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Home My WebLink About1998.09.15_City Council Minutes OW ASSO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, September 15, 1998 The Owasso City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, September 15, 1998 in the Council Chambers at the Owasso Community Center per the Notice of Public Meeting and Agenda posted on the City Hall bulletin board at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 1998 ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER Vice Mayor Wilken called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. ITEM 2: INVOCATION The invocation was offered by Jim McElrath, Support Services Director. ITEM 3: FLAG SALUTE Mr Cates led in the flag salute. ITEM 4: ROLL CALL PRESENT Mark Wilken, Vice Mayor Mary Lou Barnhouse, Councilor Melinda Voss, Councilor ABSENT Denise Bode, Mayor Unfilled Position STAFF Jeff Hancock, City Manager Ronald D Cates, City Attorney Marcia Boutwell, City Clerk A quorum was declared present. ITEM 5: REQUEST BY CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL. An number of citizens from the 86th St N & N Main St area had provided the City Clerk with written requests to address the City Council relative to the proposed reconstruction of the intersection at 86th & Main. Mr Hancock spoke briefly about the project. Mr Carr & Mr Henderson presented the project, giving background information and the steps that had been taken to inform citizens of the plans. Mr Henderson said that a public meeting was held to inform citizens about the proposed construction, potential right-of-way issues, project funds, and environmental studies. That meeting was advertised in the Owasso Reporter on two occasions and a press release was also published in the newspaper. Minutes of that meeting, along with exhibits outlining the project, were mailed to all residents who would be impacted by the project. The residents were concerned about the right-of-way needed along the east side of N Main St, as that right-of-way would be taken from their rear yards. The staff presented some proposed Owasso City Council September 6 1998 preliminary designs for the intersection and approaches, some of which would not require any additional right-of-way. Vice Mayor Wilken also discussed these designs and alternatives to the taking of right-of-way. Mr Morales requested that an informal meeting be held with the affected citizens and was assured that it would be done. Mr Harker, who owns a business on Atlanta, asked if a traffic count had been done on Main St. He remarked that Atlanta is a busy street, and if the "Boulevard Concept", making Main two lanes of traffic, is chosen, his concern is that more traffic would be pushed onto Atlanta. Mr Wilken & Mr Henderson assured the citizens that further meetings will be held and they will be kept informed as the project progresses. ITEM 6: CONSIDERATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION RELATING TO A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. A. Approval of the Minutes of September 1, 1998 Regular Meeting and September 8, 1998 Special Meeting. B. Approval of Claims. C. Action Relating to Extension of a Contract Between the City of Owasso and a "Third Party Administrator" for the City's Workers Compensation Self- Insurance Fund. D. Action Relating to Council Approval for the Expenditure of Funds for Self- Insured Workers Compensation Excess Coverage Policy Renewal. E. Request Approval to Close a Portion of a Utility Easement Located on Lots 8 & 9, Block 5, Hale Acres Addition. F. Request Approval to Close a Portion of a Utility Easement Located Along the East Line of Lot 3, Block 1, Owasso Commercial Center (11501 E 76th St N). The consent agenda included minutes of the September 1, 1998 regular meeting and September 8, 1998 special meeting, by reference made a part hereto. Item B on the consent agenda included the following claims: (1) General Fund $28,262.41; (2) Collision Self- Insurance $1,413.25; (3) Ambulance Service Fund $2,917.35; (4) City Garage $407.86; (5) Capital Improvements $2,199.00; (6) Interfund Transfers $47,141.46; (7) Payroll $156,610.91; (8) City Garage Payroll $3,531.15. Item C requested extension of a contract between the City of Owasso and United Safety & Claims to provide services of a third party administrator to assist in the management of the city's self-insurance workers compensation program. Item D requested approval for the expenditure of funds to National Union Insurance Company for the purchase of workers compensation excess insurance. Item E requested approval to close a portion of a utility easement located on Lots 8 & 9, Block 5, Hale Acres Addition. Item F requested approval to close a portion of a utility easement located along the east line of Lot 3, Block 1, Owasso Commercial Center. Ms Barnhouse moved, seconded by Ms Voss, to approve the consent agenda. 2 Owasso City Council September 11;),1998 AYE: Barnhouse, Voss, Wilken NAY: None Motion carried 3-0. ITEM 7: CONSIDERATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION RELATING TO A RESIGNATION BY THE WARD 3 COUNCILOR AND AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH A NOTICE OF VACANCY AND REOUEST FOR LETTERS OF INTEREST. Mr Cates said that on September 1, 1998, Ward 3 Councilor Dr Tracy Standridge notified the Council in writing of his intention to resign his position effective September 2nd. The City Charter and Oklahoma Statutes both provide authority for the Council to fill vacancies in its membership. On May 4, 1993, the City Council adopted a policy for filling Council vacancies. The policy requires that the Council declare a vacancy, and instruct the City Clerk to publish a notice of vacancy and request for letters of interest, such letters to be received during a ten-day acceptance period. A new Councilor may then be chosen from those persons submitting letters of interest. Ms Barnhouse moved, seconded by Ms Voss, to accept the resignation of Councilor Dr Tracy Standridge, declare a vacancy to exist in Ward 3, and instruct the City Clerk to publish a Notice of Vacancy and request for Letters of Interest to fill the position. AYE: Barnhouse, Voss, Wilken NAY: None Motion carried 3-0. ITEM 8: REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER Other than the provided written report, Mr Hancock provided the Council with a copy of the 1998-99 and requested comments by Friday. The advertisement for bids on the projects will occur next week. ITEM 9: REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY None. ITEM 10: REPORT FROM CITY COUNCILORS No report. 3 Owasso City Council September liS)998 ITEM 11: NEW BUSINESS None. ITEM 12: ADJOURNMENT Ms Barnhouse moved, seconded by Ms Voss, to adjourn. AYE: Barnhouse, Voss, Wilken NAY: None Motion carried 3-0, and the meeting was adjourned at 7: 10 p.m. Denise Bode, Mayor 4 AUGUST 31g 1998 TO:MAYOR DENISE BODE AND THE OWASSO CITY COUNCIL FROM:COUNCILMAN TRACY La STANDRIDGE RE:RESIGNATION FROM THE OWASSO CITY COUNCIL DEAR MAYOR BODE AND COUNCIL: AS YOU ARE AWARE, I HAVE RECENTLY BUILT A NEW HOME, THE ADDRESS OF WHICH IS NOT IN MY PRESENT WARD; IN FACT, IT IS IN THE WARD OF VICE-MAYOR WILKEN. THE OWASSO CITY CHARTER STATES THAT A COUNCIL PERSON MUST RESIDE IN THE WARD THAT HE (SHE) REPRESENTS, AND SINCE THAT FACT WILL NOT BE THE CASE WHEN I AND MY FAMILY MOVE TO MY NEW RESIDENCE IN THE KNOTTINGHAM SUBDIVISION THIS SEPTEMBER, I AM RESIGNING FROM THE OWASSO CITY COUNCIL TONIGHT. I APPRECIATE THE VOTERS OF OWASSO GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AND I LEAVE THIS OFFICE WITH A GREAT APPRECIATION OF HOW WELL MANAGED OUR CITY IS AND WHAT A GREAT STAFF WE HAVE. SINCERELYp TRACY L. STANDRI li?{f) ] 2707 East 86th Street NOlih . Owasso, Oklahoma 74055 . Telephone (918) 272-7439 August 31, 1998 Chief Maria Alexander Chief Bob Allen City of Owasso 207 S. Cedar Owasso, OK 74055 Dear Chief Alexander and Chief Allen: During the last 12 months, I have had three separate opportunities to observe the activities of Owasso's emergency services personnel through the eyes of family and friends. On each of three occasions - one involving a vehicle accident, another involving an emergency cardiac can and the most recent involving a house fire - our police and fire officials responded with the utmost of efficiency and professionalism. It is all too easy to take for granted the efforts of those who have dedicated their lives to making Owasso an exceptional community. The training, dedication and perseverance necessary to provide our citizens with safe homes and an excellent quality of life often goes unnoticed, usually because things routinely function so well. The genuine care and concern of our emergency personnel is readily apparent, and is a source of great relief to hurting citizens at times of their greatest need. I understand the commitment necessary to meet the ever-expanding needs of our hometown- Owasso. I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to you and your staffs for all you do on our behalf. We might not always remember to ten you, but you are one of the key ingredients that make this city great. c: Denise Bode - Mayor Jeff Hancock - City Manager