Meeting Summary
The Stillwater City Council meeting on August 16, 2021, focused heavily on public comments regarding COVID-19 measures, particularly mask mandates and vaccine incentives. While a mask mandate was not on the agenda, the council approved a resolution for a COVID-19 vaccination incentive program for Stillwater residents. Additionally, several land rezoning ordinances were adopted, and a task order for a traffic impact analysis was approved.
Key Decisions & Votes
Healthcare Professional Appreciation Week Proclamation
00:00:50Mayor William Joyce officially recognized and designated September 27th through October 1st as Healthcare Professional Appreciation Week in the City of Stillwater.
Land Development Code Text Amendment (Traffic Impact Analysis)
00:30:10A text amendment to the land development code was approved, requiring a traffic impact analysis for new developments at the preliminary plat stage, based on industry standards.
Specific Use Permit for Medical Marijuana Dispensary
00:33:50A specific use permit was approved for a medical marijuana dispensary located at 416 South Washington Street, following a 4-0 recommendation from the planning commission.
Postponement of Item 7c
00:34:50Item 7c on the agenda was postponed to the September 13, 2021, meeting.
Increase to Contract with EST (Airport North Apron Project)
00:36:00An increase to the contract with EST for inspection and testing fees for the reconstruction of the north apron project at the airport was approved, not to exceed $330,000.
Allocation of Unused FEMA Funds (Flood Damage Restoration)
00:37:50The allocation of unused FEMA funds for restoration of various structures damaged in the spring 2019 flood event was approved, transferring funds from the Lakeside Golf Course repair project to the Lake McMurtry West Access Road project, with total expenditures not exceeding $57,730.
COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive Program Resolution
00:57:40Resolution 2021-25, authorizing the creation of a COVID-19 vaccination incentive program for Stillwater residents, was adopted. The program offers cash prizes and OSU football tickets for vaccinated individuals.
Rezoning Ordinance 3477 (701 Boomer Lake Station Drive)
00:58:30Ordinance 3477 was adopted, rezoning land at 701 Boomer Lake Station Drive from P Public to RMI Multifamily Intermediate for Tract A1 and CG Commercial General District for Tract A2.
Rezoning Ordinance 3478 (2817 East 6th Avenue)
00:59:00Ordinance 3478 was adopted, rezoning land at 2817 East 6th Avenue from CG Commercial General to IL Light Industrial.
Rezoning Ordinance 3479 (2811 East 6th Avenue)
00:59:30Ordinance 3479 was adopted, rezoning land at 2811 East 6th Avenue from CG Commercial General District to IL Light Industrial District.
Rezoning Ordinance 3480 (2723 East 6th Avenue)
01:00:00Ordinance 3480 was adopted, rezoning land at 2723 East 6th Avenue from CG Commercial General District to IL Light Industrial District.
Task Order with Keystone Engineering (Knoblock Water Line Survey)
01:04:00A task order for $21,458 with Keystone Engineering was approved for a survey of the Knoblock area to prepare for the replacement of old cast iron water lines ahead of road reconstruction.
Professional Services Agreement with Freesen Nickels (Cathodic Protection System Assessment)
01:10:00A professional services agreement with Freesen Nickels was approved to assess the condition of the cathodic protection system for the Kaw pipeline and other water utility infrastructure, with total expenditures not to exceed $175,700.
Upcoming Community Events
Healthcare Professional Appreciation Week
Officially recognized and designated by the City of Stillwater.
COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive Contest
Drawing on October 1st at 5:30 PM, live on television and Facebook. Offers 20 $5,000 cash prizes and OSU football tickets for vaccinated residents.
Oklahoma National Guard Hazmat and Law Enforcement Exercises
To be conducted at O-Rate Stadium on OSU's campus and a rural residence near Highway 33 in Cushing.
Stillwater Public Library Masked Hour
Provides safer visits for high-risk and unvaccinated visitors; masks required.
Sixth Avenue Corridor Study Public Input Meeting
Stillwater Community Center from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM, discussing proposed bike and pedestrian corridors.
Financial Matters
EST Contract Increase (Airport North Apron Project)
Authorization to increase the contract with EST for inspection and testing services due to weather and soil conditions, with no impact to the budget.
FEMA Funds Reallocation (Flood Damage)
Approval to reallocate unused FEMA funds from the Lakeside Golf Course repair project to cover additional costs for the Lake McMurtry West Access Road project.
COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive Program
Funding for 20 $5,000 cash prizes and OSU football tickets as incentives for residents to get vaccinated, utilizing CARES Act funding.
Keystone Engineering Task Order (Knoblock Water Line Survey)
Approval for a task order with Keystone Engineering for a survey related to the reconstruction of Knoblock and replacement of water lines.
Freesen Nickels Professional Services Agreement (Cathodic Protection System Assessment)
Approval for an agreement with Freesen Nickels to assess the cathodic protection system for the Kaw pipeline and other water/wastewater utilities, including a 10% contingency.
Public Comments
Numerous citizens spoke during the public comment period, primarily expressing strong opinions against mask mandates and vaccine incentives, citing concerns about personal freedom, government overreach, and the efficacy/safety of vaccines. Some speakers also questioned the city's handling of COVID-19 measures and the conduct of appointed officials. A few speakers supported mask mandates and vaccine incentives, emphasizing community responsibility and supporting healthcare workers.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 7c (postponed to September 13, 2021 meeting)
Deadlines
- COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive Contest ends September 30th
- COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive drawing October 1st
- Prizes for vaccination incentive held until November 5th
Watch For
- Discussion on the form-based code (study session on August 23rd cancelled, alternative communication methods to be explored)
- Future discussions on COVID-19 measures if conditions change or state laws evolve
Announcements
- City's Water 2040 project, including the 32nd Avenue booster pump station and water transmission line, is complete.
- Stillwater Resident COVID Impact Assistance Program is still available for low to moderate income residents; applications open Sundays and Mondays weekly at dailybreadstillwater.org.
- City of Stillwater is hiring for various positions; visit stillwater.org/employment.
- Stillwater Public Library holds a masked hour from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Saturdays for safer visits.
- Second public input meeting for the Sixth Avenue Corridor Study will be held August 25th at the Stillwater Community Center from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
Agenda Summary
Proclamation in recognition of Healthcare Professional Appreciation Week
Official recognition and designation of September 27th through October 1st as Healthcare Professional Appreciation Week.
Consent Docket
Approval of routine administrative items.
Public comment on items not scheduled for public hearing
Opportunity for citizens to address the council on topics not on the formal agenda, primarily focused on COVID-19 measures.
Receive public comment regarding a proposed text amendment to the land development code Chapter 23, Article 16, Section 23-325 (Traffic Impact Analysis)
Public hearing and discussion on requiring a traffic impact analysis for new developments at the preliminary plat stage.
Receive public comment regarding a request for a specific use permit to allow a medical marijuana dispensary at 416 South Washington Street
Public hearing and discussion on a specific use permit for a medical marijuana dispensary.
Memo to postpone Item 7c to the September 13, 2021 meeting
Request to delay discussion and action on a specific agenda item.
Approve increase to the contract with EST for inspection and testing fees for the reconstruction of the North Apron Project
Authorization to increase the contract amount for testing services at the airport due to unforeseen conditions.
Approve allocation of unused federal emergency management funds for restoration of flood damage
Approval to reallocate FEMA funds to cover cost overruns on a flood damage repair project.
Presentation of COVID-19 vaccine incentive
Presentation of a collaborative campaign to encourage COVID-19 vaccination among Stillwater residents through an incentive contest.
COVID-19 Update
Discussion and comments from council members regarding the current COVID-19 situation in Stillwater, hospital capacity, and public health measures.
Resolution 2021-25: A resolution authorizing the creation of a COVID-19 vaccination incentive program for Stillwater residents
Formal adoption of the resolution to implement the vaccination incentive program.
Ordinance 3477: An ordinance rezoning attractive land located at 701 Boomer Lake Station Drive
Second reading and adoption of an ordinance to rezone a property from P Public to RMI Multifamily Intermediate and CG Commercial General.
Ordinance 3478: An ordinance rezoning attractive land located at 2817 East 6th Avenue
Second reading and adoption of an ordinance to rezone a property from CG Commercial General to IL Light Industrial.
Ordinance 3479: An ordinance rezoning attractive land located at 2811 East 6th Avenue
Second reading and adoption of an ordinance to rezone a property from CG Commercial General District to IL Light Industrial District.
Ordinance 3480: An ordinance rezoning attractive land located at 2723 East Sixth Avenue
Second reading and adoption of an ordinance to rezone a property from CG Commercial General District to IL Light Industrial District.
Approve a task order for $21,458 with Keystone Engineering for a survey of the Knoblock area
Approval of a task order for surveying services related to water line replacement and road reconstruction.
Approve professional services agreement with Freesen Nickels to assess the condition on a cathodic protection system
Approval of an agreement for assessment services for the cathodic protection systems of the Kaw pipeline and other water/wastewater infrastructure.