City Council - Special Meeting

Okay, it's time to get started. So, I will call this special meeting uh to order of the Lton City Council. Please stand for the invocation by Pastor Warren WS of Spread the Word Ministries and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. Pastor Amen. To the flag of the stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Okay. Thank you, pastor. And [clears throat] would the clerk please call the role? Hin, eps, here. Chapman, Gil, yes. Hampton Wager present Williams present Warren

and a quorum is established business item number ones are comments by the current administration and first I want to say that it's exciting to be here today and as was said in the prayer this was an important time of governance for our community and everybody that's on the dis says the oaths and there are more than one there multiple oaths that we take and they're very important and set the pace for government service and for our city. And so I'm excited about this day and I'll have individual comments later when we present the plaque, but we're going to start with the mayor pro Tim for comments for uh the two of you that are that are headed out. Um, I just want to say, you know, on behalf of the citizens of W 8 and for myself that I appreciate so much the time and the effort that you both put in. Uh, Miss Chapman, uh, I have so enjoyed discussing different things with you and and being able to, um, soak up your position on on things because a lot of times it was different than mine and it did change my way of thinking. And that's really what this is all about. Um, we can't all believe the same and we don't expect each other to always agree, but uh, we do learn from each other. I know I've learned a lot from Councilman Gil and uh, and I do appreciate all of his knowledge and wisdom and I have truly enjoyed serving with both of you.

Um, and as I said, uh, it is it's really important that that you understand that what you've done is is not just for your board, but it's for the entire city and for the citizens that live in all of our wards. And I I thank you,

Miss Williams. I just like to say uh Councilwoman Chapman uh thank you for serving your award and u the community very well and I just like to say thank you for anytime I had a question that you were able to answer the question and you did it with such um knowledge and dignity and then just just the tone of your voice which was very kind. Thank you so much for that. Uh Councilman Uh Gil, I'm really going to miss you. Um we not only worked as uh council personnel, but we worked we became friends. Thank you for the friendship. Thank you for everything that you've done here in the city of Lton. Thank you for how you was expeditiously getting the roads and everything just completed. You worked very hard. You're going to be missed and I pray and God bless you. Okay. And Mr. Twiger.

Thank you, Mayor. Miss Linda, I I would like to identify you as our councilwoman. Much like Queen Esther, you say, "What does Queen Esther have to do with?" She sought the good of her people. You served your community very well, seeking the best interest of the community. Thank you for your example, uh, for your leadership. um and for the the role that you played in seeking the well-being of your community. Especially, I saw you shine when the kids zone was completed. You you really shined at that moment saying, "I'm so excited to see this complete." Thank you again for your example, George. I'd liken you to Nehemiah. You know, Nehemiah had a mind to build. uh your experience in engineering and just uh always having a construction mindset, you always did so with a builder's heart. Your concern was always, well, what's this going to cost? How much is this going to cost? Uh we've got to get the costs under control. Uh thank you so much for your leadership in this area as well. Uh you've served your community very well and it's been an absolute honor to serve with both of you. All right, Mr. Hampton.

Yeah. Thank Thank you, Mayor. Um, Lindy, you and I are kind of like classmates uh because we came on at the same time and uh we we we uh we learned at the same time this job. I I I uh uh I I I I admire your your quiet stef fastness uh most of the time just shoring up things uh here on the council. Uh but I was quite surprised at the at the kids uh at the uh at the playground when when you gave your your speech. You you uh at Kids Zone and uh I I I I would have liked to seen more of that fire that that that I I I I saw that day, but that that that attributes to to to how you've taken care of things. And I saw you did a lot of things in your your ward and uh and providing leadership there. I just really appreciate that and appreciate you serving and giving of your time in in this manner. Uh, Councilman Gail, um, you know, I was going to say something nice about you, but there's been several times where uh, excuse me a second while I take care of the personal business. Uh uh uh uh I just I just but but but uh uh listen, you and I have had the opportunity to work on a lot of things. You know, you're you're you're one of those people that uh are are are out there. What you mean is is is what you say and what you say is what you mean and and and you generally just put it out there and that shows a lot of integrity. I do appreciate the fact that uh you spend all the time doing the work that you you've done and just uh uh as an engineer and bringing that to to to our city and adding to that. You know, uh, George and I, uh, discussed working on

job sites because I used to do construction some myself. And, uh, people that work in construction are artists to me because they take something that's raw material and then when they're done, there's something that just appears. And, uh, uh, you're you're kind of one of those kind of guys to me. Uh u I was thinking about you when I was driving down 38th Street uh the other day with on the side that they finished and could it have gotten done uh without you? I think so. But but it sure got done fast and it got done efficient and it got done well and I watched that through that whole time and I I I'm just amazed when I see that kind of stuff happen. You will be missed. Uh hopefully uh we we'll still see your face around both of you. Okay,

I think we're going to uh jump you two and go to Mr. EPS right here. [clears throat]

You know, you can you can just go to YouTube and type in other city councils and you can be quite entertain entertained by the dysfunction that you will see. And what I will tell you is that you don't see that with Lton City Council. We can disagree, but we all have the same purpose in mind, which is the betterment of the city. And I seen that through and through when I became a new council person. And both of you embraced me. My wife and I knew you, of course, before then. And we always appreciated the interest that you took in the community and specifically in us. And it has been an absolute pleasure getting to know you and and I I'll tell you, you know, what you have done for the city is is just been nothing short of amazing. And I I my wife and I have this conversation about judging people based off of their actions and both of your actions and the commitment that you've had to the city has has has um said a lot to me about who you are and I thank you. All right, Mr. Hoot.

Well, I guess this is what you get when you are last in line. All the good things have been said. So many good things have been said, but it's been an honor to work with the two of you. It's been an honor to work this short period of time that I've been here with this entire council. And uh to echo what was just said, I think it's a the atmosphere on the council is uh is very positive. a lot of things are getting done and you two have been an integral part of that for several years and it's much appreciated and we'll see you down the road. Okay. And now we'll go to Mr. Gil.

Well, I appreciate everyone's comments. Let me say this that [clears throat] the council for the last three years that I've worked with here and even with the ones that came on later in this time period have have really been a great that's the best word I want to use a great bunch of people. They they've looked at the vision that we had for the city, the things that needed to be done for the city. We've always been unified and this council uh has been the best council of course that I work with because it's basically the only council I've worked with. But if you'll go back and look at years past and councils we've had in the past, I don't think we've ever had one so as effective as we've had in the last three years. And I must say with the leadership of the mayor who's really really been uh aggressive and has had a lot of forethought and a lot of great future insights for the city. So saying that, let me say this. When I ran for council, I did have an agenda. I never will forget when I was running, one of the other uh people running said, "Well, I don't have an axe to grind and I don't have an agenda." And I had to wonder, probably my personality, but I had to wonder, well then why are you running for council if you're not running to better the city of Lton or if you don't have a plan or if there's not something you want to do? Well, I assure you I had one and let me say it's been a win for me as well as a win for the citizens of Lton. We've got so much done in the last three years thanks to this complete council. It just wasn't me. This council worked hard and we worked together and it's been a really a big win for the citizens and I don't think everyone probably realizes what we've done for this city from west to east and east to west and north to south. A lot of new roads but $180 million in infrastructure. And I could go on and on

and on and probably spend the next hour which I'm not going to because I don't want to go away with a bad reputation of speaking too long. Allan and I never speak too long do we? But uh but it's been really great working for the city and I am I am very proud of what we got done. Uh I take that with me and I know the citizens can see what's been done and still going on. We're still building building uh roads and I have another 103 roads uh out for bids right now that will continue this year and I will be involved in that. I will still be here. I'll still be helping engineering and in various aspects of types of projects that we're doing. So, um, again, my pleasure to work for you and I appreciate everyone hearing the comments made. Thank you. and M

council it's sort of difficult to summarize six years in two minutes two to three minutes but I do want to take this time to to thank so many uh people in Ward three who have supported me all these years who walked the neighborhoods hand out campaign information put up many these signs in yards and have supported me all these years and I really do appreciate that. Ward three has seen a lot of updates lately. Kids zone. If we build it, the families come and definitely that has been such a win. And I know Lee West Park is going to be opening up very soon too, which is just as exciting. I'm very happy about the development of the Metabrook Hinds neighborhood watch. That has been a really great win for the neighbors in that area. Definitely 38th Street. Oh my goodness. We can drive down the street now at 40 miles an hour smoothly. It's wonderful, George. I love it. And that will be completed very soon also. Also, uh I would like to say how many much thanks I have to the people who are on city staff uh with the infrastructure that we have developed through the years. I think about the cash road and all the different residential areas and streets uh that have been refurbished and we have sidewalks and you see neighbors walking those sidewalks now. It's it's wonderful. I've always tried to help people. That's just my personality. And I think it's

very important in building relationships together as as a community, as a council. This is what helps progress our city moving forward and that is very very important. I have uh thinking about uh the city of Lton early on. I used to say I want the city of Lton to be that diamond city in southwest Oklahoma. And I think because of the the things that this council has promoted and comp continue to promote, that's what that vision is. And I appreciate the people who have that vision to make this city a diamond city in southwest Oklahoma. I look forward uh to having Kirby Brown as our new ward three uh city council representative. Mr. Brown brings a wealth of background to this council and I know he is going to be a very important voice on this dis for the progression of and seeing the vision that we're working toward as a community. Thank you to every one of you here who have taught me so many things that I never thought I would need to know in my life, but I do and I appreciate it. the incredible staff that we have here, John. I mean, just working under you and they're the wheels that keep this city moving and I really impressed with their professionalism and their knowledge. Uh, I also want to uh thank my family and they're all here. My son, my

daughter and son-in-law, and my triplet grandchildren, Nathan, Laurel, and Erica, for your support. And now I'm going to get to come see some of your concerts. So, I'm excited about that. So, thank you. Thank you. Uh, sometimes thank you doesn't seem to be enough, those two little words, but they mean a lot to me. Thank you. Okay. And now, if you two will join me down front, we will uh do item number two, presentation of service plaques to exiting council members. Is it working? All right, we'll go with George first. George, I want to tell you something. Um, three years ago, you came in like a ball of fire and you hit the ground running the same way you've lived your life and run your business all the time that I've known you, which is a long time. I remember you flipping hamburgers at a hamburger joint you owned behind my dad's grocery store. Do you remember that?

I do. That was a long time ago. You took two.

Hey, wait a minute. Don't tell that. [laughter] You've You've We have identified your strengths and plugged you in where you were the strongest and you've made a difference in this community and you can take that with you. You've made a difference. I hope George that you will continue to be involved in this community and it's a great community because of com of citizen involvement and we need people involved at all levels and of course we appreciate council participation and council involvement but there's room for individuals to be involved as you well know uh after they leave the council or even before. So, I want to thank you for making a difference. And let me get read this plaque to you. With appreciation for your distinguished service, leadership, and devotion to the citizens of Lton, thank you for your lasting contributions as a member of the Lton City Council. George, you've made a difference. God bless you. Let's give him a big round of applause here. Stand there. Let's get a picture. Linda, come on up here. I remember when you first came on. I'd been mayor for one year and you were running and I'm going to tell you what you immediately brought to the council was you a calm disposition that helped bring the continuity about on the council where even though we disagree on things, we're not disagreeable. You've been very important

to bringing that to this council. And that is the way successful communities work. When we as elected officials can disagree but not disagreeable and you've been so valuable in that way in your steadfast leadership. You've made a difference in your not only your ward but in the community. But I got to tell you, I really believe the biggest difference and I and I mean this is a council divided, a city divided can't grow and stand. And so that atmosphere that you helped bring this council together and get us all working in the same motion has been the foundation that we were able to put Propel on which has launched us to the future. We didn't never got Propel if we were divided council. And so and Propel is what is transforming this community. So important to that. We're going to miss you and I want to thank you and and I want you to listen to this because I can't think of anything nicer to say. You have made a difference in your community. Let's give Lando stand. All right. We're going to leave these plaques here and then when we're through, if you want to get your family up here for a little photo op, I think that's absolutely appropriate and something you'll treasure. Okay. Thank you guys. Let's give them one more round of applause for all they've done. [applause]

Okay, at this time I declare the current administration to cease and I ask municipal judge Nathan Johnson to come forward as well as council elect Kirby and Dimmery please come forward for your oath. Judge Councilman too. You want to face towards Please raise your right hand. Repeat this oath after me. I state your name. Do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support, obey, and defend,

the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma, the charter of the city of Lton,

that I will not knowingly receive directly or indirectly any money or other valuable thing for the performance or non-performance of any act or duty pertaining to my office other than the compensation allowed by law. I further swear or affirm that I will faithfully discharge my duties as a L city council member and as a trustee of the Lton Urban Homesteading Agency Homestead, Lton Parking Authority, Lton Transit Trust Authority,

and the Lton Water Authority. to the best of my ability. Please keep your hands raised for the statuto oath. I state your name. Do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, the Constitution and Laws of the State of Oklahoma, in the charter and ordinances of the city of W

and that I will faithfully discharge according to the best of my ability the duties of my office during such time as I am the state your office. for the city of W. You may lower your hands. Congratulations. [applause]

Congratulations, council members. Would you please take your seats on the DAS? Thank you, your honor. Okay. At this time, I declare the new administration to begin. Please call the role.

Hon, eps. Brown here. Demery here. Hampton Waguer Williams present Warren

and a quorum is established and now it's time for comments from the new administration and we are going to start with mayor proin I look forward to the next year that's all that I've got left um I don't know if I look forward to it because that's all I've got left or I just look forward to it. But in any event, I look forward to serving with the two of you greatly. Um there's really only two things that I can offer and that is that you're going to get hit with a lot really fast. Um much more so now than when I first sat on council. Um things are moving at the speed of light now. Um, we've got projects all over town. It's very difficult to keep up. Um, and that kind of leads me to what I wanted to say in the first statement, which is don't try to keep up. Um, just do the best that you can and take your time and soak it up because there's just really not any way in the first six months to a year that you're going to get completely up to speed. Um, the more you try, the further behind you get. So, just take it as it comes. And uh if you have questions, uh the city manager uh any of us council members will try to help, but the city manager and his staff are there every day and they have all the answers or most of them anyway. Uh the other thing that I would say is, you know, you you need to be ready for two things. One is

regardless of what you decide how to vote on any given issue, you're more than likely going to be demonized by somebody. But the important part of that is there's a bigger contingent of people that will be joyful for what you decided. You have to do what is right in your heart and let those other people worry about themselves because they have to live with that. It is joyful when things work out. Um, when you see that you were able to help somebody who had a a water issue or a sewer issue or that street finally got taken care of, uh, as Miss Chapman so longingly looked forward to on 38th Street, there is a sense of accomplishment and that's really all that you can hope for. Um, this is a very um it's a it's a very interesting period of your life. You're going to learn a lot of things that you never knew and you're going to learn a lot of things that you didn't know you needed to know. And when you're finally off of council, you're going to realize you might not have needed to know those things except during that period of time. So, um just take advantage of everything the staff and and other council members and u and it's it's a good trip. It really

is. You'll you'll enjoy it overall and uh I do want to just thank y'all for putting your name out there. That's that's an important thing. And u welcome.

All right. And Miss Williams I just like to say uh welcome Councilman Curry Brown and Councilwoman Tiffany Demery um to the city government and I pray that you do well. It's four main things advice I'd like to give you. First of all, listen to your constituents and your ward because they will tell you what their needs are and they are the ones who elected you. the ones that's in your ward. Also, familiarize yourself with the city charter. And number three, I'm here to help you along the way. Any questions that you may have, I am available. And last thing, whatever you do, have fun while you're doing it.

Mr. Wager. Thank you, Mayor. To our new council members, welcome. I look forward to the opportunity of moving our city continually forward for the betterment of our citizens. You've received some great council already from previous council members and we're here to support one another and accomplish these goals that are brought before us that are in the best interest of our city. And again, welcome.

And Mr. I welcome myself back. [laughter] I I do want to in that I do want to say that I'm I'm very thankful for all those that help me uh in this campaign that uh that I was able to run as well as u the support of all my neighborhood watches. I have a couple of neighborhood watches that that that re reun. And uh especially to the blonde lady sitting in the third row, my wife for uh being patient with uh these responsibilities that I've taken. Um with that, I do want to welcome the new council members of board. Um I'm going to be short. I got like four things I just want to want to say and I better take this out so I don't get too talkative here so I can read these. Um, uh, there's no job description really that's written in there. I would say that, uh, as others have said, trust, trust the rest of us that are up here because we, uh, do have experience and understand. Another thing I want to tell you, no matter what you do, there will always be uh those that uh will throw hate your way because uh this is America. Everybody has their own opinion. And in your ward and in this city, you are going to find that uh people do not agree on hardly anything. And thus uh I took it very personal and and got pretty stressed out my my first couple years because of that. But uh just remember people will will uh there's always going to be enough hate to go around. Trust me. Uh um and and and the last two things I just want to tell you

as you're voting and as you're putting things together, you you always need to remember that as a council voting on things uh especially here in the city, then you are a team member. stuff that's happening in your ward that's individual, but uh it will help you to navigate your way if you if you can define the difference between the things that you have to say as a as a city councilman and the things that you have to say as a ward representative. And uh we have got a lot done, but we've got a lot done because we're a team and to me uh we're a family. There's nobody else in this city that knows what a councilman goes through except another council member. And you got to remember that people understanding you is a very important thing. Welcome aboard and uh push forward.

All right, Miss Deary.

Good morning everyone. Um first I want to thank God my creator. I want to thank all of my supporters, everybody that supported me, those that elected me in Ward 4, and those in the entire Lton community uh that put faith in me, those that were out putting signs out for me, out knocking doors for me, making phone calls. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I want to thank my family, my husband. Uh he's my biggest supporter. He's always behind me, pushing me, telling me that I can do anything. So, thank you, babe. um my pastors. Um I I can't say enough about my pastors. Pastor Warren Wyn, he's been my pastor for a while. So, you know, I just thank him for the encouragement also. And I just want to thank the community as well. I am going to do my best. I was elected. I'm going to continue to work for you hard to the council. Um I want to say thank you for all the advice. I look forward to new relationships. new beginnings, new friendships, and also lasting relationships. We are team as um Councilman Hampton said. So, I just look forward to working with each and every one of you and also the staff. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilwoman and Councilman Kirby Brown. There we go. Well, that's my first lesson in council. Which button to push? Uh, good morning. I am very excited about serving WI three and the citizens. This is an amazing city and I will work collaboratively with everyone on the council and build that relationship to continue with all the progress it's made in moving forward. Um, obviously I would like to thank my family who has been supportive in this endeavor and neither I nor they were sure on what we were getting into. And lastly, I would like to thank Linda for her advocacy and mentorship and her six years of service in the council. I hope I can live up to the legacy that she has set. Finally, I look forward to building a relationship with the my experience, the amazing city staff and all the departments that we have. Um, did not have any idea how complex this business was and as I've learned more, they are just we have truly amazing people serving in the city administration and thank you.

Okay. Thank you, Councilman. and Councilman,

in the short time that I've been on council, there's two things that that have helped me that I'll I'll pass to you. The first one you probably already know, so I'm just re-emphasizing it, which is in James 1 and 19 where they it talks about everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. That I think is what helps you be effective. Um that is certainly I has helped me be effective at a great many things beyond just city council. So, I would give you that. The second thing is, uh, we talked about how the city council works well together. Um, and we're not the entertaining city council that you can look up on YouTube. One of the things that has helped me helped me swim through that is I put things into buckets. My three buckets are I strongly disagree. Maybe you can go in that bucket. Uh, I moderately disagree, but maybe it can help move the city forward. I might put something in that bucket. And my last bucket is I agree. That just makes it simple simple for me. Uh, just because I like to keep things as simple as possible.

Okay. And Councilman Hooton.

Yeah. From a distance, and I've been at a distance for 17 years here in Lton, and you don't really know what makes a city run. And I'm not sure that I know exactly what makes the city run at this point in time, but I know there's a when you get a little closer to it, there's a lot of great people that work for the city of L. And I'm very surprised and very happy to see it. And uh you know, they're they're it's a great great assets. They really are. And uh they can come and work for me anytime, anywhere. They sure can. The guys I've run, men and women I've run into anyway. So anyway, thank you guys for for running for office and congratulations and sure look forward to working with you and uh and don't forget to uh get your reserve your Tuesday nights for a long time every other second and fourth second and fourth for a long time. Okay,

it's probably not a good place for me to mention in 24 we had over 50 council meetings if I remember right. We're trying to do less. But this is my seventh council. Every year we've had new individuals come on to this city council willing to serve their community. This is probably the biggest turnover that we've had because we had two resignations, one of those being my new wife. As we have u progressed as a city, we've made lots of changes. But you know, and I meant what I said about Miss Chapman. She brought with her. She helped usher in some working together, some continuity. And I think that's important. Let me back up a minute. Congratulations and welcome to the council. And then the rest of this is kind of advice, right? Like everybody else, that working together is so important as a community. successful communities work together. It doesn't mean everybody agrees, but we don't have to be disagreeable. And so we work, we discuss, and along the way, here's something I've learned. Sometimes I get perceptions, but when I get in a discussion such as on the council, and it's happened. I get to council and a council member brings up a point I didn't know. Changes the whole way I see the issue at hand. Be careful to draw lines in the sand because you might get new information that changes your mind and you don't want to have put your foot down too

hard. Um, always be flexible, ready to change with new information. You work for the whole city. You represent your ward and that has everything to do what happens in your ward when people call you because things aren't happening the way they think they need to. Of course, many people will use you as the first line of contact, which isn't really the way it's designed, but you usually deal with those anyway, and we have a great staff that takes care of those things. Um, so you represent your ward, but you represent the entire city. And you have to do what's right for the entire city. It's been said more than once. Every decision you make is going to make somebody mad. With 92,000 people, someone is not going to like it. And you have to stick with what do you believe is the best for the city and for your ward. And I I really don't think you're going to run into challenges where the two compete. I think what's best for your ward is what's best for the city and vice versa. So, I don't think that will be a problem. As we go along here, we're going to be learning each other. We're going to identify we're going to identify your strengths, your training, and your experience. And that's where we're going to plug you in. But we've got different council committees and different leadership roles and we try to plug people in where they fit. And that may not be where the the council person that held your seat um before you or before that. It might not be the same place. We all have different strengths. And if you're like me, I believe God directs things. And so you got to be put into the place where you're where you're strengthened. We're all here for a

reason. And I believe that. So I think the number one thing is to have this attitude that we work together for the good of the city. We don't fight. We work together for the good of the city. We don't always agree, but we're not disagreeable. Welcome to this role of as an elected official representing the citizens of Lton. This I'm gonna do what is for me and I hope it is this for you. This is the most rewarding thing I've done outside of my faith and my family. This is the most rewarding thing that I've done. Even with all the flack that we get sometimes. Don't concentrate on that. Concentrate on that reward of making a difference in your community. Welcome to the city council. Let's give all these guys a big round. You know, I directed all those thoughts to our new council members, but we have a council member returning, Mr. Hampton, and he is now entering his seventh year, third term, seventh and final term. and uh you know we appreciate all that you have done for this city and your willingness to come back one more term. We need your experience and we need your guidance all the way through this and you are now the the uh third most senior individual on the council. So let's give Mr. Hampton a welcome. [applause] Any final comments? Can I have a motion for

adjournment? We have a motion and a second. And I think we have cookies or something in the back, don't we? And everybody is welcome to partake. I hope our council members that have served so uh proudly will get some pictures with their families and their plaque. Please call the role. Putin, yes. EPS, yes. Brown, yes. Demery, yes. Hampton, yes. Weer, yes. Williams, yes. Warren, we stand a journ.