Meeting Summary
The Stillwater City Council held its October 7th, 2024 meeting, which included proclamations for Public Power Week, Fire Prevention Week, and Model Aviation Day. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the first public hearing for the proposed Stillwater Data Center Economic Development Project Plan, addressing community questions and concerns regarding its environmental impact, water usage, and financial implications. The council also approved a Professional Services Agreement for the Noblock, Fourth, and Lincoln improvements project and received an update on the Stillwater Animal Welfare project, approving a Professional Services Agreement for its design.
Key Decisions & Votes
Consent Docket Approval
00:20:20The consent docket, containing routine administrative items, was approved by the council.
Noblock, Fourth, and Lincoln Improvements Project Professional Services Agreement
01:21:00A Professional Services Agreement with CEC Corporation for $722,500 was approved for the design of roadway, water, and streetscaping improvements on Noblock, Fourth, and Lincoln. This includes funding from both city and SUA budgets.
Stillwater Animal Welfare Project Professional Services Agreement
01:29:00A Professional Services Agreement with Barrett L Williamson Architects Incorporated for $93,958 was approved for Phase One design work of the Stillwater Animal Welfare facility, contingent on a future bond vote.
Stillwater Regional Airport Community Participation Plan
01:30:30Resolution CC-2024-30, adopting the Stillwater Regional Airport Community Participation Plan as required by the FAA for federal funding recipients, was adopted.
Intent to Reimburse Project Expenses for Animal Welfare Facility
01:31:40Resolution CC-2024-31, stating the city's intent to reimburse project costs for the Animal Welfare facility prior to bond issuance, was adopted to satisfy Treasury regulations.
Amended Trust Indenture for Stillwater Utilities Authority
01:32:50Resolution CC-2024-32, accepting beneficial interest in an amended trust indenture creating and recreating the Stillwater Utilities Authority, was adopted to update organizational documents.
Refinancing of Stillwater Utilities Authority Bonds
01:39:00Resolution CC-2024-33, approving the incurrence of indebtedness by the Stillwater Utilities Authority for refinancing the 2014A bonds, was adopted to achieve significant cost savings.
Ordinance 3545 (Rural Fire Services Fees)
01:45:00Ordinance 3545, amending the city code regarding fire services fees and increasing the rural fire services contract annual fee, was adopted.
Stillwater Utilities Authority Consent Docket
01:54:00The consent docket for the Stillwater Utilities Authority meeting was approved.
Amended Trust Indenture for Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA)
01:54:40Resolution SUA-2024-7, approving and authorizing the execution of an amended trust indenture creating and recreating the Stillwater Utilities Authority, was adopted.
Refinancing of Stillwater Utilities Authority Bonds (SUA)
01:57:00Resolution SUA-2024-8, authorizing the issuance of utility system and sales tax revenue bonds for refinancing, was adopted as amended.
Upcoming Community Events
Public Power Week
Recognizing Stillwater Electric Utility's contribution to the community.
Fire Prevention Week
Urging residents to plan and practice home fire escape plans.
Model Aviation Day
Oklahoma State University unmanned aircraft flight station at 4015 North Clay Road, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., featuring hands-on radio-controlled airplane experience and food trucks.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Convenience Collection Center, 807 South Perkins. Free for residents with a utility bill.
Senior Center Enhanced Event Programming
Calendar of activities available online at stillwater.gov/SeniorCenter, including line dancing, cards, watercolor, Zumba, guitar lessons, and a Halloween party.
Community Meeting for Parks, Community Spaces, and Public Facilities
Plan to attend to provide input for a vision plan. More information at stillwater.gov/Parks.
Financial Matters
Noblock, Fourth, and Lincoln Improvements Project
Professional Services Agreement with CEC Corporation for design, including $664,900 from city funds and $57,600 from the water fund.
Stillwater Animal Welfare Project Phase One Design
Professional Services Agreement with Barrett L Williamson Architects Incorporated for schematic design, with an associated budget amendment of $103,358 including contingency.
Refinancing of Stillwater Utilities Authority Bonds (2014A Series)
Refinancing of $49,880,000 in outstanding bonds, projected to save approximately $315,000 annually in debt service, totaling over $3.4 million in present value savings.
Stillwater Data Center Economic Development Project Plan
Projected to yield approximately $11 million in new city revenue over 25 years from the first two phases, dedicated to public facilities. Also includes annual payments in lieu of taxes to taxing jurisdictions, totaling $26 million over 25 years, and a 3% franchise tax on electric power services.
Public Comments
Public comments primarily focused on the proposed data center project, raising concerns about environmental impact (fossil fuel energy, water consumption, carbon emissions), the fairness of the deal for the community, transparency regarding company information, and potential strain on city infrastructure. Questions were also raised about the public vote for the OG&E franchise and the long-term implications for Stillwater's power grid.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- October 16th: Deadline for the city to provide the Lead and Copper Water Rules Service Line Inventory.
- November 5th: Public vote on granting OG&E a franchise to serve the data center development.
- November 4th: Second public hearing for the Stillwater Data Center Economic Development Project Plan.
Watch For
- Further details and potential approval of the Stillwater Data Center Economic Development Agreement and Tax Incentive Agreement.
- Launch of increased communication and FAQs on city social media and website regarding the data center project and the OG&E franchise vote.
- Progress on the Stillwater Animal Welfare facility design and a future bond vote for its construction.
- Updates on the Lead and Copper Water Rules Service Line Inventory web page and notification letters to property owners.
Announcements
- Stillwater Regional Airport terminal groundbreaking occurred last week.
- ODOT board approved $1.2 million for the second phase of the Rails to Trails program.
- Envision Stillwater 2045 comprehensive plan is seeking community input via an online survey at EnvisionStillwater.org, open until October 20th.
- Surveys are being conducted for neighborhood parks; residents are encouraged to participate.
- New initiative to address sidewalk concerns: residents can report issues or request connections via Stillwater.gov/sidewalkconnect.
Agenda Summary
Proclamations and Presentations
Proclamations for Public Power Week, Fire Prevention Week, and Model Aviation Day.
Consent Docket
Routine administrative items.
Public Comment on Items Not Scheduled for Public Hearing
Roger Ghost spoke about future fire services funds allocation.
First Public Hearing: Stillwater Data Center Economic Development Project Plan
Presentation and public questions regarding the proposed data center project, its economic benefits, environmental impact, and infrastructure demands.
Presentation of Lead and Copper Water Rules Service Line Inventory
David Barr presented the city's inventory of water service lines, highlighting no known lead lines and plans for public access to an interactive map.
Approve Professional Services Agreement with CEC Corporation
Agreement for design services for the Noblock, Fourth, and Lincoln improvements project.
Update on Stillwater Animal Welfare Project and Approval of Professional Services Agreement
Update on site selection and approval of an agreement with Barrett L Williamson Architects for Phase One design.
Resolution CC-2024-30: Stillwater Regional Airport Community Participation Plan
Adoption of the plan as required by the FAA for federal funding.
Resolution CC-2024-31: Intent to Reimburse Project Expenses
Resolution expressing intent to reimburse Animal Welfare facility project costs prior to bond issuance.
Resolution CC-2024-32: Amended Trust Indenture for Stillwater Utilities Authority
Accepting beneficial interest in an amended trust indenture for SUA organizational documents.
Resolution CC-2024-33: Refinancing of Stillwater Utilities Authority Bonds
Approval for SUA to incur indebtedness for refinancing the 2014A bonds.
Ordinance 3546: Stillwater Data Center Economic Development Project Plan
First reading of an ordinance to approve and adopt the project plan and supporting incentive districts.
Ordinance 3547: Restatement of Lease Agreement and Operation and Maintenance Contract
First reading of an ordinance authorizing the restatement of the lease agreement for SUA.
Ordinance 3545: Amending Fire Services Fees
Second reading of an ordinance amending city code regarding fire prevention and protection, specifically fire services fees.
Reports from the Officers and the Board
Updates and announcements from council members and city staff.
Stillwater Utilities Authority Consent Docket
Routine administrative items for SUA.
Resolution SUA-2024-7: Amended Trust Indenture for Stillwater Utilities Authority
Approval and authorization of the execution of an amended trust indenture for SUA.
Resolution SUA-2024-8: Refinancing of Stillwater Utilities Authority Bonds
Authorization for SUA to issue utility system and sales tax revenue bonds for refinancing.