Meeting Summary
The Stillwater City Council held its first meeting of 2024, approving the consent agenda and discussing a proposed new animal shelter. Residents voiced concerns about the animal shelter's location, citing traffic, noise, and environmental impact. The Council directed staff to prepare a resolution for a general obligation bond election in April 2024 for the new animal welfare facility.
Key Decisions & Votes
Consent Agenda
00:00:50The consent agenda was approved with a vote of five to zero, indicating agreement on routine matters without separate discussion.
New Animal Welfare Facility Bond Election
00:27:00The Council directed staff to prepare a resolution for a general obligation bond election on April 2, 2024, for up to $6.75 million for a new Animal Welfare facility at the northeast corner of West Airport Road and North Noblock Street.
Fire Station Number Two Project Schedule and Interim Guaranteed Maximum Price
00:38:00The project schedule and interim guaranteed maximum price for the new Fire Station Number Two were approved, and the city manager was authorized to execute related documents. The total projected cost is $7,938,220, which is within the overall $9 million bond budget.
Amendment to Crossland CM@Risk Services Agreement
00:39:00Amendment number one to the Crossland CM@Risk Services Agreement, regarding a partial conversion to guaranteed maximum price, was approved, and the city manager was authorized to execute the amendment.
Resolution for Municipal Collective Bargaining Process
00:42:00Resolution CC-2024-1, establishing a process for implementing requirements of 11 O.S. Section 51-108 for municipal collective bargaining with the Fraternal Order of Police and International Association of Firefighters, was adopted.
Ordinance 3529 - Amending Building Codes
00:46:00Ordinance 3529, amending various chapters of the Stillwater City Code of Ordinances to adopt the 2018 editions of the ICC International Building Code, Residential Code, Property Maintenance Code, Plumbing Code, Fuel Gas Code, Mechanical Code, and the 2020 National Electrical Code, was adopted.
Ordinance 3530 - Amending Youth Tobacco Access Regulations
00:48:00Ordinance 3530, amending Chapter 16 of the Stillwater City Code of Ordinances regarding offenses involving minors and prevention of youth access to tobacco products, was adopted.
Stillwater Utilities Authority Consent Docket
00:55:00The Stillwater Utilities Authority consent docket was approved, excluding Item B.
Stillwater Utilities Authority Item 2B (Copper Primary Conductor)
00:58:00Item 2B, regarding the copper primary conductor, was approved after clarification on why a higher bid was chosen due to specifications not being met by the low bidder.
Upcoming Community Events
9th Annual Citizens Academy (Police Department)
Multi-week educational course providing a behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement, including real-life scenarios and a ride-along. Contact Lieutenant TJ Low at terry.low@stillwater.org for information.
Stillwater Community United Annual Unity Event (MLK Jr. Commemoration)
6:00 p.m. at the Stillwater Community Center.
Annual Unity March with OSU (MLK Jr. Commemoration)
Beginning at 1:00 p.m. All residents encouraged to join. City offices closed for the holiday.
Financial Matters
New Animal Welfare Facility General Obligation Bond
Proposed bond for a new animal welfare facility. A $200,000 property would see an approximate annual tax increase of $55 for a 10-year bond.
Fire Station Number Two Project
Total projected cost for the new Fire Station Number Two, funded by a $9 million bond issue approved in April 2022. This amount is within the overall bond budget.
Rural Fire State Fire Service Contract
Annual contract for residents living outside city limits but within the Stillwater Fire Department's response area, ensuring response fees do not exceed $2,000 per incident. Funds go towards training and equipment.
Burglar or Fire Alarm Permit Registration
Permit required for burglar or fire alarms. Government entities and residents 62+ years old are exempt from fees.
Public Comments
Two residents, Sharon Bennett and Jerry Crawford, spoke regarding the proposed new animal shelter location. They expressed concerns about increased traffic, potential for dumped animals, noise issues (from the shelter and nearby industry/Boomer Blast), environmental impact on the wooded area and wildlife, and loss of access for the Leak Academy. They acknowledged the need for a new shelter but opposed the proposed location.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- April 2, 2024: General Obligation Bond Election for Animal Welfare Facility
Watch For
- Further discussion and vote on the resolution for the Animal Welfare Facility bond election in two weeks.
- Completion of Fire Station Number Two project by July 2025.
Announcements
- Police Department's 9th Annual Citizens Academy begins January 23rd.
- Rural fire state fire service contracts are available for purchase/renewal for $100.
- New website feature: Citizen Request Tracker for reporting concerns.
- Applications are being accepted for citizen representatives on various boards and committees.
- Reminder to apply or renew burglar or fire alarm permits.
- Stillwater Community United will host their annual Unity event on Sunday, January 14th, at 6:00 p.m. at the Stillwater Community Center.
- The annual Unity March with OSU will be on Monday, January 15th, at 1:00 p.m.
- City offices will be closed on Monday, January 15th, for the holiday, but trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will proceed as usual.
Agenda Summary
Consent Agenda
Approval of routine items.
6A: Consider action directing staff to prepare a resolution calling for General Obligation bond election for April 2, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $6.75 million for a new Stillwater Animal Welfare facility to be located at the northeast corner of West Airport Road and North Noblock Street.
Discussion and decision on moving forward with a bond election for a new animal shelter.
6B: Consider approval of a project schedule and interim guaranteed maximum price for the new Fire Station Number Two and authorize the city manager to execute the documents.
Approval of the project timeline and initial cost guarantee for the construction of Fire Station Number Two.
6C: Staff recommends a motion to city council for city council to approve amendment number one to the Crossland CM@Risk Services agreement regarding a partial conversion to guaranteed maximum price and authorize the city manager to execute said amendment number one.
Approval of an amendment to the construction management agreement for Fire Station Number Two, converting a portion to a guaranteed maximum price.
7A: Resolution CC-2024-1 a resolution of the city council of the City of Stillwater establishing a process for the implementation of the requirements of 11 O.S. Section 51-108 including establishing the process for calling and scheduling elections pursuant to said statute.
Resolution to establish a process for municipal collective bargaining with the Fraternal Order of Police and International Association of Firefighters.
8A: Ordinance number 3529 an ordinance amending the Stillwater City Code of Ordinances by amending chapter 10 buildings and building regulations, chapter 20 fire prevention and protection, and other related articles to adopt updated building, residential, property maintenance, plumbing, fuel gas, mechanical, and electrical codes.
Second reading of an ordinance to update various building and safety codes to their 2018/2020 editions.
8B: Ordinance 3530 an ordinance amending the Stillwater City Code of Ordinances by amending chapter 16 crimes miscellaneous offenses and provisions article six offenses involving minors division two prevention of Youth access to Tobacco section 16-152 definitions and section section 16-153 Furnishing of tobacco products to Miners and section 16 -154 purchase receipt or possession of tobacco products by Miners and section section 16155 distribution of tobacco product samples to Miners and section 16156 sale of tobacco products accept an original sealed packaging repealing all ordinances to the contrary and providing for severability.
Second reading of an ordinance to amend regulations concerning youth access to tobacco products.