Meeting Summary
The Stillwater City Council meeting on April 15, 2024, included proclamations for Child Abuse Prevention Month and the 100th birthday of resident Albert Rutage. Key decisions involved approving a map amendment to rezone property for general industrial use and a text amendment to include communication services as a permitted use in industrial districts. The council also discussed the fiscal year 2025 budget and adopted revisions to the city's purchasing policy.
Key Decisions & Votes
Map Amendment for 1300 East Airport Road
00:19:30A map amendment was approved to rezone a portion of the property at 1300 East Airport Road from public to General Industrial (IG) to align with existing zoning and future land use plans.
Text Amendment for Communication Services
00:23:45A text amendment was approved to add 'communication services' as a permitted use by right in the General Industrial (IG) district, along with a new definition for the term in the Land Development Code.
Revisions to Purchasing Policy
00:54:20A resolution was adopted to revise the city's purchasing policy, increasing purchasing thresholds to align with state statutes and addressing issues related to cost increases and inflation. Staff was directed to propose an ordinance for a local bidder preference.
Washington School Advisory Committee Membership
01:00:00A resolution was adopted to increase the number of members on the Washington School Advisory Committee from five to eleven, to account for potential membership overlap with other organizations.
City Manager Settlement Authority
01:01:40A resolution was adopted to increase the city manager's settlement authority for tort claims and workers' compensation claims valued at less than $100,000, aligning with proposed purchasing authority changes.
Upcoming Community Events
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Proclaimed by Mayor William Joyce, encouraging residents to recognize that prevention begins with each individual. Community partners like Payne County Health Department and Wings of Hope were present.
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) 5-8 PM ($10 entry), General 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, herbicides, lawn care products, pool chemicals, mixed fuels, and pharmaceuticals.
The Hub Groundbreaking
Details not specified, but mentioned as an upcoming event by the Chamber of Commerce.
Small Business University (SBU)
Partnership with Meridian to support existing small businesses, focusing on their needs and addressing gaps identified in business retention and expansion visits.
Lemonade Day
Program to help young entrepreneurs learn to start a business, including taste tests, bank day, and setting up lemonade stands at 'sweet spots' around town.
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
Presented by Assistant City Manager and Finance Director Christy Cluck. Total proposed revenue budget is $161.9 million, an increase of $8.3 million. Total proposed expenditure budget is $144.5 million, an increase of $10.9 million. Personnel remains the largest expenditure at 43%.
General Fund Revenue Increase
Proposed increase in use tax and a portion of sales tax dedicated to the general fund.
SUA Sales Tax Allocation
Portion of sales tax dedicated to the Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA).
Transportation Projects Sales Tax Allocation
Portion of sales tax dedicated to transportation projects.
Storm Water Fees Increase
Increase due to rate adjustments approved in November.
Ad Valorem Tax Increment Increase
Dedicated to downtown campus link TIF area improvements.
Ad Valorem Tax Revenue Increase
To satisfy general obligation bond payments for the new fire station.
Airport Fund Fuel Sales Increase
Offset by an increase in fuel purchase expenditures.
Water Sales Revenue Increase (SUA)
Due to rate increases approved in November.
Wastewater Sales Revenue Increase (SUA)
Due to rate increases approved in November.
Electric Sales Revenue Decrease (SUA)
Projected decrease due to the expiration of the Storm Yuri PCA and a decrease in the standard PCA, offset by decreased purchase power expenditures.
General Fund Expenditure Increase
For a minimum revenue guarantee with American Airlines.
Aviation Fuel Purchase Increase (Airport Funds)
Increase in fuel purchase expenditures.
Downtown Campus Link TIF Expenditures Increase
Increase in expenditures for TIF improvements.
Personnel Increase (CEDA)
Spread across all funds.
Debt Service Payments Increase
Spread across multiple funds, funding new computer fleet, two fire engines, and wastewater improvements.
SUA Transfer to General Fund
Annual transfer from SUA to the general fund to cover operations, up 17% from FY24.
SUA Operating Fund Deficit Coverage
Portion of SUA operating fund's beginning fund balance used to cover a negative net income after transfers.
Emergency Reserves for Economic Development Initiatives
Electric, water, wastewater, and general fund reserves are not fully funded due to authorized use for upfront funding of economic development initiatives, structured as a 20-year loan at 1.75% interest.
Rare Earth Project Funding
Amount spent from emergency reserves for the Rare Earth project; repayment has not yet started but is anticipated to begin this year through ad valorem tax exemptions.
Public Comments
One public comment was made by Roy La, representing BNL Heating and Air, regarding the local bidder preference policy. He highlighted the economic benefits of supporting local vendors, citing his company's local spending and tax contributions, and expressed support for reintroducing a robust local bidder preference.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Public Hearing: May 20th
- Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Adoption: June 3rd
- Stillwater's new comprehensive plan feedback deadline (soon)
Watch For
- Proposed ordinance for local bidder preference
- Economic Development Committee re-engagement and new initiatives
- RFP process for economic development
Announcements
- Stillwater now has an opt-in notification system for non-emergency important notifications. Sign up at Stillwaterok.gov/notify.
- This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week, recognizing their dedication.
- Citizens can report street flooding, drainage issues, streetlight outages, trash collection, or animal control concerns online at STWwater.gov/report.
- The Stillwater Arts Festival is April 19-20 at the Prairie Arts Center.
- The Friends of the Stillwater Public Library will hold their annual used book sale April 18-21.
- The deadline to collect feedback for Stillwater's new comprehensive plan is approaching. Participate at Stillwaterok.gov/Envision.
- The annual Household Hazardous Waste event is Saturday, May 4th, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the convenience collection center.
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 Items Not Scheduled for Public Hearings
Opportunity for citizens to comment on non-agenda items or items not requiring a public hearing.
Public Hearing: Map Amendment (CC-24-43)
Receive public comment regarding a map amendment to rezone a portion of property at 1300 East Airport Road from public to General Industrial (IG).
Public Hearing: Text Amendment (CC-24-44)
Receive public comment regarding a text amendment to the Land Development Code to add 'communication services' as a permitted use in General Industrial districts.
Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Presentation
Presentation of the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget by the Assistant City Manager and Finance Director.
Resolution CC-24-9: Revisions to Purchasing Policy
Resolution adopting revisions to the purchasing policy for the City of Stillwater and its trusts.
Resolution CC-24-10: Washington School Advisory Committee
Resolution amending Resolution CC-24-4 to revise the number of members on the Washington School Advisory Committee.
Resolution CC-24-11: Tort and Workers' Compensation Claims
Resolution adopting guidelines for processing tort claims and workers' compensation claims valued at less than $100,000.
Ordinance 3534 (First Read): Land Development Code Amendment
Ordinance amending the Land Development Code to add 'communication services' as a permitted use in General Industrial districts.
Ordinance 3535 (First Read): Rezoning 1300 East Airport Road
Ordinance rezoning approximately 160 acres at 1300 East Airport Road from public (P) to General Industrial (IG).
Ordinance 3536 (First Read): Purchasing Thresholds
Ordinance amending city code to revise values of purchases subject to competitive bidding and city council approval.
Ordinance 3537 (First Read): Tort Claims and Workers' Compensation
Ordinance amending city code regarding tort claims, workers' compensation claims, and payment.
Ordinance 3532 (Second Read): Rezoning 1515 N Boomer Rd & 1120 N Husband St
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 Sinus 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, Ann Houston, Calvin Miller, Jesse Sims, and Kay Stewart to the Washington School Advisory Committee.
Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Quarterly Report
Quarterly report from the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce on economic development activities, presented by Elaine Zenat and Carrie Moore.
Resolution CA-24-1: Revisions to Purchasing Policy (CEDA)
Resolution adopting revisions to the purchasing policy for the City of Stillwater and its trusts, specifically for the Stillwater Economic Development Authority (CEDA).
Resolution SUA-24-2: Revisions to Purchasing Policy (SUA)
Resolution adopting revisions to the purchasing policy for the City of Stillwater and its trusts, specifically for the Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA).