Meeting Summary
The City Council approved significant financial allocations, including $50,000 in CARES Act funds for a small business relief program and a $50,000 grant for the International Finals Rodeo. A major $12 million loan was approved for wastewater treatment plant upgrades, expected to yield substantial operational savings. Several rezoning requests were granted to support industrial expansion and single-family residential development, alongside the initiation of three sidewalk projects.
Key Decisions & Votes
CARES Act Funds for Small Business Relief Program
35:10The City approved allocating $50,000 of CARES Act funds to Shawnee Forward's small business relief program, which will provide grants up to $5,000 to businesses in the greater Shawnee area to help with investments in sustainability. The funds will be pooled with Pottawatomie County's $100,000 contribution.
Financial Assistance for International Finals Rodeo (IFR)
50:50The City approved a $50,000 grant to the Shawnee Civic and Cultural Development Authority to support the 2021 International Finals Rodeo, scheduled for July 11-16. This funding will help cover upfront expenses and offset lost sponsorships from the 2020 cancellation.
Building Cleaning Services Contract
59:00The City approved a professional service contract with Jenny King for $72,458 annually to provide cleaning services for four main city buildings (library, senior center, planning/engineering, city hall). This aims to ensure consistent, after-hours cleaning, especially for COVID-19 disinfection, and is more cost-effective than hiring additional city staff.
Rezoning for South Central Industries Warehouse
1:08:40The City approved rezoning 1.79 acres at the southeast corner of North Kickapoo Avenue and West 10th Street from C3 Highway Commercial District and R3 Multi-family Residential District to C4 Central Business District. This change supports the expansion of South Central Industries' campus and is expected to create more jobs.
Rezoning for Future Heavy Industrial Use
1:14:00The City approved rezoning 80 acres on the north side of Wolverine Road west of North Harrison Avenue from A1 Rural Agricultural District to I3 Heavy Industrial District. This aligns with the comprehensive plan for industrial expansion and will allow the applicant to market the raw land for future industrial development.
Amendment of 2040 Comprehensive Plan (E 39th Street)
1:29:00The City approved amending the 2040 Comprehensive Plan to change the future land use designation of 13.49 acres on East 39th Street from high-density residential (R3) to single-family residential (R1). The planning director was also directed to recommend reallocating 13-15 acres for high-density residential elsewhere in the city during the annual review, without encumbering the current developer.
Rezoning Property on E 39th Street
1:32:00The City approved rezoning 13.49 acres located approximately 1100 feet east of Harrison Avenue on East 39th Street from A1 Rural Agricultural District to R1 Single Family Residential District, aligning with the amended comprehensive plan.
Negotiation for Sidewalk Projects Professional Services
1:40:00The City approved negotiating professional service contracts with three engineering firms (CEC, Crafton Tull, Olsson) for the design of three high-priority sidewalk projects: Independence Street (Kickapoo to Harrison), Highland (Harrison to Bryan), and Kickapoo (I-40 to Macarthur). These projects are funded by a 2017 Adventist Foundation grant and aim to meet comprehensive plan goals and the safe routes to school master plan.
Clean Water SRF Loan for Wastewater Treatment Plant
1:58:00The Shawnee Municipal Authority approved an additional $12 million Clean Water SRF loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board at 1.65% interest. This funding will support updated plans for the wastewater treatment plant, consolidating two plants into one, which is projected to yield $1.2 million in annual operational savings and prepare the city for 40 years of future growth.
Upcoming Community Events
SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital Shawnee Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Virtual Celebration
10 AM, Facebook Live
Financial Matters
CARES Act Funds for Small Business Relief Program
Allocation of city CARES Act funds to Shawnee Forward for a small business relief grant program.
International Finals Rodeo (IFR) Grant
Grant to Shawnee Civic and Cultural Development Authority to assist with hosting the 2021 IFR.
Building Cleaning Services Contract
Contract with Jenny King for professional janitorial services for four main city buildings.
Budget Amendments (Various)
Mid-year budget updates covering new police dispatch equipment, garage capital needs, building maintenance, and reallocation of CDBG funds for home rehab.
Municipal Authority Budget Amendment
Mid-year budget update for Shawnee Municipal Authority Fund 501, covering a paperless work order system, WMS system for DEQ reporting, and changes in payroll and contracted services.
Clean Water SRF Loan
Approval of an additional loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant, consolidating two plants into one for long-term operational savings and future growth.
Public Comments
Two citizens spoke during public comments. Ken Stafford raised concerns about a property rezoning process, citing lack of notification for a special meeting and a decision reversal that contradicted the comprehensive plan, requesting a re-hearing and policy changes. Rob Morris expressed concerns regarding the proposed CARES Act small business relief program, questioning the anonymity of the task force, fund allocation, and accountability. He also raised issues about city contracts with SEFF and Spectra, including transparency and potential waste.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Adventist Foundation grant for sidewalks has a sunset date of June 2022.
Watch For
- Annual review of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan in February 2021 to reallocate 13-15 acres for high-density residential.
Announcements
- Sheba, a 2-year-old pocket boy, is the pet of the week from Shawnee Animal Welfare and is available for adoption.
- Mayor proclaimed December 13-19, 2020, as SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital Shawnee Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Week. A virtual Facebook Live celebration is scheduled for December 17, 2020, at 10 AM. Citizens are encouraged to wear blue and send thank you messages to 1102 Wes Macarthur, Shawnee, OK 74804.
- The former JC Penney building will be occupied by Mathis Brothers Sleep Center, Ashley Furniture, and Lazy Boy.
Agenda Summary
Approval of the consent agenda
Approval of routine administrative items.
Discussion and consideration to use CARES Act funds for Shawnee Forward to administer a small business relief program
Proposal to allocate $50,000 of CARES Act funds to Shawnee Forward for a small business relief grant program, pooling with Pottawatomie County's $100,000 contribution. Grants up to $5,000 would assist businesses with investments in sustainability.
Discussion and consideration to provide financial assistance for Shawnee Civic and Cultural Development Authority to assist with the International Finals Rodeo (IFR)
Request for a $50,000 grant to support the 2021 International Finals Rodeo (July 11-16), with a matching commitment from another entity, to cover upfront expenses and offset lost sponsorships from the 2020 cancellation.
Discussion and consideration to enter into professional service contract for building cleaning services
Request to hire a professional janitorial service for four main city buildings (library, senior center, planning/engineering, city hall) to ensure consistent, after-hours cleaning and COVID-19 disinfection, at an annual cost of $72,458.
Consideration of following budget amendments
Mid-year budget updates covering new police dispatch equipment, garage capital needs, building maintenance, and reallocation of CDBG funds for home rehab.
Public hearing and consideration of an ordinance to rezone property located southeast corner of north Kickapoo Avenue and west 10th Street containing 1.79 acres from C3 Highway Commercial District and R3 Multi-family Residential District to C4 Central Business District for the purpose of a warehouse (Case P19-20, South Central Industries)
Request to rezone property to C4 Central Business District to align with the existing South Central Industries campus and facilitate expansion for a warehouse, expected to create more jobs.
Public hearing and consideration for an ordinance to rezone property located on the north side of Wolverine Road west of North Harrison Avenue containing 80 acres from A1 Rural Agricultural District to I3 Heavy Industrial District for the purpose of future industry (Case P20-20, Career Family Partnership 1992)
Request to rezone 80 acres of raw land to I3 Heavy Industrial District to align with the comprehensive plan and attract future industrial development to the area.
Public hearing and consideration to amend the 2040 comprehensive plan (Case CPA01-20, David Ray)
Request to amend the 2040 Comprehensive Plan to change the future land use designation of 13.49 acres on East 39th Street from high-density residential (R3) to single-family residential (R1). Staff recommended reallocating 13-15 acres for high-density residential elsewhere.
Consideration of an ordinance to rezone property located approximately 1100 feet east of Harrison Avenue on East 39th Street containing 13.49 acres from A1 Rural Agricultural District to R1 Single Family Residential District (Case CPA01-20, David Ray)
Request to rezone 13.49 acres to R1 Single Family Residential District, following the amendment of the comprehensive plan. This is for a 58-lot development, with developer commitment to participate in 39th Street improvements.
Consideration statements or qualifications for professional services
Request for permission to negotiate contracts with three engineering firms (CEC, Crafton Tull, Olsson) for the design of three high-priority sidewalk projects (Independence St, Highland, Kickapoo) funded by a 2017 Adventist Foundation grant.
Shawnee Airport Authority: Consider the approval of consent agenda
Approval of the consent agenda for the Airport Authority.
Shawnee Municipal Authority: Consider approval for consent agenda
Approval of the consent agenda for the Municipal Authority.
Shawnee Municipal Authority: Consideration of a budget amendment for the Shawnee Municipal Authority Fund 501 to adjust budget for paperless work order and WMS system changes in payroll and contracted services
Mid-year budget amendment for the Municipal Authority to fund a paperless work order system, a WMS system for DEQ reporting, and adjust for payroll and contracted services.
Shawnee Municipal Authority: Consider and take action with respect to a resolution of the Shawnee Municipal Authority the Authority approving and authorizing a Clean Water SRF loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the total aggregate principal amount of 12 million dollars
Request for an additional $12 million Clean Water SRF loan to fund updated plans for the wastewater treatment plant, consolidating two plants into one for long-term operational savings and future growth.
Reconvened City Commission: Consider and take action with respect to resolution of the Board of Commissioners for the City of Shawnee Oklahoma the City approving action taken by Shawnee Municipal Authority
Resolution for the City to ratify the Municipal Authority's approval of the $12 million Clean Water SRF loan and related agreements for the wastewater treatment plant.