Meeting Summary
The City Commission approved resolutions of appreciation for three long-serving employees and received comprehensive updates on the city's new branding initiative and tourism efforts by Visit Shawnee Inc. Key actions included deferring a lease agreement and a rezoning request, while approving a preliminary plat for Vision Bank Addition and another rezoning request. The city manager provided updates on the ongoing streetscape project, improvements in animal control, and upcoming wayfinding signage across the community.
Key Decisions & Votes
Consent Agenda Approval (excluding Item C)
04:00The consent agenda, excluding item C, was approved by the Board of City Commissioners.
Deferral of Consent Agenda Item C (Lease Agreement)
04:50Item C, a lease agreement, was deferred to the second meeting in February to allow for a signed contract to be finalized.
Resolution of Appreciation for Greg Gibson
10:00A resolution expressing appreciation for Greg Gibson's over 30 years of loyal service to the City of Shawnee was approved.
Resolution of Appreciation for John Leathers
10:50A resolution expressing appreciation for John Leathers' over 25 years of loyal service to the City of Shawnee was approved.
Resolution of Appreciation for Ken King
11:40A resolution expressing appreciation for Ken King's over 25 years of loyal service to the City of Shawnee was approved.
Oklahoma Municipal Retirement Fund Lump Sum Payment for Charles Huff
45:00A lump sum payment for Charles Huff's defined benefit plan from the Oklahoma Municipal Retirement Fund was approved.
Final Plat for Shawnee Auto Mall
46:50The approval of the final plat for Shawnee Auto Mall was deferred for one month to allow staff more time to review construction documents.
Preliminary Plat for Vision Bank Addition Section One
50:00The preliminary plat for Vision Bank Addition Section One was approved with four conditions, primarily requiring a Letter of Map Revision from FEMA.
Rezoning Property at 1500 East Independent Street (R1 to R2)
53:00The ordinance to rezone property at 1500 East Independent Street from R1 to R2 was deferred back to the Planning Commission for a rehearing due to neighborhood concerns.
Rezoning Property at 2202 North Leo Street (R1 to R2)
59:00An ordinance to rezone property at 2202 North Leo Street from R1 single-family residential to R2 combined residential district was approved.
Financial Matters
January Sales Tax Report
January sales tax revenue exceeded $1.5 million, an increase of $47,000 from the previous year. The fiscal year-to-date sales tax is up 4.66% over last year, aligning with budget expectations after the marketplace tax rebate.
Oklahoma Municipal Retirement Fund lump sum payment for defined benefit plan for Charles Huff
Approval of a lump sum payment for Charles Huff's defined benefit retirement plan.
Public Comments
No citizens directly addressed the Board during the general participation period or public hearings. However, a commissioner relayed neighborhood concerns regarding the rezoning request for 1500 East Independent Street.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Consent agenda item C (lease agreement) was deferred to the second meeting in February.
- The final plat for Shawnee Auto Mall was deferred to next month (February).
- The rezoning ordinance for 1500 East Independent Street was deferred to the February 3rd Planning Commission meeting, and then the February 15th City Commission meeting.
Deadlines
- Proposals for lethal injection for animal euthanasia are due Friday, January 22nd.
Watch For
- The scope of services for the fire station on Bryan is expected to be presented at the February 1st meeting.
- The wayfinding signage project, incorporating the new city brand, is expected to begin rolling out by mid-year.
Announcements
- Kefir Hotella was recognized as the January 2016 Employee of the Month for his service with the Shawnee Fire Department and a heroic act off-duty.
- Resolutions of appreciation were presented to Greg Gibson for over 30 years of service, and to John Leathers and Ken King for over 25 years of service each.
- The downtown streetscape project officially commenced, resulting in Main Street closures from Beard to Bell.
- Animal shelter hours have been extended to 6 PM Monday-Friday and 8 AM-noon on Saturdays to facilitate pet claims and adoptions.
- The city is actively pursuing a transition to lethal injection for animal euthanasia, with proposals from veterinarians due January 22nd.
- Commissioners encouraged public support for downtown businesses during the ongoing streetscape construction.
- Positive city developments were highlighted, including new branding and app, sidewalks and trails, Municipal Auditorium upgrades, a new Pottawatomie County Historical Society building, new downtown businesses, the municipal pool, and university expansions.
- A Boy Scout Troop was present and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Summary
Consider approval of the consent agenda
Approval of routine administrative items.
Consent agenda item C: Lease agreement
Consideration of a lease agreement requiring a signed contract.
Citizens participation
Opportunity for citizens to address the Board on non-agenda items.
Presentation by the city manager to employ the month
Recognition of Kefir Hotella as the January 2016 Employee of the Month.
Consider a resolution of appreciation to Greg Gibson for over 30 years of service to the City of Shawnee
Resolution recognizing Greg Gibson's 30+ years of service as a police officer, retiring January 29, 2016.
Consider a resolution of appreciation to John Leathers for over 25 years of service to the City of Shawnee
Resolution recognizing John Leathers' 25+ years of service.
Consider a resolution of appreciation to Ken King for over 25 years of service to the City of Shawnee
Resolution recognizing Ken King's 25+ years of service.
Presentation and discussion by Visit Shawnee Inc. to include a six-month update of operations and activities
Update on Visit Shawnee Inc.'s activities, including staff, app development, branding process, and visitor guide.
Community branding
Presentation of the new community brand, including logo, tagline, color palette, and implementation strategy.
Consider Oklahoma Municipal Retirement Fund lump sum payment for defined benefit plan for Charles Huff
Approval of a lump sum payment for Charles Huff's defined benefit retirement plan.
Consideration of approval of a final plat for Shawnee Auto Mall located on Shawnee Mall Drive East of Union case number S14-15 applicant
Approval of a final plat for Shawnee Auto Mall.
Consideration of approval of a preliminary plat for Vision Bank Addition section one located at 4301 North Harrison Street
Approval of a preliminary plat to replat a section to incorporate a detention pond and correct non-conforming issues.
Public Hearing in consideration of an ordinance to rezone property located at 1500 East Independent Street single family residential to R2 combined residential
Public hearing and consideration of rezoning property from R1 to R2.
Public hearing consideration of an ordinance to rezone property located at 2202 North Leo Street from R1 single family residential district to R2 combined residential district
Public hearing and consideration of rezoning property from R1 to R2 to allow for a duplex.
Sales Tax Report
Report on January sales tax revenue.
City Manager Update
Updates on the streetscape project, animal control, wayfinding initiatives, and fire station project.
New Business
Opportunity for new business items.
Commissioner's Comments
Commissioners shared comments and updates on city progress.
Shawnee Airport Authority Consent Agenda
Approval of routine administrative items for the Airport Authority.
Shawnee Municipal Authority Consent Agenda
Approval of routine administrative items for the Municipal Authority.