Broken Arrow City Council Meeting Summary - December 16, 2025

The Broken Arrow City Council convened on December 16, 2025, to conduct business regarding the 2026 General Obligation (G.O.) Bond package, specifically addressing public feedback and proposing statutory adjustments to the ballot initiatives. The meeting featured extensive deliberation on a library expansion proposition, presentations from community groups regarding civic needs, and the preview of ordinances concerning hazardous waste cost recovery and noise control at public assemblies.

Consent Calendar

• The Council approved the Consent Agenda with Item M removed. Item M (specific content not detailed in transcript) was deferred to the next meeting date.
• No other items were removed from the Consent Calendar by the members.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lily Hilligoss (Girl Scout Troop Organizer): Expressed strong support for the South Broken Arrow Library expansion, noting that the current single meeting room is utilized 97 times annually and that the group relies on the library's no-cost meeting space for fundraising and educational activities.
• Dawn Teeve (Homeschooling Parent): Expressed strong support for the new library, citing that her five children have exhausted the current library's limits on book checkouts and are eager for the proposed 3D makerspace to support their projects (e.g., building models). She stated that the current location is "bursting at the seams."
• Robert Schaefer (Broken Arrow Girls Softball): Expressed full support for all eight bond propositions, emphasizing the need to give voters the opportunity to fund the library system and strongly supporting Proposition EIGHT for sports facility upgrades to attract outside tournaments.
• Brad Gordon (Broken Arrow Adult Softball & Challenger Sports Complex): Expressed full support for the entire bond package, with a specific focus on Proposition EIGHT. He noted that upgraded facilities, particularly the synthetic turf at the Challenger Complex, attract out-of-state athletes (e.g., a National Seniors Association group visiting in 2027 containing 11,000 athletes) and serve as a major economic driver.
• Michael Yance (Executive Director, Museum Broken Arrow): Expressed support for Proposition FOUR, detailing a 10-year strategic plan to expand the Museum. He argued that an expanded facility would allow the museum to serve as a center for community events, archives, and storytelling.
• Laurie Lewis (Build a Better Broken Arrow Committee): Expressed full support for all eight propositions, highlighting the necessity of quality roads, the library as a civic anchor, and sports tourism as a key economic engine. She emphasized the committee's role in educating the public.
• Travis Kelly (Broken Arrow Youth Baseball): Expressed support for Proposition EIGHT, stating that upgrades to dirt fields and parking are essential to make the facility a destination, generate overnight stays, and support local youth employment.
• Justin Sharp (President, IAFF Local 2551): Expressed full support for all eight propositions, specifically thanking the Council and City Manager for including Fire Station 9 in Proposition TWO, acknowledging this as a critical addition for a growing city.
• Citizens regarding Wreath of Remembrance: Councilor Ford noted that approximately 25% of veterans at Park Grove Cemetery did not receive wreaths for the ceremony due to funding shortages in the Wreaths Across America program, calling for increased community support to cover all 700+ graves.
• Councilor Ford: Commended the Christmas parade and Rotary's "Shop with a Cop/Firefighter" initiative, expressing pride in the community's engagement and Christmas spirit.

Discussion Items

2026 G.O. Bond Package (Item 9)

• Councilor Green: Expressed concern regarding Proposition Seven (Library). While identifying as a supporter of education, he raised citizen concerns about the $4 million allocation given that property taxes already fund library operations and questioned the opportunity cost against other city needs (roads, dog parks, public safety).
• Councilor Pickle: Expressed support for the library proposition, citing a personal history where the library improved his academic success. He described the library as a vital resource with a "makerspace" and noted that the library system in Broken Arrow is part of a larger county network, but that the additional $4 million would significantly enhance the South Broken Arrow facility to serve the community's growing needs.
• Kim Johnson (Library Director): Clarified that existing property taxes fund operations only, not capital construction. She stated that the library would not proceed with the new South Broken Arrow facility without the $4 million from the bond, noting that while private philanthropy funded Phase 2 of other locations, Broken Arrow requires public funding to match its growth. She highlighted that the South Broken Arrow branch is the fifth busiest (500k+ visitors) and lacks the philanthropic support found in Tulsa.
• Public Education: The Council unanimously agreed on the need for an intensive public education phase to address the 133 "neutral" comments and misconceptions (e.g., regarding federal involvement) received during the feedback period.

Bond Package Adjustments (Item 9B)

• City Manager Spurgeon & Shannon Marshall: Presented recommendations to adjust named versus unnamed projects to comply with state law (requiring 70% named projects). Changes included:
  • Proposition One (Transportation): Named "Widening County Line Road" (added $150k); added "Aspen Avenue improvements" ($2.5M name/reduced scope on 37th St); reduced "Downtown Drainage" scope.
  • Proposition Two (Public Safety): Named "Fire Station 9" ($10.2M); renamed "Fire Station One" as an unnamed project (relocation). Added funding for "Indian Springs 2nd Edition" drainage.
  • Proposition Five (Drainage): Separated "Downtown Drainage" into a $700k named project and $500k unnamed project.
• Legislative Timeline: The Council directed staff to prepare ordinances for final adoption at the next meeting (January 6) to allow for voter approval in April 2026.

Ordinance 3902 (Hazardous Waste Recovery) - Preview

• City Staff: Proposed an ordinance to clarify cost recovery for hazardous waste cleanups, specifically addressing incidents involving pipelines or tanker trucks. The ordinance ensures the city is not liable for costs if the incident is caused by external parties or 811 marking errors.
• Councilor Ford: Expressed support for the ordinance, noting that the city should not bear the $750/hour cost of fire truck responses for incidents caused by negligence outside city limits.

Ordinance 3901 (Noise Control at Public Assemblies) - Adoption

• City Staff: Proposed adopting an ordinance to define noise violations at places of public assembly within 300 feet of residential areas. The standard is defined as noise being "plainly audible" (bass or melody clear to a person of ordinary sensibilities) through closed doors/windows for 10 minutes.
• Councilor Pickle: Clarified to staff that the ordinance would apply to existing facilities if they are within the 300-foot zone, not just new construction. Staff confirmed the ordinance applies to current "places of public assembly" already zoned or established within that range.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Proceed with G.O. Bond: The Council voted to move forward with the approved 2026 G.O. Bond package (including the adjusted Proposition Seven for the library and Proposition Two for Fire Station 9) to be placed on the April ballot. The final legislation will be reviewed and adopted at the January 6 meeting.
• Adoption of Ordinance 3901: The Council adopted Ordinance 3901 (Noise Control) with an emergency clause.
• Preview of Ordinance 3902: The Council set Ordinance 3902 (Hazardous Waste) for final adoption at the next meeting.
• Action on Item 25-1616: Council approved an ordinance amendment to include banners at Event Park under the existing downtown/banner policy, allowing for 250th Anniversary of the Nation displays.
• Councilor Green's Position on Library: The Councilor's initial concern regarding the library funding was addressed by the Library Director, clarifying the distinction between operational taxes and capital bonds; the Councilor subsequently stated he has no further opposition.
• Next Steps: Staff will finalize the legal documentation for the bond election and initiate a public education campaign to be completed by January 6. A resolution calling for the election will be drafted for the next meeting.