December 16, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• Fly Home for the Holidays Giveaway: Shop, dine, and stay local now through 📅 January 4th. Every $50 spent earns an entry to win American Airlines gift cards and travel through Stillwater Regional Airport. Details at visitstillwater.org.
• SWO for the Holidays: Join the free community celebration at Stillwater Regional Airport (main terminal) on 📅 December 18th, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Features photos with Santa, hot chocolate, and a chance to win one of five $100 American Airlines gift cards.
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Event: Stillwater Community United will host its annual Unity event on 📅 Monday, January 19th. An optional march begins at 5:30 PM from Southern Woods Park to Mount Zion Baptist Church, followed by a program at 6:00 PM. 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, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Stillwater Public Library. This is an opportunity to engage with legislators before the 60th legislature's second regular session begins on 📅 Monday, February 2nd. Hosted by the Stillwater League of Women Voters and Friends of the Stillwater Public Library.
• 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 stillwaterok.gov/SEMA.
• Holiday City Office Closures & Waste Management: City offices will be closed on 📅 Thursday, December 25th (Christmas Day) and 📅 Thursday, January 1st (New Year's Day). Normal trash and recycling collection will be delayed by one day during these weeks (e.g., Thursday pickup moves to Friday, Friday to Saturday). For details, visit stillwaterok.gov/wastemanagement.
• 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. Donations can be made at unitedwaypaynecounty.org.

Public Comments

• Downtown Traffic & Safety: Elaine Zanotti (615 South Husband Street, Apartment 3) spoke in favor of the proposed downtown intersection improvements. She highlighted the positive changes observed since the pilot program of blinking red lights/four-way stops was implemented, noting increased pedestrian safety, smoother traffic flow due to less time spent at red lights, and greater driver awareness. She praised city staff for their efforts to enhance safety and integrate new signage and features aesthetically with the downtown area, including the use of Block 34 stone for the roundabout.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Consent Docket: The consent docket was approved ✅ with a 5-0 vote.
• Envision Stillwater 2045 Comprehensive Plan: Resolution CC-2025-35, approving and adopting Envision Stillwater 2045 as the city's comprehensive plan, was adopted ✅ with a 5-0 vote. Council members thanked the advisory committee and staff for their multi-year effort.
• Downtown Intersection Improvements Presentation: Staff presented proposed enhancements for downtown intersections at 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th & Main.
  • 7th, 8th, 9th & Main: Proposed converting existing traffic signals to permanent four-way stops with enhanced solar LED stop signs, Block 34-style streetlights, pavement legends ("STOP"), vertical pedestrian panels, and refreshed pavement markings.
  • 10th & Main (Roundabout): Proposed adding 14-foot Block 34-style streetlights, pedestrian warnings at crosswalks, embedded solar LED pavement markers, refreshed roadway striping (including "shark's teeth" for yielding), and a new armored, uplit stone pedestal for the statue using Block 34 stone.
  • Council Discussion: Council members generally supported the four-way stops, noting improved traffic flow and safety during the pilot. However, concerns were raised about the 10th & Main roundabout's size and visibility, especially for larger vehicles. Staff confirmed the roundabout meets MUTCD guidelines but is the smallest acceptable diameter.
  • Outcome: No action was taken on this item as it was a presentation and discussion. Staff was directed to bring back cost estimates for both enhancing the existing roundabout and converting it to a four-way stop for future council consideration.
• Film-Friendly Community Program Application: Resolution CC-2025-36, approving the submission of a film-friendly certification application to the Oklahoma Film and Music Office, was adopted ✅ with a 5-0 vote. This aims to increase community engagement, tourism, and visibility by attracting film productions.
• Rails to Trails Project Phase 3 Grant Application: Resolution CC-2025-37, declaring eligibility and authorizing submission of a grant application to ODOT for Transportation Alternatives Program funds for the third phase of the Rails to Trails project (3rd Avenue to 12th Avenue), was adopted ✅ with a 5-0 vote. This phase involves a 0.72-mile ADA-compliant hard surface trail.

Financial Matters 💰

• Water and Sewer Capacity Fees: Resolution CC-2025-33 (City Council) and SUA-2025-10 (Stillwater Utilities Authority) were adopted ✅ with 5-0 votes. These resolutions establish water and sewer capacity fees and water tie-on fees for larger water meter sizes (8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch), which previously did not exist. The fees are based on existing formulas, with a comprehensive cost study planned for the future.
• Water and Wastewater Utility Rate Structure: Resolution CC-2025-34 (City Council) and SUA-2025-11 (Stillwater Utilities Authority) were adopted ✅ with 5-0 votes. These resolutions adopt a revised rate structure, establishing base charges for water and wastewater rates for the newly added 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch meter sizes.
• Rails to Trails Project Phase 3 Funding: The total project cost is $1,589,695. The ODOT grant funds are anticipated to be $1.2 million, with the City of Stillwater providing a local match of $389,695 💰 from transportation fees (dedicated to capacity enhancements). The resolution included a budget amendment to appropriate these funds.

Agenda Summary Table