December 16, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• Fly Home for the Holidays Giveaway: Now through 📅 January 4th, 2026, spend $50 at local businesses for an entry to win American Airlines gift cards and travel through Stillwater Regional Airport. More details at visitstillwater.org.
• SWO for the Holidays Event: Join the fun at Stillwater Regional Airport (main terminal) on 📅 December 18th, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7 PM. This free community celebration includes photos with Santa, hot chocolate, and a chance to win one of five $100 American Airlines gift cards.
• MLK Jr. Day Unity Event: Stillwater Community United will host its annual Unity event on 📅 Monday, January 19th, 2026. An optional march kicks off at 5:30 PM from Southern Woods Park to Mount Zion Baptist Church, followed by a program at 6 PM at Mount Zion. City offices will be closed in observance, but trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will proceed as usual. More information at visitstillwater.org.
• Meet Your Legislators Event: Save the date for 📅 Thursday, January 29th, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Stillwater Public Library. This is an opportunity to engage with legislators before the 60th legislative session begins.
• Holiday Office Closures & Waste Management: City offices will be closed on 📅 Thursday, December 25th, 2025 (Christmas Day) and 📅 Thursday, January 1st, 2026 (New Year's Day). Waste management schedules will be delayed by one day during these weeks (e.g., Thursday pickup moves to Friday). Visit stillwater.gov/wastemanagement for details.
• Severe Weather Awareness: Residents are reminded to have multiple ways to receive warnings and alerts. Follow City of Stillwater Emergency Management on Facebook and sign up for alerts at stillwater.gov/sema.
• Support United Way of Payne County: The City encourages contributions to the United Way of Payne County, the city's nonprofit partner, which supports youth services, crisis assistance, food security, mental health, senior care, and more. Visit unitedwaypaynecounty.org.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Consent Docket: The City Council approved the consent docket (5-0). The Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) also approved its consent docket, with the removal of Item C (5-0).
• Envision Stillwater 2045 Comprehensive Plan: Following a public hearing with no public comments, the Council adopted Resolution CC-2025-35 (5-0), formally approving Envision Stillwater 2045 as the city's comprehensive plan. Staff and the advisory committee were thanked for their multi-year effort.
• Downtown Intersection Improvements: Staff presented proposed improvements for downtown intersections, including converting 7th, 8th, and 9th & Main to four-way stops and enhancing the 10th & Main roundabout.
  • Discussion: Public comment and staff noted positive feedback on the four-way stop pilot, citing improved safety and traffic flow. Concerns were raised by a councilor about the size and visibility of the 10th & Main roundabout, particularly for larger delivery trucks.
  • Outcome: No action was taken on this item. Staff will return with cost estimates for both enhancing the existing roundabout and converting it to a four-way stop.
• Film Friendly Certification: The Council adopted Resolution CC-2025-36 (5-0), approving the submission of an application to the Oklahoma Film and Music Office for "Film Friendly Community" certification. This aims to increase community engagement, tourism, and visibility, with potential local spending of $300,000 to $1 million per independent production.
• Rails to Trails Project Phase 3 Grant: The Council adopted Resolution CC-2025-37 (5-0), declaring eligibility and approving the submission of a grant application to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) for $1.2 million in Transportation Alternatives Program funds. This funding is for the third phase of the Railstora project, extending the trail from 3rd Avenue to 12th Avenue. The city will provide a local match of $389,695 from transportation fees.
• Rezoning Ordinances:
  • Ordinance 3586: Adopted (5-0) on second read, rezoning 7-11 South Ramsey Street from small lot single-family residential to two-family multi-family.
  • Ordinance 3587: Adopted (5-0) on second read, rezoning 998 South Murphy Street from small lot single-family residential and commercial general to commercial general.
• Land Development Code Amendment: Ordinance 3589 was adopted (5-0) on second read, amending Chapter 23, Article 6 of the Land Development Code to add a setback exception in various residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural/public/university districts.
• Transportation Projects Advisory Committee (TPAC) Appointment: Dustin McDonald was appointed (5-0) to fill an open seat on the committee.

Financial Matters 💰

• Water and Sewer Capacity Fees: The Council adopted Resolution CC-2025-33 (5-0) and the SUA adopted Resolution SUA-2025-10 (5-0). These resolutions establish new water and sewer capacity fees and water tie-on fees for larger water meter sizes (8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch). Staff noted these fees are based on existing formulas, and a comprehensive cost study will be conducted in the future.
• Water and Wastewater Rate Structure: The Council adopted Resolution CC-2025-34 (5-0) and the SUA adopted Resolution SUA-2025-11 (5-0). These resolutions adopt a revised rate structure for water and wastewater utility services, establishing base charges for the newly added 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch meter sizes.
• Rails to Trails Phase 3 Funding: The total estimated cost for the third phase of the Railstora project is $1,589,695. The city is seeking $1.2 million in grant funds from ODOT, with a required local match of $389,695 to be appropriated from transportation fees.

Public Comments

• Elaine Zenati (615 South Husband Street, Apartment Three): Spoke in favor of the proposed downtown intersection improvements. She highlighted that the pilot program converting intersections to four-way stops has led to increased pedestrian safety, smoother traffic flow, and greater driver awareness. She also noted positive feedback from downtown residents and businesses, who have observed more pedestrian traffic. Ms. Zenati praised city staff for their efforts to integrate the improvements aesthetically with the downtown area, including the use of Block 34 style stone for the roundabout.

Agenda Summary Table