March 27, 2012 City Commission Meeting

Announcements

• 📅 Arbor Week: Mayor Linda Peterson proclaimed March 25th to 31st, 2012, as Arbor Week in Shawnee. The city was recognized as a 2011 Tree City USA community for the 10th consecutive year. (Note: No tree giveaway this year due to availability, but plans to try again next year).
• 📅 Library Ribbon Cutting: A ribbon cutting for the new computer lab at the library will be held on Thursday at 4:30 PM.
• 📅 Water Yield Study Special Work Session: A special work session for the Shawnee Municipal Authority (SMA) is scheduled for April 9th, 2012, to present the water yield study. Commissioners will receive the document before April 6th.
• Alarm Licensing: Renewal notices are being sent to registered commercial and residential alarm users. Staff will provide an update on renewal figures.
• Community Roundtables: Staff will schedule community roundtables to gather public input on city progress.
• Drainage Efforts: City crews were actively unstopping drains due to recent heavy rains, addressing significant flooding issues, particularly on Independence by Pace Hardware.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Billboards Ordinance (Item 5): The Commission deferred action on an ordinance proposing a ban on billboards. Staff was directed to draft a restrictive ordinance (not a ban) for consideration at the second meeting in April (April 16th, 2012). This new draft should include details on potential new billboard locations, numbers, and maintenance/aesthetic regulations for existing signs.
• Rezoning at 3930 N Kickapoo St (Item 6): The public hearing for rezoning from R1 Residential to C3 Automotive Commercial and Recreation for Simol Ice House LLC was continued to April 16th, 2012, as the applicant was not present.
• Rezoning at MacArthur & Acme Rd (Item 7): An ordinance to rezone property from A1 Agricultural to C3 Automotive Commercial and Recreation (Tract 1) and R3 Multifamily (Tract 2) for E. Allen Cowan II was approved.
• Rezoning at 4650 N Harrison St (Item 8): An ordinance to rezone property from A1 Agricultural to C3 Automotive Commercial and Recreation for TJT Holdings LC was approved.
• Bodard Edition Section 1 Plat (Item 9): The preliminary and final plat for Bodard Edition Section 1, located at the northwest corner of 45th Street and Harrison Street, was approved, contingent on seven conditions.
• James W. Allen Bridge Funding Agreement (Item 10): An agreement with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) to provide $625,000 in funding for repairs to the southbound lanes of the James W. Allen Bridge was approved. The city will oversee the project, which is expected to be completed by 📅 August 31st, 2012.
• Airport Sanitary Sewer Lift Station Rehab (SMA Item 4): The bid for the Airport Sanitary Sewer Lift Station Rehab Project was awarded to Slattery Construction of Woodward, Oklahoma, for $139,918.
• ULPs Dismissal (Item 16): The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to dismiss the ULPs (case numbers 496 and 499) was approved following an executive session.

Financial Matters

• 💰 Sales Tax Report: The sales tax report for March 2012 showed a nearly flat revenue compared to last year, increasing by only $376. The total received was $1,256,86. The city is approximately half a percent below its projected budget but is up 7.8% from March 2010. Staff will investigate the flat sales tax figures.
• 💰 Municipal Pool Repair Costs: A presentation detailed significant repair costs for the 76-year-old municipal pool. Minimum repairs to address circulation issues and ADA compliance to open in 2013 are estimated at $294,500. Additional recommended repairs (roof, decks, lighting, fencing) bring the total to $527,400, not including extensive pool house renovations. Staff suggested the pool has reached its lifespan and recommended considering alternatives like splash pads or swim lesson scholarships, and not opening the pool next year.

Public Comments

• Billboards Ordinance (Item 5):
  • Tom Terry & Linda Mali: Advocated for continuing the moratorium or banning billboards, citing their negative impact on city beautification efforts.
  • David Romberg (Billboard Outdoor Advertising): Argued for the economic benefits of billboards, stating they are crucial for business prosperity and effective advertising in the modern age. He emphasized the need for attractive and well-regulated billboards.
• Rezoning at 4650 N Harrison St (Item 8):
  • Mike Adcock (TJT Holdings): Spoke in favor of the rezoning to allow for an office complex.

Agenda Summary Table