November 18, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• Stillwater Municipal Building Closure: The Municipal Building will be closed for Thanksgiving on 📅 Thursday, November 27th, and 📅 Friday, November 28th.
• Trash & Recycling Schedule: Collection will be delayed by one day during Thanksgiving week. Thursday's collection will move to Friday, and Friday's to Saturday.
• Community Thanksgiving Dinner: The annual free dinner will be held on 📅 Thanksgiving Day, November 27th, from 10:30 AM 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: Join the annual parade on 📅 Thursday, December 4th, 2025, at 6:30 PM in downtown Stillwater.
• Festive Skies with Holiday Heroes and Drone Show: This event will take place on 📅 Saturday, December 6th, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Block 34, featuring Santa, ice skating, a snow globe, and vendors.
• Fly Home for the Holidays Giveaway: From 📅 November 22nd through January 4th, every $50 spent locally earns an entry to win American Airlines gift cards for travel through Stillwater Regional Airport. Details at visitstillwater.org.
• OML Honor Roll of Service: The City recognized six employees for 25 years of service: Lt. William Cluck (Police), Sgt. Andrew Wilson (Police), Capt. Rick Lajeur (Fire), Jackie Wilson (Electric Utility), Kevin Harding (Waste Management/Fleet), and Jacob Mason (Water Utilities).

Public Comments

Citizens raised concerns regarding a proposed utility easement for a waterline project on the west side of Sager, impacting properties including 3606 West Deer Crossing.

• Jennifer and Mel Castleberry expressed frustration over a lack of information since receiving a certified letter in July about the city's intent to acquire permanent and temporary utility easements.
  • Conflicting Project Rationale: They received conflicting reasons for the project, from the current waterline being "too large" to "increasing capacity," despite the proposed line being 56% smaller. They questioned why the line would decrease in size with anticipated growth.
  • Lack of Alternatives: No information was provided on other locations considered for the waterline, or why the west side of Sager was chosen.
  • Infrastructure Due Diligence: Concerns were raised that the city had not assessed existing infrastructure on their property, which includes a lateral field for sewers, before determining the project's impact or fair market value.
  • Fair Market Value: They questioned how fair market value was determined without direct consultation with homeowners or knowledge of property specifics.
  • Request: They requested the city table the issue for further due diligence and engineering studies.
• Roger Ghost (113 East 8th) supported the Castleberrys, highlighting specific issues:
  • Lateral Field Impact: The plans show the waterline crossing their sewer lateral field, which is incorrectly depicted and would be rendered ineffective.
  • Fence and Trees: Inconsistent plans regarding the removal or replacement of a pipe and cable fence, and the planned removal of numerous protective trees.
  • Easement Shape: The proposed 15x20 or 15x40 permanent easement was described as an illogical "notch" out of their front yard.
• Staff Response: Council acknowledged the ongoing conversations between staff and the Castleberrys and encouraged continued dialogue to address concerns and provide project details. The item on the consent docket was clarified to be for general project expenditures, not the specific easement under discussion.

Key Decisions & Votes

Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) Meeting

• Consent Docket: Approved the consent docket, which included authorization of total project expenditures for easement and real estate acquisition related to a utility project.
• Resolution SUA 2025-8: Adopted a resolution authorizing the execution of a release and termination of covenant agreement in connection with the Campus Corner Creamery redevelopment at 229 South Knoblock Street. This was requested as SUA is a named beneficiary in the covenant.

Stillwater Economic Development Authority (CEDA) Meeting

• Consent Docket: Approved the consent docket.
• Small Business Enhancement Assistance: Approved an application from Community Escrow and Title Company for 💰 $15,000 in small business enhancement assistance for exterior improvements (front porch, roof, deck, lighting, landscaping) at 623 South Lewis Street. The total project cost is over $60,000.

Stillwater City Council Meeting

• Consent Docket: Approved the consent docket.
• Washington School Demolition and Asbestos Abatement: Approved the award of a bid to Midwest Wrecking Company for 💰 $120,400.66 for the demolition of accessory structures and asbestos abatement within the original T-structure at the Booker T. Washington School site (12th Avenue).
  • This includes add alternates for sodding and loose straw erosion control.
  • Total project expenditures were authorized not to exceed 💰 $168,311, funded by the Visitor Amenities Fund, to cover architecture, design, asbestos survey professional services, and contingency.
  • This action aims to preserve the T-structure for future renovation and development as a visitor amenity.
• Resolution CC-2025-30: Adopted a resolution authorizing the execution of a release and termination of covenant agreement in connection with the Campus Corner Creamery redevelopment at 229 South Knoblock Street. This mirrors the SUA resolution, as the City of Stillwater is also a named beneficiary.
• Ordinance 3584 (Land Development Code Amendments): Adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 23 of the Stillwater City Code, specifically regarding definitions, use categories, limitations, and the CB Commercial Business District.
• Ordinance 3585 (Sidewalk, Street, and Parking Lot Table Service Areas): Adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 23 of the Stillwater City Code, specifically regarding accessory use categories and regulations for sidewalk, street, and parking lot table service areas.

Agenda Summary Table