Meeting Summary
The Stillwater City Council approved several key items, including a map amendment for rezoning and the closing of a utility easement. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to an update on the Enterprise Research Planning (ERP) project, which aims to modernize the city's software systems. Additionally, the council discussed and approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Pavement Management Plan and authorized a large loan for water and wastewater system improvements.
Key Decisions & Votes
Map Amendment for 624 West 22nd Avenue
04:50The council approved a request to rezone the property from small lot single-family residential and agricultural to agriculture, as recommended by the planning commission.
Closing of Utility Easement at 707 East Airport Road
17:00The council approved the closing of the north 227.5 feet of a 30-foot wide utility easement, with a plan to establish a new 20-foot waterline easement and encroachment agreement in the future.
FY26 Pavement Management Plan
48:00The council approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Pavement Management Plan, which outlines $10 million in transportation projects, including sidewalk construction, full-depth repairs, and full reconstruction projects.
Resolution CC-2025-21 (Water/Wastewater Loan)
57:00The city council adopted a resolution approving action by the Stillwater Utilities Authority to authorize a promissory note not to exceed $112,095,000 from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for water and wastewater system improvements.
Resolution CC-2025-22 (Airport Improvement Grant)
59:40The city council adopted a resolution authorizing, approving, and ratifying an adjusted FAA grant application for airport infrastructure improvements at Stillwater Regional Airport, specifically for a passenger boarding bridge.
Ordinance 3578 (Rezoning 624 West 22nd Avenue)
01:00:40The ordinance to rezone 624 West 22nd Avenue from small lot single-family residential and agriculture to agriculture was advanced to its second reading.
Ordinance 3579 (Closing Utility Easement 707 East Airport Road)
01:01:10The ordinance to close a portion of a general utility easement at 707 East Airport Road was advanced to its second reading.
Appointment to Audit Committee
01:01:40Skyler Rodenberg was appointed to the Audit Committee for a term expiring in January 2027.
Resolution SUA 2025-5 (Water/Wastewater Loan Authorization)
01:19:00The Stillwater Utilities Authority adopted a resolution authorizing a loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for up to $112,095,000 for water and wastewater system improvements.
Resolution SUA25-6 (Reimbursement Resolution)
01:20:30The Stillwater Utilities Authority adopted a reimbursement resolution, allowing the authority to expend project-related expenses that can be reimbursed from loan proceeds.
Upcoming Community Events
Utility Box Art Contest
Deadline for entries. Theme: Stillwater Strong. Enter online at stillwater.org or drop off at the Stillwater Community Center.
Cowboy Football Park and Ride Shuttle Service
Free service offered by the City of Stillwater, OSU Athletics, and Visit Stillwater. Shuttles run every 30 minutes, starting 3 hours before kickoff, from 7th and Lewis. Details at visitstillwater.org.
Payne County Free Fair
City staff from various departments will be in the community building throughout the week.
Block 34 Activities
Includes concerts, yoga in the park, round net tryouts, and Market 34 on Saturday mornings with local vendors, handmade goods, food trucks, and live music. Follow on Facebook or visit block34.org.
Mayoral State of the City
Launch of the Chamber of Commerce recruitment video. Register on the chamber website or watch live stream.
Financial Matters
Water/Wastewater System Improvements Loan
Authorization for a promissory note from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for 30-year financing of raw water line from Lake McMurtry and other water/wastewater infrastructure projects.
FY26 Pavement Management Plan Budget
Budget allocated for various transportation projects, including sidewalk construction, full-depth repairs, and full reconstruction projects.
FAA Airport Improvement Grant Adjustment
Total project costs increased by approximately $69,000, but the city's required match decreased to $3,457 due to increased FAA eligible grant funds for the passenger boarding bridge project.
Downtown Waste Management Proposed Customer Fee
A single monthly fee will be implemented for low-volume customers in the downtown area, designed to be revenue-neutral based on current rate studies.
Oklahoma Innovation Expansion Program (OIEP) Awards
17 Stillwater businesses were awarded OIEP funds, totaling $859,053, with a total project cost of almost $3.5 million invested in the community. Overall, Stillwater received $938,000 in awards, creating 57 new jobs and almost $3 million in new wages.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Utility Box Art Contest entry deadline: Tuesday, September 2nd
Watch For
- Waterline easement and encroachment agreement for 707 East Airport Road
- Further updates on the Enterprise Research Planning (ERP) project, including RFP issuance and vendor evaluation
- Small Business University results from the Chamber of Commerce
- Future discussions on waste management fees for downtown businesses
Announcements
- Stillwater Animal Welfare achieved no-kill status in 2024 with over a 90% save rate.
- The new animal welfare bond project page is available on stillwater.gov for updates.
- FEMA has dispersed over $733,000 to 169 families in the community following wildfires.
- The Small Business Administration has deployed almost $4.2 million in low-interest loans to 29 families in Payne County for rebuilding/repurchasing homes.
- Catholic Charities is providing case management for unmet needs in Payne County; contact M. Lufkin at cce.org.
- Over $563,000 donated to the Stillwater Strong relief task force, with funds being deployed to 80 Payne County households.
- City of Stillwater's finance department earned the nation's highest honor in governmental accounting and financial reporting for the 43rd consecutive year from the Government Finance Officers Association.
- Google is investing $9 billion in Oklahoma, including expansions at its Prior facility and training programs for job skills in technical fields.
Agenda Summary
Consent Docket
Approval of routine administrative matters.
6A: Public Comment - Map Amendment (624 West 22nd Avenue)
Receive public comment regarding a request to rezone from small lot single family residential and agricultural to agriculture.
6B: Public Comment - Closing Utility Easement (707 East Airport Road)
Receive public comment for the closing of a portion of a utility easement.
7A: Barry Dunn Update Presentation on Enterprise Research Planning Project
Presentation on the progress and next steps of the ERP project to modernize city software systems.
7B: Transportation Projects Update and Presentation, Discussion of Possible Action to Approve the Fiscal Year 2026 Pavement Management Plan
Update on current transportation projects and discussion/approval of the FY26 Pavement Management Plan.
8A: Resolution CC-2025-21
Resolution approving action by the Stillwater Utilities Authority to authorize a promissory note for water and wastewater system improvements.
8B: Resolution CC-2025-22
Resolution authorizing, approving, and ratifying an FAA grant application for airport infrastructure improvements.
9A: Ordinance 3578 (First Read)
Ordinance rezoning a tract of land at 624 West 22nd Avenue from small lot single family residential and agriculture to agriculture.
9B: Ordinance 3579 (First Read)
Ordinance closing a portion of a general utility easement at 707 East Airport Road.
10: Appointments
Appointment to the Audit Committee.
Reports from the Officers on the Board
Updates and announcements from council members and staff.
SUA Consent Docket
Approval of routine administrative matters for the Stillwater Utilities Authority.
SUA 5: General Orders - Waste Management Discussion for Downtown Improvement Plan
Discussion on an improvement plan for solid waste collection in the downtown corridor.
SUA 6A: Resolution SUA 2025-5
Resolution authorizing a loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for water and wastewater system improvements.
SUA 6B: Resolution SUA25-6
Resolution declaring the intent of the Stillwater Utilities Authority to expend certain funds for water and wastewater system improvements, to be reimbursed from debt proceeds.
SCEDA Consent Docket
Approval of routine administrative matters for the Stillwater Economic Development Authority.
SCEDA 5A: Chamber of Commerce Report from Carrie Moore
Report on economic development activities, including the Oklahoma Innovation Expansion Program and a mock site visit.