Meeting Summary
The Stillwater City Council meeting on December 6, 2021, was highlighted by the resignation of Councilor Wedlake and significant progress on the Block 34 Park project. The council approved substantial donations from Stillwater Designs and Audio Inc. (Kicker) for the park's development, construction, programming, and operations, totaling $3.5 million. Additionally, conceptual architectural renderings for the park were approved, and resolutions were adopted to place transportation and hotel room tax initiatives on the February 2022 ballot.
Key Decisions & Votes
Councilor Resignation
01:00Councilor Wedlake announced his immediate resignation from the council due to a potential business acquisition that would create a conflict of interest. The council will have 60 days to appoint a replacement.
Block 34 Park Donation and Naming Rights Agreement (Construction)
10:00The council approved a donation and naming rights agreement with Stillwater Designs and Audio Inc. (Kicker) for the Block 34 Park. This includes an in-kind donation for architectural/engineering design and construction documents, and a $2.7 million cash donation for construction.
Block 34 Park Donation Agreement (Programming and Operations)
15:00An $800,000 donation from Stillwater Designs and Audio Inc. (Kicker) for 10 years of programming and operations of Block 34 Park was approved. This will be disbursed through the Stillwater Community Center Foundation.
Block 34 Park Conceptual Architectural Renderings
18:00The conceptual architectural renderings for the Block 34 Park development were approved, outlining the layout including an amphitheater, pavilion, green space, food truck areas, and water features.
Ordinance 3484 (Rezoning)
30:00Ordinance 3484 was adopted, rezoning land at 2003 West 6th Avenue from office to CS Commercial Shopping District, and land at 610 South McFarland Street from RMI Multifamily Intermediate to CS Commercial Shopping District.
Resolution CC-2021-43 (Transportation Sales Tax Election)
31:00Resolution CC-2021-43 was adopted, calling for a special election on February 8, 2022, to consider Ordinance 3486, which amends the transportation sales tax to create the 2022 transportation sales tax, effectively increasing it by a half-cent.
Resolution CC-2021-44 (Hotel Room Tax Election)
35:00Resolution CC-2021-44 was adopted, calling for a special election on February 8, 2022, to consider Ordinance 3485, which increases the hotel room tax from four percent to seven percent and renames it to visitor tax.
Upcoming Community Events
Holiday Parade of Lights and Drone Show
Well-organized and well-received events in downtown Stillwater, with positive feedback on the drone show.
Financial Matters
Block 34 Park Construction Donation
Cash donation from Stillwater Designs and Audio Inc. (Kicker) for the construction of Block 34 Park.
Block 34 Park Programming and Operations Donation
Donation from Stillwater Designs and Audio Inc. (Kicker) to cover 10 years of programming and operations for Block 34 Park, with $20,000 annually allocated to the city for operating costs.
Transportation Sales Tax
Resolution adopted to place a half-cent increase in transportation sales tax on the February 8, 2022, ballot. This would repeal an existing half-cent tax and replace it with a one-cent tax, making the net increase a half-cent.
Hotel Room Tax (Visitor Tax)
Resolution adopted to place an increase in the hotel room tax from four percent to seven percent on the February 8, 2022, ballot, renaming it to visitor tax.
Rural Fire Service Contract
Annual contract for residents outside city limits but within the fire department's response area, limiting fire incident response fees to $2,000.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- February 8, 2022: Special election for transportation sales tax and hotel room tax initiatives.
- Mid-May 2022: End of free medical sharps collection program.
Watch For
- Appointment of a new council member within 60 days to fill the vacant seat.
- Formation of a citizen committee to oversee the transportation sales tax if approved.
- Further development and construction of Block 34 Park, with a goal to start construction next summer.
Announcements
- Public health officials continue to recommend vaccination for all eligible individuals and booster shots for adults over 18.
- Rehabilitation and upgrade of the West Park Wastewater Lift Station is complete, improving reliability and efficiency.
- Construction on 4th Avenue and Hester to replace aging infrastructure (water, sewer, storm sewer, streets, sidewalks) has been completed.
- Stillwater Regional Airport offers free parking and short security lines; residents are encouraged to fly using airport code SWO at aa.com.
- Stillwater residents can pick up a free medical sharps container at the convenience collection center and return filled containers for proper disposal at no cost until mid-May 2022.
- The Stillwater Fire Department encourages rural residents to purchase their 2022 rural fire service contract for $100 to limit fire incident response fees.
Agenda Summary
Pledge of Allegiance
Opening of the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Councilor Wedlake's Resignation
Councilor Wedlake announced his immediate resignation from the city council.
Consent Docket
Approval of routine items on the consent docket.
Public Comment on Items Not Scheduled for Public Hearings
Opportunity for public comments on non-agenda items.
Approve a donation and naming rights agreement with Stillwater Designs and Audio Inc. for the development and construction of the Block 34 Park
Approval of a $2.7 million donation and in-kind services from Kicker for Block 34 Park construction.
Approve a donation agreement with Stillwater Designs and Audio Inc. for programming and operations of Block 34 live music programming
Approval of an $800,000 donation from Kicker for 10 years of programming and operations for Block 34 Park.
Approve the proposed conceptual architectural renderings for the development of Block 34 Park
Approval of the conceptual design for the Block 34 Park.
COVID-19 Update
Update on COVID-19 recommendations from public health officials.
Ordinance 3484: Rezoning of land at 2003 West 6th Avenue and 610 South McFarland Street
Ordinance to rezone two parcels of land to CS Commercial Shopping District.
Resolution CC-2021-43: Calling for a special election on February 8, 2022, for the 2022 Transportation Sales Tax
Resolution to place the transportation sales tax initiative on the ballot.
Resolution CC-2021-44: Calling for a special election on February 8, 2022, for the Hotel Room Tax (Visitor Tax)
Resolution to place the hotel room tax increase initiative on the ballot.
Reports from Officers and Boards
Updates from city staff and council members on various city activities and initiatives.
Adjournment of City Council Meeting
Formal end of the City Council meeting.
Stillwater Economic Development Authority (SEDA) Consent Docket
Approval of meeting minutes for SEDA.
SEDA: Approve donation and naming rights agreement for Block 34 Park construction
SEDA's approval of the $2.7 million donation and in-kind services from Kicker for Block 34 Park construction.
SEDA: Approve donation agreement for Block 34 Park programming and operations
SEDA's approval of the $800,000 donation from Kicker for 10 years of programming and operations for Block 34 Park.
SEDA: Approve conceptual architectural renderings for Block 34 Park
SEDA's approval of the conceptual design for the Block 34 Park.
SEDA: Reports from Officers or Board
Opportunity for reports from SEDA officers or board members.
Adjournment of SEDA Meeting
Formal end of the Stillwater Economic Development Authority meeting.