Meeting Summary
The Stillwater City Council held its May 6, 2013 meeting, which included several proclamations, a financial review, and discussions on zoning and utility rates. Key decisions involved tabling a controversial rezoning request for a senior housing project and approving a resolution for waste management fee schedules with an amendment to remove automatic annual rate increases.
Key Decisions & Votes
Rezoning Request for 1100 East Virginia Avenue
01:00:00A request to rezone property at 1100 East Virginia Avenue from RTM to RT, intended for a senior housing project, was tabled until May 20th. This was to allow the developer and neighbors to finalize restrictive covenants regarding age restrictions and potential future rezoning.
Stillwater Standard Designs for Stormwater and Local Streets
01:21:00A resolution to amend the Stillwater standards for stormwater design criteria was adopted. The amendment allows stormwater to fill local streets to curb depth during a 10-year storm, rather than requiring one lane to remain uncovered.
Waste Management Fee Schedule Revisions
01:59:00A resolution adopting revisions to the waste management fee schedule, including expanding curbside recycling to outside city limits and a street sweeper rate reduction, was adopted. An amendment was passed to remove the paragraph allowing for automatic annual rate increases.
Upcoming Community Events
Olivia Fletcher Day
Proclaimed in honor of the Distinguished Young Woman of Payne County for 2014.
Community Action Month
Proclaimed in recognition of the Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency.
Stillwater Museums Week
Proclaimed to celebrate Stillwater's museums; new exhibits debuting at the Sheerar Museum on May 16th at 4:30 PM with a ribbon cutting.
National Bike Month
Proclaimed in Stillwater, with events including 'Bike to Work Day' on May 17th.
Stillwater Recycles Song Contest
Citizens can vote for their favorite recycling song created by Will Rogers Elementary students at Montyharper.blogspot.com or Stillwaterrecycles.blogspot.
Financial Matters
Third Quarter Financial Review
Sales tax revenues were 7.82% over quarterly projection, use tax 13.77% over original budget, and fines/forfeitures 98.12% of original budget. Total general fund expenditures were 66.1% of the approved budget. Lodging tax was 92.91% of target. SUA revenues were 83.41% of original projection.
Waste Management Fee Schedule
Revisions include expanding curbside recycling to outside city limits, adding a 25-cent per bulb fee for fluorescent bulb recycling at the convenience center, and reducing street sweeper fees. The annual CPI-based rate increase of 2.1% was also noted.
Public Comments
Public comments primarily focused on the rezoning request for 1100 East Virginia Avenue, with neighbors expressing concerns about the lack of finalized restrictive covenants for the senior housing project and requesting a postponement or denial. One citizen also spoke against mandatory curbside recycling, citing ethical and financial concerns.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Rezoning Request for 1100 East Virginia Avenue (tabled until May 20th meeting)
Deadlines
- Stillwater Recycles Song Contest voting ends Wednesday
Watch For
- Water and electric rate resolutions to be revisited to remove automatic annual increases
Announcements
- Cody Whittenberg, Stormwater Programs Manager, achieved a PhD.
- Councilor Weaver to be on the radio at 8:15 AM on 780 AM tomorrow morning.
- Vice Mayor Hopkins to be on the radio on the 21st.
- Congratulations to all OSU graduates and staff for a successful school year.
Agenda Summary
Proclamations
Proclamations for Olivia Fletcher Day, Community Action Month, Stillwater Museums Week, and National Bike Month.
Consent Docket
Approval of routine administrative items.
Public Comment on Agenda Items Not Scheduled for Public Hearing
Comments regarding fire department SCBA bids, the rezoning request for 1100 East Virginia Avenue, and waste management fee schedules.
Request to Rezone Property at 1100 East Virginia Avenue
Request to rezone property from RTM to RT for a senior housing project, with discussions on restrictive covenants.
Third Quarter Financial Review
Presentation of the city's financial performance for the third quarter.
Stillwater Standard Designs for Stormwater and Local Streets
Proposed amendment to stormwater design criteria allowing streets to fill to curb depth during a 10-year storm.
Resolution CC 2013-5: Authorizing Signatories for Depositories
Resolution to authorize signatories for city depositories.
Resolution CC 2013-6: Design and Construction Standards
Resolution related to the stormwater design criteria amendment.
Reports from Officers and Boards
Updates from city staff and council members.
Appointments to Library Board and Public Housing Authority
Reappointments to the Library Board and an appointment to the Public Housing Authority.
Stillwater Utility Authority Consent Docket
Approval of minutes from April 15th.
Revisions to Waste Management Fee Schedule
Revisions to the waste management fee schedule, including curbside recycling expansion and street sweeper rate reduction.
Resolution SUA 2013-1: Adopting Waste Management Rate Structure
Resolution to adopt the revised waste management rate structure.