Meeting Summary
The Stillwater City Council meeting included the introduction of the new Stillwater Regional Airport Director, Kelly Reed, and a significant update on the Block 34 construction project, which is now fully funded thanks to generous donations. The council also approved a key agreement for the Rails to Trails project, securing substantial grant funding. Additionally, several board appointments were made, and updates on various city projects and initiatives were provided.
Key Decisions & Votes
Consent Docket
05:00The consent docket, containing routine administrative items, was approved by a vote of five to zero.
Rezoning for Stillwater Medical Center Authority
05:40A request from Ghost and Associates on behalf of Stillwater Medical Center Authority to rezone approximately 53 acres from Office (O) and Agricultural (A) to Public (P) was approved. This rezoning aligns the property with existing public zoning and allows for future uses like public ball fields.
Rails to Trails Project Agreement
49:50The State of Oklahoma Department of Transportation project maintenance financing and right-of-way agreement for the Rails to Trails project was approved. This secures $1.2 million in grant funding for the first 1.25 miles of the trail.
Ordinance 3524 - Rezoning West 9th and 10th Avenues
58:00Ordinance 3524, rezoning land at 1017 and 1109 West 9th Avenue, 1022, 1024, 1104, 1110, 1122, and 1124 West 10th Avenue, and 920-924 South Jefferson Street from small lot single-family residential (RSS) to two-family residential (RT), was adopted.
Building Trades Board Reappointment
59:00Kyle Kelty was reappointed to a three-year term on the Building Trades Board.
Planning Commission Appointments
59:50Ryan Williams and Jana Phillips were reappointed to new terms, and Andrew Van Lewen was appointed to a new term on the Planning Commission.
Board of Drainage Appeals Reappointments
01:01:00Matthew Mitchell, Daniel Storm, and Dr. Dale Daniel were reappointed to three-year terms on the Board of Drainage Appeals.
Upcoming Community Events
Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Purchase on Perkins Road Campaign
Patrons can win $1,000 cash prizes by shopping local on Perkins Road. Scan QR code on receipts and fill out a survey to enter. More info at stillwaterchamber.org.
Oklahoma Tax-Free Holiday Weekend
Sales of eligible items under $100 are exempt from state, city, county, and local municipal sales tax. Shop local in Stillwater. More info at tax.ok.gov.
National Night Out
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM at Southern Woods Park. Community building opportunity with games, food, and fun to strengthen crime prevention awareness.
Financial Matters
Block 34 Construction Project Funding
Steve Irby and Kicker, along with Simmons Bank, have pledged and provided in-kind gifts totaling over $7 million for the Block 34 construction and programming, making the project fully funded.
Rails to Trails Grant Funding
The city was awarded $1.2 million from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation's Transportation Alternative Grants Program for the first 1.25 miles of the Rails to Trails project.
Henderson Golf Management Revenue Share
Henderson Golf Management reported exceeding the $900,000 income threshold for the first time, resulting in a revenue share payment to the city of $65,000.
Oklahoma Targeted Opportunities Program
The Stillwater Chamber of Commerce is participating in this program, where the costs for site selection group services are fully reimbursed by the Department of Commerce, opening up future funding opportunities for infrastructure.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Performance-based efficiency contract with JCI (due to legal review of Attorney General's letter regarding the Energy Discrimination Elimination Act)
Deadlines
- Block 34 construction bids open August 16th
- Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Small Business University program starts September
Watch For
- Block 34 groundbreaking in October 2023, with completion aimed for Winter 2024/Spring 2025
- Stillwater Rails to Trails project engineering and design to begin soon, pending rail banking process
- New Stillwater city website launch on July 25th, 2023
- Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Economic Development website hard launch goal of September 1st
Announcements
- Introduction of Kelly Reed as the new Stillwater Regional Airport Director.
- Recognition of Gary Johnson for his interim service at the airport.
- Stillwater water utilities crew successfully repaired a 24-inch water main line, restoring service by 5 AM.
- New city of Stillwater website (stillwaterok.gov) launching July 25th, with enhanced features and navigation.
- Stillwater police to host National Night Out on August 1st at Southern Woods Park.
- Husband Street bridge completion expected mid to late August.
- Third Street bridge at 3rd and Perkins completion expected by November 1st.
- 12th Street closure from Duncan to Duck new completion date is August 26th.
- North Perkins Road (US-177) project remains on schedule for all four lanes to be opened by the end of August, with ADA accessible bus stops included.
Agenda Summary
Introduction of New Stillwater Regional Airport Director
Introduction of Kelly Reed as the new Stillwater Regional Airport Director, an OSU graduate and experienced airport operations and planning professional.
Consent Docket
Approval of routine administrative items.
CC 23-122: Rezoning Request from Ghost and Associates on behalf of Stillwater Medical Center Authority
Receive public comment and consider recommending approval or denial to rezone approximately 53 acres located east of 12th and Blakely and north of Stillwater Creek from Office (O) and Agricultural (A) to Public (P).
Henderson Golf Annual Report
Presentation of the annual report by Michael Anderson of Henderson Golf Management, detailing operations, community programs, capital improvements, and financial performance for 2022.
Update on Block 34 Construction Projects
Presentation on the final funding, design, and construction timeline for Block 34, including significant donations from Kicker, the Irby family, and Simmons Bank, and a detailed design overview by Jim Beckstrom.
Consider approval of the State of Oklahoma Department of Transportation project maintenance financing and right-of-way agreement for the Rails to Trails project
Consideration and possible action on the agreement for the Rails to Trails project, which secured $1.2 million in grant funding for the first 1.25 miles of the trail.
Consideration discussion possible action regarding the performance-based efficiency contract with JCI
Follow-up discussion on the performance-based efficiency contract with Johnson Controls, specifically regarding challenges with project financing due to the State Treasurer's list of prohibited financial institutions and recent guidance from the Attorney General's office.
Ordinance 3524: Rezoning Land at West 9th and 10th Avenues and South Jefferson Street
Second reading of an ordinance rezoning a tract of land from small lot single-family residential (RSS) to two-family residential (RT).
Appointments to Building Trades Board
Consideration of reappointments and new appointments to the Building Trades Board, specifically addressing a vacancy for an electrical industry professional.
Appointments to Planning Commission
Consideration of reappointments and new appointments to the Planning Commission.
Appointments to Board of Drainage Appeals
Consideration of reappointments and new appointments to the Board of Drainage Appeals, noting a vacancy.
Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Economic Development Report
Presentation by Reagan Mitchell on the Chamber of Commerce's economic development activities for Quarter 3 of 2023, including state-level projects, the Oklahoma Targeted Opportunities Program, updates on The Hub, business retention visits, small business programming, and the new economic development website.