Meeting Summary
The City Commission meeting saw the formal appreciation of outgoing Commissioners Thomas Shan and Marva O'Neal, and Mayor Chuck Mills, followed by the swearing-in of new Mayor Linda Peterson and Commissioners James Herod and Frank Sims. Several land use requests, including rezonings and conditional use permits, were approved. Key discussions also focused on the search for a new city manager, the establishment of a committee to investigate regional park locations, and addressing the city's budget in light of economic challenges.
Key Decisions & Votes
Approval of Minutes
02:00Minutes from the November 3rd, 2008 City Commission, Municipal Authority, and Airport Authority meetings were approved.
Resolution of Appreciation for Thomas Shan
03:50A resolution was approved expressing appreciation for Thomas Shan's outstanding service as City Commissioner of Ward 2.
Resolution of Appreciation for Marva O'Neal
04:50A resolution was approved expressing appreciation for Marva O'Neal's outstanding service as City Commissioner of Ward 3.
Resolution of Appreciation for Chuck Mills
05:40A resolution was approved expressing appreciation for Chuck Mills' outstanding service as Mayor of the City of Shawnee.
Approval of Agenda
15:00The meeting agenda was approved, with a request to move the executive session item.
Approval of Consent Agenda
15:40The consent agenda for the City Commission meeting was approved.
Executive Session for Litigation Discussion
20:40The commission voted to enter into an executive session to discuss pending litigation (Blo Construction LLC vs. City of Shawnee et al).
Rezone 1318 East Independence (A1 to C2)
24:50Property at 1318 East Independence was rezoned from A1 Agricultural to C2 Suburban Office to allow for office uses in an existing structure.
Conditional Use Permit for 110 West Main (Live Music Venue)
30:40A conditional use permit was approved for a stadium/arena or similar facility (live music venue) at 110 West Main, with conditions for security staffing and a 12-month staff review.
Conditional Use Permit for 330 West Macarthur (Tattoo Studio)
34:50A conditional use permit was approved to allow for a tattoo studio at 330 West Macarthur, Suite C, relocating an existing business.
Rezone 1402 East Independence (R3P to C2 with CUP)
38:50Property at 1402 East Independence was rezoned from R3P Multifamily Residential to C2 Suburban Office, maintaining a conditional use permit for a daycare.
Rezone Northwest Corner of MacArthur and Keithley (A1/C2 to PUD)
43:00Property at the northwest corner of MacArthur and Keithley was rezoned from A1 Agricultural and C2 Suburban Office to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) with C2 Suburban Office zoning for a large medical plaza.
Preliminary Plat for Unity Park Edition
44:00The preliminary plat for Unity Park Edition, encompassing 37 acres and 25 lots, was adopted.
Final Plat for Unity Park Edition NOC
44:40The final plat for Unity Park Edition NOC, covering 12.2 acres and eight lots for the first phase of the medical plaza, was approved.
Ordinance Prohibiting Abandoning Animals
48:00An ordinance was approved creating a law prohibiting the abandonment of animals in public or private places within the city.
Regional Park Locations Investigation
56:00A motion was approved to form a Sports Park Committee to investigate alternative locations for a regional sports park (e.g., School Land, St. Gregory's, land north of the mall) and work with city staff on negotiations.
City Manager Search Firm Investigation
01:03:00The committee for the City Manager search was authorized to continue its work and investigate any additional assistance needed, including contacting search firms for background checks and proposals.
Declare Ward 5 Vacancy and Policy Adherence
01:05:00A vacancy in Ward 5 of the City Commission was declared, and the commission approved following City Commission Policy Number 10 for the procedure to fulfill the vacancy.
Defer Commission Workshop Date
01:08:00The discussion to set a date for a commission workshop to establish priorities and goals was deferred to the January 5th meeting, pending the appointment of the new Ward 5 Commissioner.
Shawnee Municipal Authority Consent Agenda
01:17:00The consent agenda for the Shawnee Municipal Authority was approved.
Shawnee Airport Authority Consent Agenda
01:18:00The consent agenda for the Shawnee Airport Authority was approved.
Financial Matters
Veterans Park Funding
Tom Smith, representing Shawnee veterans, thanked the commission for a $50,000 commitment to the Veterans Park and formally requested additional funds from the Centennial account.
City Budget Re-evaluation
The management team is reviewing the current budget due to declining sales tax revenue, considering potential cuts of up to half a million dollars to address economic challenges.
Public Comments
Tom Smith, representing Shawnee veterans, thanked the commission for a $50,000 commitment to the Veterans Park and formally requested additional funds from the Centennial account for the park's development.
Coming Up
Tabled
- A commission workshop to establish priorities and goals for the city will be deferred until after the new Ward 5 Commissioner is appointed, with a date to be discussed at the January 5th meeting.
Deadlines
- Ward 5 City Commission vacancy applications will open December 1st, with a deadline for applications at the December 15th meeting.
- The audit for the year ending June 30th, 2008, is due to be finished by December 30th.
Watch For
- A committee will be formed by the Mayor to investigate alternative locations for a regional sports park, with staff to negotiate prices and report back in January.
- The City Manager search committee will continue its review of applicants and investigate additional assistance, including potential search firms, with a report expected soon.
- An update on the city's budget re-evaluation and potential spending cuts will be provided in the coming months.
Announcements
- Corporal Bryson Moore of the Shawnee Police Department was recognized as Employee of the Month for his 14 years of service, including roles in the Tactical Unit, Firearms instructor, bicycle team, and gang unit.
- The city has begun advertising internally for a police chief, with interviews for two in-house applicants scheduled for tomorrow. A decision is expected by the end of the week.
- A notice will be included in December water bills regarding THM and TOC levels. While past high numbers caused a compliance issue on a running annual average, current levels have been in compliance since January due to the use of chloramines.
- The city's management team is re-examining the current year's budget due to a downward trend in sales tax reports, with potential cuts of up to half a million dollars being considered to proactively address economic challenges.
Agenda Summary
1. Consider approval of minutes from November 3rd, 2008 meeting
Approval of minutes from the previous City Commission meeting.
Recess City Commission meeting to convene Shawnee Municipal Authority meeting
Approval of minutes from the previous Shawnee Municipal Authority meeting.
Recess Shawnee Municipal Authority meeting to convene Shawnee Airport Authority meeting
Approval of minutes from the previous Shawnee Airport Authority meeting.
2. Consider a resolution of appreciation to Thomas Shan, City Commissioner Ward 2
Resolution expressing appreciation for the outstanding service of Thomas Shan as City Commissioner.
3. Consider resolution of appreciation to Miss Marva O'Neal, City Commissioner Ward 3
Resolution expressing appreciation for the outstanding service of Marva O'Neal as City Commissioner.
4. Consider resolution of appreciation to Chuck Mills, Mayor, City of Shawnee
Resolution expressing appreciation for the outstanding service of Chuck Mills as Mayor.
5. Presentation of resolutions of appreciation and plaques to outgoing Commissioners and Mayor
Formal presentation of resolutions and plaques to Thomas Shan, Marva O'Neal, and Chuck Mills.
6. Swearing in of the Mayor and Commissioners by Municipal Judge Robert H. Jones and presentation of their certificates of election
Swearing-in ceremony for new Mayor Linda Peterson and Commissioners James Herod and Frank Sims.
7. Consider approval of agenda
Approval of the meeting agenda.
8. Consider approval of consent agenda
Approval of items on the consent agenda.
9. Citizens participation
Opportunity for citizens to address the commission.
10. Presentation by interim city manager to employee of the month Bryson Moore of the Shawnee Police Department
Recognition of Corporal Bryson Moore as Employee of the Month.
11. Consideration and possible action to enter into an executive session to discuss pending litigation entitled Blo Construction LLC versus City of Shawnee et al
Motion to enter executive session to discuss pending litigation.
12. Consider matters discussed in executive session regarding pending litigation entitled Blo Construction LLC versus City of Shawnee et al
Discussion of matters from executive session; no action taken.
13. Public hearing and consider approval to rezone property at 1318 East Independence from A1 Agricultural to C2 Suburban office
Request to rezone property for office uses in an existing structure.
14. Public hearing and consider approval of a conditional use permit to allow for a stadium, arena or similar facility in C4 Central Business District for property located at 110 West Main
Request for a conditional use permit for a live music venue, with added conditions for security and annual review.
15. Public hearing and consider approval of a conditional use permit in C1 Neighborhood Commercial District to allow for a tattoo studio for property located at 330 West Macarthur, Suite C
Request for a conditional use permit to relocate an existing tattoo studio.
16. Public hearing and consider approval to rezone property from R3P Multifamily Residential with a conditional use permit to allow for a daycare to C2 Suburban office with a conditional use permit to allow for a daycare for property located at 1402 East Independence
Request to rezone property to C2 Suburban office while maintaining a conditional use permit for a daycare center.
17. Public hearing and consider approval to rezone property from A1 Agricultural to C2 Suburban office to a Planned Unit Development with C2 Suburban office zoning classification for property located at the northwest corner of MacArthur and Keithley
Request to rezone 37 acres for a large planned medical plaza to a PUD classification consistent with C2 zoning.
18. Consider approval of a preliminary plat for Unity Park Edition located at northwest corner of MacArthur and Keithley
Approval of the preliminary plat for the Unity Park Edition medical plaza project.
19. Consider a final plat for Unity Park Edition NOC located at the northwest corner of MacArthur and Keithley
Approval of the final plat for the first phase of the Unity Park Edition medical plaza project, encompassing 12.2 acres and eight lots.
20. Consider an ordinance creating a law prohibiting abandoning animals in public or private places
Ordinance to prohibit the abandonment of animals, allowing animal control to issue citations.
21. Discuss and consider various regional park locations and assigning responsibility for negotiation to the city staff
Discussion and motion to form a committee to investigate alternative locations for a regional sports park.
22. Committee report on City Manager application review with commission discussion and possible action related to said report
Update on the city manager search process, including background investigations and potential future interviews.
23. Discuss and consider hiring executive search firm to assist in finalizing the selection of a new city manager
Discussion and motion to authorize the committee to continue reviewing applicants and investigate additional assistance, including search firms.
24. Considered declaring a vacancy in Ward 5 of the city commission and discuss City commission policy number 10 regarding the procedure fulfilling the vacancy
Declaration of a vacancy in Ward 5 and approval to follow policy for filling the position.
25. Discuss and consider a date for a commission workshop to establish priorities and goals for the city Commission
Discussion about scheduling a workshop for priorities and goals, deferred until a new commissioner is appointed.
Shawnee Municipal Authority Item 4. Consider approval of consent agenda
Approval of the consent agenda for the Shawnee Municipal Authority.
Shawnee Airport Authority Item 4. Consider approval of consent agenda
Approval of the consent agenda for the Shawnee Airport Authority.