Meeting Summary
The city council meeting focused heavily on a transition in leadership, with resolutions of appreciation for outgoing Mayor West Maynard and Commissioners Linda Hea and Keith Hall. New Mayor Richard Finley and Commissioners Doug Basham, Ron Gilliam, James Herriot, and Darren Rutherford were sworn in. Mayor Finley outlined a forward-looking vision for the city, emphasizing community collaboration, financial transparency, and addressing long-standing issues like public image and infrastructure.
Key Decisions & Votes
Approval of City Commission Minutes
01:30The minutes from the regular City Commission meeting held on August 15th were approved.
Approval of Shawnee Airport Authority Minutes
02:00The minutes from the Shawnee Airport Authority meeting held on August 15, 2016, were approved.
Approval of Shawnee Municipal Authority Minutes
02:40The minutes from the Shawnee Municipal Authority meeting held on August 15, 2016, were approved.
Resolution of Appreciation for West Maynard
03:30A resolution expressing appreciation for the outstanding service of West Maynard as Mayor of the City of Shawnee was adopted.
Resolution of Appreciation for Linda Hea
04:00A resolution expressing appreciation for the outstanding service of Linda Hea as Commissioner of Ward 2 was adopted.
Resolution of Appreciation for Keith Hall
04:40A resolution expressing appreciation for the outstanding service of Keith Hall as Commissioner of Ward 4 was adopted.
Appointment of Vice Mayor
26:00Commissioner James Herriot was appointed as the new Vice Mayor.
Consent Agenda Approval
27:30The consent agenda, including authorization for staff to apply for the fiscal year 2017 Emergency Management Performance Grant funds, was approved.
Demolition Order Appeal Deferral
32:00Action on Clare and Juan Guerrero's appeal of an administrative order requiring demolition at 420 South Park Street was deferred until the October 17th meeting to allow the property owner time to submit a remodel permit.
Declaration of Surplus Property
35:00A resolution was adopted to declare a 1989 Ford 47610 tractor and a 2000 New Holland LB115 backhoe as surplus property, authorizing their trade-in.
Purchase of New Tractor
36:00Staff was authorized to purchase a 2016 New Holland T4.90 tractor, utilizing the trade-in of the declared surplus equipment.
Transportation Enhancement Project Agreement
37:30A resolution approving a transportation enhancement project agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for the Main Street streetscape enhancement project Phase 2 was adopted, primarily for reimbursement purposes.
Upcoming Community Events
Art Dedication for Library Mural
5 PM at the Shawnee Public Library, with refreshments.
Financial Matters
Surplus Property Trade-in and New Tractor Purchase
Two older city vehicles (1989 Ford tractor and 2000 New Holland backhoe) were declared surplus and authorized for trade-in towards the purchase of a new 2016 New Holland T4.90 tractor.
Main Street Streetscape Enhancement Project Phase 2 Agreement
Approval of a transportation enhancement project agreement with ODOT to secure approximately $400,000 in reimbursement for the ongoing downtown streetscape project.
Public Comments
Three citizens provided comments. Topics included an invitation to a library art dedication, an update on downtown housing and storm shelter projects, and a call for improved collaboration between the city and the Absentee Shawnee Tribe.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Appeal of administrative order for demolition at 420 South Park Street, deferred until the October 17th meeting.
Deadlines
- Mid-October: Decision on downtown housing project.
- Second meeting in October or November: Fire Station #2 rehab project to be presented for final review and bid authorization.
Watch For
- Mold Drive repaving project to start next week.
- Airport track lights to be fully operational by Friday, September 9th.
- Wayfinding plan agreement with ODOT to be submitted for approval, with signs potentially installed by the end of the year.
- Development of a community scorecard for better financial reporting.
- Potential utility rate increases on an annual basis.
- Expansion of Woodland Park to Santa Fe Depot.
- Discussions on developing public storm shelters.
- Efforts to address the homeless problem downtown.
- Consideration of additional wards due to population growth.
Announcements
- Karen Bay's from the Shawnee Public Library invited commissioners to an art dedication on Monday, September 19th, at 5 PM, for a mural created by young people during the summer reading program.
- A speaker updated the commission on a downtown housing project, noting a decision is expected mid-October, and mentioned storm shelters and park areas being developed.
- The Governor of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe expressed a desire for open communication and collaboration between the tribe and the city government.
- Commissioner Gilliam acknowledged the new commissioners and Mayor, expressing enthusiasm for future projects and the city's growth.
- Commissioner Shaw welcomed new members and encouraged citizens to join city committees, specifically mentioning the beautification and traffic committees. She also suggested considering additional wards due to population growth.
- Mayor Finley outlined his vision for the city, including creating an ombudsman role, empowering staff, improving the city's image, expanding Woodland Park, addressing the homeless problem, and developing public storm shelters.
- The Mayor stated his intention to compress the number of meetings and streamline agendas.
Agenda Summary
Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of August 15th
Consideration and approval of the minutes from the previous regular city commission meeting.
Shawnee Airport Authority: Approval of minutes from August 15, 2016 meeting
Consideration and approval of the minutes from the Shawnee Airport Authority meeting.
Shawnee Municipal Authority: Approval of minutes from August 15, 2016 meeting
Consideration and approval of the minutes from the Shawnee Municipal Authority meeting.
Resolution of appreciation for West Maynard, Mayor
Consideration of a resolution expressing appreciation for the outstanding service of West Maynard as Mayor of the City of Shawnee.
Resolution of appreciation to Linda Hea, Commissioner Ward 2
Consideration of a resolution expressing appreciation for the outstanding service of Linda Hea as Commissioner of Ward 2.
Resolution of appreciation to Keith Hall, Commissioner Ward 4
Consideration of a resolution expressing appreciation for the outstanding service of Keith Hall as Commissioner of Ward 4.
Swearing in of Mayor Richard Finley, Ward 1 Commissioner Doug Basham, Ward 2 Commissioner Ron Gilliam, Ward 3 Commissioner James Herriot, and Ward 4 Commissioner Darren Rutherford
Formal swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected Mayor and Commissioners.
Presentation of certificates of election to Mayor Richard Finley, Ward 1 Commissioner Doug Basham, Ward 2 Commissioner Ron Gilliam, Ward 3 Commissioner James Herriot, and Ward 4 Commissioner Darren Rutherford
Formal presentation of election certificates to the newly elected officials.
Appointment of Vice Mayor
Consideration and appointment of a Vice Mayor from among the commissioners.
Consent Agenda: Authorize staff to apply for subgrant for the fiscal year 2017 Emergency Management Performance Grant funds
Consideration of the consent agenda, specifically authorizing staff to apply for grant funds from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.
Citizens Participation
Opportunity for citizens to address the commission on matters of public interest.
Appeal of an administrative order requiring the demolition of residential structure located at 420 South Park Street
Discussion and possible action on Clare and Juan Guerrero's appeal of an administrative order for demolition, with a request for an extension due to surgery.
Resolution to declare 1989 Ford 47610 tractor and a 2000 New Holland LB115 backhoe as surplus property, authorizing trade-in
Consideration of a resolution to declare specific city equipment as surplus and authorize their trade-in towards the purchase of a new tractor.
Authorize staff to purchase 2016 New Holland T4.90 tractor
Discussion and possible action to authorize staff to purchase a new tractor, utilizing the trade-in of surplus equipment.
Resolution approving transportation enhancement project agreement with Oklahoma Department of Transportation for Main Street streetscape enhancement project Phase 2
Consideration of a resolution to approve an agreement with ODOT for the Main Street streetscape project, primarily for reimbursement purposes.
City Manager's Report
Report from the City Manager on ongoing city projects and activities for the month of August.
New Business
Opportunity to discuss any new items not on the agenda.
Old Business
Opportunity to discuss any old items not on the agenda.