Meeting Summary
The Stillwater City Council approved several budget amendments, including a CARES grant for the public library and a donation for an inclusive playground. They also discussed the city's mask mandate and the complexities of rural water systems and their associated rates. The Stillwater Economic Development Authority received a quarterly report highlighting new businesses and economic development initiatives.
Key Decisions & Votes
Consent Docket Approval
00:00:20The consent docket, including special meeting minutes, executive session minutes, acceptance of sanitary water line sewer lines, water lines, public streets, and a quarterly report from the Sharar Center, was approved.
Stillwater Springs Residential Development Annexation Request Postponement
00:05:40A public hearing regarding an annexation petition request for Stillwater Springs Residential Development was postponed until August 3, 2020.
Budget Amendment for Stillwater Public Library CARES Grant
00:06:50A budget amendment reflecting the receipt of a $1,000 CARES grant from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries for the Stillwater Public Library was approved to purchase PPE and cleaning supplies.
Budget Amendment for Inclusive Playground Donation
00:10:00A budget amendment reflecting a $1,900 donation from the Stillwater Community Foundation for a special needs chair (expression swing) at the inclusive playground project at Strickland Park was approved.
Resolution for Open Records Fee Structure
00:24:40Resolution CC-2020-13, establishing the fee structure for open records search, inspection, and reproduction fees, was adopted.
Ordinance 3454 (Utility Easement Closure)
00:26:00Ordinance 3454, closing the south two feet of an existing 20-foot utility easement on Lot 5, Replay of Lot 6 Eastridge Second Section, was advanced to its second reading.
Ordinance 3453 (Employee Retirement System Amendment)
00:28:00Ordinance 3453, amending the employee retirement system defined benefit plan for retirees, was adopted, and its emergency clause was declared.
Stillwater Utilities Authority Consent Docket
00:30:50The Stillwater Utilities Authority consent docket, including minutes and approval of chemical purchases, was approved.
SEDA Consent Docket
00:59:40The Stillwater Economic Development Authority consent docket, including special meeting minutes from May 18th, was approved.
Upcoming Community Events
Lemonade Day Stillwater
Entrepreneurs will learn to pivot in a pandemic with curbside and cashless payments. Online training videos will teach kids and parents how to set up Venmo/PayPal and follow CDC guidelines. A proclamation will be made on August 3rd.
Financial Matters
CARES Grant for Stillwater Public Library
Budget amendment reflecting receipt of a $1,000 CARES grant from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries for PPE and cleaning supplies.
Donation for Inclusive Playground
Budget amendment reflecting a $1,900 donation from the Stillwater Community Foundation for a special needs chair (expression swing) at Strickland Park.
Rural Water System Revenue
Estimated annual revenue from 218 municipal water customers outside city limits paying 1.5 times the rate.
Public Comments
One speaker addressed the COVID-19 virus, questioning the effectiveness of masks, school closures, and the impact on businesses, citing constitutional rights. Another speaker, a resident outside city limits, expressed concerns about significantly higher water fees compared to residents within city limits.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Stillwater Springs Residential Development annexation request (postponed to August 3, 2020)
Watch For
- Discussion on amending water rate ordinances for municipal customers outside city limits
- Full water rate structure report (expected September/October)
- Further economic development projects and applications
Announcements
- The city's mask ordinance went into effect, with Oklahoma City and Tulsa also approving mandates.
- 60,000 masks were distributed in the first few days, with another 60,000 recently brought in, totaling 120,000 free masks provided to businesses.
- Chris's University Spirit donated approximately 450 additional cloth reusable masks.
- COVID-19 case numbers in Stillwater have slowed down, but hospitals are still treating more COVID patients.
- The Chamber of Commerce hired a Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) coordinator, Joshua Hawkins.
- Site selector networking events and travel have been canceled, leading to plans for virtual familiarization tours.
- The Chamber of Commerce and Visit Stillwater were thanked for their timely and efficient distribution of masks to businesses.
Agenda Summary
Consent Docket
Approval of special meeting minutes, executive session minutes, acceptance of sanitary water line sewer lines, water lines, public streets, and a quarterly report from the Sharar Center.
Public Comment on Items Not Scheduled for Public Hearing
Opportunity for citizens to comment on non-agenda items.
Public Hearing: Stillwater Springs Residential Development Annexation Request
Receive public comment regarding a request from Stillwater Springs Residential Development to require consideration of an annexation petition request for recommended zoning classification.
Budget Amendment: $1,000 CARES Grant for Stillwater Public Library
Approval of a budget amendment reflecting receipt of a $1,000 CARES grant from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries to the Stillwater Public Library for PPE and cleaning supplies.
Budget Amendment: $1,900 Donation for Inclusive Playground
Approval of a budget amendment reflecting receipt of a $1,900 donation from the Stillwater Community Foundation for the purchase of a special needs chair for the inclusive playground project at Strickland Park.
COVID-19 Update
Regular update on the city's COVID-19 response, including mask mandate implementation and case numbers.
Resolution CC-2020-13: Open Records Fee Structure
A resolution establishing the fee structure for open records search, inspection, and reproduction fees pursuant to the Oklahoma Open Records Act.
Ordinance 3454 (First Read): Utility Easement Closure
An ordinance closing the south two feet of an existing 20-foot utility easement located on Lot 5, Replay of Lot 6 Eastridge Second Section, on property addressed as 1112 East Swim Avenue.
Ordinance 3453 (Second Read): Employee Retirement System Amendment
An ordinance amending the employee retirement system defined benefit plan for retirees only for the City of Stillwater, Oklahoma, by adopting a revised and restated retirement plan.
Reports from Officers and Boards (City Council)
Reports from city officers and boards.
Stillwater Utilities Authority Consent Docket
Approval of minutes and chemical purchases by the Water Utility Board.
Public Comment (SUA)
Opportunity for citizens to provide public comment to the Stillwater Utilities Authority.
Rural Water System Overview
A summary of the two city-owned rural water systems and their relation to the municipal system, including discussion on water rates.
Reports from Officers and Boards (SUA)
Reports from SUA officers and boards.
Stillwater Economic Development Authority Special Meeting Consent Docket
Approval of special meeting minutes from May 18th.
Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Economic Development Report
Presentation of the quarterly economic development report by the Chamber of Commerce, highlighting new businesses and initiatives.
Reports from Officers and Boards (SEDA)
Reports from SEDA officers and boards.