Meeting Summary
The City Commission approved Rodney Foster as the new Fire Chief and adopted the Shawnee Safe Routes to Schools Master Plan to enhance student safety and secure grant funding. Several properties were rezoned for commercial and single-family residential development. Additionally, a critical agreement was approved to clarify operational and maintenance responsibilities for the North Deer Creek and West Watkins Reservoirs, ensuring long-term water protection.
Key Decisions & Votes
Fire Chief Appointment
20:30Rodney Foster was approved as the new Shawnee Fire Chief, bringing expertise in fire safety and training.
Safe Routes to Schools Master Plan
32:00The Shawnee Safe Routes to Schools Master Plan was adopted, providing a framework for improving safety around schools and enabling the city to apply for federal grants.
Cancellation of City Commission Meeting
33:00The City Commission meeting scheduled for July 1st, 2019, was cancelled due to its proximity to the Fourth of July holiday.
Property Rezone (Union Ave & 45th St, Case P0219)
35:00An ordinance was approved to rezone 4.29 acres at the northeast corner of North Union Avenue and East 45th Street from A1 rural agricultural to C3 highway commercial for commercial development.
Property Rezone (East of Union Ave, North of 45th St, Case P0519)
38:00An ordinance was approved to rezone 3 acres east of North Union Avenue, north of East 45th Street, and west of North Harrison Avenue from A1 rural agricultural to C3 highway commercial for commercial development.
Property Rezone (East of Union Ave, North of 45th St, West of AT&SF Railroad, Case P0719)
40:00An ordinance was approved to rezone 23.85 acres from C3 highway commercial to R1 single-family residential, while maintaining 1.91 acres as C3.
Airport Property Surplus Declaration
49:00A resolution was approved to declare certain items of personal property at the Shawnee Regional Airport as surplus, authorizing their sale or disposal.
Airport Hay Harvesting Lease Award
52:00The bid for leasing Shawnee Airport Authority property for hay harvesting was awarded for $2,577 per year, with an option for renewal.
AMI Project Management Contract
56:00A contract with Haines and Russell consultants for project management services for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project was approved for $100,000.
Reservoir Operation and Maintenance Agreement
1:09:00An agreement clarifying the operation and maintenance responsibilities for the North Deer Creek Reservoir watershed and West Watkins Reservoir was approved with two modifications, including a guarantee of 100,000 gallons of treated water per day for PCDA.
Upcoming Community Events
Hit the Bricks 5K Run
Hosted by Shawnee Forward 2019 Leadership Class, raised $7,000 for Legacy Parenting.
Reception for New Fire Chief
3:30 PM at Shawnee Forward office, 231 North Bell.
Financial Matters
Reinstatement of tornado warning robo-calls
Citizen requested reinstatement of robo-calls for tornado warnings, citing a reported cost of $12,000 for the service.
Shawnee Senior Center kitchen revitalization
The Senior Center received a grant from the Sarkis foundation for kitchen revitalization.
Sale of surplus Airport property
Resolution to declare certain items of personal property (tanks, compressors, light lenses) at the Shawnee Regional Airport as surplus and authorize their sale or disposal, with funds allocated to the Airport.
Lease of Airport Authority property for hay harvesting
Award of a bid for the lease of Airport Authority property for hay harvesting.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project management contract
Contract for project management services for the $5.38 million AMI project.
Public Comments
Citizens spoke on three main topics: the need for safer cycling and walking infrastructure, the reinstatement of tornado warning robo-calls, and strong support for the Shawnee Senior Center's current staff and operations, particularly its director, Kate Joyce, highlighting its critical role in the community and its collaborative efforts.
Coming Up
Watch For
- A separate agreement for McLeod to operate recreational facilities at the North Deer Creek Reservoir watershed and West Watkins Reservoir is expected to be developed.
Announcements
- Shawnee Forward 2019 Leadership Class hosted a 5K run 'Hit the Bricks' on Saturday, raising $7,000 for Legacy Parenting.
- A reception for the new Fire Chief will be held on Tuesday, June 11th at 3:30 PM at the Shawnee Forward office (231 North Bell).
- Shawnee was ranked 29th among the best small cities to start a business by WalletHub.com.
Agenda Summary
Consent Agenda
Approval of routine administrative matters.
Hiring of Rodney Foster as Shawnee Fire Chief
Consideration and approval of the interim city manager's recommendation to hire Rodney Foster, former training battalion chief from Midwest City, as the new Shawnee Fire Chief.
Adoption of Shawnee Safe Routes to Schools Master Plan
Presentation and adoption of an 18-month comprehensive plan designed to improve safety for students walking and biking to school, aligning with Blue Zones initiatives and enabling grant applications.
Cancellation of July 1st, 2019 City Commission meeting
Consideration of cancelling the scheduled City Commission meeting due to its proximity to the Fourth of July holiday.
Rezone property at northeast corner of North Union Avenue and East 45th Street (Case P0219)
Public hearing and consideration of an ordinance to rezone approximately 4.29 acres from A1 rural agricultural to C3 highway commercial for commercial development.
Rezone property east of North Union Avenue, north of East 45th Street, west of North Harrison Avenue (Case P0519)
Public hearing and consideration of an ordinance to rezone approximately 3 acres from A1 rural agricultural to C3 highway commercial for commercial development.
Rezone property east of North Union Avenue, north of East 45th Street, west of AT&SF Railroad (Case P0719)
Public hearing and consideration of an ordinance to rezone 23.85 acres from C3 highway commercial to R1 single-family residential, while retaining 1.91 acres as C3.
Shawnee Airport Authority Consent Agenda
Approval of routine administrative matters for the Airport Authority.
Declare Airport property surplus
Consideration of a resolution declaring old tanks, compressors, and light lenses found during hangar renovation as surplus property, authorizing their sale or disposal.
Lease of Shawnee Airport Authority property for hay harvesting
Consideration of bids for leasing Airport Authority property on John Coe Road for hay harvesting, with one bid received above the minimum reserve.
Shawnee Municipal Authority Consent Agenda
Approval of routine administrative matters for the Municipal Authority.
Contract with Haines and Russell consultants for AMI project management
Consideration of a contract with Haines and Russell consultants for project management services related to the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project, valued at $5.38 million.
Agreement regarding North Deer Creek Reservoir watershed and West Watkins Reservoir O&M
Consideration of an agreement between Shawnee Municipal Authority, Pottawatomie County Development Authority, and Tecumseh Utility Authority to clarify responsibilities for the operation and maintenance of the North Deer Creek Reservoir watershed and West Watkins Reservoir.