Meeting Summary
The Stillwater City Council met on November 16, 2020, addressing several key issues. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comment and council discussion regarding the extension of the city's mask mandate, which was ultimately advanced to a second reading. The council also approved the closeout of a community development block grant for Strickland Park and an agreement for an audit of the city's form-based code.
Key Decisions & Votes
Extension of Mask Mandate (Ordinance 3463)
01:03:00The city council voted to advance Ordinance 3463, which extends the city's mask mandate, to a second reading. This decision followed extensive public comments both for and against the mandate, and a detailed discussion among council members regarding its efficacy and necessity.
Strickland Park CDBG Grant Closeout
01:14:00The council approved the closeout of Community Development Block Grant #17286, which funded the inclusive playground at Strickland Park. The project, totaling $212,564, was a 50/50 match between the Department of Commerce and the City of Stillwater.
Form-Based Code Audit Agreement
01:17:00An agreement with the Form-Based Code Institute for an audit of Stillwater's form-based code, not to exceed $94,550, was approved. This audit will review the corridor redevelopment plan and code, conduct a multi-family market study, and evaluate public improvement finances.
Sidewalk, Street, and Parking Lot Service Areas (Ordinance 3456)
01:35:00Ordinance 3456, which amends the city code to create section 23-105 for sidewalk, street, and parking lot service areas (outdoor dining), was advanced to a second reading.
Cemetery Zoning Classification (Ordinance 3461)
01:36:00Ordinance 3461, amending the land development code to add cemetery uses to the RSS small lot single-family residential district, was advanced to a second reading.
Property Rezoning (Ordinance 3462)
01:37:00Ordinance 3462, rezoning property at 122 East Richmond Road from commercial general to RT2 family residential district, was advanced to a second reading.
Emergency Ordinance Penalty Amendment (Ordinance 3464)
01:38:00Ordinance 3464, amending the city code regarding violations and penalties for civil emergencies, was advanced to a second reading. This change aims to align penalties with state law, making them a Class C offense punishable by a fine up to $500.
Utility Easement Closure (Ordinance 3460)
01:42:00Ordinance 3460, closing the south two feet of an existing 20-foot utility easement on specific lots in Eastridge Second Section One, was adopted.
Waste Management Vehicle Purchase
01:50:00The Stillwater Utilities Authority approved the lease-purchase of seven new residential refuse vehicles and one new roll-off refuse vehicle for $2,306,500, with a buy-back agreement after three years. This aims to reduce maintenance costs and improve service efficiency.
Electric Line Relocation for 6th Avenue Widening
01:54:00The Stillwater Utilities Authority approved the transmission and distribution line relocation project for the ODOT 6th Avenue Highway 51 road widening project, authorizing expenditures up to $7.5 million. This project will remove overhead electric lines along 6th Avenue from Western Road to Perkins Road and enhance the 69,000-volt transmission loop.
Financial Matters
Strickland Park CDBG Grant
Closeout of a Community Development Block Grant for the inclusive playground at Strickland Park, a 50/50 match with the Department of Commerce.
Form-Based Code Audit
Agreement with the Form-Based Code Institute for an audit of Stillwater's form-based code.
Small Business Assistance Grants Program
101 grants awarded to local business owners, with $6,503.65 remaining for three pending grants. 11 applications were denied, mostly due to inability to substantiate a 25% revenue loss.
Waste Management Vehicle Purchase
Lease-purchase of seven new residential refuse vehicles and one new roll-off refuse vehicle, with annual payments of approximately $482,880 for five years.
Electric Line Relocation for 6th Avenue Widening
Authorized expenditures for the transmission and distribution line relocation project for the ODOT 6th Avenue Highway 51 road widening project, funded from the electric rate stabilization fund.
Public Comments
Numerous citizens spoke or submitted comments regarding the mask mandate. Supporters emphasized public health, protecting healthcare workers, and the importance of masks for schools and the economy. Opponents cited concerns about personal liberty, lack of scientific evidence for mask efficacy in community settings, and potential negative health effects.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Special meeting for second reading of Ordinance 3463 (mask mandate) on Thursday at noon.
- Filing period for City Council Seat #4 election: December 7th, 8th, or 9th at Payne County Election Board.
Watch For
- Additional quarterly project updates from other city departments.
- Further discussions on potential additional rounds of small business assistance or new funding options.
- Revised city order regarding restaurant and bar operations following the Governor's new statewide order.
Announcements
- City Hall will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26th, and Friday, November 27th.
- Trash and recycling pickup will proceed as usual on Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after; yard waste collection will not occur on these holiday days.
- The Convenience Collection Center will be closed for city observed holidays.
- Curbside pickup for storm debris has begun; residents are asked to place debris at the curb in lengths of 10 feet or less.
- The city collected almost 566 tons of tree and living debris during the drop-off program at Wittenberg Park.
- Residents are encouraged to provide input on the city's 2022 fiscal year budget at stillwater.org/yourmoney.
- A new light show is available downtown on Main Street (6th to 10th) from dusk until dawn, with music accessible by tuning to 87.9 FM.
- Council Seat #4 is up for election for a four-year term; filing period is December 7-9.
- The Stillwater Electric Utility and LM Consulting held a virtual workshop on distributed generation rates; input is requested at speakup.stillwater.org.
- Mayor Joyce will issue a proclamation for Small Business Saturday on November 28, 2020, encouraging local shopping.
- Governor Stitt announced a new statewide order regarding early closing of restaurants and bars, and mask requirements for state employees and buildings; Stillwater will review and issue a revised local order.
Agenda Summary
Proclamation: National Runaway Prevention Month
Reading of a proclamation recognizing November as National Runaway Prevention Month, highlighting the work of Payne County Youth Services.
Consent Docket
Approval of various routine administrative items.
Public Comment on Items Not Scheduled for Public Hearing
Opportunity for citizens to comment on non-agenda items, primarily focused on the mask mandate.
Ordinance 3463: Amending Chapter 14 Civil Emergencies Article 1
Ordinance to amend sections 14-1 (findings of fact) and 14-7 (sunset) of the city code, related to the mask mandate.
Public Hearing: CDBG Grant Closeout (17286)
Public comment and authorization for signature of closeout documents for Community Development Block Grant #17286 for Strickland Park.
Agreement with Form-Based Code Institute
Approval of an agreement for an audit of the Stillwater Form-Based Code for an amount not to exceed $94,550.
Quarterly Projects Update (Transportation and Airport)
Presentation of an overview of active transportation and airport projects for July, August, and September 2020.
Summary of Small Business Assistance Grants Program
Update on the small business assistance grants program, including the number of grants awarded and remaining funds.
Ordinance 3456: Amending Chapter 23 Land Development Code Article 5
Ordinance to create section 23-105 for sidewalk, street, and parking lot service areas (outdoor dining).
Ordinance 3461: Amending Chapter 23 Land Development Code Article 6
Ordinance to amend section 23-137 (RSS small lot single-family residential district) to add cemetery uses.
Ordinance 3462: Rezoning Property at 122 East Richmond Road
Ordinance to rezone property from commercial general district to RT2 family residential district.
Ordinance 3464: Amending Chapter 14 Civil Emergencies Article 2
Ordinance to amend section 14-63 (violations penalty) regarding civil emergencies.
Ordinance 3460: Closing Utility Easement
Ordinance closing the south two feet of an existing 20-foot utility easement on specific lots in Eastridge Second Section One.
Reports from Officers and Boards
Updates from the City Manager and other council members.
Appointments
Appointment of Candace Robinson to the Stillwater Reinvestment Plan Campus Link Downtown Project Implementation Policy Committee.
S.U.A. Consent Docket
Approval of special meeting minutes for the Stillwater Utilities Authority.
S.U.A. Approved Purchase of Waste Management Vehicles
Approval to lease-purchase seven new residential refuse vehicles and one new roll-off refuse vehicle.
S.U.A. Approved Transmission and Distribution Line Relocation
Approval of line relocation for the ODOT 6th Avenue Highway 51 road widening project, authorizing expenditures up to $7.5 million.
S.U.A. Reports from Officers and Boards
Updates from the City Manager and other trustees for the Stillwater Utilities Authority.
S.E.D.A. Consent Docket
Approval of meeting minutes for the Stillwater Economic Development Authority.
S.E.D.A. Reports from Officers and Boards
Updates from the City Manager and other trustees for the Stillwater Economic Development Authority, including a request for executive session.