Edmond City Council and Public Works Authority Meeting – April 13, 2026
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Edmond City Council and Public Works Authority Meeting – April 13, 2026
The meeting began with presentations from winners of the 2026 Mayor's Essay Contest and a proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week. Public comments addressed a police conduct complaint. The council then considered several budget amendments, appointments, and resolutions, including adjustments to meeting dates, travel policy, and a charter provision.
Presentations and Proclamations
- Mayor Mark Nash presented the winners of the 2026 Mayor's Essay Contest: Viviana Henson (first grade), Dia Volkerson (second grade), A.B. Boarders (third grade), an unnamed fourth-grade winner, and Madeline Carter (fifth grade). Students read essays on what they would do as mayor for a day, including ideas for accessible playgrounds, art walls, animal adoption events, and community cleanups.
- Mayor Nash proclaimed April 12–18, 2026 as National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week in Edmond. A representative of the communications center thanked the council for support.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Daryl Gordon and his wife Kim Gordon (address 2600 DuPont, Edmond) addressed the council about their daughter Brittany Gordon’s encounter with Edmond Police on June 20, 2024. They alleged that police ignored evidence of a medical emergency (syncope), falsely arrested her, and that Sergeant Nathan Fountain shoved her while handcuffed, breaking her leg. They claimed charges were refiled after they exercised their right to be heard, suggesting retaliation. They called for the formation of a citizens’ oversight board to review police complaints, modeled after Oklahoma City's.
Discussion Items
- Appointments and Reappointments (Item 4): Approved unanimously (5-0).
- Budget Amendment – City Link (5A): Director Christy Batterson requested transfer of $450,000 from motor vehicles to contract services for para-transit cost overruns and software renewals. Council members expressed concern about using one-time funds for ongoing expenses and lack of early visibility. Approved 4-1.
- Budget Amendment – Senior Center Meal Program (5B): Supplemental appropriation of $23,071.88 for grant-funded mobile meals. Approved 5-0.
- OSBI Internet Crimes Against Children Grant (5C1 & 5C2): Acceptance of $15,860 grant for a forensic computer and accessories. Council discussed budget transparency. Both items approved 5-0.
- Public Works Authority Easements (7B & 7C): Acceptance of easements for Hunters Creek Sewer Interceptor (Parcel 14: $86,908; Parcel 12: $75,505). Councilmember noted cost variance compared to other parcels. Each approved 5-0.
- Adjustment of November 2026 Meeting Dates (8B & 11B): Council voted to cancel the November 23 meeting for both the Public Works Authority and City Council, keeping only the November 9 meeting to accommodate Thanksgiving travel. Approved 5-0.
- Power Switchgear Building (8C): Acceptance of bid for $1,866,380 for Garland Substation. Approved 5-0.
- OMAG Trustee Election (11C): Council voted for three candidates: Pam Polk (Durant), Brady Moore (Stillwater), and Michael Shannon (Guymon). Approved 5-0.
- Council Travel Policy (11D): Resolution to amend the travel policy was continued to the April 27 budget workshop for further refinement. Approved 5-0.
- Opioid Litigation Settlement (11A): Approval of resolution for participation in settlement with remnant defendants; estimated allocation $20,852. Approved 5-0.
- Freeholder Charter Provision (11F): Resolution expressing council opinion that the freeholder requirement for candidates is contrary to law and will not be enforced; future charter amendment to be considered. Approved 5-0.
- Executive Sessions (12 & 13): Council entered executive session for the City Council and Public Works Authority; no action items reported afterward.
Key Outcomes
- Essay contest winners recognized and proclamations issued.
- Public comments were heard; no council response given.
- Budget amendments: City Link (4-1), Senior Center meals (5-0), OSBI grant (5-0) approved.
- Easements for sewer interceptor approved (5-0 each).
- November meetings reduced to one each for City Council and Public Works Authority (5-0).
- Power switchgear building bid approved (5-0).
- OMAG trustee candidates selected (5-0).
- Travel policy continued to April 27 workshop (5-0).
- Opioid settlement resolution approved (5-0).
- Freeholder charter resolution approved (5-0).
Comments from Mayor and Council
- A councilmember noted the successful first outdoor farmers market of the season with record sales and emphasized investing in downtown Edmond.
- A councilmember expressed condolences for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper killed on I-35 and recognized the community's support.
- Mayor adjourned the meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I'm gonna take a little personal liberty here this evening, and I'm gonna swap items two and three on the agenda. So we're gonna go ahead and go to uh number three presentations, and I will be right down there. Just everyone bear with me for just a moment. So we normally I just stay up on the dais. Um but because of what we're doing tonight with our uh presentations, I thought it'd be more appropriate for me to come down here. We're gonna start out with the winners of the 2026 mayor's essay contest. So first off, I'd like to invite Viviana Henson to come forward. And we're gonna lower this so she can read her essay for everyone. Come right here. I'm gonna let you read it and then I have it on work for you, okay? And I was mayor up and then for one day, I would pray for everyone who made it and get things for homeless people to help Billy Anna St. Elizabeth and Catholic. Okay. Thank you. I'm gonna do it this way. It's easier. In second grade, we have Dia Volkerson. Did I say that right? Close enough? Okay, close enough. So you all want to know how you spell it. I thought I got pretty close. So I'm gonna let you be. I'm gonna let you read yours, and then I've got a presentation for you. Good evening, community members, city council members, and mayor. My name is Diablo Cortson, and I'm in second grade at Washington Armand elementary school. I am very excited to be here today and speak in front of you. If I were mayor for one day, I would start by making my more fun and colorful as I love art. So my first idea would be add more art around the city. I would make big art walls where kids and adults can be played together instead of boring walls. Our city would be full of rainbows, flowers, animals, and happy pictures. Art makes people happy and cheerful. I would also like to add art stations and parks where kids could draw with chalk, paint pictures, and make crafts outside the playground where everyone can play together. Another very important thing I would do is build a playground for kids with disabilities, like my little sister who has several palsy. I would even make sure it has wheelchair swings, smooth paths, and fun things that every kid can enjoy. I want to help pay for these ideas. I would plan fundraisers, we could have bake sales, art shows, and community fairs where families could come to Heather and help raise money. And of course, I would give free popsicles to kids in parts. Even though I would only be mayor for one day, I would try my best to make the city kinder, brighter, and more fun graph. And if people like my ideas, maybe they would invite me back to be mayor again someday. In closing, I ask our mayor to take action, especially in creating an assembly playground for kids with special needs. This is a very important thing to me because my little sister and I am willing to help her make it real for her and other children in our community. Thank you for listening. Alright. Here you go. Wait, don't hold on. Thank you. And for third grade, we have A B boarders. Come on up there, A B.
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