Meeting Summary
The City Council approved a new schedule of regular meetings, moving to once a month, and authorized emergency repairs for a collapsed storm water main on Dewey Street. A significant decision was made to call for a special election on January 10, 2023, for a 0.5% sales tax to fund capital expenditures, including water, wastewater, and streets, which would replace a previously adopted utility improvement fee. Additionally, a land lease was approved to allow the Oklahoma Military Department to build a new Readiness Center at the Shawnee Airport.
Key Decisions & Votes
Meeting Schedule Change
25:40The City Commission approved a new schedule for regular meetings in 2023, moving to a once-a-month format on the third Monday, with the first Monday reserved for special or work sessions.
Forklift Purchase for Expo Center
42:40The purchase of a forklift for the Oklahoma Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center for $50,549 was approved, contingent upon verification of a minimum 9-inch ground clearance and appropriate tire size.
Emergency Storm Water Main Repair
46:00An emergency declaration was made, and authorization was granted for the repair of a collapsed storm water main on Dewey Street for an amount not to exceed $176,350.
Budget Amendment for Storm Water Repair
47:00A budget amendment for fiscal year 2022-2023 was approved for the Street Improvement fund to cover the emergency storm water system repair on Dewey Street.
Land Lease from Airport Authority to City
58:50A land lease from the Shawnee Airport Authority to the City of Shawnee for 40 acres was approved, facilitating the construction of a new Oklahoma Military Department Readiness Center.
Land Lease from City to Oklahoma Military Department
01:00:50A land lease from the City of Shawnee to the Oklahoma Military Department for 40 acres was approved, enabling the development of a new Readiness Center.
Ordinance for 0.5% Sales Tax Election
01:20:50An ordinance was approved to call for a special election on January 10, 2023, for a 0.5% city excise sales tax to fund capital expenditures, including water, wastewater, and streets.
Resolution for Special Sales Tax Election
01:22:50A resolution was approved to formally call and hold a special election on January 10, 2023, for the proposed 0.5% sales tax.
City Manager Compensation and Contract
02:30:40Following an executive session, the City Commission approved a 10% increase in the City Manager's compensation and a one-year extension of her contract.
Financial Matters
Forklift Purchase
Purchase of a forklift for the Oklahoma Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center.
Emergency Storm Water Main Repair
Emergency repair of a collapsed storm water main on Dewey Street.
Budget Amendment for Storm Water Repair
Budget amendment to Fund 302 Street Improvement fund to cover the emergency storm water main repair.
Land Lease to City for Military Department
Annual lease payment from the City to the Airport Authority for 40 acres to be used by the Oklahoma Military Department.
0.5% City Excise Sales Tax Ordinance
Ordinance to establish a new 0.5% sales tax to fund capital expenditures, estimated to generate $3.56 million per year and create a $10.5 million surplus in the first five years.
City Manager Compensation Increase
Increase in the City Manager's compensation by 10%.
Public Comments
Six citizens addressed the council, raising concerns about moving Halloween, the proposed change to once-a-month meetings, the need for Tiff District tax reports, issues related to homelessness downtown (garbage, human waste, sleeping in front of businesses), and opposition to the 0.5% sales tax, suggesting alternative funding methods like a hotel/motel tax.
Coming Up
Watch For
- Special election on January 10, 2023, for a 0.5% sales tax.
- Implementation of a new online citizen request portal and Asset Management tracking software.
- Development of a Capital Improvement Program policy to guide future spending of sales tax revenue.
- Further expansion of the Homeless Resource Center to operate six days a week.
- Creation of Shawnee's own Continuum of Care (COC) for homelessness mitigation.
- Completion of the Unified Development Code (UDC) by 2024.
- Completion of the Shawnee Twin Lakes master plan effort.
Agenda Summary
Citizen Participation
Citizens spoke on various topics including moving Halloween, concerns about the meeting schedule change, requests for Tiff District tax reports, issues with homelessness downtown, and the proposed sales tax.
Consider approval of consent agenda
Approval of routine administrative items.
Consideration of a schedule of regular meetings for 2023
Discussion and vote on changing the city commission meetings to once a month (third Monday), with the first Monday reserved for special or work sessions.
Consideration of the purchase of a forklift for use of the Oklahoma Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center
Proposal to purchase a new forklift for $50,549 to replace an old unit and avoid high rental costs.
Declaration of an emergency exists pursuant to 61 OS 130 and authorization for an emergency repair of the storm water main on Dewey Street
Declaration of an emergency and authorization for a repair not to exceed $176,350 for a collapsed 400-foot storm water main on Dewey Street.
Consideration of a budget amendment for a fiscal year 2022 to 2023 for Fund 302 Street Improvement fund
Budget amendment to fund the emergency storm water main repair using sales tax collections exceeding budget estimates.
Airport Authority - Consider approval of consent agenda
Approval of routine administrative items for the Airport Authority.
Airport Authority - Consideration of a land lease from Shawnee Airport Authority to the city of Shawnee
Approval of a land lease for 40 acres to the city, which will then lease it to the Oklahoma Military Department for a Readiness Center.
Airport Authority - New business
Opportunity for new business items for the Airport Authority.
Municipal Authority - Consider approval of consent agenda
Approval of routine administrative items for the Municipal Authority.
Municipal Authority - New business
Opportunity for new business items for the Municipal Authority.
Consideration of a land lease from the city of Shawnee to the Oklahoma Military Department
Approval of the city's lease of 40 acres to the Oklahoma Military Department for a new Readiness Center.
Consider and take action with respect to an ordinance the city of Shawnee Oklahoma relating to the imposition of a city excise tax sales tax of one half of one percent
Discussion and approval of an ordinance to establish a 0.5% sales tax for capital expenditures, intended to replace the utility improvement fee.
Resolution authorizing the calling and holding of a special election
Approval of a resolution to call a special election on January 10, 2023, for the proposed 0.5% sales tax.
Administrative reports
Updates on the city's homeless program and the annual State of the City address by the City Manager.
New business
Opportunity for new business items for the City Commission.
Commissioner's Comments
Commissioners shared comments on various topics, including administrative reports, the new meeting schedule, and the upcoming sales tax election.
Consider executive session to discussion annual evaluations of the city manager
Executive session to discuss the city manager's annual performance evaluation.
Consider matters discussed in executive session regarding discussions of annual evaluations of city manager
Action taken following the executive session regarding the city manager's evaluation.