October 25, 2011 City Commission Meeting

Announcements

• Boo on Bell Day: Mayor Linda Peterson officially proclaimed 📅 October 29, 2011, as Boo on Bell Day in Shawnee. This marks the 12th annual event, organized by Safe Events for Families, which typically draws 10,000-15,000 people. Events include carriage rides and Ritz Theater activities on 📅 October 28, followed by a full day of activities on 📅 October 29 from 10 AM to 10 PM, featuring a car show, pet and kids costume contests, live entertainment, and food.
• Certified Healthy Community Grant Application Deadline: The deadline for the city to apply for the Certified Healthy Community Grant is 📅 November 1st.
• Rezoning Case P11-11 (1900 S Gordon Cooper Drive): Action on this rezoning request was deferred to the 📅 November 7th meeting.
• Bid Deferrals: Bids for valve insertion equipment, biosolids land application apparatus, and the Safe Routes to School infrastructure project were deferred to the next meeting for further review and tabulation.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Agenda and Consent Agenda: Both the meeting agenda and the consent agenda were approved ✅.
• Mayor's Proclamation: Boo on Bell Day: Mayor Linda Peterson officially proclaimed 📅 October 29, 2011, as Boo on Bell Day in Shawnee.
• Rezoning Property at 422 West Rosa (Case P12-11): The ordinance to rezone the property from R1 (single-family residential) to C1 (neighborhood commercial) to allow for a parking lot was approved ✅.
• Rolling Hills Edition Preliminary Plat (Case S09-11): The preliminary plat for the development at 111 North Bryan, proposed by the Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority, was approved ✅ with three conditions. The development will include a new street network, storm water detention areas, and a 2-acre common community area with a storm shelter and walking trail.
• Annexation of 6.47 Acres: An ordinance annexing 6.47 acres into the city limits for the North Rock Creek School was approved ✅.
• Certified Healthy Community Grant Application: The Council approved ✅ staff to proceed with applying for the Certified Healthy Community Grant. This initiative aims to improve community health outcomes and could provide up to 💰 $60,000 in grant funding.
• Agreement with Oklahoma Environmental Inc. for Independence Street Cleanup: An agreement for mitigation and cleanup work related to a gasoline leak on Independent Street (just west of Center Street) was approved ✅. The project, funded by the state's Indemnity Fund, will address contamination from a former Sinclair station and is expected to take 30 days starting 📅 October 24th.
• Update to City Workers' Compensation Leave Policy: The Council approved ✅ updating the leave policy for non-union employees to align with state requirements, extending the paid leave period for legitimate work-related injuries from 3 to 14 days.
• Bids for Cutting and Mowing of Rank Weeds and Cleanup of Trash/Debris: The bid from G&G Services for nuisance abatement services was approved ✅. G&G Services was the sole bidder and has historically held this contract.

Financial Matters

• October 2011 Sales Tax Report: Sales tax receipts for October 2011 were down 💰 $77,000 compared to the previous year, totaling $1,309,000. This represents a 3.47% ($195,000) decrease against the budget. However, other revenues are performing higher than anticipated, keeping the overall budget on target.
• Certified Healthy Community Grant: If Shawnee achieves "Excellence" level certification, the city could receive a cumulative 💰 $60,000 in grant money (💰 $10,000 for Basic, 💰 $20,000 for Merit, 💰 $30,000 for Excellence).
• Independence Street Cleanup: The entire cost of the cleanup and road reconstruction will be covered by the state's Indemnity Fund (a one-penny assessment on every gallon of gas), meaning no direct cost to the City of Shawnee.
• Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Project: 💰 $62,000 of this project's cost is funded by an ODOT Grant.

Public Comments

• Rezoning Property at 422 West Rosa (Case P12-11):
  • Lawrence Brooks (409 West Rosa): A resident living near the proposed parking lot expressed concerns that the increased impervious surface would worsen existing flooding issues on his property, which already floods about four times a year.
  • Chris Sylvia (Applicant): Stated that the project's site and civil engineering plans address landscaping and watershed needs for their property and meet all current codes. Staff clarified that the new impervious surface is roughly equivalent to the previous residential structure and driveway, and a drainage plan is in place to direct water away from the immediate property.

Agenda Summary Table