HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010.12.09_OEDA AgendaPUBLIC NOTICE OF THE MEETING OF THE
OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
TYPE OF MEETING: Regular
DATE: December 9, 2010
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: Owasso City Hall, Lower Level Conference Room
111 N. Main
Owasso, Oklahoma
Notice and agenda filed in the office of the City Clerk and posted on the City Hall bulletin board
at 5;00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 7, 2010.
Chelsea M.E. Harkins, Ec omic evelopment Director
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
Dr. Thomas, Chairman
Consideration and appropriate action relating to a request for Trustee approval of the
Consent Agenda. All matters listed under "Consent" are considered by the Trustees to be
routine and will be enacted by one motion. Any Trustee may, however, remove an item
from the Consent Agenda by request. A motion to adopt the Consent Agenda is non -
debatable.
A. Approval of minutes of the November 11, 2010 Regular Meeting.
Attachment
B. Approval of claims.
Attachment
C. Acceptance of the monthly financial report.
Attachment
3. Report from the Community Development Director
Mr. Fritschen
Attachment
4. Report from the Public Works Director
Mr. Stevens
Attachment
5. Report from Economic Development Director
Ms. Harkins
Attachment
6. Report from OEDA Manager
Mr. Ray
7. Report from OEDA Trustees
OEDA
December 9, 2010
Page 2
B. New Business (New Business is any item of business which could not have been foreseen
at the time of posting of the agenda.
9. Adjournment.
MEETING OF THE
OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
MINUTES OF MEETING
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Owasso Economic Development Authority met in regular session on Thursday, November 11,
2010 in the Lower Level Conference Room at City Hall per the Notice of Public Meeting and
Agenda posted on the City Hall bulletin board at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, November 9, 2010.
ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
Chairman Thomas called the meeting to order at 10:03 AM,
PRESENT
Dirk Thomas, Chairman
Gary Akin, Secretary
David Charney, Trustee
Bryan Spriggs, Trustee
A quorum was declared present.
ABSENT
Dee Sokolosky, Vice Chairman
Frank Enzbrenner, Trustee
Steve Cataudella, Trustee
STAFF
Rodney Ray, OEDA Manager; Chelsea Harkins, Economic Development; Karl Fritschen,
Community Development; Roger Stevens, Public Works; Kian Kamas, Minute Clerk
ITEM 2: CONSIDERATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION RELATING TO A REQUEST FOR TRUSTEE
APPROVAL OF THE OEDA CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of minutes of the October 14, 2010 Regular Meeting
B, Approval of claims
C. Acceptance of the monthly financial report
Mr. Charney moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Mr. Spriggs,
AYE: Spriggs, Thomas, Akin, Charney
NAY: None
ABSTAIN:
Motion carried 4 -0,
ITEM 3: REPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Mr. Fritschen presented the October Building Permit Report,
ITEM 4: REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
Mr. Stevens reviewed the status of various Public Works Department projects.
ITEM 5: REPORT FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Ms. Harkins reviewed the Director's Report and further discussed on -going corporate
relocation efforts and the Buy Owasso campaign.
ITEM 6: REPORT FROM OEDA MANAGER
Mr. Ray commented on the continued efforts to widen HWY 169.
ITEM 7: REPORT FROM OEDA TRUSTEES
No Report.
November 11, 2010
ITEM 8: NEW BUSINESS
None.
ITEM 9: ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Mr. Spriggs, seconded by Mr. Akin, to adjourn the meeting.
AYE: Spriggs, Thomas, Akin, Charney
NAY: None
ABSTAIN:
Motion carried 4 -0.
At 11:06 AM, the meeting was adjourned.
Juliann Stevens, Minute Clerk
-2-
Coo>
Fite City Wit out Limits.
TO: THE HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND TRUSTEES
OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
FROM: CHELSEA M.E. HARKINS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: CLAIMS, OEDA
DATE: December 9, 2010
No Claims for November 2010.
Owasso Economic Development Authority
Statement of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Fund Net Assets
For the Month Ending November 30, 2010
Operating Revenues
Operating Expenses:
Materials & supplies
Services & other charges
Capital outlay
Total Operating Expenses
Operating Income (Loss)
Non - Operating Revenues (Expenses):
Investment income
Promissory note revenue
RAN debt service & other costs
Total non - operating revenues (expenses)
Net income (loss) before contributions and
transfers
Transfer to general fund
Change in net assets
Total net assets - beginning
Total net assets - ending
MTD
YTD
Budget
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
5,000.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
5,000.00
0.00
0.00
(5,000.00)
0.67
3.41
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.67
3.41
0.00
0.67
3.41
(5,000.00)
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.67
3.41
(5,000.00)
9,030.07
9,030.07
$9,033.48
$4,030.07
RESIDENTIAL NEW CONSTRUCTION MONTH END REPORT NOVEMBER 2070
Month
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
1 January
20
23
64
54
30
31
22
13
25
15
17
2 February
26
44
70
41
50
52
41
14
19
23
29
3 March
24
48
51
38
75
65
50
25
35
30
46
4 April
61
50
51
35
47
63
52
30
31
36
31
5 May
42
26
38
29
31
43
36
60
23
27
30
6 June
30
34
51
33
53
42
29
27
21
34
23
7 July
33
37
44
32
34
27
12
23
24
28
17
8 August
38
31
33
31
36
45
28
27
18
28
19
9 September
29
29
30
52
64
35
12
17
40
20
11
10 October
36
31
31
48
42
30
25
31
15
36
13
11 November
18
24
26
35
31
32
13
26
10
13
1
12 December
20
29
35
51
35
53
16
8
6
13
0
Totals
377
406
524
479
528
518
336
301
267
303
237
YTD
357
377
489
428
493
465
320
293
261
290
237
NOVEMBER YEAR -TO -DATE COUNT
600 - ------------------------- ------- --------- ---- ----- - ----- - ---- ------- -- - -- -- —
500
400
300
200
100
0
2000 2001 2002 { 2003 2004: 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
jNOVEMBER 357 377 489 ` 428 493 465 320 293 ; 261 290 237
NOVEMBER YEAR -TO -DATE DOLLARS
j 40,000,000
i 35,000,000
30,000,000
25,000,000
j 20,000,000
15,000,000
! 10,000,000
5,000,000
! 0
`NOVEMBER 34,372,695 31,759,862 26,608,136 33,176,119 33,754,260
TOTAL NEW CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS FOR EACH YEAR
45,000000
CITY OF OWASSO
RESIDENTIAL LOT INVENTORY STATUS
November 30, 2010
SUBDIVISION
Burberry Place (6/09)
Camelot Estates (4/07)
Champions East (05/08)
Country Estates III (3/99)
Country Estates VI (11/03)
Crescent Ridge (02/08)
Fairways V (8/99)
Fairways VI (12/00)
Falls at Garrett Creek (12/05)
Falls at Garrett Creek Amended (12/05)
Honey Creek (4/02)
Keys Landing (3/08)
Lake Valley III (09/08
Lake Valley IV (5/2010)
Lakes at Bailey Ranch (10/07)
Maple Glen (12/08)
Nottingham Estates IV (8/01)
Nottingham Estates V (3/01)
Nottingham Hill (6/09)
Preston Lakes (12/00)
Preston Lakes III (10/04)
Remington Park II (11/04)
Sawgrass Park II (04/05)
The Summit at Southern Links (6/97)
Watercolours (12/02)
TOTALS
# OF LOTS
89
139
66
61
37
101
71
42
85
24
202
131
131
114
235
98
20
44
58
272
147
84
96
31
40
2418
# DEVELOPED
19
43
4
58
36
83
57
40
84
21
198
85
124
20
132
91
17
43
6
243
141
82
94
26
31
1778
# AVAILABLE
70
96
62
3
1
18
14
2
1
3
4
46
7
94
103
7
3
1
52
29
6
2
2
5
9
640
Watercolours (12102)
The Summit at Southern Links
(6/97)
Sawgrass Park 11 (04/05,
Remington Park II (11104;
Preston Lakes 111 (10104,
Preston Lakes (12/00)
Nottingham Hill (6/09)
Nottingham Estates V (3/01)
Nottingham Estates IV (8/01)
Maple Glen (12/08)
Lakes at Bailey Ranch (10/07)
Lake Valley IV (5/2010)
Lake Valley III (09108
Keys Landing (3/08)
Honey Creek (4/02)
Falls at Garrett Creek Amended
(12/05)
Falls at Garrett Creek (12/05)
Fairways VI (12100)
Fairways V (8/99)
Crescent Ridge (02/08)
Country Estates VI (11/03)
Country Estates III (3/99)
Champions East (05/08)
Camelot Estates (4/07)
Burberry Place (6/09)
CITY OF OWASSO
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
13 Total Lots MLots Developed
COMMERCIAL NEW CONSTRUCTION MONTH END REPORT NOVEMBER 2010
Month
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
1 January
3
0
0
0
1
2
9
4
4
1
1
2 February
12
.2
1
1
5.
.5
.0
3-
2
0
1
3 March
1
0
3
1
2
1
14
2
0
1
3
4 April
1
8
'T
1
3
4
1
0
4
1
:l
5 May
2
2
4
1
1
3
2
l
1
2
l
6 Junbi
0
-5
0
2'
.4
3
4
1
1
0
7 July
7
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
8 August
4
1
2
3.
-3
'l
7
:3'
1
0' .
0
9 Septembi
2
0
2
2
1
2
1
28
3
0
0
10 October-
1-4
4
�81
0.
-"Q1
1
3
4
1
0
0
11 NovembE
6
5
1
1
3
0
1
1
1
2
2
12 DecenibE
. 0
0
0
0
0'
:1
1
1
1
.0
0
Totals
52
27
23
12
23
23
43
48
20
9
9
YTD
52
27
23
12
23
22
42
47
19
9
9
NOVEMBER YEAR -TO -DATE COUNT
60
40
::::..
_ .................._..
;:.:;;: .........._................
30
: r• >.
i;;;�.;........
::.y .
10
:'s: > :;
';
is `•:::
......... :.<
::•.:
::<::
. . ... .....
.........
.... ::.::..:: ;:.::...
2000:
2001
2002
2003:
2004 ': 2005
2006:
2007: 2008: 2009: 2010
:November
52
27
23
12
23 22
42
47 i 19 9 9
NOVEMBER YEAR -TO -DATE DOLLARS
50,000,000
45,000,000 ::: •: ;'•; >;;'-
is } i. .;
35,000,000 :•mss,•£ �;. `� i' ;;.
30,000,000 •;,,�.'�:: � °,•. ,� >�. :;;..:;f:f�;•:�:<
25,000,000 -.:,: ......_ .:.....•�:: - .................... ............................... - :.k ^;r .'� .. .
20, 000,000 = :::;:: s:x :y,.;• f:;
ri fir- +'ox:: %:: :.:o+fi;Y::: ti {�ti •'EF•'�+�•
15,000,000 : >: },c �: >::•• � :�:-" :::; = •:r.�.r.::... •.,,.�1�;' + ...
<;: >•.! #
10,000,000 >�; '� . ��s > ? ?ts -� Nk..;� ;. ; ,v ;t; ;' •:
. S • <iY�r•Y•; t fit:. •f • '� � �',
5,000,000 �`;K; �': ';k;•�:¢,�� ..� �.v; ^c� '' >'2
0 '
j 2006 2007 ; 2008 v 2009 2010
November; 40 861,909 44 633,444 14 271,125 12,830,700 45 370,347
50,000,000
45,000,000
40,000,000
35,000,000
30,000,000
25,000,000
20,000,000
15,000,000
10,000,000
5,000,000
0
'TOTAL
NEW CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS TOTALS FOR EACH YEAR
2UU6 2UU/ 2UUt9 2UUy 2010 I
i
42,558,909 44,833,444 20,771,125 12,830,700 45,370,347
i;;;�.;........
::.y .
......... :.<
::•.:
. . ... .....
.........
.... ::.::..:: ;:.::...
2UU6 2UU/ 2UUt9 2UUy 2010 I
i
42,558,909 44,833,444 20,771,125 12,830,700 45,370,347
OCCUPANCY PERMITS
NAME ADDRESS STATUS APPLICATION
DATE
JANUARY 2010
1/1/2710
Ow Track/Soccer Bldg
12901 E 86 St N
Church's
11618 E 86 St N
Larry C. Sang, Jr
12899 E 76 St N
FEBRUARY 2010
1128/2010
Oklahoma Heart Institute
10512 N 110 E Ave #140
Hope Hospice LLC
8291 N Owasso Exp
Ruby Tuesday
11909 E 96 St N
MARCH 2010
2/17/2010
Crash Course
204 E 5 Ave
Marriott Townplace
9355 Owasso Exp
Statewide Title & Escrow
12899 E 76 St N #116
APRIL 2010
3/1/2010
Terri A. Richison
11230 N Garnett Road
Aaron's Rental
8705 N 117 E Ave
A J Medical
202 E 2 Ave
Owasso Tumbling & Cheer
507 E 2 Ave
MAY 2010
No
Bloomingdeals LLC
11612 E 86 St N
Asiana Express
11560 N 135th E ave
JUNE 2010
4/23/2010
Qwik Fix LLC
8703 N Owasso Exp #N
Fieldhouse of Tulsa LLC
104 E 2nd Ave
Miller EMS LLC
10314 N 138 E Ave #101
JULY 2010
4/29/2010
L. A. Images
8361 N Owasso Exp
GNC
9046 N 121 E Ave #350
Family Video Movie Club
14499 E 86 St N
China Wok
8521 N 129 E Ave
AUGUST 2010
Yes
Mocha- Licious
12550 E 86 St N
Cherry Berry
9046 N 121 E Ave #300
SEPTEMBER 2010
6/14/2010
Jing Tao
12300 E 86 St N
Orange Leaf
12910 E 86 st N
Halloween Express
9018 N 121 E Ave #300
OCTOBER 2010
7/2/2010
Sprouts Playcafe
8787 N Owasso Exp #K
CVS Pharmacy
12902 E 96 St N
Owasso Land Trust #106
9540 N Garnett
NOVEMBER 2010
7/15/2010
QuikTrip #022
12902 E 86 St N
Don Wilson (Sims BBQ)
12416 E 86 St N
OK Mattress Ventures
9045 N 121 E Ave #1500
OPENING COMPLETE
DATE
New
1/1/2710
111/2710
Yes
New
1/6/2010
1/6/2010
Yes
New
1128/2010
2/1/2010
No
New
2/4/2010
2/412010
Yes
New
2/17/2010
2/17/2010
No
New
2/1/2010
2/28/2010
Yes
New
3/1/2010
3/1/2010
Yes
New
3/12/2010
3/15/2010
Yes
New
3/25/2010
4/112010
No
New
4/15/2010
5/1/2010
No
New
4/23/2010
4/26/2010
Yes
New
4/28/2010
6/1/2010
No
New
4/29/2010
5/1/2010
No
New
5/19/2010
6/1/2010
No
New
5/27/2010
5/27/2010
Yes
Location Change
6/2/2010
6/14/2010
No
New
6/14/2010
6/28/2010
No
New
6/18/2010
7/19/2010
No
New
7/2/2010
No
New
7/12/2010
7/12/2010
Yes
New
7/15/2010
7/15/2010
Yes
New
7/23/2010
7/23/2010
Yes
New
8/16/2010
8/30/2010
No
New
8/19/2010
8/19/2010
Yes
New
9/23/2010
9/23/2010
No
New
9/23/2010
9/23/2010
Yes
New
915/2010
9/2/2010
Yes
New
10/5/2010
10/4/2010
No
New
10121/2010
10/21/2010
Yes
New
10/11/2010
10/11/2010
Yes
New
11/11/2010
11/11/2010
Yes
New
11/17/2010
11/30/2010
No
New
11123/2010
11/23/2010
Yes
PERMITS APPLIED FOR IN NOVEMBER 2010
ADDRESS
BUILDER
ADD /ZONE
VALUE
A.S.F.
PERMIT #
DATE
9218 N 98 E Ct
San Juan Pools
FW /RS -3
18,000
300
10- 1101 -P
11/2/2010
9403 E 92 St N
Shaw Homes
LBR/RS -3
160,250
2404
10- 1102 -X
11 /2/2010
7806 N 117 E Ave
Gloria Carrillo
EC /RS -3
1,000
120
10- 1103 -X
11/3/2010
9505 N 95 E Ct
Blue Haven Pools
LBR/RS -3
30,000
309
10- 1104 -P
11/8/2010
13808 E 93 Cr N
Advanced Pools
NH/RS -2
40,000
578
10- 1105 -P
11/10/2010
13720 E 86 St N
Global Sign
Renaissance Ctr
5,500
70
10- 1106 -S
11/15/2010
9500 N 129 E Ave #235
96 & 129 LLC
City Center /CS
50,000
888
10- 1107 -C
11/15/2010
10800 N 140 E Ave
Crossland Construction
TTC/
43,000,000
233915
10- 1108 -C
11/22/2010
322 E 5 Ave
OLT Development
Owlndustrial Pk
250,000
12600
10- 1109 -C
11/22/2010
14100 E 106 St N
J P Construction
VCC /RM
60,000
1058
10- 1110 -P
11/29/2010
1 Single Family
$160,250
2,404 SgFt
1 Accessory
1,000
120 SgFt
2 New Commercial
43,250,000
246,515 SgFt
1 Commercial Remodel
50,000
888 SgFt
1 Sign
5,500
70 SgFt
4 Pools
148,000
2,245 SgFt
10 Building Permits
43,614,750
252,242 SgFt
PROJECT STATUS REPORT
City of Owasso Public Works Department
As of December 3, 2010
E. 86th Street North Widening (from Main Street to N. Memorial Drive)
- Funding for the construction of this project is a result of a "matching grant "; 80%
ODOT funding and 20% City funding.
- An Engineering design for the project was completed in September 2008.
- The Environmental Assessment was approved by ODOT in December 2008 and
by the Federal Highway Department in February 2009.
- Utility relocations began in early November of this year, with completion
scheduled to occur in February of next year.
- Construction is expected to begin in May of next year.
E. 106TH Street North and Garnett Road Intersection Improvement Project
- A $750,000 grant from ODOT was approved February 2009.
- On March 24, 2009, Council awarded an engineering design contract with PSA
Dewberry. Engineering Design is 95% complete.
- In July 2010, ODOT approved right -of -way acquisition documents. Staff continues
negotiations with the remaining three property owners. Although agreements
have not been finalized, staff anticipates obtaining the remaining right of way
and easements by January of next year. Soon to follow will be utility relocations.
Staff anticipates this work will be complete by June of next year.
- Construction is expected to begin in July of next year and completed by June
2012.
East 96 Street North Regional Detention (Phase II and III - Detention Facility/ Garnett
Structure Modifications)
- In March 2009, the engineering design was completed by Meshak and
Associates.
- City Council awarded a construction contract to Cherokee Builders in the
amount of $1,525,006 at the December 1, 2009 City Council meeting and
construction began January 11, 2010.
- The Contractor is currently overseeing the last of the sod and hydro -mulch
installation and overall site clean -up. All concrete structures and infrastructure is
installed. The contractor will be actively involved in the maintenance of the site
until spring to ensure proper vegetation and tree growth is sustained.
Wastewater Treatment Plant and 117th Street Lift Station Upgrade
- In September 2008, the engineering design was completed by Greeley and
Hansen.
OPWA Trustees awarded a construction contract to BRB Contractors in the
amount of $8,465,500 during the December 1, 2009 OPWA meeting and BRB
contractors began mobilizing equipment in February.
The critical tie -ins at the main plant during the shut -down were successfully
completed and the contractor is currently preparing for a short bypass at the
117th Street Lift Station to complete pipeline tie -ins at the storm holding basin. All
new electronic control panels and hardware are on -site and are being
programmed by the contractor and their sub - contractors to comply with the
plant's staff and operators.
• East 76th Street North Sanitary Sewer Interceptor
- In March 2009, the engineering design was completed by Greeley and Hansen.
- The Environmental Process was completed in May 2009.
- OPWA Trustees awarded a construction contract to Paragon Contractors in the
amount of $4,111,299 during the December 1, 2009 OPWA meeting and Paragon
contractors mobilized to the site on January 26, 2010.
- Phase I is on schedule for Completion (North 143rd East Avenue to North 177th East
Avenue) by January 2011; and Phase II Completion (North 177th East Avenue to
North 193,4 East Avenue) by August 2011.
- The contractor is currently working on the bore under 177th East Ave and
preparing the installation of the pipe under the road. Groundwater and overall
site conditions have hampered progress; however, Paragon is addressing the
additional water flows and continuing to move towards Stone Canyon
Elementary. Approximately 17,500 feet of pipe has been installed.
• East 86th Street North and North Garnett Intersection Improvements
- A $310,000 grant from INCOG was approved in November 2009.
- In December 2009, City Manager approved an engineering design contract with
Tri -State Engineering in the amount of $24,000. The engineering design was
completed in April 2010.
- Staff does not anticipate needing to obtain right -of way nor the relocation of
utilities.
- On July 6, 2010, ODOT awarded a contract for construction to Crossland Heavy
Construction in the amount of $269,000. Crossland and the Oklahoma
Department of Transportation are directly overseeing this project.
- This project is complete and awaiting final inspection and walk through by ODOT
in order to close out the project.
• Santa Fe Lift Station and Force Main Improvements
- In February 2010, the City Council awarded an engineering agreement in the
amount of $145,874 to Greely and Hansen Engineering.
- Engineering design is ongoing. The design was scheduled for completion
complete this month, however, additional review comments provided by ODEQ
has resulted in some additional design work to be completed and submitted.
The consultant anticipates final design of the plans and specs to be complete
and ready for ODEQ review by February of next year.
- Staff anticipates construction to begin in June of next year with final completion
scheduled for February 2012.
• Meadowcrest Relief Line Improvements
- In March 2010, the City Council awarded an engineering agreement in the
amount of $38,370 to Kellogg Engineering.
- ODEQ has approved the design and issued a permit to construct.
- Utility easement negotiations are coming to a close. Currently, 9 out of the 10
parcels have been obtained. Staff anticipates the remaining parcel will be
obtained by the end of this month.
- The bidding process will commence in early December with a construction
contract anticipated to be awarded in January of next year.
Staff anticipates construction to begin in February of next year with final
completion scheduled for June of next year.
Rayola Park Enhancements
- The Rayola Park Project was advertised for re -bid and the bid opening occurred
on November 18, 2010. Staff is currently reviewing the bids.
Improvement /Repair Project FY 2009 -2010)
- On July 20, 2010, the City Council approved the street repair priorities for FY 2010,
- At the September 7, 2010 City Council meeting, the project was awarded to Tri-
Star Construction in the amount of $250,610.
- All repair work has been completed and the overlay portion on 126th East Ave.
and at the intersection of West 10th and Main St is complete. Tulsa County
anticipates having the overlay at 116th and Garnett Intersection complete by the
end of this year, weather permitting. Upon completion of the overlay, the
intersection will be re- striped and 100% complete.
OGity Wit out Limits.
TO: THE HONORABLE CHAIR AND TRUSTEES
OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
FROM: CHELSEA M.E. HARKINS
DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SUBJECT: DIRECTOR'S REPORT
DATE: December 9, 2010
STORE FRONT SHOPPING VS DESKTOP SHOPPING
Visiting store after store, shopping for holidays gifts while spreading holiday cheer is almost a
trend of the past. Today, people do not even have to leave home to make purchases. Items
can be shipped directly to the shopper with the convenient click of a mouse, saving them from
potentially crowded stores and lines. Increasing technology appears to make many everyday
tasks easier but can have a negative effect on a city's safety services and quality of life,
However, it opens a window of opportunity to inform citizens why shopping locally is important;
who it affects and how it contributes to the local economy.
A dollar spent online is a dollar lost to our friends and neighbors who manage and operate local
businesses. If half the population spent $50 each month in locally owned businesses, it would
generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue, For every $100 spent in Owasso, $68 returns to the
community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. Shopping online with retailers who do
not charge sales tax means no money is coming back to fund police, fire, streets and parks.
Collecting online sales tax has been a struggle for years and has dramatically affected Owasso.
Only websites that have a physical retail presence in a state (i.e. Wal -Mart, Best Buy) are
required to collect online state sales tax. This means that online giants like Amazon and eBay
are not required to collect taxes. In July 2010, legislation was introduced in Congress to require
all online retailers to collect sales tax. This is known as the "Main Street Fairness Act." The Retail
Industry Leaders Association, whose tax committee members include Wal -Mart, Target and
Home Depot, has applauded the act for allowing states to collect as much as $23 billion in "fair"
taxes.
So far, twenty -four states have passed legislation requiring online retailers to provide information
for tax collection purposes. Oklahoma has moved ahead with internet tax measures based on a
physical presence, known as nexus, adopting the Streamlined Sales Tax initiative. This
nationwide effort aims to create a simplified system to bring uniformity to definitions of items in
the sales tax base, significantly reduce the paperwork burden on retailers, and incorporate new
technology to modernize many administrative procedures, However, Oklahoma is losing a
significant share of revenue because it can't collect sales taxes from many purchases made
from the Internet. In fact, the best estimate is that Oklahoma is losing over $100 million a year in
potential sales fax revenue from uncollected taxes on online sales. This revenue is already due
under existing state law. If the state fails to collect this revenue, it makes the current budget gap
that much bigger and undermines the ability of state and local governments to maintain basic
public services. This emphasizes the importance of shopping locally to ensure the City can
continue to deliver those core services to businesses, residents and visitors,
Buy Owasso has been sending a message out to our residents for over a year to spend locally.
For every dollar paid to a local retailer or restaurant, the citizen receives a return on the
investment in the form of public safety, better infrastructure and quality of life. There has been a
positive response from this effort and the city has seen the culture of spending habits begin to
change. Residents appear to be making conscious decisions to stay and pay in Owasso.
Businesses have reported an increase in foot traffic and sales tax reports have increased.
Local merchants need the business. As they profit and thrive, so does the community. Consider
the additional jobs that become available at this time of year. In an unstable economy,
seasonal jobs become even more important. Increased online shopping could eliminate some
of those jobs while taking much needed revenue away from businesses.
The virtual shopping cart may be more appealing than the actual shopping experience to
some, but the holidays would not be the same without sharing the spirit of the season with
friends, neighbors and merchants. Mixing and mingling with local business owners and their
customers not only helps keep stores open, but also contributes toward building a better quality
of life in Owasso. Taking the time to personally invest in the community is a gift that keeps on
giving. A personal "thank you" to a local business owner is far more rewarding than the click of a
mouse.
BUY OWASSO
Buy Owasso is gaining in popularity with local business and shoppers. All analytics reflect an
increase in web traffic on both the website and the Facebook page. Recent Businesses of the
Week have complimented the program and have observed comments and additional traffic
from the campaign.
The dashboard for site usage on www.buyowasso,com was at 630 visits, up almost 50% from last
month. There was a 20% increase in new visits to the site and 464 unique visits. Page views
increased dramatically to 1,346, up over 65% from the previous month.
The Facebook page is two "Likes" away from reaching 1,100, an increase of 100 from last month.
The monthly active users have increased by nearly 400 in the last month, over a 65%
improvement. Wall posts, comments and likes also continue to increase, The goal is to make
the Buy Owasso Facebook page more interactive and engaging to its fans in order to boost
business awareness and consumer activity.
DING, DING, DING GOES THE HOLLY TROLLEY
The Holly Trolley has returned to Owasso for its fourth holiday shopping season. This free service
allows shoppers to park their cars and ride the trolley from one shopping destination to another.
The Trolley runs every Saturday through December 18th. The trolley hours are from 9AM to 5 PM
and will be an actual trolley car from Old Urban Trolley.
Santa Claus will be taking time out of his busy schedule to ride the Holly Trolley from 12PM to 2PM
as he compiles wish lists from the children in Owasso and surrounding areas. Santa will also take
pictures with the kids and they will appear on the Buy Owasso Facebook Page at
www.facebook.com /buyowasso,
The Holly Trolley has twelve stops on its route through Owasso's shopping centers: five at Smith
Farm Shopping Center, two at the Owasso Market Shopping Center, and one stop each at the
Owasso Land Center, Cornerstone Shopping Center, Owasso Town Center, Mingo Valley
Shopping Center and Tyann Plaza. Look for the "Holly Trolley Stops Here" signs located in front of
the businesses at each of the shopping centers.
DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
Billy Sims Bar -b -clue has opened in the Cornerstone Shopping Center at 12416 E. 86th
Street N.
QuikTrip has opened its fourth Owasso store at 12902 E, 86th Street N,
? Mattress Firm has opened in Smith Farm Shopping Center at 9045 N. 121St E. Avenue.