Meeting Summary
The Stillwater City Council meeting on April 5th, 2021, included several special presentations, notably the renaming of Airport Industrial Road to Hargis Road in honor of OSU President Burns Hargis and First Cowgirl Ann Hargis. Key decisions involved approving utility easement closures and specific use permits for residential and commercial developments. The council also addressed financial matters, including a significant grant for the Stillwater Regional Airport and a budget amendment for plumbing repairs at the Community Center.
Key Decisions & Votes
Renaming Airport Industrial Road to Hargis Road
00:06:00The City Council approved renaming Airport Industrial Road to Hargis Road in recognition of OSU President Burns Hargis and First Cowgirl Ann Hargis's 13 years of service to the community and their contributions to the Stillwater Municipal Airport.
Closure of Utility Easement at 815 and 817 North Jefferson Street
00:18:00A request to close a four-foot wide utility easement at 815 and 817 North Jefferson Street was approved, as there were no utilities within the easement and it was needed for proposed single-family structures.
Specific Use Permit for Single-Family Residential Homes at 815, 817, and 823 North Jefferson Street
00:34:00A specific use permit was approved to allow the construction of five new single-family residential homes, creating a 'pocket neighborhood' concept with a shared common space, on three existing lots.
Specific Use Permit for Physical Therapy Office at 2230 North Perkins Road
00:37:00A specific use permit was approved for a physical therapy office to relocate and expand within the Lakeview Point Shopping Center, as healthcare and social service uses in commercial shopping zones require an SUP.
Budget Amendment for Airport Coronavirus Response and Relief Grant Funds
00:40:00A budget amendment was approved to reflect the receipt of a $1,010,076 grant from the Airport Coronavirus Response and Relief Appropriations Act, to be used for the Stillwater Regional Airport's operating expenses.
Budget Amendment for Plumbing Repair at Project Heart and Community Center
00:44:00A budget amendment of $80,000 was approved from the city capital fund for urgent plumbing repairs at Project Heart and Room 121 of the Community Center due to aging infrastructure and collapsed lines.
Engagement of BTNCO for Fiscal Year 2021 Audit
00:48:00The city approved extending the engagement of BTNCO to perform the fiscal year 2021 audit for the City of Stillwater and related trust authorities, due to challenges presented by the pandemic.
Approval of City of Stillwater Single Audit Report for Fiscal Year 2020
00:51:00The City Council approved the single audit report for fiscal year ended June 30th, 2020, which received an unmodified opinion with no material weaknesses or non-compliance instances found.
Bid Recommendations for Flood Damage Repairs
00:59:00Bid recommendations were approved for repairs to properties damaged during the May 2020 floods, including contracts for Rooster Tell Construction and Haskell Women, with a 10% contingency for each project.
Extension of Renewable Energy Task Force Deadline
01:00:00A resolution was adopted to extend the deadline for the Renewable Energy Task Force to submit its recommendations to the City Council from March 31, 2021, to December 31, 2021.
Appointment of John Killam to Audit Committee
01:07:00John Killam was reappointed for another term on the Audit Committee.
Appointment of Bill Arrington to Airport Advisory Board
01:08:00Bill Arrington was appointed to the Airport Advisory Board, replacing Chuck Fleischer.
Appointment of Sue Bonner to Public Housing Authority Board
01:09:00Sue Bonner was reappointed for a new term on the Public Housing Authority Board.
Approval of Make Whole Payment Agreement with GRDA
01:15:00The Stillwater Utilities Authority approved a make whole payment agreement with the Grand River Dam Authority for $4,165,942.36 to replenish reserve funds used to pay natural gas bills during the February 2021 winter weather event.
Upcoming Community Events
Lemonade Day
A day for youth to participate in an entrepreneurial program, selling lemonade and donating a portion of profits to charity. Citizens are encouraged to purchase lemonade.
Fair Housing Month
Proclaimed to support fair housing laws and educate the public about equal housing opportunities.
Stillwater City Council Runoff Election for Seat 4
Voters are encouraged to vote for Ariel Ross or Christy Hopkins. Candidate forums are available on the Chamber's Facebook page.
Yard by Yard Community Resiliency Project
Program recognizing individuals for earth-friendly practices in their yards, such as pesticide-free gardening, growing produce, and using rain barrels. More info at okconservation.org/yardbyyard.
Trash Off Event
From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., hosted by Stillwater Environmental Programs and Stormwater Divisions. Volunteers should RSVP by April 7th. More info at stillwater.org/news or City of Stillwater's Facebook page.
Financial Matters
Airport Coronavirus Response and Relief Appropriations Act Grant
Grant funds awarded to Stillwater Regional Airport for operating expenses.
Plumbing Repair at Project Heart and Community Center
Budget amendment from the city capital fund for urgent plumbing repairs.
Fiscal Year 2021 Audit Engagement
Extension of engagement with BTNCO for the city's audit, honoring the previous year's fee and including a new PFC audit for the airport.
Flood Damage Repairs (May 2020)
Bid recommendations approved for repairs at Lake McMurtry and Lakeside Memorial Golf Course. The city is appealing to FEMA for an additional $124,000 beyond the initial $65,422 provided.
Make Whole Payment Agreement with GRDA
Payment from GRDA to replenish the Stillwater Utilities Authority's reserve fund used to cover unexpected fuel costs during the February 2021 winter weather event.
Public Comments
Public comments were received regarding the proposed distributed generation (DG) rate structure. Robin Cornwell, representing the Renewable Energy Task Force, expressed support for the proposed net energy metering tariff as an improvement over the current policy, highlighting its financial incentive for residential DG customers and recovery of fixed costs. Umri Yuahara, also a member of the task force, provided a personal statement advocating for a DG policy that makes it economically viable for residents to reduce their carbon footprint, suggesting that the service availability fee should be based on actual SUA fixed operating costs or a median customer bill, and offering further analysis.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Renewable Energy Task Force recommendations due by December 31, 2021
- Trash Off Event RSVP deadline: April 7th
Watch For
- Further discussion and potential adoption of the distributed generation rate structure at the April 19, 2021, SUA meeting
- Future construction commencement of the Perkins Road water line relocation project (potentially late Fall)
- More discussion on the 6th Avenue Corridor Study
Announcements
- Perkins Road water line relocation project is complete, but ODOT's reconstruction of Perkins Road may be delayed until next fall.
- New CDC guidelines allow fully vaccinated people to travel safely within the U.S. Stillwater Regional Airport offers free parking, short lines, and good rates. Face coverings are required in all airports.
- Stillwater Environmental Programs and Stormwater Divisions are holding the annual Trash Off event on Saturday, April 10th, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Volunteers should RSVP by April 7th.
- Residents who attended the public visioning workshop for the 6th Avenue Corridor Study on March 31st were thanked. Residents can still participate by asking questions and sharing ideas on the project's Speak Up Stillwater page (speakup.stillwater.org).
Agenda Summary
Pledge of Allegiance
Savannah Steele, a third-grader from Highland Park, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Recognition of OSU President Burns Hargis and First Cowgirl Ann Hargis
Resolution recognizing their 13 years of service and contributions to the community, including the renaming of Airport Industrial Road to Hargis Road.
Proclamation in Recognition of Lemonade Day
Proclaiming May 1st, 2021, as Lemonade Day in Stillwater, an entrepreneurial program for youth.
Proclamation in Recognition of Fair Housing Month
Declaring April 2021 as Fair Housing Month, supporting fair housing laws and equal housing opportunities.
Consent Docket
Approval of minutes, an easement, and a request for the Housing Authority's waiver payment in lieu of taxes for fiscal year 2021.
Public Comment on Items Not Scheduled for Public Hearing
No one signed up to speak.
Public Hearing: Request to Close Utility Easement at 815 and 817 North Jefferson Street (CC-21-50)
Receive public comment and consider a request to close a four-foot wide utility easement.
Public Hearing: Request for Specific Use Permit for Single-Family Residential Homes at 815, 817, and 823 North Jefferson Street
Receive public comment and consider a request for an SUP to allow construction of five single-family residential homes in an RTM zoning district.
Public Hearing: Request for Specific Use Permit for Physical Therapy Office at 2230 North Perkins Road
Receive public comment and consider a request for an SUP to allow a physical therapy office in a commercial shopping zoning district.
Approval of Budget Amendment Reflecting Airport Coronavirus Response and Relief Appropriations Act Grant Funds
Approve a budget amendment for $1,010,076 in grant funds for Stillwater Regional Airport's operating expenses.
Approval of Budget Amendment for Plumbing Repair at Project Heart and Room 121 of the Community Center
Approve a budget amendment of $80,000 from the city capital fund for urgent plumbing repairs.
Approval to Engage BTNCO for Fiscal Year 2021 Audit
Approve the engagement of BTNCO to perform the audit for the City of Stillwater and related trust authorities for fiscal year ending June 30th, 2021.
Approval of City of Stillwater Single Audit Report for Fiscal Year Ended June 30th, 2020
Approve the single audit report for fiscal year 2020.
Approved Bid Recommendations for Repair of Properties Damaged During May 2020 Floods
Approve bid recommendations for repairs at Lake McMurtry and Lakeside Memorial Golf Course.
Resolution CC-2021-08: Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Change Name of Airport Industrial Road to Hargis Road
Adopt a resolution to rename Airport Industrial Road to Hargis Road.
Resolution CC-2021-09: Resolution Amending Deadline for Submission of Plan from Renewable Energy Task Force
Adopt a resolution to extend the deadline for the Renewable Energy Task Force's recommendations to December 31, 2021.
Reports from Officers and Boards
Updates from city staff and council members on various city initiatives and community events.
Appointments to Boards and Committees
Appointments to the Audit Committee, Airport Advisory Board, and Public Housing Authority Board.
Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) Consent Docket
Approval of SUA meeting minutes.
Approval of Make Whole Payment Agreement between SUA and Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA)
Approve an agreement for a make whole payment from GRDA to replenish SUA reserve funds.
Public Comment on SUA Agenda Items
Public comments received regarding the distributed generation rate structure.
Discussion of Distributed Generation Rate Tariff
Presentation and discussion on the proposed distributed generation rate tariff, with no action requested at this meeting.