City Council - Regular Meeting

[laughter] I'll make Cheers. Cheers. Sorry.

How are you, ma'am? I'm good.

So, you can't see what's going on here. Um, the microphone is also attached. So any it won't pick up any emails on you. Are you sir? I am remember how to turn this very Well, it's understanding Display Anybody got anything?

That's okay.

Oh, yeah. I just do what I had to do. Yeah,

it's not power. So, I think I'll do it. Thank you, sir.

You're right. He said he said, "I I told him about This is okay. You figure it out.

That's okay. I think so, sir. Okay, it's time to get started. I'll call this regularly scheduled meeting of lot city council to order. Please stand for the invocation by Chaplain Lisa Northway of the Assembly of God and the United States Army and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. Chaplain, I invite you to pray with me all in your hearts this evening. Our father God, we thank you for the provision of our leadership here where you have placed each of us. We also thank you for our leaders who serve us in both civic and national levels. May our leaders be morally and spiritually renewed as they help us meet the many problems we face. May they be motivated to be free from harmful compromise and return for your full redemption and increased faith as often as necessary and for their fully renewed spirits nested with your will for them. Set their feet on the path of your righteousness and peace. Give them the wisdom to know what is right and the courage to go after the fulfillment of it. Wherever they meet conflict, may

they be energized for the strenuous work of making peace apart from offense as far as it concerns them. so that we all may benefit to face each Lenin Fort Sill day without regret. As we continue to serve without reservation, often in unenviable and unprecedented times, known to our beloved country and comrades, may your Holy Spirit steady us to give honor where honor is due. to you always and this evening a special honor to our beloved citizen of the month, Miss Mary Fountain. It is in your holy presence we pray. Amen.

Amen. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Okay, chaplain, I got to ask you a question for a minute before you had you had a sound bite in there. I want to here again. When we're presented with conflict, it's an opportunity to make peace. Is that what you said?

Yes, sir. And to also choose uh to not take up an offense. Sometimes we even take up offense of someone else but when we might be better off to show compassion for for them and the people who need to be part of making peace. That's a sound bite of the day. Thank you very much. Thank you sir. I appreciate you. Appreciate you all. Please call the role. Putin here. EPS here. Chapman. Gil yes. Hampton here. Weager present. Williams Warren present.

And a quorum is established. Bring up item number one, citizen of the month. If Mary Fountain will join me down front and all of her buddies. [applause] Okay, we are, as you as you can tell, we're having lighting and wiring trouble. So, we don't have a wireless mic. And so, we're going to we're going to use this mic right here. I want to tell you I want to tell you something. A community cannot exist without people that volunteer. And this month's citizen of the month is one of the best examples I know of volunteerism. And I'm not aware that she works for any money. She just volunteers. And you see her everywhere. Now, this week, I think she'll be joining Pat Pal over here to put out how many thousand or hundreds of 12,000 flags at the National Cemetery. Now, is that amazing? Now, I don't mean she does it all by herself, but uh she's a good organizer. And I want to tell you a great example of what it means to give back to your community and to make a difference and to be a positive a contributor. Not a taker, a contributor. Whereas Mary Fountain was born in

Yokohama. Did I say that? Yokohama, Japan at a US Naval Hospital while her father was serving as a soldier stationed in Japan and her mother, a Japanese citizen, worked as a translator for the United States Army. And mom's here with us. Right down here, right? Whereas at birth, Mary held dual citizenship and in March of 72 officially became a United States citizen before a Comanche County judge. Whereas she has been a proud resident of the Long Forill community for much of her life, attending Jefferson Elementary, Central Junior High. Is that here? Yes,

right here in this building.

And graduated from Lton High School in 1972. Okay, count up. No, I'm sorry. Mary was also among the first students to attend the newly established Great Plains Vote Tech Center when it opened in 1971. Whereas Mary is currently employed with the Lzville Chamber of Commerce. I was wrong. You are employed. Okay. Well, you don't have to give a check. Whereas Mary is currently employed with the Long Courtell Chamber of Commerce and actively serves in numerous community organizations, including as secretary of the American Veteran Supporters, treasurer of the Comanche Veterans Council, coordinator of the Memorial Day program, and Ree across America at the Fortzill National Cemetery, among others. whereas she also contributes her time and leadership as secretary of the race relations committee. That's no small task. Chair chairwoman of the citizens police advisory committee, secretary kot mobile meals and volunteer with the mountain metro ambucks. Whereas throughout her life, Mary has demonstrated a wondering commitment to service and volunteerism, representing the law enforce community with grace, compassion, and dedication. I do therefore hereby proclaim Mary Fountain as citizen of the month of November 2025. On behalf of the city of Lton, thank you for setting an inspirational example for others that rises to the highest level of some kind of wonderful. And I also have some kind of

One more. One more. [applause] We want the woman of the month. the whole month to give you guys treat special. [laughter] Okay, we want you to say something.

Thank you. I feel honored. I do I do all this because I want to do it, not because somebody says, "Hey, you know, you need to do this or for any any special recognition. I just do it because I feel good whenever I do this." So, thank you. All right. [applause] Uh, does somebody want to speak on behalf of Mary? All right, step right up here. Is that too tall? [laughter]

On behalf of the mayor's commission, we take pride in knowing Mary Fountain as our volunteer for this month. I've used her in several different settings. I've had to pull her from one organization to another. the organization and she always tells me yes and so I love that and you know I can remember the former pastor of St. Baptist Church, Pastor Jesse Dport, his mom told him he's coming up. Jesse, you can't take care of the whole world, but brighten the corner where you at. And so on today, I we recognize that she's brightening the corner where she at to make a difference in other people lives. And so we thank you for that. And on behalf of the mayor's commission, we also we like for you to submit applications on a woman that you may know. She may not want you to do it do it for her, but do it anyway because let them know that we they're important. They're inviting to our community to make a change and the change begins with them.

All right. [applause] All right, that was great. I love doing citizen of the month. I love giving awards. It's so important to the community. That brings up item number two, the True North Award recipient, city manager. Good evening everyone. Thanks for being here tonight. Can I get um Detective Marcus Rucker to come forward please? [applause]

So Marcus, you have at least one supporter over here with Caitlyn. So, um, Marcus was nominated for the True North Award by Chief James Smith. And Marcus is a 15-year veteran of LPD. He is currently the acting um, CID supervisor, and that stands for Criminal Investigative Division for Crimes against Persons. So, the division is broken down with crimes against persons and crimes against property. And um so not only does Marcus supervise the case load of the officers that work for him, he carries his own very robust case load. So over the last four years, Marcus has personally investigated over 700 cases, 17 of which have been homicides. And as as most of you can probably um deduce, homicides are the most labor intensive, timeconsuming, detailoriented cases. And the reason that Marcus is on those cases is because of his his attention to detail and his dedication to duty. And in the in the February uh um docket in um Comanche County Court, in Marcus' cases, he was able to secure three convictions um for uh those accused of murder and three life sentences. So, not only were the wrongdoers held accountable, but a a modicum of justice was given uh to the families in no small part due to your efforts, Marcus, and we appreciate that. And not only is Marcus a great officer, um, but Marcus is very involved in the community. The mayor talked earlier about the spirit and the importance of volunteerism in our community. And actually, I met Marcus several years ago through his uh um involvement and um participation in teen court when I was a city attorney. So

Marcus is still involved in that and he's also involved in the LPS foundation. And you know, we talk a lot about kids first in this community, but I'll tell you, you know, Marcus isn't just about talk, he does it. You know, I remember several months ago when we were out at Lee West Park and we dedicated the new basketball court out there and I was talking to somebody. I looked up and there was bunch of kids screaming. Marcus was like, you had like four people in the swing sets that you were pushing and then you're playing tag with someone else. And that's the kind of guy Marcus is. you. Not only is he a great police officer, he's invested in our community and he's a very worthy recipient of the True North Award. So, please give him a round of applause. [applause] [applause] I'll be very brief. I just want to thank those that are involved nominating me for this award. It means a lot. Um I do a lot as we described and I do it out of the heart uh my own time a lot of times. Um I love the community. I love the youth. Uh, and I love I love what I do. And again, I thank I thank God. I thank my family. I thank my organization, my police department, my chiefs, my my my leadership over there. I appreciate you all for the uh the opportunity to give it. Thank you. [applause]

Okay, now it's time for reports by the mayor, city council, city manager. And I'm going to tell you, I am inspired. I'm inspired by our community members, by our detective. I'm inspired. We have a great community with great people. Um, and and it shows. It shows. You see it everywhere. So, I'm inspired. And then we'll start with city manager. Mayor, I have nothing to report. Okay. Ward one. Uh, Mr. Mayor, I have nothing to report. Sorry. Work too.

So I am I am excited. Same as I said the the last meeting is that time of the year for us to have holiday in the park. Uh that is quite an undertaking uh between the the city and and volunteers. So uh I ask uh if you have the time please go out and if you see them putting up stuff give give them a hand. It is quite an undertaking, but it is so worth it at the end.

Have you ever heard of the phrase, "If you build it, they'll come." If you have not driven on 38th Street by Kids Zone, since we have the new facility and park on especially with these wonderful fall weather days, you cannot find a parking space. I see kids playing on the equipment. I see parents on the benches talking to one another. That's what we do here. And I can hardly wait to see all the new parks that are coming about. Please stop by and just take a look at that facility. It is first rate. I'm so proud of the department getting that bill done, too. Thank you.

I think that deserves a amen. Word for amen.

Quickly, farmers market. I'm not going to steal Allen's stumble. The mayor and I had a great breakfast there Saturday morning and we actually got to talk to each other because Allan wasn't there. The road program is going really good. Quickly, we went out this morning for bids on the beginning ofund and seven streets. We went out with five bids this morning being in 30 days. 38th streets almost halfway done. Lee Boulevard uh from 38 to 52nd started. So, the program is going great. I hope everyone enjoys those roads this winter when the weather's bad. Be a lot safer. Thank you. Okay, board five. Thank you, mayor. Uh, I'm fortunate to be speaking after Council McGill, so thank you for those kind, kind words. And I will say that, uh, the farmers market is the place to be. I want to piggy back off of build that they will come and it's a wonderful, wonderful place to go and meet other people. Uh, I'm running low on my um, what do they call that stuff that I for my memory? Lion's mane. Thank Thanks, Randy. Lion's mane. [laughter] That was a joke. I don't know if you know that. Anyways, uh also I wanted to on a serious note, I just wanted to say that uh I appreciate all the citizens of Lton uh backing our leadership with the homeless. uh uh we uh seem to be helping uh uh probably more than than most do because we're placing a lot of those through our partnership with uh the uh uh Salvation Army and uh uh that's really helping them. It really is helping to focus them, funnel them into an area that we can actually place them in the the needed facilities they need to be in, whether it be drug alcohol or substance any type of substance abuse or

mental illness. So, I speak and I probably speak for the mayor and the rest of the council that we do appreciate your support here in the L community. Thank you, Mayor.

Right. Word six. Thank you, mayor. You know, we're November is one of my favorite times of the year. Having grown up in the north country up in Illinois, uh you would see the distinct seasons, the changing of the leaves, the the the brisk mornings, um the fun walks in the afternoons, watching the leaves blow through the timbers. And that causes us to pause in this season of November here, the season of thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for as Lutonians. You've heard about our parks and the full parks that are showing up over here on 38th with parents and children visiting and cooperating. But again, that's Lutonians. We enjoy being neighbors and I'm I'm so thankful for being a part of a community that understands the importance of that and is moving in that direction. And uh so, mayor, we've got a lot to be thankful for. Amen. 48.

I'm pretty sure I used up my time last night. [laughter] Okay, you said it. Okay, here we go. Thank you guys. Consent agenda. We're going to pull item 14. Going to pull item 14. Any others? Council? Seeing none, can I get a motion? Make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented with the exception of item number 14.

We do have a second. Please vote. Consent agenda passes seven to zero. Item 14. Consider approving the traffic signal 50th in cash to be placed with the north and southbound signals onto flashing red and east and west signals to flashing yellow until such a time that development of properties in which the signals are required are fully developed and ready to open to the public. Michael,

good evening council mayor. Uh this is just the item for 50th and cash street that traffic signal that's uh that's activated over there. Uh this is requesting for the council's approval to change it to flashing. Uh it's going to be red or flashing red on north and south traffic and will be flashing yellow on east and west traffic. Pending any questions? Mr. Chapman.

Yes, Michael. I asked for this to be pulled. I am very concerned about the the changes of north south traffic having the flashing red east and west, the flashing yellow. How did drivers know that that's not going to be a four-way red stop light like most flashing lights. I'm really concerned about that. The second thing is we've had it off and now I know it was put on incorrectly or we didn't know about it at this point. I think it's safer to have the lights just running the way they are right now. There's so much traffic coming in from Qua Parker and Cash Road and people are trying to change four or five lanes all of a sudden getting to bronze or getting to uh Lowe's. So that's that's my concern. Uh council was primarily one way traffic is flashing yellow and another way is flashing red and I don't understand how how cars will know drivers will know what to do with that. So, as far as the flashing yellow and flashing red, that is a standard. It's not necessarily a standard here in Lton, but it is a a national standard. Typically, when you ever you see a flashing red, it just means that you are supposed to approach that intersection, stop, and then make sure that any other uh any other traffic that's in that intersection is stopped as well. Uh so, you're not supposed to go into that intersection unless all other traffic is stopped. So, the flashing yellow for the east west, it's basically meant for traffic to continue through. And the flashing red is just you stop and when there is no traffic or when traffic is stopped or when there is no traffic then you can proceed through that intersection safely. That's that is a generic

standard purpose. I just don't know about drivers adhering to that. That's a concern of mine. A safety concern. Yes ma'am. U Mr. Wager. Yes. You have to turn.

Here we go. Okay. Thank you, mayor. Yes. I we had had this discussion about uh turning the light off, which I don't think is a good idea. Um I I think leaving the light on um as it is. Um, as was pointed out to the committee when we met, you know, the u getting the citizens accustomed to one particular way and then changing um is a concern because we don't want a lot of, you know, you ran that light and you came across at this time and uh I know on 82nd it seems like every time it rains we have that same problem. the lights flash red and uh I don't believe they flash yellow. They just both flash red. And uh most of the time you'll have people practice the courtesy of stop, you go ahead. You were there before I was. Other times it's well I'm in a hurry and so they'll run it and it's like no, no, no, we take our turn. Um so I I understand her her concern. I I u councilwoman uh chaplain um her concerns regarding the red light, yellow light.

So I I thought I heard what was close to a motion. Mayor, you're I thought I heard what was close to a motion to leave it as is. Are you making that motion? I would make that motion.

My motion to leave it as is. We have a second discussion. Mr. Well, [clears throat] when the f when the lot first changed over, I have to admit I had a family member who had an accident out there that maybe the first or second morning. And man, while she was talking to the police, the uh another accident occurred. Now, since then, I think according to reports, it's much safer over there now than it has been. And I feel that way that uh have to admit I'm a bronze junkie. And so I want to go in there and and make a U back down Cash Road. You know, the lot changes very quickly to what to the turn signal and and the road cars coming up the road, you know, seem to be uniformly everyone seems to be accustomed to it at this point in time. It seems very safe to me or safer to me than a car barreling up cash or, you know, going going east or west. Just my view. Okay.

Any any other discussion? I was just going to mention that, you know, and I was going to use the improper word of training. We we train people to do something a certain way and then we change it on them and that's when we have a problem. Um, and I understand what Councilwoman Chapman is saying, too, because that guy that's that's sitting at the flashing red light, he don't have a clue that the other guy doesn't have a flashing red light, too. So that's a problem also. But I think just the fact that it was off, we turned it on, people freaked out because they were used to it being off. Now we've got it on, everything's okay. If we turn it off again or change it, they're going to freak out again. So I just leave it the way it is. Construction hopefully is going to start pretty soon anyway and then we'll have stuff coming and going out of that. So I would leave it the way it is. Further discussion? Seeing none, please vote.

Mayor Booker, for clarity sake, can I have someone state the status of the light right now because the motion is to leave it as it is. So, is it on right now or off? It's on. Okay. Motion carries. Motion carries seven to zero. Okay. Now that brings up our business items. We are striking number 21. Correct?

Yes. We are also going to strike 23 and 24 and I think all of those are coming back next week. Is that correct? So we'll deal with item 22. Consider adopting a resolution proposing that the improvement district entitled Willow Springs Neighborhood Water Man Improvement District be created upon setting a public hearing date and instructing the city clerk to give notice of such hearing on the proposed district to the property owners of record within the proposed district boundary. Christine,

do we have the Okay, there we go. You guys are familiar with um the Willis Springs Improvement District. Um there we go. Okay. So, how we got to where we're at today, back in March, um the neighborhood requested the improvement district to replace their water lines. Um on June 24th, council did approve um or did decide that the improvement district was necessary for that replacement. Um since that time, we went out and got preliminary plans and a cost estimate. Um we hired Garver to um come up with those plans for us. We received that on September 11th. Um those cost estimates were then passed back back to the pres the neighborhood association for their approval and move to move forward. That's so that's where we're at today is to set a public hearing for actual creation of the district. So just to recap, the district is the Willow Springs condominiums and town houses right off the 67th Street. So this would be just the area in the yellow. Um the preliminary preliminary plans we would be replacing the existing four and 6 in lines with 8 in lines to meet city standard and that would also include the new fire hydrants, water meters and and ever everything else associated with that to provide them service. This is the cost estimate from Garver. Um the construction project cost would be the um 1.2. You see the other costs below that. So those numbers from the previous slide are the highlighted on this slide. So when you add in the inspection fees, staff time, the overall worstc case

scenario for this project would be that 1.3. When you add in finance cost, the cost of the loan in um interest, stuff like that. We do have some repayment options. We're not asking to review these today. This is just for your information to show worst case scenario what it would be if we did a loan for 15 20 25 or 30 years for repayment. So today and where we're where we're going if approved to set the public hearing we would have the public hearing on December 9th that would create the district if approved. So, if the district is approved back on on December 9th, there's a 30-day waiting period for state statute for anyone to oppose that creation. Once that 30 days is over, the city will go out and obtain construction documents, bid the project, um, obtain the eons that are required, and actually install the water lines. So, after that 30-day waiting period, after December 9th, full seam ahead, there's no backing out at that point. Um so after the completion of the project the whole thing is done we will actually know what the actual costs for the project were or are. Right now we are estimating worst case scenario to give the public the worst case numbers. Of course we're hoping that those numbers come in below worst case. So once we have those actual numbers we'll present it to council again and actually you know those loan terms and that will be the time council decides what the loan terms will be. the 15-year versus the 30-year and and so on. And again, once those terms are set, there will actually be leans filed on those properties to secure our interest just like any other lean, mortgage, such like that until the payments repaid in full. So again, today we're just asking you to set the public hearing date for that

December 9th. Okay. I do have a few questions. Yes, sir. I like this. I just want to make sure I understand it right. We have a condo association with a private water line. Yes.

Well, for whatever reason, that water line needs to be repaired. Um, we're using an improvement district where they've had out over a period of time. And I'm surprised. I didn't know we could go 30 years, but I'm glad to hear that that we can. And the citizens will be out no money and this would that be dedicated to the city after this after installation. Is that correct? That is correct. Yeah, these water lines were originally built in the 80s with that subdivision and so just over time they haven't been able to keep up with the maintenance. They've been able to do some of the repairs, but it's just gotten to where it's just out of their control and so they're needing to do, you know, a big something to replace those lines. We'll be dedicated to the city, built the city standard, and they would be the cities to maintain under that.

It also raises the fire protection standard. Is that correct? Yes. Yeah. We're going from from four and six inch lines to the 8 inch line that's required by code. Okay. Okay. All right. Very good. Thank you. Other questions? And the city would pay upfront with the water resources board loan um that um Rusty has used on a regular basis.

Okay. I think improvement districts are not used enough. So, I like this idea. Can we get a motion for approval? If there's another question motion for approval and a second discussion, please vote. Motion carries seven. And am I right? Is it time for executive session already? Have a motion. Motion go into executive session. Second by Mr. Hooton. Please call the role. Hon. Yes. EPS. Yes. Chapman. Yes. Gil, yes.

Hampton, yes. Weaguer, yes. War, yes.

We've got so many and we can bring up the rock. So that's the It wasn't Let me try.

It worked until it stopped recording 30 minutes. So next time we're talking about

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Yeah. different things. So the lights out. It wasn't the light.

Thank you. We hate it. Yeah.

No problem. Tasty.

I apologize for bothering me. Usually I wait three years. [laughter] Okay, council. Can I get a motion to return from executive session? I have a motion in a second. Please call the role. Yes. EPS, yes. Chapman, yes. Gil, yes. Hampton, yes. We present. Warren, present. by executive session item number 25, jury.

Pursuant to section 307B.3 and title 25 of Oklahoma statutes, um the council convened in executive session to discuss the potential purpose of real property. No action is to be taken. Executive session item number 26, Jerry,

pursuant to section 307B.4 In title 25 Oklahoma statutes, the council convened in executive session to discuss the pending action in the court of civil appeals titled Julie Magnus versus city of Lton case number 123509. Mr. Mayor, I believe we have a motion. Move to approve addendum one to the retainer agreement between city of Lton and the law firm Pierce Couch Hendrickson Basinger and Green for said firm to continue to represent the city during the repeal of this action and make the addendum retroactive to October 22nd 2025.

Is there a second? Second. You have a second. Please call the RO. Gen. Yes. Yes. Chapman. Yes. Gil. Yes. Hampton. Yes. Wager. Yes. Warren. Yes.

Motion carries. Bringing up audience participation. We do have um two request to speak forms filled out. Mark Gibson. Mark's already left. And the other is Justin Stevens. Says Justin Stevens.Walter Smith. Is Justin Stevens or Walter Smith present? With that, we have no other request to speak forms filled out. Can I get a motion for journalists? Second. Motion a second. Please call the RO. Putin, yes. EPS, yes. Chapman, Gil, Hampton, yes. Weaguer, yes. Warren,

yes. You have my cell phone number. Yes, I think I wanted to email you. I will send you my email.