Meeting Summary
The Stillwater City Council held its April 15, 2024 meeting, addressing several key items including the adoption of revisions to the city's purchasing policy, budget presentations for fiscal year 2025, and various rezonings and text amendments. The council also recognized Child Abuse Prevention Month and celebrated a local resident's 100th birthday. Discussions around the city's financial health, particularly concerning the Stillwater Utilities Authority's operating fund deficit and the need for new revenue sources, were prominent.
Key Decisions & Votes
Map Amendment to Rezone 1300 East Airport Road
00:14:00A request by the Chamber of Commerce of Stillwater to rezone a portion of 1300 East Airport Road from public to Industrial General was approved, aligning the zoning with the rest of the property.
Text Amendment for Communication Services
00:15:40A text amendment to the Land Development Code was approved, adding 'communication services' as a defined term and a permitted use in General Industrial districts to attract new economic development.
Revisions to Purchasing Policy
00:48:00A resolution adopting revisions to the city's purchasing policy was approved, aligning purchasing thresholds with state statutes and addressing cost increases. Staff was directed to propose an ordinance for a local bidder preference.
Washington School Advisory Committee Membership
00:52:00A resolution was adopted to increase the number of members on the Washington School Advisory Committee from five to eleven, to address potential membership overlap and fundraising efforts.
Guidelines for Processing Tort and Workers' Compensation Claims
00:53:00A resolution adopting guidelines for processing tort claims and workers' compensation claims valued at less than $100,000 was approved, increasing the city manager's settlement authority.
Upcoming Community Events
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Proclaimed by Mayor William Joyce, encouraging residents to recognize that prevention begins with each individual.
Albert Rutage's 100th Birthday
Local resident Albert Rutage was honored for his century of life and contributions to the cattle industry and OSU agriculture.
Stillwater Arts Festival
Prairie Arts Center, 101 South Duck Street. Friday 12-8 PM, Saturday 9 AM-6 PM. Features over 50 regional artists, live music, demos, food trucks, and a farmers market.
Friends of the Stillwater Public Library Used Book Sale
Stillwater Public Library, 1107 South Duck. Preview night (Thurs) $10, General public sale (Fri 12-8 PM, Sat 10 AM-5 PM), Dollar book bag sale (Sun 1:30-4 PM).
Household Hazardous Waste Event
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the Convenience Collection Center, 807 South Perkins Road. Free disposal of oil-based paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc.
The Hub Groundbreaking
Stillwater Chamber of Commerce reported on the upcoming groundbreaking.
Small Business University (SBU)
Partnership with Meridian to support local small businesses, focusing on existing businesses' needs.
Lemonade Day
Program to help young entrepreneurs learn about starting a business, including taste tests, bank day, and setting up lemonade stands.
Summer on the Strip
Project with the Washington Street District to encourage families and activities beyond bars and game days, including kids' zones.
Financial Matters
Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget
The proposed budget shows an $8.3 million increase in revenue and a $10.9 million increase in expenditures over FY24. Key increases include sales tax, stormwater fees, ad valorem tax increment, and water/wastewater sales revenue. A $2.7 million decrease in electric sales revenue is projected due to the expiration of the Storm Yuri PCA and a decrease in the standard PCA.
Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) Operating Fund
The SUA operating fund is projected to have a negative net income, requiring the use of $6.4 million from its beginning fund balance to cover a deficit after transfers to the general fund. Concerns were raised about the sustainability of this trend.
Emergency Reserve Balances
Emergency reserve targets are not fully funded for electric, water, wastewater, and the general fund due to authorized use for economic development initiatives (structured as a loan). Repayment for the Rare Earth project, which utilized $7 million, has not yet started.
Purchasing Thresholds Revision
Purchasing thresholds were revised: up to $49,999 (open market), $50,000-$99,999 (three written quotes, city manager approval), and $100,000+ (formal competitive bid, city council approval). This aligns with state statutes and addresses inflation.
Public Comments
One public comment was received from Roy Li, representing BNL Heating and Air. He spoke in favor of a local bidder preference, highlighting the economic benefits of keeping dollars within the Stillwater community, citing his company's local spending and tax contributions.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Deadline to collect feedback for Stillwater's new comprehensive plan (Stillwater.gov/Envision)
Watch For
- Public hearing for FY25 budget (May 20th)
- Budget adoption (June 3rd)
- Proposed ordinance for local bidder preference
- Repayment of economic development loans from emergency reserves
Announcements
- Opt-in notification system for non-emergency important notifications available at Stillwater.gov/notify.
- This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week, recognizing their dedication.
- Citizens can report issues like street flooding, streetlight outages, or trash collection concerns online at Stillwater.gov/report.
- Stillwater Arts Festival on April 19-20 at the Prairie Arts Center.
- Friends of the Stillwater Public Library Used Book Sale from April 18-21.
- Household Hazardous Waste Event on Saturday, May 4th, from 8 AM to 1 PM at the convenience collection center.
- Stillwater Chamber of Commerce reported on the upcoming Hub groundbreaking on May 1st.
- Stillwater Chamber of Commerce is working on a Small Business University (SBU) and Lemonade Day.
- Stillwater Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Washington Street District for 'Summer on the Strip' events.
- The city's email addresses have transitioned to stillwater.gov from stillwater.org.
Agenda Summary
Proclamation: Child Abuse Prevention Month
Proclamation in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, with community partners present.
Proclamation: Albert Rutage's 100th Birthday
Proclamation in recognition of local resident Albert Rutage's 100th birthday.
Consent Docket
Approval of routine administrative items.
Public Comment on Non-Scheduled Items
Opportunity for public comment on items not scheduled for public hearings.
7A: Map Amendment - 1300 East Airport Road
Receive public comment and consider a map amendment to rezone a portion of 1300 East Airport Road from public to General Industrial (IG).
7B: Text Amendment - Communication Services
Receive public comment regarding a text amendment to the Land Development Code to add 'communication services' as a defined term and permitted use in General Industrial districts.
8: Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Presentation
Presentation of the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget by the Assistant City Manager and Finance Director.
9A: Resolution CC-2024-9 - Purchasing Policy Revisions
Resolution adopting revisions to the purchasing policy for the City of Stillwater and its trusts.
9B: Resolution CC-2024-10 - Washington School Advisory Committee
Resolution amending resolution CC-2024-4 to revise the number of members on the Washington School Advisory Committee.
9C: Resolution CC-2024-11 - Tort and Workers' Compensation Claims
Resolution adopting guidelines for processing tort claims and workers' compensation claims valued at less than $100,000.
10A: Ordinance 3534 (First Read) - Communication Services Text Amendment
Ordinance amending the Land Development Code to add 'communication services' as a defined term and permitted use in General Industrial districts.
10B: Ordinance 3535 (First Read) - 1300 East Airport Road Rezoning
Ordinance rezoning approximately 160 acres at 1300 East Airport Road from public (P) to General Industrial (IG).
10C: Ordinance 3536 (First Read) - Purchasing Policy Thresholds
Ordinance amending the city code to revise values for purchases subject to competitive bidding and city council approval.
10D: Ordinance 3537 (First Read) - Tort and Workers' Compensation Claims
Ordinance amending the city code regarding tort claims, workers' compensation claims, and payment.
11A: Ordinance 3532 (Second Read) - 1515 N Boomer Rd & 1120 N Husband St Rezoning
Ordinance rezoning tracts of land at 1515 North Boomer Road and 1120 North Husband Street from Commercial General and Commercial Shopping to Public (P).
Appointments: Stillwater Public Library Board
Reappointment of Katherine Ross and Donna Sinis to the Stillwater Public Library Board.
Appointments: Public Library Trust Board
Reappointment of Cynthia Francisco to the Public Library Trust Board.
Appointments: Rural Water Advisory Board
Appointment of Bill Ferman and reappointment of Danny Wick to the Rural Water Advisory Board.
Appointments: Washington School Advisory Committee
Appointment of Thomas Fields, Anne Houston, Calvin Miller, Jesse Sims, and Kay Stewart to the Washington School Advisory Committee.
Reports from Officers and Board
Updates and announcements from city staff and council members.
Stillwater Economic Development Authority (SEDA) Quarterly Report
Presentation of the Economic Development quarterly report by the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce.
SEDA Resolution CA-2024-1 - Purchasing Policy Revisions
Resolution adopting revisions to the purchasing policy for the City of Stillwater and its trusts (SEDA).
Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) Resolution SUA-2024-2 - Purchasing Policy Revisions
Resolution adopting revisions to the purchasing policy for the City of Stillwater and its trusts (SUA).