Shawnee Board of City Commissioners Regular Meeting - March 16, 2026

The Board of City Commissioners of Shawnee, Oklahoma met in regular session on March 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Commission Chambers at City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Eric Stephens with all seven commissioners present. The 75-minute meeting covered consent items, public comments, public hearings, and a series of resolutions regarding utility fees, public safety, land use, and transportation safety.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the February 9 and March 2 meetings.
• Acknowledged Planning Commission and Senior Citizens Advisory Board minutes, as well as License and Project Payment Reports for February 2026.
• Approved budget amendments for the E-911 Fund and Insurance Recovery Fund.
• Approved the transfer of a lake lease (Seck Tract Lot 8) from Kenneth West (Deceased) & Lora Davis to Richard & Brittney Taylor.
• Approved the reappointment of Kevin Hall and Thomas Hibben to the Shawnee Housing Authority, and Lance Wortham and Tim Barrick to the Shawnee Civic and Cultural Development Authority.
• Approved the FY-2025 Audit Engagement Letter with Arledge & Associates, P.C.
• Accepted Oklahoma Baptist University infrastructure and placed maintenance bonds into effect.
• Approved the purchase of a SCBA Cascade System and a Fire Station Alerting System for Fire Station No. 1. The consent agenda was approved 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Glenn Peck questioned the need for a "Shawnee Downtown Revitalization Amendment Review Committee," stating it was "digging up bones" and would hinder city progress.
• Bryan Dozier, a React employee, highlighted the service's 30th anniversary (founded March 17, 1996). He provided statistics: React runs five full-time trucks, responded to 12,857 calls in 2025, operates self-sufficiently without financial support, and has responded to 282,710 calls for service since 1996. He thanked the city for its partnership.
• Mike Affentranger, co-chair of the POGO Built Environment Committee, expressed full support for agenda items 10 and 11 (Safe Streets for All Action Plan and Vision Zero resolution), framing them as important investments in the community's built environment and safety.
• Cyndi Berger argued for the separation of the Chamber of Commerce from economic development (Shawnee Forward). She also requested the city begin charging property tax to non-profits, stating that homeowners bear an unfair tax burden and that non-profits attract more homeless individuals to the city. She expressed frustration that groups like POGO have exclusive input on plans like SS4A.

Discussion Items

• Recognition: Mayor Stephens presented Certificates of Recognition to the Grove School Lady Basketball Team for winning the ORES Division III State Championship.
• Pet of the Month: Animal Control Officer Stephen Rice introduced "June," a dachshund and terrier mix available for adoption.
• Utility Rate Adjustments:
  • Water and Sewer: Director of Utility Billing Kacie Eck presented a proposal for a 2.7% increase tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), effective July 1, 2026. The combined minimum monthly bill increase is $1.19.
  • Solid Waste: A 3.5% rate increase was proposed, the maximum allowed under the city's contract with Central Disposal. The minimum monthly bill for a large polycart would increase by $0.88, and by $1.89 for a small polycart. Combined with the water/sewer increase, the minimum monthly bill for a large polycart would rise by $2.07.
• Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Action Plan & Vision Zero: Community Development Director Petya Stefanoff presented the plans. The SS4A plan uses local crash data and community engagement to align investments around reducing fatal crashes and supporting multi-modal transport. The Vision Zero Resolution formalizes a zero roadway fatalities policy. Commissioner Odneal confirmed the plan does not preclude a traffic commission. Both items are required for federal grant eligibility.
• UDC Amendments:
  • Real Estate Signs (UDC01-26): Approved an amendment exempting real estate signs from temporary sign regulations. Steve Reese spoke in favor during the public hearing, citing property rights. No one spoke against.
  • Single Family & Triplex Uses (UDC02-26): Approved an amendment allowing single-family uses in R-3 (High Density Residential) districts and correcting a "scribner's error" that prohibited triplexes in R-1 (Low Density Residential).
• Rezoning Requests:
  • 4411 North Aydelotte Street (RZ01-26): Proposed rezoning of a 0.21-acre lot from R-1 to C-1 to replace parking lost at the adjacent LifeSouth Plaza due to the 45th Street widening project. The Planning Commission had deferred the item. During the public hearing, Steve Reese, Rob Morris, and Cyndi Berger spoke against it, citing concerns about property values, traffic impacts on the adjacent neighborhood, and insufficient notice. Staff and several commissioners supported it to mitigate traffic congestion and support the major arterial street widening. Approved 6-1 (Commissioner Fichtner dissenting).
  • 541 West Poplar Street (RZ02-26): Approved rezoning from R-1 to MU (Mixed Use) to bring the property into compliance with its current commercial/residential use. Applicant Joseph Marshall and staff spoke in favor, noting the mixed-use district creates a transition zone between residential and major commercial corridors. Approved 7-0.
• Monthly Sales Tax Report: Finance Director Kimberly Hoover reported sales tax collections total $2,232,263 for March, but are $85,167 (3.68%) below budget projections year-to-date. Use tax collections are $49,459 (14.74%) below budget year-to-date. The general fund is currently $29,243 below budget projections.

Key Outcomes

• Water and Sewer Rates (Resolution 6783): Approved 7-0 for a 2.7% increase, effective July 1, 2026.
• Solid Waste Rates (Resolution 6784): Approved 6-1 for a 3.5% increase, effective July 1, 2026. Commissioner Fichtner dissented.
• Surplus Equipment Sale (Resolution 6785): Approved 7-0 to sell a 2008 SCBA Cascade System to the Allen Fire Department for $10,000.
• 9-1-1 Ordinance Renewal (Resolution 6786): Approved 7-0 for the period of April 6, 2026 to April 5, 2029.
• 9-1-1 Emergency Tax Rate (Resolution 6787): Approved 7-0.
• Safe Streets for All Action Plan & Vision Zero (Resolution 6788): Approved 7-0, adopting a zero roadway fatalities policy.
• UDC Amendments (Ordinances 2824NS, 2825NS): Approved 7-0.
• Rezoning 4411 N Aydelotte (Ordinance 2826NS): Approved 6-1. Commissioner Fichtner dissented.
• Rezoning 541 W Poplar (Ordinance 2827NS): Approved 7-0.