IUPA Local #3.
• WestTech Road Project Bids: Bids for the WestTech Road project will be opened at the next meeting on 📅 February 19th, with a recommendation expected at the first meeting in March.
• Payment Window Renovation: Demolition of the overhang at the payment window will begin this week, followed by the installation of a new awning.
• Master Trails Plan: The Master Trails Plan is complete and ready for presentation to the City Commission; staff will schedule this soon.
• Wayfinding Sign Project: A presentation on the Wayfinding Sign Project is scheduled for the next meeting.
• Docky Park Dump Site: Docky Park will be reopened on Saturdays in February for Shawnee citizens (with proof of residency) to drop off trimmed debris. Informational pamphlets will be mailed to utility customers.
• Contractor Solicitation Warning: Citizens are advised that the emergency declaration for storm debris cleanup has expired. Any contractors soliciting door-to-door for debris removal must be licensed, bonded, and insured to operate within city limits.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Agenda Approval: The agenda was ✅ Approved with modifications to move items 16 and 17 after item 5, and to pull item 13 for deferral.
• Consent Agenda: The balance of the consent agenda, excluding item 2B, was ✅ Approved.
• Vanguard Infrastructure Project Funding: The City Commission ✅ Approved the transfer of 💰 $125,000 for the Vanguard infrastructure project. This funding is no longer contingent upon an EDA Grant, as the SEDIF (Shawnee Economic Development Industrial Foundation) has pledged $275,000 (including $75,000 from SIA and $200,000 from SEDIF) to replace the grant. The total project cost is estimated at $650,000.
• Police Collective Bargaining Agreement (IUPA Local #3): The City Commission ✅ Approved the City Manager's proposed settlement offer to the Police Union. This offer includes:
  • Concessions (City accepts Union's position):
    • Keeping an outside member on the review board (Article 6, Section 16).
    • Retaining the court reporter (Article 6, Section 23).
    • Maintaining prior language on returning equipment upon reinstatement (Article 6, Section 37).
    • Accepting the Union's position on health insurance premium contribution (Article 20).
    • Conceding on wages, moving to 7.2% instead of 7% (Article 24).
  • Compromise:
    • Reducing the 48-hour notification period from the City's proposed 5 days to 3 business days (Article 6, Section 35).
  • Holding Firm (City's position stands):
    • Plugging a gap in firearms incentive scores (91-94) but not lowering performance standards (Article 22).
    • Maintaining the city's proposal to reduce the years of service for Corporal eligibility from 7 to 4 years (Article 28).
    • Maintaining no exceptions to the 11-mile radius for take-home vehicles, except as approved by the Chief of Police for specific assignments (e.g., K9, investigators) (Article 30).
  • This offer is time-sensitive, open until Friday morning, to potentially avoid a costly election.
• Contract Planning Services: The City Commission ✅ Approved authorizing the City Manager to spend an additional 💰 $15,000 (amended from $10,000) on contract planning services to address increasing development needs during the search for a Community Development Director.
• ADA Self-Evaluation Transition Plan Assistance: The City Commission ✅ Approved authorizing McNair P LLC to assist the city in preparing Phase 1 of the ADA Self-Evaluation Transition Plan at a cost of 💰 $10,000. This is in response to a federal mandate from the FHWA.
• Emergency Declaration Confirmation (Shawnee Milling Company Main Break): The City Commission ✅ Approved confirming the City Manager's declaration of emergency for a water main break at Shawnee Milling Company. The actual cost of repair was 💰 $24,000, which was under the initial bid.
• Brush Pumper Skid Load Unit Bids: Consideration of bids for a brush pumper skid load unit was ↩️ Deferred for further review.

Financial Matters

• Vanguard Infrastructure Project: The city committed $125,000 to the $650,000 project, with the SEDIF providing $275,000 and the state providing $250,000.
• WestTech Road Project: The Sac and Fox Nation requested $100,000 from the city for the WestTech Road project, to which they have committed $550,000 from their Indian Reservation Roads Monies. The total cost has increased due to rising material and fuel costs.
• Recreational Parks Funding: Discussion highlighted approximately $1,174,700 available for parks, combining:
  • $888,000 from the Regional Park fund (confirmed usable for general recreation).
  • $200,000 allocated for pool repairs.
  • $73,000 from the skate park budget.
  • $8,000 from the Soccer Association for skaters.
• Contract Planning Services: An additional $15,000 was approved for contract planning services.
• ADA Self-Evaluation Transition Plan: $10,000 was approved for Phase 1 assistance. The costs for subsequent phases (Phase 2 & 3) are currently unknown.
• Shawnee Milling Company Main Break: The emergency repair cost $24,000.

Public Comments

• Police Chief's Conduct: A citizen thanked the council for reinstating Candy Sweeny and raised concerns about the police chief allegedly committing a felony and violating city ordinances (false reporting, resisting public officials, disorderly conduct). The citizen emphasized that laws should apply equally to everyone.
• ADA Transition Plan: A citizen expressed skepticism about the need for external consultants for the ADA transition plan, stating that the city had previously addressed these issues and that the proposed $10,000 expenditure was unnecessary.

Agenda Summary Table