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City Council Meeting

August 18, 2020 City Council Meeting

August 18, 2020 Stillwater, OK
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Meeting Summary

TL;DR

The Stillwater City Council addressed concerns regarding COVID-19, particularly in relation to local bars and university students, with the Mayor announcing an upcoming emergency order to mandate table service and limited occupancy in bars. The council also approved a rezoning request for a parking lot and a specific use permit for a medical marijuana dispensary. A quarterly financial report showed the city's revenues meeting projections despite a downturn, largely due to spending reductions and increased local spending.

Key Decisions & Votes

Map Amendment for 503 South Pine Street

00:20:00

Request to rezone property from RTM (two-family and multi-family residential) to RMI (multi-family intermediate residential) for use as a parking lot was approved. The planning commission recommended approval by a 5-0 vote.

Approved

Specific Use Permit for Medical Marijuana Dispensary

00:29:00

A specific use permit for Oklahoma Green Stop LLC at 207 South Main Street to operate a medical marijuana dispensary was approved. The planning commission recommended approval by a 5-0 vote, and the council approved it with a 3-2 vote.

Approved

Application for Firehouse Subs Grant

00:43:00

Approval to submit an application to Firehouse Subs for a $45,620.64 grant to purchase two ATVs for the Stillwater Police Department, with no matching funds required.

Approved

Ordinance 3455: Water Rates Outside City Limits

01:21:00

Ordinance 3455, amending chapter 41 of the Stillwater City Code regarding water service rates for properties outside city limits, was adopted with a 4-0 vote and one abstention.

Adopted

Financial Matters

Fourth Quarter Financial Report FY20

The city's general fund revenues met projections for FY20 despite a sales tax downturn in May and June. Operating and maintenance expenditures came in under budget across all funds due to spending reductions.

Firehouse Subs Grant for Police Department

Grant application approved for the purchase of two ATVs for the Stillwater Police Department, requiring no matching funds from the city.

$45,620.64

Budget Amendment for Landscape Maintenance (BID #1)

Request to appropriate $10,000 from fund 851 fund balance for landscape maintenance in Business Improvement District #1 was pulled from the agenda and moved to a future CETA agenda.

$10,000

Public Comments

5 citizens spoke

Public comments primarily focused on the impact of COVID-19 on local businesses, particularly bars and restaurants. Speakers discussed efforts to maintain safety, the need for outdoor seating options, and the economic challenges faced by businesses. There was also discussion about the proposed ordinance for outdoor seating and its potential benefits and drawbacks.

COVID-19 safety measures in businesses Economic impact of COVID-19 on local businesses Need for outdoor seating/parklets Concerns about social media perception Support for Ordinance 3456

Coming Up

Tabled

  • Budget amendment appropriating $10,000 for landscape maintenance in Business Improvement District #1 (moved to future CETA agenda)
  • Ordinance 3456 (Outdoor Seating/Parklets) will be held for public hearing next week, with suggested changes to be incorporated.

Deadlines

  • Census completion deadline

Watch For

  • Emergency order regarding bar regulations (table service, limited occupancy)
  • Further discussions and potential revisions to Ordinance 3456 (Outdoor Seating/Parklets)
  • Renewable Task Force discussion in September (September 14th meeting)

Announcements

  • The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, giving women the right to vote, was ratified 100 years ago today (August 18, 1920).
  • Stillwater Public Library is Stillwater Census Central for information and assistance with the census.

Agenda Summary

Consent Docket

Approval of meeting minutes, a water line easement, and an amendment to a service agreement with SASA.

Approved

Public Comment on Items Not Scheduled for Public Hearing

Opportunity for citizens to comment on agenda items not requiring a public hearing.

Information Only

Receive Public Comment Regarding Request for a Map Amendment to Rezone Property at 503 South Pine Street

Request to rezone property from RTM to RMI for use as a parking lot.

Approved

Receive Public Comment Regarding Request from Oklahoma Green Stop LLC for a Specific Use Permit

Request for a specific use permit to allow for a medical marijuana dispensary at 207 South Main Street.

Approved

Fourth Quarter Financial Report

Presentation of the preliminary fourth quarter financial report for fiscal year 2020.

Information Only

Approve Submittal of Application to Firehouse Subs for a Grant

Approval to apply for a grant to purchase two ATVs for the Stillwater Police Department.

Approved

Approve a Budget Amendment Appropriating $10,000 from Fund 851 Fund Balance

Budget amendment for landscape maintenance in Business Improvement District #1.

Tabled

City Projects Update

Quarterly update on active city projects.

Information Only

COVID-19 Update

Discussion and update on the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including potential new regulations for bars.

Information Only

Ordinance 3456: Amending City Code Regarding Outdoor Seating

First reading of an ordinance amending the city code to allow for outdoor seating/parklets for businesses.

No Action

Ordinance 3455: Amending City Code Regarding Water Rates Outside City Limits

Second reading and adoption of an ordinance amending water service rates for properties outside city limits.

Adopted

Reports from Officers and Boards

Updates from city officers and board members.

Information Only

Stillwater Utilities Authority Consent Docket

Approval of a sole source purchase of UV system components for the wastewater treatment plant.

Approved

Stillwater Economic Development Authority Consent Docket

Approval of special meeting minutes from July 20th.

Approved

Annual Report from Visit Stillwater

Presentation of the annual report from Visit Stillwater.

Information Only