City Council

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 2, 2022 The City Council of the City of The Village, Oklahoma, met in Regular Session on Monday, May 2, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., at The Village City Hall located at 2304 Manchester Drive, The Village, OK 73120. The meeting did not convene until 7:30 p.m. due to tornadic weather taking place at the regular meeting time of 6:30 p.m. COUNCIL PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Sonny Wilkinson, Mayor Bruce K. Stone, City Manager Adam Graham, Vice-Mayor Beverly K. Whitener, City Treasurer Wynter Griffis, Council Member Jeff Sabin, City Attorney Bubba Symes, Council Member Sean Cummings, Council Member ITEM I: CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Wilkinson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ITEM II: INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Mayor Wilkinson led the Council in the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. ITEM III: ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR NEWLY ELECTED WARD 4 & 5 CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. Municipal Judge Danny White administered the Oath of Office for newly elected Council Members Sean Cummings and Sonny Wilkinson. ITEM IV: CONSIDERATION OF ELECTION OF MAYOR AND VICE-MAYOR TO SERVE A ONE- YEAR TERM. Mayor Wilkinson thanked his colleagues on the City Council for allowing him to serve as mayor over the past year. The mayor stated that much was accomplished over the last year and there is still more to do. The mayor then moved to elect Vice-Mayor Adam Graham as Mayor for a one-year term. Council Member Cummings seconded the motion. The vote: Yea – Symes, Griffis, Cummings, and Wilkinson. Nay – Graham. (Abstentions are recorded as a “nay” vote as required by Oklahoma law) Mayor Graham moved to elect Wynter Griffis to serve a one-year term as Vice-Mayor. Council Member Symes seconded the motion. The vote: Yea – Symes, Griffis, Cummings, Wilkinson, and Graham. Nay – none. City Council Minutes 05-02-2022 - Page 1 of 7  CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 2, 2022 Mayor Graham recessed the meeting at 7:35 p.m. for a photo session and refreshments. The mayor reconvened the meeting at 7:56 p.m. ITEM V: APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON APRIL 18, 2022. Mayor Graham asked if there are any corrections, additions or deletions to the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on April 18, 2022. There were no corrections, additions, or deletions and Council Member Wilkinson moved for the approval of the Minutes of the meeting held on April 18, 2022, as written. Council Member Cummings seconded the motion. The vote: Yea – Symes, Griffis, Cummings, Wilkinson, and Graham. Nay – none. ITEM VI: CITIZENS DESIRING TO BE HEARD, PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS. Jason Wiggins, The Village Library Manager, gave the Council an update on library programs and activities. Mr. Wiggins asked about core sampling by the library. The city manager advised that the city’s consulting engineers are conducting geotechnical tests in conjunction with the civil engineering required for the various phases of the TIF #1 Project Plan, including on and around the library property. Melodie Moore appeared before the Council to complain about ongoing traffic issues on Nichols Road. Ms. Moore told the Council that trucks are speeding on Nichols Road and that she believed this is related to deliveries to Casady School by trucks using the Dublin Road entrance to the campus. After a brief discussion, the Council agreed to install two speed cushion systems (in stock) on Nichols Road between Dublin Road and Britton Road. (Note: The Casady School PUD does not ban deliveries to the campus using the Dublin Road entrance. The regulations only prohibit deliveries to the campus before 7:00 a.m., unless they are made via the entrance on Pennsylvania Avenue.) Jane Lowther asked about the policy for sounding storm sirens. The city manager advised that the sirens are only set off when there is an imminent threat to The Village. Mr. Stone advised that Oklahoma City’s sirens, although they made be heard in The Village, do not necessarily mean tornadic or dangerous weather conditions are moving towards The Village. Mr. Stone advised that that there is no need to startle residents by sounding the sirens when there is no threat to The Village as determined by the Emergency Management Director. Ms. Lowther asked if the upcoming work session with LAUD Studio would be open to the public. Mr. Stone advised that the work session is an Open Meeting but is not for the purpose of public input. City Council Minutes 05-02-2022 - Page 2 of 7  CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 2, 2022 ITEM VII. PUBLIC HEARING TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED REZONING OF 10400 NORTH MAY AVENUE AND 2832 ORLANDO ROAD FROM A-1 SINGLE FAMILY TO C-2 COMMERICAL MAY AVENUE OFFICES SUITES II PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT. Mayor Graham stated that this is a Public Hearing to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed rezoning of 10400 North May Avenue and 2832 Orlando Road from A-1 Single-family to C-2 Commercial May Avenue Office Suites II Planned Unit Development. The mayor asked speakers to limit their remarks to three (3) minutes. City Manager Bruce Stone advised that the applicant would not be able to attend the Public Hearing and respectfully requests that the Council table action on this item until he can obtain legal counsel to represent him in this rezoning application. The consensus of the Council was to proceed with the public hearing and to proceed with action on Agenda Item VIII. The following citizens/property owners spoke in opposition to the proposed rezoning: (Not necessarily in this order) 1. Marc McCord 2. Lisa Green 3. Kerry Seley 4. Karen Ann Anderson 5. Madison Williams 6. Mathew Bhella 7. Jon Sousa 8. Sam Cupples 9. Cindy Silva 10. John Perry 11. Donna Johnson 12. Katy Caudle Cindy Silva presented a petition signed by approximately 30% of the property owners within 300 feet of the proposed development. (The petition is attached to these minutes) The concerns expressed by the residents/property owners included the following: 1. Traffic will increase and cause more congestion than there already is; 2. There is a lack of housing, and the city cannot afford to lose homes; 3. Property taxes will go up; 4. Property values will go down; 5. There is not enough parking on the site for patrons and employees; 6. Overflow parking will end up on adjacent residential streets. City Council Minutes 05-02-2022 - Page 3 of 7  CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 2, 2022 7. More cars will use residential drives to turn around; 8. Commercial truck deliveries will be problematic; 9. The development is poorly planned; 10. Additional commercial office space is not needed; 11. Facebook Survey, 117 against rezoning, 20 for rezoning (84% opposed) 12. Development could make the area look like 63rd and May. There were no further comments and Mayor Graham closed the Public Hearing. ITEM VIII. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 05-02-2022 (A) PERTAINING TO AN APPLICATION TO REZONE 10400 NORTH MAY AVENUE AND 2832 ORLANDO ROAD FROM A-1 SINGLE FAMILY TO C-2 COMMERICAL MAY AVENUE OFFICES SUITES II PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT. City Manager Bruce Stone advised the City Council that the Planning & Zoning Commission voted in a 4-2 split to recommend that the Council deny the application for rezoning. Council Member Wilkinson thanked citizens for their phone calls and email regarding this zoning application. Council Member Wilkinson noted the problems with the plan for this redevelopment. Council Member Wilkinson stated that the applicant is a “good guy” and has done some excellent work in The Village but that he feels this particular parcel needs rethinking. Council Member Wilkinson stated that he would vote to deny the rezoning application. Council Member Symes gave his perspective on this application and how it differs from other rezoning issues he has considered on the Council. Council Member Symes stated that he is “not for this.” Vice-Mayor Griffis stated that she has received a great deal of input from residents of The Village and that she would vote to deny the application as well. Council Member Cummings stated that he was “shocked” by the number of citizens who attended the informal Town Hall Meeting at The Village Library. Council Member Cummings advised that is also against the rezoning. Mayor Graham stated that he was elected to “listen” and that he would also vote against the application. Council Member Wilkinson moved to adopt Resolution 05-02-2022 (A) denying the rezoning application. Council Member Symes seconded the motion. The vote: Yea – Symes, Griffis, Cummings, Wilkinson, and Graham. Nay – none. City Council Minutes 05-02-2022 - Page 4 of 7  CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 2, 2022 ITEM IX: REPORTS, CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. a) Review of Expenditures: The Council reviewed the Expenditure Reports. The city manager noted and explained certain items on the reports. b) Manager’s Report: City Manager Bruce Stone gave the Council a progress report on the various projects underway including resurfacing on Carlisle, Andover, Brighton, and Essex Court. The city manager reported that revisions to the Gladstone Drainage plans have been completed and that bids would be opened on May 9th. Mr. Stone reported that flow meters have been installed for the inflow and infiltration study, which is currently underway. The city manager reported on the commendation received by Telecommunicator Jaylene Garcia for outstanding work beyond the call of duty in assisting a Spanish speaking victim of domestic abuse. The Council expressed a desire to adopt a proclamation recognizing this extraordinary effort. Mr. Stone advised that Chief Paul Kinman has announced his retirement on May 31, 2022. Mr. Stone told the Council that he would appoint Deputy Chief Russ Landon to replace him. Mr. Stone advised that Chief Kinman is a 40-year veteran of The Village Police Department and has served 20 years as Chief of Police. The city manager advised that a resident who lives next to Wayne Schooley Park would like to place a tent next in the park (next to his yard) for a weekend wedding party this fall. Mr. Stone advised that there currently is no permit fee for activities like this. Mr. Stone told the Council that the tent would not block the neighbors’ view of the lake. Mr. Stone reported that Litter Blitz was a success and that 8 residents showed up to pick up trash on Britton Road between Waverly and Penn. Mr. Stone said that the wind was “horrible.” The city manager showed before and after pictures of the sidewalk on Britton Road west of May. Mr. Stone stated that it looks like the goal of avoiding further encroachment on residential yards was achieved. City Council Minutes 05-02-2022 - Page 5 of 7  CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 2, 2022 Mr. Stone showed the Council pictures of speed cushions recently installed on Casady Lane and Erin Place. The city manager reported that plans for Sidewalk Project 6 (Stratford Drive from Westchester to Britton Road) are completed, and the project is ready to go to bid. Mr. Stone advised that funds budgeted for the project would need to be carried over into the next fiscal year. c) Reports from Council: Council Member Symes briefly mentioned mediation with Crossland Heavy Contractors and advised that he would provide an update on the status of mediation at the appropriate time. Council Member Wilkinson stated that the flags outside city hall need to be replaced and that the eagle on the flag in the Council Chamber needs to be repaired or replaced. Council Member Wilkinson reported on the marathon cheer section at Casady Square. Council Member Wilkinson noted that the event was positive and fun. Council Member Wilkinson extended his congratulations to retiring Chief Kinman and incoming Chief Landon. Council Member Wilkinson welcomed Sean Cummings to the Council. Council Member Wilkinson stated that he his glad to see Wynter Griffis “do the Vice-Mayor gig.” Council Member Cummings said he loved the police bike patrol and suggested that the bikes be equipped with small electric motors to assist officers to get to emergencies quicker and without wearing themselves out. Mayor Graham advised that EMBARK would come to the next City Council meeting to give a presentation on options for bus service for The Village. The mayor asked if the bike patrol program is operational. The city manager advised that five fully equipped and trained officers are in the program and that they have been on patrol. 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