June 3, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• International Day of Play: Stillwater will celebrate the first-ever International Day of Play on 📅 June 11, 2025, with a special, free, family-friendly event at StoneCloud Brewing, featuring hands-on learning through play stations.
• National Gun Violence Awareness Day: 📅 Friday, June 6, 2025, is proclaimed National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Stillwater. Residents are encouraged to wear orange and secure firearms from children and vehicles to prevent gun violence.
• Murphy's Department Store Closure: After 99 years, Murphy's Department Store will close its doors in 📅 2025. The city recognized owners Terry and Nancy Monroe for their significant contributions to downtown Stillwater and the community.
• Utility Scam Alert: The City of Stillwater warns residents about fraudulent calls from individuals impersonating utility staff and demanding immediate payment. Stillwater Utilities will never ask for immediate payment or personal financial information over the phone. If uncertain, hang up and call Utility Billing at 405-742-8245 (option 9).
• Fire Chief Terry Essie's Departure: Fire Chief Terry Essie is leaving after 20 years of dedicated service to the Stillwater Fire Department to become the new Fire Chief for the Edmond Fire Department.
• Juneteenth Celebration: Stillwater Community United will celebrate Juneteenth at Southern Woods Park on 📅 Saturday, June 21st, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event will feature games, music, free food, drinks, and entertainment. More info: visitstillwater.org/swocommunityed.
• City Hall Closure: City Hall will be closed on 📅 Thursday, June 19th, in observance of Juneteenth. Trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will proceed as usual.
• FEMA & SBA Assistance for Wildfire Victims: Federal assistance is available for those impacted by the March 14th wildfires.
  • Disaster Loan Outreach Center (SBA): Stillwater Community Center, Room 102. Open 📅 Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., and Saturdays 📅 May 31st & June 7th, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., until 📅 June 11th.
  • FEMA: Stillwater Community Center, Room 110. Open 📅 Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., and Saturdays 📅 May 31st & June 7th, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Anticipated to be open for one month.
• Utility Box Art Program: Stillwater Art Integration has launched this year's Utility Box Art Program with the theme "Stillwater Strong." The contest is open to all community members. More information and application details: stillwater.gov/art.
• Splash Pads Open: Splash pads at Boomer Lake Park and Southern Woods Park are now open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (closed only for inclement weather or maintenance).
• Citizen Boards & Committees: Residents are encouraged to apply for positions on various city committees and boards, including the Board of Drainage Appeals, Audit Committee, Board of Adjustment, and Building Trades Board. Apply at stillwater.gov/citizenboards.
• Boomer Blast Fireworks Show: Stillwater's 31st Boomer Blast fireworks show will be held on 📅 Friday, July 4th, at Boomer Lake Park. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m., with fireworks starting around 9:30 p.m. The show will be streamed live on the City of Stillwater Facebook page and YouTube channel. More info: stillwater.gov/boomerblast.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Consent Docket (City Council): The consent docket was ✅ Approved with a 5-0 vote, with one item removed for separate discussion.
• Consent Docket Item C (City Council): This item was ❌ Removed from the consent docket and Tabled until the next meeting to allow for the contractor's presence to answer questions.
• Map Amendment to Rezone 1002 South Husband Street: Following a public hearing, the request to rezone 1002 South Husband Street from two-family residential to commercial business was ✅ Approved with a 5-0 vote.
  • Discussion: The applicant, Cory Williams, highlighted that the rezoning aligns with the city's comprehensive plan and that the area previously allowed such uses under an expired overlay zoning. He plans to repurpose the existing house into a neighborhood restaurant, preserving its 1930s craftsman architecture. A resident, Janet Rogers, expressed concerns about commercial encroachment into her residential area. Council members acknowledged the difficulty of balancing growth with neighborhood impact but ultimately supported the rezoning, noting the positive overall impact on the city and the thoughtful development history in the area.
• Specific Use Permit for 1307 North Husband Street: The request for a specific use permit to allow churches and other religious institutions at 1307 North Husband Street was ❌ Withdrawn by the applicant.
• Stillwater Regional Airport Master Plan Adoption: The Stillwater Regional Airport Master Plan was ✅ Adopted with a 5-0 vote.
  • Discussion: A presentation outlined the 20-year strategic vision for the airport, noting that passenger employments have exceeded expectations, rebounding faster than anticipated post-COVID-19. The plan addresses the need for a new 32,000 sq ft terminal building (currently under construction) and future development for general aviation. The estimated cost for the 20-year plan is $161 million, with significant portions expected from private investment, FAA discretionary grants, OSU, state grants, and continued congressional support.
• Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 (City Council): Resolution CC-2025-8, adopting the operating budget for the City of Stillwater for FY 2025-2026, was ✅ Adopted with a 5-0 vote.
• Ordinance 3571 (Rezone 1002 South Husband Street): This ordinance, related to the rezoning of 1002 South Husband Street, was ✅ Advanced to second reading with a 5-0 vote.
• Ordinance 3570 (Rezone 1017 & 1023 South Husband Street): This ordinance, rezoning properties at 1017 and 1023 South Husband Street from two-family residential to commercial business, was ✅ Adopted with a 5-0 vote.
• Consent Docket (Stillwater Utilities Authority): The SUA consent docket was ✅ Approved with a 5-0 vote.
• Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 (Stillwater Utilities Authority): Resolution SUA 2025-2, adopting the operating budget for the Stillwater Utilities Authority for FY 2025-2026, was ✅ Adopted with a 5-0 vote.
• Consent Docket (Stillwater Economic Development Authority): The CEDA consent docket was ✅ Approved with a 5-0 vote.
• Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 (Stillwater Economic Development Authority): Resolution CEDA-2025-2, adopting the operating budget for the Stillwater Economic Development Authority for FY 2025-2026, was ✅ Adopted with a 5-0 vote.
• Consent Docket (Stillwater Public Works Authority): The SPWA consent docket was ✅ Approved with a 5-0 vote.
• Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 (Stillwater Public Works Authority): Resolution SPWA-25-2025-1, adopting the operating budget for the Stillwater Public Works Authority for FY 2025-2026, was ✅ Adopted with a 5-0 vote.

Financial Matters 💰

• Stillwater Regional Airport Master Plan: The adopted master plan outlines an estimated $161 million in development over the next 20 years. This investment is anticipated to be funded through a combination of private investment, FAA discretionary and entitlement grants, Oklahoma State University contributions, state grants from the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, and other economic development sources.
• Operating Budgets FY 2025-2026: The operating budgets for the City of Stillwater, Stillwater Utilities Authority, Stillwater Economic Development Authority, and Stillwater Public Works Authority for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 were all ✅ Adopted. Council expressed gratitude to the finance department and all city departments for their diligent work in managing city funds.

Public Comments

• Map Amendment to Rezone 1002 South Husband Street:
  • Cory Williams (Applicant): Spoke in favor of the rezoning, emphasizing that the proposal aligns with the city's comprehensive plan. He noted that the area previously allowed similar commercial uses under an expired overlay zoning. Williams highlighted his track record of successful developments (e.g., Stonecloud, Empire) that have not had deleterious effects on the neighborhood. He plans to repurpose the existing house into a neighborhood restaurant, preserving its 1930s craftsman architecture, and expressed dedication to the neighborhood's character.
  • Janet Rogers (Resident, 10006 South Husband Street): Expressed her ongoing concern about commercial business encroaching into her residential living space and the potential for this trend to continue.

Agenda Summary Table