Meeting Summary
The City Commission extended the COVID-19 safety code, including a mask mandate, until November 30, 2020, following extensive public comment both for and against the measure. A significant financial decision was made to approve the issuance of a $16.875 million sales tax revenue note at a low interest rate to accelerate funding for key infrastructure and park projects. The monthly sales tax report showed positive growth, exceeding budget projections and prior year figures.
Key Decisions & Votes
Sales Tax Revenue Note Series 2020 Issuance
42:00The City Commission approved the issuance of a $16,875,000 sales tax revenue note at a 1.35% interest rate to fund projects including 45th Street improvements, the parks master plan, and fire station renovations.
COVID-19 Safety Code Extension
49:00An ordinance was approved to extend the city's COVID-19 safety code, which includes a mask mandate, until November 30, 2020. An emergency clause was also approved for immediate effect.
Rezoning 1018 West Benedict Street
57:00A request to rezone property from C1 Neighborhood Commercial to C3 Highway Commercial District was denied, aligning with staff and Planning Commission recommendations due to the area's residential character and comprehensive plan.
Rezoning 850 North Harrison Avenue for Cellular Tower
01:06:00A request to rezone property from C1 Neighborhood Commercial to C3 Highway Commercial District with a Conditional Use Permit for a 110-foot cellular communications tower was approved to enhance cellular services.
Appointment to Community Service Contract Review Committee
34:00Commissioner Rutherford was appointed to the Community Service Contract Review Committee.
Upcoming Community Events
Voter Registration Event
CPN South Reunion Hall, 1702 Gordon Cooper Drive, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Open to the public.
Voter Registration Event
Calvary Baptist Church, 214 West Federal Street, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Open to the public.
Voter Registration Event
George Fisher, off 177 and Leo and Independence, from 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM. Open to the public.
Online Voter Registration
Visit okvoterportal.okelections.us to print, sign, and mail registration forms.
Financial Matters
Sales Tax Revenue Note Series 2020
Approval for the Shawnee Municipal Authority to issue a sales tax revenue note to monetize sales tax, funding projects like 45th Street, parks master plan, and fire station remodels.
Monthly Sales Tax and Budget Report (July)
Sales tax was up 20.37% against projected budget and 1.78% compared to the prior year. Use tax was up 5.03% above budget. General fund and SMA are reported as healthy.
Public Comments
Eight citizens spoke regarding the city's mask mandate, with strong opinions both for and against its continuation. Arguments against included concerns about civil liberties, discrimination (ADA, asthma), lack of mask effectiveness, and the mandate being a tool for control. Arguments in favor highlighted the public health crisis, personal impact of COVID-19, and the belief that masks help reduce transmission. One citizen also spoke about upcoming voter registration events.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Rezoning property at 620 West MacArthur Street for an outdoor gathering space, deferred to the October 19th City Commission meeting.
Watch For
- Discussion on criteria for potentially ending the mask mandate before its November 30th expiration.
- Updates on the annual review process for the city's comprehensive plan.
- Continued focus on city beautification efforts, including enforcement of landscaping maintenance and addressing high weed complaints.
Announcements
- High-mast lights at I-40 and Kickapoo, and I-40 and Harrison, have been converted to LED and are now operational. This is reportedly the first LED conversion of high-mast lights by OG&E.
- The dilapidated house on 10th Street (10th and Tucker) where a tree fell has been demolished and the site is being cleaned up.
Agenda Summary
Roll Call and Invocation
Opening procedures for the meeting.
Citizen Participation
Public comments on various topics, primarily the mask mandate and voter registration.
Consent Agenda (excluding items 2C and 2I)
Approval of routine administrative items.
Item 2C: Approval of Minutes
Approval of specific meeting minutes.
Item 2I: Appointments
Approval of various appointments to city boards and commissions.
Pet of the Week
Presentation of a pet available for adoption.
Consider appointment of a city commissioner to the Community Service Contract Review Committee
Appointment of Commissioner Rutherford to fill a vacancy on the committee.
Consider and take action with respect to a resolution of the city commissioners of the city of shawnee the city approving the issuance of indebtedness by the shawnee municipal authority the authority issuing its sales tax revenue note series 2020
Resolution to approve the issuance of a $16,875,000 sales tax revenue note for various city projects.
Consideration of an ordinance amending portions of chapter 15 entitled health and safety... enacting the city of shawnee covet 19 safety code
Ordinance to extend the city's COVID-19 safety code, including the mask mandate, until November 30, 2020.
Emergency Clause for COVID-19 Safety Code Ordinance
Motion to enact an emergency clause for the extended COVID-19 safety code.
Public hearing consideration of an ordinance to rezone property located at 1018 West Benedict Street
Request to rezone 0.19 acres from C1 Neighborhood Commercial to C3 Highway Commercial District.
Public hearing in consideration of an ordinance to rezone property located at 850 North Harrison Avenue
Request to rezone 1.66 acres from C1 Neighborhood Commercial to C3 Highway Commercial District with a Conditional Use Permit for a cellular communications tower.
Public hearing in consideration of an ordinance to rezone property located 620 West MacArthur Street
Request to rezone 1.29 acres from C3 Highway Commercial to C3 Highway Commercial District with a Conditional Use Permit for an outdoor gathering space.
Public hearing in consideration of an ordinance to rezone property at 2124 West Benedict Street
Request to rezone 1.00 acres from A1 Rural Agricultural District to C3 Highway Commercial District for an indoor medical marijuana cultivation facility.
Acknowledge monthly sales tax and budget report
Review of the city's sales tax and budget performance for the month of July.
New Business (City Commission)
Opportunity for new items to be introduced.
Commissioner's Comments
Commissioners share thoughts and updates on city matters.
Shawnee Airport Authority Consent Agenda
Approval of routine administrative items for the Airport Authority.
Shawnee Airport Authority New Business
Opportunity for new items to be introduced for the Airport Authority.
Shawnee Municipal Authority Consent Agenda
Approval of routine administrative items for the Municipal Authority.
Consider and take action with respect to our resolution authorizing shawnee municipal authority the authority to issue its sales tax revenue note series 2020
Secondary action required for the issuance of the $16,875,000 sales tax revenue note.
Shawnee Municipal Authority New Business
Opportunity for new items to be introduced for the Municipal Authority.