September 23, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Mayor William Joyce proclaimed 📅 October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Stillwater, supporting victims and promoting peaceful homes. Wings of Hope Family and Crisis Services reported answering over 1,200 crisis calls last year.
• United Way Campaign: Reminder that it's United Way campaign season, a great way to support local agencies like Wings of Hope.
• New Assistant City Manager: Rachel Bernish has joined the City of Stillwater as the new Assistant City Manager, overseeing community development, engineering, electric and water utilities, and building life safety.
• Road Closure: 19th Street (between Sanger and Western) is currently closed due to an extensive water line break. Crews are working on repairs. Real-time outage information is available at stillwater.gov/outage.
• Block 34 Events:
  • Popup Mahjong will be held 📅 tomorrow evening (September 23rd) at 7:00 PM in the Simmons Bank Pavilion.
  • Visit block34.org for event dates, Block 34 merchandise, and park reservations.
• Splash Pad Closures: The splash pads at Boomer Lake and Southern Woods Park will close for the season beginning 📅 Monday, September 29th. The Block 34 splash pad will remain open for events and during warm temperatures.
• Utility Box Art Contest: The deadline for the Utility Box Art Contest has been extended to 📅 October 1st. This year's theme is "Stillwater Strong." Entries can be submitted online at stillwaterart.org or dropped off at the Stillwater Community Center.
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection: The biannual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event will be held 📅 Saturday, November 1st, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Convenience Collection Center (807 South Perkins Road). Residents can drop off pollutants like paints, pesticides, cleaning products, and unused pharmaceuticals for free. Note: Yard waste will not be accepted during this event. More details at stillwater.gov/hhw.
• Fraudulent Invoice Warning: The City of Stillwater is warning applicants about fraudulent invoices, sometimes using the city's logo, requesting payment via wire transfer for services. The city will never request payment by wire transfer. If you receive a suspicious invoice, do not respond or pay; contact the city directly at 405-742-8213 to verify.
• Lexicon Mini ComicCon: Lexicon, Stillwater Cultural District's free mini ComicCon, is scheduled from 📅 Thursday, October 23rd through Saturday, October 25th. The main event is Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at multiple locations. Details at Stillwater.gov/lexxicon.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Rezoning 1212 South Perkins Road: The Council considered a request to rezone property at 1212 South Perkins Road from Light Industrial to Commercial General. This change aligns with the comprehensive plan's future land use map and allows for current and future uses, including a church, which is not permitted under the current zoning. The Planning Commission recommended approval.
  • Decision: The map amendment was approved by a 5-0 vote. Ordinance 3580, reflecting this rezoning, was advanced to second read.
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Closeout: The Council reviewed the completion and closeout of CDBG Grant #19168 for Fiscal Year 2023, which funded the Stillwater Public Library Fire Sprinkler System Retrofit and Update. The project aimed to benefit library users, including those with low to moderate income, and enhance safety.
  • Decision: The closeout of the grant was approved by a 5-0 vote, authorizing the mayor and city manager to sign closeout documents. A budget amendment was also approved.
• Dilapidated Mobile Home at 924 South Duck Street: A public hearing was held to determine if a mobile home structure at 924 South Duck Street was dilapidated and abandoned, constituting a public nuisance. The property owner was present and agreed to the proposed resolution.
  • Decision: Resolution CC-2025-26, declaring the mobile home dilapidated and abandoned and ordering its removal within 90 days, was adopted by a 5-0 vote.
• Opioid Settlements Participation: The Council considered Resolution CC-2025-25 to approve participation in two significant opioid settlements: one with Purdue Pharma LP and members of the Sackler family, and another with several generic opioid manufacturers. Stillwater is a litigating subdivision, and funds received will be dedicated to opioid abatement programs within the city.
  • Decision: Resolution CC-2025-25 was adopted by a 5-0 vote.
• Finance Department Code Amendment: Ordinance 3581 was introduced to amend the Stillwater City Code, allowing the Director of Finance to also hold the title of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This change recognizes the importance of the role and aligns with common practice in both private and municipal sectors, without altering duties or responsibilities.
  • Decision: Ordinance 3581 was advanced to second read by a 5-0 vote.
• Rezoning 320 South Walnut Street: Ordinance 3576, which rezones property at 320 South Walnut Street from Small Lot Single Family Residential to Two-Family Residential, was on its second reading.
  • Decision: Ordinance 3576 was adopted by a 5-0 vote.

Financial Matters 💰

• CDBG Grant Closeout: The Stillwater Public Library Fire Sprinkler System Retrofit project, funded by CDBG Grant #19168, came in under budget by $15,432. A budget amendment was approved, returning $40,058 to the general fund.
• Opioid Settlements:
  • The Purdue Sackler settlement is estimated to bring Stillwater a gross allocation of $268,074, distributed over 10 years.
  • The secondary small generic opioid manufacturers settlement is estimated to bring Stillwater a gross allocation ranging from $54,216 to $108,432, depending on participation incentives.
  • All funds from these settlements are earmarked for approved opioid abatement uses.

Public Comments

• Rezoning 1212 South Perkins Road: No members of the public signed up or spoke during the public hearing for this item.
• CDBG Grant Closeout: No members of the public signed up or spoke during the public hearing for this item.
• Dilapidated Mobile Home at 924 South Duck Street: The property owner, Chris Van, spoke during the public hearing and expressed agreement with the resolution to remove the dilapidated mobile home, noting previous attempts to move it were unsuccessful. He confirmed the 90-day timeframe for removal was achievable.

Agenda Summary Table