May 8, 2012 City Commission Meeting

Announcements

• Water Quality Notice: Citizens will receive a notice in their December water bills regarding THM (Trihalomethanes) and TOC (Total Organic Carbon) levels. While past readings showed a slight exceedance due to a single high number from over a year ago, current levels (since January) are in compliance, with averages in the 40s and 50s. The notice is a regulatory requirement due to the running annual average calculation.
• Police Chief Search: The city has received two in-house applications for Police Chief. Interviews will be conducted tomorrow, with a decision expected by the end of the week. The appointment will be acknowledged at the next City Council meeting.
• Ward 5 City Commissioner Vacancy: A vacancy has been declared for Ward 5. Applications will open on 📅 December 1st, with a deadline of 📅 December 15th. The new commissioner will be selected on 📅 December 15th and sworn in at the 📅 January 5th meeting.
• City Manager Search Committee: The committee will meet within the next week to 10 days to continue reviewing applications and investigate options for additional assistance, such as engaging a search firm for background checks and cost analysis.
• Commission Workshop: Discussion on setting a date for a commission workshop to establish priorities and goals for the City Commission has been deferred until the 📅 January 5th meeting, after the new Ward 5 Commissioner is sworn in.

Recognitions

• Employee of the Month: Corporal Bryson Moore of the Shawnee Police Department was recognized as Employee of the Month for his 14 years of service, dedication as a firearms instructor, and involvement in the tactical unit, bicycle team, and gang unit.

Public Comments

• Veterans Park Funding: Tom Smith, representing Veterans Shawnee Oklahoma, thanked the Council for a previous $50,000 commitment to the Veterans Park. He formally requested additional funds from the city's Centennial account to support the park's development. Staff was directed to investigate the availability of these funds.

Financial Matters 💰

• Budget Re-examination: Due to nationwide economic problems and a downward trend in recent sales tax reports, the city's management team, including Vice Mayor Stevens, Mayor Peterson, and financial consultants, met to re-examine the current year's budget. The team will review departmental budgets to identify areas for spending slowdowns or delays, with potential cuts of up to half a million dollars if sales tax trends continue to decline.
• Audit Status: The audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, is in progress and is legally due by 📅 December 31st.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Resolutions of Appreciation:
  • A resolution of appreciation was approved ✅ for Thomas Shan for his outstanding service as City Commissioner of Ward 2 since May 3, 2004.
  • A resolution of appreciation was approved ✅ for Marva O'Neal for her outstanding service as City Commissioner of Ward 3 since May 3, 2004.
  • A resolution of appreciation was approved ✅ for Chuck Mills for his outstanding service as Mayor of Shawnee since May 3, 2004.
• Swearing-In Ceremony: New Commissioners James Herod and Frank Sims, and Mayor Linda Peterson, were officially sworn into office by Municipal Judge Robert H. Jones.
• Rezoning 1318 East Independence: The property at 1318 East Independence was approved ✅ to be rezoned from A1 (Agricultural) to C2 (Suburban Office) to allow for office uses in an existing structure currently used as a dance studio. The Planning Commission and staff recommended approval.
• Conditional Use Permit for 110 West Main (Live Music Venue): A Conditional Use Permit was approved ✅ for Tracy and Damien Westbrook to operate a live music venue at 110 West Main in the C4 (Central Business) District. The approval included conditions requiring a minimum of four security staff members during all events, using "staff" instead of "security" on uniforms for unlicensed personnel, and a 12-month staff review of the permit.
• Conditional Use Permit for 330 West Macarthur (Tattoo Studio): A Conditional Use Permit was approved ✅ for Kelly and Stephanie Stafford to relocate their tattoo studio to 330 West Macarthur, Suite C, in the C1 (Neighborhood Commercial) District.
• Rezoning 1402 East Independence (Daycare): The property at 1402 East Independence was approved ✅ to be rezoned from R3P (Multi-Family Residential with CUP for daycare) to C2 (Suburban Office) with a Conditional Use Permit to allow for the continued operation of a daycare facility.
• Unity Health Center Development (PUD, Preliminary & Final Plat):
  • A request to rezone property at the northwest corner of MacArthur and Keithley from A1 (Agricultural) and C2 (Suburban Office) to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) with C2 Suburban Office zoning for a large medical plaza was approved ✅.
  • The preliminary plat for Unity Park Edition, encompassing 37 acres and 25 lots, was approved ✅.
  • The final plat for Phase 1 of Unity Park Edition, covering 12.2 acres and eight lots, was approved ✅.
  • All approvals were subject to six outlined conditions.
• Ordinance Prohibiting Abandoning Animals: An ordinance creating a new law prohibiting abandoning animals in public or private places within the city was approved ✅. This measure, requested by the Animal Control Division, aims to ensure proper intake procedures at the animal shelter and deter irresponsible abandonment.
• Regional Park Locations: A motion was approved ✅ to form a Sports Park Committee to investigate alternative locations for a regional sports park, specifically mentioning School Land, St. Gregory's property, and land north of the mall. The committee will work with city staff, who will handle negotiations. Committee members will be appointed at the next meeting.

Agenda Summary Table