November 18, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• OML Honor Roll of Service: Six city employees were recognized for 25 years of dedicated service to Stillwater: Lieutenant William Clark and Sergeant Andrew Wilson (Stillwater Police Department), Captain Rick Logger (Stillwater Fire Department), Jackie Wilson (Stillwater Electric Utility), Kevin Harding (Waste Management and Fleet), and Jacob Mason (Water Utilities).
• Stillwater Municipal Building Closure: The building will be closed on 📅 Thanksgiving Day and the Friday afterward.
• Trash and Recycling Collection: Collection will be delayed by one day on 📅 Thanksgiving Day (Thursday's collection on Friday, Friday's collection on Saturday).
• Stillwater Community Thanksgiving Dinner: Join the community on 📅 Thanksgiving Day, November 27th, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the First United Methodist Church (400 West 7th Avenue). To-go meals will be available starting at noon. Volunteers are still needed.
• Holiday Parade of Lights: The annual parade will take place on 📅 Thursday, December 4th, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Stillwater.
• Festive Skies with Holiday Heroes and Drone Shows: Enjoy this event on 📅 Saturday, December 6th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Block 34. Activities include visiting Santa, ice skating on Herby Lane, a snow globe photo opportunity, and sweet treats from vendors.
• Fly Home for the Holidays Giveaway: From 📅 November 22nd through January 4th, every $50 spent at local businesses earns one entry into a giveaway for American Airlines gift cards for travel through Stillwater Regional Airport.

Public Comments

Citizens Jennifer and Mel Castleberry, along with Roger Ghost, addressed the Stillwater Utilities Authority regarding a proposed waterline project impacting their property and the Deer Crossing neighborhood.

• Concerns Raised:
  • Lack of timely information and conflicting reasons for the project (current line too large vs. increasing capacity).
  • The proposed line is 56% smaller than the current one, raising questions about future growth and current water service quality (which they reported as having no issues).
  • No information provided on alternative locations considered for the waterline.
  • Lack of due diligence regarding existing infrastructure on affected properties (e.g., sewer lateral fields, fences, trees), which they stated were not accurately represented in plans.
  • Questioned the determination of fair market value for easements without direct property assessment or homeowner consultation.
• Request: They asked the city to table the issue for further due diligence and engineering studies.
• Council Response: The Vice Mayor acknowledged that conversations with staff had begun and encouraged continued dialogue to address concerns. It was clarified that the specific agenda item under discussion was limited to authorizing total project expenditures for easement and real estate acquisition, not the approval of individual easements themselves.

Key Decisions & Votes

Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA)

• Consent Docket: Routine administrative items were approved (4-0).
• Resolution SUA2025-8: Authorized the execution of a release and termination of a covenant agreement related to the Campus Corner Creamery redevelopment at 229 South Knoblock Street. This was to include SUA as a named beneficiary in the release. Adopted** (4-0).

Stillwater Economic Development Authority (CEDA)

• Consent Docket: Routine administrative items were approved (4-0).
• Small Business Enhancement Assistance: An application from Community Escrow and Title Company (623 South Lewis Street) for $15,000 in assistance for exterior improvements (front porch, roof, deck, and new lighting) was approved (4-0). The total project cost is over $60,000 and will also include landscaping due to recent damage.

Stillwater City Council

• Consent Docket: Routine administrative items were approved (4-0).
• Washington School Demolition and Asbestos Abatement: The bid for the demolition of accessory structures and asbestos abatement at the Booker T. Washington School site (12th Avenue across from Southern Woods Park) was awarded to Midwest Wrecking Company for $120,466. This includes sodding and loose straw erosion control. Total project expenditures were authorized not to exceed $168,311 (including architecture, design, asbestos survey, and contingency). This project aims to preserve the original T-shaped structure for future renovation and was funded by the Visitor Amenities Fund. Approved (4-0).
• Resolution CC-2025-30: Authorized the execution of a release and termination of a covenant agreement related to the Campus Corner Creamery redevelopment at 229 South Knoblock Street. This was a sister resolution to SUA's, including the City of Stillwater as a named beneficiary. Adopted (4-0).
• Ordinance 3584 (Second Read): An ordinance amending various sections of Chapter 23 Land Development Code (definitions, use categories, commercial districts, and table of uses) was adopted (4-0).
• Ordinance 3585 (Second Read): An ordinance amending Chapter 23 Land Development Code, Article 5, Division 2, Section 23-105 (Sidewalk, Street, and Parking Lot Table Service Areas) was adopted (4-0).

Financial Matters 💰

• Stillwater Utilities Authority: Authorization of total project expenditures for easement and real estate acquisition related to a waterline project was approved as part of the consent docket.
• Stillwater Economic Development Authority: $15,000 in Small Business Enhancement Assistance was approved for Community Escrow and Title Company for exterior improvements.
• Stillwater City Council: A bid of $120,466 was awarded for the Washington School Demolition and Asbestos Abatement project, with total project expenditures authorized not to exceed $168,311. This project is funded by the Visitor Amenities Fund.

Agenda Summary Table