May 8, 2012 City Commission Meeting

Announcements

• Police Chief Swearing-In Ceremony: The new Police Chief will be sworn in on 📅 Friday, December 12th at 4:00 PM in the Commission Chambers.
• Mary Fallon Announcement: An announcement by Mary Fallon is scheduled for 📅 Wednesday, December 3rd.
• City Manager Interviews: The commission has narrowed the City Manager search to three candidates. Interviews are tentatively planned for 📅 December 17th-18th or December 22nd-23rd. Commissioners are asked to check their availability for these dates.
• Contract Review Committee Volunteer: A volunteer is needed for the Contract Review Committee to discuss the Downtown Athletic Group contract.
• City Retreat/Planning Session: A planning session for the commission is being considered for January, with dates and location to be determined after the December 15th meeting.

Public Comments

• Sylvania Lake Road Maintenance: Mr. Hathcock raised concerns about the poor maintenance and overgrown grass along Sylvania Lake Road, particularly when entering the city from the west.
• Ambulance Service Subscription Model: Mr. Hathcock inquired about the city's involvement with REACT ambulance service and a potential subscription model, similar to one proposed in Oklahoma City, where a small fee on water bills would cover ambulance services.

Key Decisions & Votes

• IAFF Collective Bargaining Agreement: Following an executive session, the commission voted to accept the arbitration award for the collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local #1628 for fiscal year 2008-2009. ✅
• Woodmore Edition Final Plat: The final plat for Woodmore Edition, located at Westech and Highway 18, was approved as recommended by staff and the Planning Commission. ✅
• Motor Vehicle License Plate Ordinance: An ordinance requiring all motor vehicles in the city to display a current license plate and decal, and commercial vehicles to display their name or "commercial vehicle," was approved with an emergency clause. This allows the city to retain revenue from citations previously sent to District Court. ✅
• Dangerous Dogs Ordinance: An ordinance defining dangerous dogs and establishing procedures for handling them was approved with an emergency clause. A key amendment was made to change the reclaim period for confiscated dangerous dogs from 30 days to 48 hours from the date of notice. ✅
• Destruction of Wounded/Sick Animals Ordinance: An ordinance establishing guidelines and authority for the destruction of wounded, maimed, sick, diseased, or injured animals was approved with an emergency clause. ✅
• Vicious Animal Ordinance: An ordinance defining vicious animals, establishing court procedures, and impoundment procedures was approved with an emergency clause. ✅
• Animal Nuisance Ordinance: An ordinance defining animal nuisance and outlining abatement and impoundment procedures was approved. The emergency clause for this ordinance was not adopted, meaning it will take effect in 30 days. ✅
• City Animal Traps Ordinance: An ordinance requiring the use of only city-provided traps for animals and setting procedures for their care was approved with an emergency clause. This aims to prevent the use of illegal or unsafe traps and ensure proper handling by Animal Control. ✅
• Ward 5 Commission Seat Applications: Three applications were received for the vacant Ward 5 commission seat: Matthew Leue, Chris Sylvia, and John Winterringer. Copies will be distributed to commissioners for review, with interviews scheduled for the December 15th meeting.
• City Manager Search Update: The City Manager search committee has narrowed the applicant pool to three candidates. The commission authorized staff to conduct further background checks and contact candidates for interviews, aiming for a multi-day interview process involving informal meetings and formal interviews.
• Centennial Celebration Committee Report: A final report on the 2007 Centennial Celebration was presented. The committee has $20,000 available for beautification projects (with $3,800 already encumbered for Tom Terry Park). An additional $24,000 is in an ongoing fund from the "Horses in the City" project. The recommendation is for the Centennial Committee to reconvene to formally accept the financial report and decide on the use of remaining funds, including a request to allocate funds to the Veterans Memorial Park.
• Police Firing Range Safety: An administrative report confirmed that a test on the police firing range's backstop (berm) found it to be adequate, with no ricochets or lost rounds. However, for added comfort, especially if a park is developed nearby, the Chief recommended building up the berm and adding side walls.
• Lake Lease Renewals: A commissioner noted an old lake lease renewal from 2005 and requested staff to ensure all lake leases are current and any backlog is addressed.
• Pending Litigation Status: Commissioners requested an executive session to discuss the status of all pending litigation, likely at the first meeting in January.

Agenda Summary Table