May 8, 2012 City Commission Meeting

Announcements

• National Preparedness Month: September 2007 was officially proclaimed National Preparedness Month. Citizens are encouraged to prepare for emergencies using resources on channel 30, shaunie.org, ready.gov, and redcross.org.
• Shawnee Police Department Substation Ribbon Cutting: 📅 Thursday at 2:00 PM at the Shawnee Mall.
• Centennial Celebration: The city's Centennial Celebration is scheduled for 📅 September 21st and 22nd.
  • 📅 Friday, Sept 21st:
    • 11:00 AM at the Depot: Dedication of Centennial Park, Louise Fluke Memorial, and a newly sealed time capsule.
    • Evening: Football game with candidate presentations.
  • 📅 Saturday, Sept 22nd:
    • 7:30 AM: Bison Aon Marathon.
    • 10:00 AM: Centennial Parade.
    • 12:30 PM at 9th & Minnesota: Unveiling of 11 painted horses.
    • 1:00 PM at the Library: Photo collage/presentation from "gathering day."
    • 10:00 AM - 4/5 PM at the Depot: Various entertainment.
    • Civil War reenactors camping (Friday & Saturday).
    • Wood Carvers at the Senior Citizen Center (Friday & Saturday).
    • Santa Fest in the park.
    • 7:00/7:30 PM: State Hood Ball at the Municipal Auditorium.
    • Evening on Bell Street: Street dance featuring the Iron Horse band.
    • 9:30/9:45 PM: Fireworks display (north of the Depot).
• Shawnee Lake Police Presence: The Police Department was commended for its visible presence, including a pontoon boat and patrol cars, at Shawnee Lake over the weekend.

Key Decisions & Votes

• City Manager's Contract: A word change was approved in the minutes for Item B, page 14, item 17, clarifying that the City Manager's contract should be "continued" not "renewed" for its second year. ✅ Approved
• Retirement Resolutions:
  • Resolution 6311, recognizing the retirement of Allan Homan from the Fire Department after 23 years of service, was approved. ✅
  • Resolution 6312, recognizing the retirement of Richard Wakeman from the Police Department after over 28 years of service, was approved. ✅
• Oil Well Drilling Permit: A permit was approved for Corda Energy Partners to drill an oil well near Wallace and Union streets (Burns #2-18 lease). The company met all city code requirements, including 80% consent from property owners within 300 feet and 90% within 150 feet, and has a $500,000 blanket surety bond. ✅
• Woodland Park Name Change: The name of Woodland Park will be changed to Woodland Veterans Park. A formal resolution will be adapted in the future. ✅ Approved
• Financial Assistance for Woodland Veterans Park: The Council expressed general support for the Woodland Veterans Park project, committing the land and in-kind labor/support from the Parks Department. Specific financial details will be determined once design and cost estimates are complete. Discussion included potentially reallocating approximately $900,000 from the Regional Sports Park fund for various park improvements, including the Veterans Park. ✅ Approved
• Oklahoma Municipal Retirement Fund Payments:
  • A lump sum payment from the defined benefit plan and refund of contributions from the hybrid plan for Matthew A. Winston was approved. ✅
  • A lump sum payment from the defined benefit plan and refund of contributions from the hybrid plan for Michael Souther was approved. ✅
• Richard Wakeman Handgun Exception: A resolution was approved allowing Lieutenant Richard Wakeman to keep his handgun upon retirement, as an exception to city policy. ✅
• Street Department Front-End Loader: The purchase of a three-yard front-end loader for the Street Department was approved for $116,332.75 from Warren Cat, utilizing Pottawatomie County's bid process to save costs. 💰 ✅
• Airport Federal Grant Application: Authorization was approved to apply for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant of up to $398,307 for the Airport Improvement Project (apron rehabilitation, runway/taxiway crack sealing, runway painting). The city's required match, up to $40,000, will come from the Economic Development Fund, necessitating a budget amendment. 💰 ✅
• Airport Consulting Firm Negotiation: Staff was authorized to negotiate with a selected consulting firm for engineering services related to the Airport Improvement Project. ✅
• Senior Center AC Units: Authorization was approved to spend $11,600 to replace air conditioning units at the Senior Center. $10,000 will come from the city budget, and $1,600 from the Senior Center Board. 💰 ✅
• Radio Equipment Transfer to Expo Center: A resolution was approved to declare six portable radios and a control station as surplus and transfer them from the city to the Expo Center to enhance their communications. ✅

Financial Matters

• Airport Federal Grant: The city authorized applying for a federal grant of up to $398,307 for airport improvements. The city's match of up to $40,000 will be drawn from the Economic Development Fund.
• Street Department Equipment: A front-end loader was approved for purchase at $116,332.75, leveraging a county bid.
• Senior Center AC: $11,600 was approved for AC replacement, with $10,000 from the city budget and $1,600 from the Senior Center Board.
• Veterans Park Funding Discussion: The Council discussed the possibility of reallocating approximately $900,000 from the Regional Sports Park fund to support various park improvements, including the new Woodland Veterans Park, pending a review of existing contracts.
• Culvert Replacement Bids: Bids for culvert replacements on Edwards, Whitaker, and MacArthur Streets were received but deferred to the next meeting for further review of numbers and funding.

Public Comments

• The "Citizens Participation" section of the meeting was quiet, with no public comments.
• During the public hearing for the oil well drilling permit, the city's Oil and Gas Inspector presented a staff report, and a representative from Corda Energy Partners spoke in favor of the project. No citizens spoke against the proposal.
• A member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) chapter announced their decision to purchase the first U.S. flag pole for the new Woodland Veterans Park.

Administrative Reports

• 911 Upgrades: The Emergency Management Director provided an update on 911 system upgrades and collaboration with Pottawatomie County. The county has purchased similar equipment to what Shawnee is considering, facilitating a potential dual Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) solution. Discussions are ongoing regarding collocation of services to improve communication during emergencies and achieve economic benefits. A facilitator will be funded to lead discussions between city and county policy makers.

Agenda Summary Table