Skip to main content
Civic Transparency Platform
City Council Meeting

March 22, 2022 City Council Meeting

March 22, 2022 Stillwater, OK
Watch Video
Subscribe

Get notified when new summaries are available.

Meeting Summary

TL;DR

The Stillwater City Council meeting on March 21, 2022, addressed several key issues including the approval of a specific use permit for a marijuana dispensary, the allocation of ARPA funds for water infrastructure, and a significant discussion and approval of encrypted radio traffic for police and fire departments. The council also approved the purchase of properties for the Highway 51 reconstruction project and a budget amendment for COVID-19 impact assistance. The Stillwater Economic Development Authority and Stillwater Utilities Authority also met, with the latter discussing options for commercial cardboard recycling.

Key Decisions & Votes

Specific Use Permit for Marijuana Dispensary

00:33:00

The council rejected the planning commission's recommendation and approved a specific use permit for a marijuana dispensary at 611 West High Point Drive, acknowledging the applicant's valid OMMA permit and outreach efforts despite proximity concerns.

Approved

Allocation of ARPA Funding

00:44:00

The council approved the allocation of $8,784,987.88 in ARPA funding towards projects related to the Caw pipeline, raw water storage, and the water treatment plant, citing significant water infrastructure needs.

Approved

RAISE Grant Application for Duck Street and Western Road

00:48:00

Staff was authorized to submit a RAISE grant application for $22.6 million for the reconstruction projects of Duck Street and Western Road, aiming to enhance infrastructure with sustainability and equity features.

Approved

Encryption of Police and Fire Radio Traffic

01:19:00

The council approved the use of safety and security encryption for police and fire department radio traffic with the new public safety radio system, prioritizing officer and public safety and privacy despite media concerns about access.

Approved

Budget Amendment for COVID Impact Assistance Program

01:21:00

A budget amendment reflecting the receipt and expenditure of an additional $265,000 in CDBG funds for Phase 3 of the Stillwater Resident COVID Impact Assistance Program was approved.

Approved

Purchase of Properties for Highway 51 Reconstruction

01:26:00

The purchase of properties at 2222 West 6th and 2218 West 6th for amounts not to exceed $189,500 and $145,000 respectively, plus closing costs, was approved as part of ODOT's Highway 51 reconstruction project.

Approved

Resolution for COVID Impact Assistance Program Phase 3

01:27:00

Resolution CC-2022-7, authorizing the creation of Phase 3 of a grant program to assist residents experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19, was adopted.

Adopted

Appointments to Transportation Projects Advisory Committee

01:33:00

Five individuals (Gary Clark, Tammy Brown, Roger Goes, Steve Whitworth, and Brad Rickleman) were appointed to the Transportation Projects Advisory Committee.

Approved

Purchase of Commercial Recycling Roll-off Containers

01:57:00

The Stillwater Utilities Authority approved the purchase of up to 20 commercial recycling roll-off containers, with further discussion on fee structure to follow.

Approved

Upcoming Community Events

March 20th - March 26th, 2022

National Safe Place Week

Proclaimed in recognition of Payne County Youth Services' efforts to provide safe havens for youth.

Wednesday, April 6th at 1:30 p.m.

Rain Barrel Online Presentation

Hosted by OSU Landscape Architecture and the City of Stillwater Stormwater Program, focusing on rainwater harvesting.

Between now and April 5th

Fire Station 2 Tours

30-minute tours of Fire Station 2 for community members to understand the station and ask questions. Next tour: Wednesday, March 23rd at 5 p.m.

Financial Matters

ARPA Funding Allocation

Approved for water infrastructure projects (Caw pipeline, raw water storage, water treatment plant).

$8,784,987.88

RAISE Grant Application

Authorization to submit an application for Duck Street and Western Road reconstruction projects.

$22,600,000

CDBG-CV Funding for COVID Impact Assistance

Budget amendment reflecting receipt and expenditure of additional funds for Phase 3 of the Stillwater Resident COVID Impact Assistance Program.

$265,000

Property Purchase (2222 West 6th)

Purchase of property as part of ODOT's Highway 51 reconstruction project.

Not to exceed $189,500 plus $2,500 for closing costs

Property Purchase (2218 West 6th)

Purchase of property as part of ODOT's Highway 51 reconstruction project.

Not to exceed $145,000 plus $2,500 for closing costs

Commercial Recycling Roll-off Containers

Approved purchase of up to 20 containers, with an estimated cost of up to $200,000.

Public Comments

5 citizens spoke

Public comments were heard regarding Sunshine Week, National Safe Place Week, and the proposed specific use permit for a marijuana dispensary. A significant portion of public comment focused on the encryption of police and fire radio traffic, with the Stillwater News Press opposing it for transparency reasons and the Fraternal Order of Police supporting it for officer and public safety.

Government transparency Officer safety Public safety Privacy of citizens Medical marijuana dispensary impact on community Media access to information

Coming Up

Deadlines

  • RAISE Grant applications due April 14th
  • Bond proposition for new Fire Station 2 on ballot Tuesday, April 5th (early voting March 31st and April 1st)
  • Next round of appointments for city boards/committees scheduled for April 4th City Council meeting

Watch For

  • Further updates on the media relations process for encrypted radio traffic
  • New progressive development project to be presented at April 4th trustee meeting
  • Update on commercial cardboard recycling fee structure

Announcements

  • The city's free sharps collection pilot program is available through May 2022.
  • Vacancies are available on the Airport Advisory Committee, Audit Committee, Board of Adjustment, Board of Drainage Appeals, and Building Trades Board.

Agenda Summary

Presentations and Proclamations: Sunshine Week

Presentation by the League of Women Voters emphasizing government transparency.

Information Only

Presentations and Proclamations: National Safe Place Week

Proclamation in recognition of National Safe Place Week, with representatives from Payne County Youth Services.

Information Only

Consent Docket

Approval of routine administrative items.

Approved

Public Comment on Items Not Scheduled for Public Hearing

Comments from Robert McClendon (Stillwater News Press) and Miguel Najera (Fraternal Order of Police) regarding radio encryption.

Information Only

Public Hearing: Specific Use Permit for Marijuana Dispensary at 611 West High Point Drive (CC-22-36)

Public comment and council discussion regarding a specific use permit for a marijuana dispensary, previously tabled.

Approved

Approved Allocation of ARPA Funding

Allocation of $8,784,987.88 in ARPA funding for water infrastructure projects.

Approved

Authorize Staff to Submit RAISE Grant Application

Authorization to submit a $22.6 million RAISE grant application for Duck Street and Western Road reconstruction projects.

Approved

Approved Use of Safety Security Encryption of Police and Fire Department Radio Traffic

Decision on implementing encryption for police and fire radio communications with the new public safety radio system.

Approved

Approved Budget Amendment for CDBG Funds (COVID Impact Assistance Program Phase 3)

Approval of a budget amendment for additional CDBG funds for the Stillwater Resident COVID Impact Assistance Program Phase 3.

Approved

Approved Purchase of Property at 2222 West 6th and 2218 West 6th

Purchase of two properties for ODOT's Highway 51 reconstruction project.

Approved

Resolution CC-2022-7: Phase 3 of COVID Impact Assistance Program

Resolution authorizing the creation of Phase 3 of a grant program to assist residents with COVID-19 related financial hardship.

Adopted

Reports from the Officers and Board

Updates on traffic signal changes, sharps collection program, rain barrel presentation, Fire Station 2 bond proposition, and Fire Station 2 tours.

Information Only

Appointments to the Transportation Projects Advisory Committee

Appointment of five members to the Transportation Projects Advisory Committee.

Approved

Adjournment of City Council Meeting

Formal conclusion of the City Council meeting.

Approved

Approval of Minutes (SEDA)

Approval of minutes from the January 10th SEDA meeting.

Approved

Receive Visit Stillwater Semi-Annual Report (SEDA)

Presentation by Chris Norris, Chairman of the Visit Stillwater Board of Directors, on their semi-annual activities.

Information Only

Update on Tax Increment Financing District Number Three (SEDA)

Update by Melissa Reams on TIF #3 projects and their status.

Information Only

Adjournment of SEDA Meeting

Formal conclusion of the Stillwater Economic Development Authority meeting.

Approved

Approval of Minutes (SUA)

Approval of minutes from the previous SUA meeting.

Approved

Possible Options Regarding Commercial Cardboard Recycling (SUA)

Presentation by Chris Knight on options for commercial cardboard recycling, including survey results and cost analysis.

Approved

Adjournment of SUA Meeting

Formal conclusion of the Stillwater Utilities Authority meeting.

Approved