Shawnee City Commission Meeting - July 20, 2026

The Board of City Commissioners met on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Commission Chambers at City Hall in Shawnee, Oklahoma. All seven commissioners were present. The meeting included citizen comments, approval of consent items, an executive session, and decisions on several ordinances, permits, and contracts. The meeting adjourned at 7:34 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (7-0) all items on the consent agenda, including: minutes from June 15, 2026; minutes and reports from Planning Commission and Shawnee Beautification, Parks, and Recreation Committee; June 2026 license and project payment reports; appointment of Dell Kerbs to the Airport Advisory Board (1st full term expiring July 1, 2029); lake lease transfer (Eckel Tract Lot 5 from Murphy 2015 Revocable Trust to Charles H Goff II); renewals of agreements with Shawnee Shotgun Club, Shawnee Trap Club, Youth and Family Resource Center, Pottawatomie County District Court, Crawford and Associates, and Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center for Jail Services; budget amendments for FY 2025-2026 and FY 2026-2027 (including Cintas Settlement allocation, property sale proceeds for police vehicles, and creation of Health Self-Insur Fund); change order for SW Loop Water Main Project; purchases of Paladin Drones, Fire Department vehicles (Chief 1 and Training 1), a Broce Broom, and a Kubota Tractor; Memorandum of Understanding for demolition of Washington Elementary School; and Facilities Use Agreement with Gordon Cooper Technology Center.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joey Ward reported that after a storm on June 26, OG&E contractor White Tree Service trimmed trees but did not remove limbs at 1414 North Draper. He asked for help contacting OG&E to clear the debris and noted that power lines in the area remain overgrown, urging the city to press OG&E to fulfill its vegetation management promises.
• Rob Morris requested that the appointment of Dell Kerbs (Agenda Item 4c) be tabled until after a county runoff election, arguing a county commissioner should not serve on a city committee unless it is joint. He also questioned the Farrall Park project budget, asking for the total public cost and whether the community center is included, and criticized the park committee formation as lacking transparency. He raised concerns about possible lead paint and asbestos in the Washington Elementary demolition, suggesting the $78,000 cost may increase, and asked how much additional city money would be spent beyond the $3.5 million from the Viets.
• Cyndi Berger thanked Animal Control for addressing a dead cat removal and suggested fines for feeding stray cats. She opposed Dell Kerbs being appointed to city boards, alleging over-involvement and a potential conflict of interest, noting the city donated to his nonprofit for Christmas but not for Fourth of July events.

Discussion Items

• Presentation of Certificates of Election and Swearing In: Mayor Stephens presented certificates to Ward One Commissioner Daniel Matthews and Ward Six Commissioner Lauren Richter. City Clerk Lisa Lasyone administered the oath of office to both.
• Pet of the Month: Animal Control Officer Jesse Gallaway introduced Dots, a four-year-old female Catahoula mix, described as good with kids and other pets and available for adoption.
• Executive Session (Item 6): A motion to enter executive session under 25 O.S. §307(B)(4) to discuss confidential attorney-client communications regarding a pending investigation passed 5-2 (Commissioners Shuler and Odneal dissenting). The commission entered at 6:13 PM and exited at 6:51 PM. No action was taken afterward (Item 7).
• Farrall Park Design Services Contract (Item 8): Parks and Recreation Director Kerri Foster presented a contract with PDG, LLC for design services including surveying, geotechnical, public engagement, master planning, and construction documents. The design phase is expected to take 4-6 months and remain community-driven. The total project budget is $3.25 million (from a $3.5 million gift). The commission approved the contract 7-0.
• Public Conduct Ordinance (Items 9-10): City Attorney Joe Vorndran explained that Ordinance No. 2828NS amends Article VI of Chapter 20 to prohibit camping and public defecation/urination within city limits, with revisions removing references to recreational vehicles to avoid discouraging travel-related activity. The requirement for police to check shelter availability before citing was removed, consistent with the Supreme Court's Grants Pass decision. An emergency clause was attached. Both items passed 7-0.
• Conditional Use Permit for Swimming Pool (Items 11-12): Community Development Director Petya Stefanoff reported that the applicant Jeremiah Johnson met all requirements for a CUP (Case No. CUP02-26) at 34102 Lake Road. A public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers. The permit was approved 7-0.
• Revised Final Plat – Adcock Addition Phase 1 (Item 13): Petya Stefanoff explained that the applicant revised the plat to designate a street as private instead of reconstructing a driveway approach per city engineering requirements. Staff recommended approval; the commission approved 7-0.
• Economic Development Services Contract Reconsideration (Items 14-15): City Attorney Vorndran explained that Item 14 was a procedural vote to reconsider a contract (Item 15) that failed on a 3-2-1 vote in May. Four affirmative votes were needed to reconsider. No motion was made, so the item died and Item 15 was not considered.
• Whistleblower Complaint Resolution (Item 16): Vorndran presented a resolution acknowledging a whistleblower complaint received October 5, 2025, regarding alleged financial misconduct at the Shawnee Hospital Authority. The complaint was referred to the District Attorney's office on October 6, 2025, which confirmed an ongoing investigation. The resolution expressed support for the DA and requested a forensic audit. Commissioners debated the necessity and appropriateness of the resolution, noting the city lacks authority to order an audit and that no similar resolution had been passed during Vorndran's tenure. No motion was made.
• Monthly Sales Tax Report (Item 17): Finance Director Kimberly Hoover reported July 2026 sales tax collections (for June sales) totaled $2,572,115.37 (including $3,429.58 in interest), a 3.33% increase over July 2025. However, collections were 2.11% below the year-to-date budget projection. Use tax collections were up approximately $67,132 or 18.29% above budget year-to-date. Combined general fund sales and use tax exceeded budget by $53,487. A multi-city comparison chart and year-over-year trends were presented.
• Commissioners Comments: Vice Mayor Matthews thanked the city manager for action on Beard Cabin, addressed OG&E vegetation issues and a recent meeting with city leadership, and clarified that the city does not own or operate flock cameras (issued by the state insurance department). Commissioner Shuler emphasized shopping local. Commissioner Odneal also promoted shopping local, confirmed flock cameras are not city-owned, and noted a well-attended community meeting for the Farrall Park project. Commissioner Fichtner praised the rodeo and downtown improvements, and congratulated Matthews and Richter on re-election. Commissioner Sehorn reflected on his eight years in office, affirming the commission's commitment to the city. Commissioner Richter highlighted the rodeo's success and the August 7-9 tax-free weekend. Mayor Stephens commented on the 250th anniversary of the United States, OG&E vegetation management, the rodeo (over 930 contestants), and encouraged use of the city website portal to report potholes and other issues.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (7-0): Consent Agenda items 4(a-o).
• Approved (5-2): Executive session (Item 6).
• No action: Matters from executive session (Item 7).
• Approved (7-0): Design services contract for Farrall Park with PDG, LLC (Item 8).
• Approved (7-0): Ordinance amending Article VI of Chapter 20 (Camping/public conduct prohibitions) including emergency clause (Items 9 and 10).
• Approved (7-0): Conditional Use Permit for swimming pool at 34102 Lake Road (Item 12).
• Approved (7-0): Revised Final Plat for Adcock Addition, Phase 1 (Item 13).
• No action: Reconsideration of economic development services contract (Item 14); Item 15 not considered.
• No action: Resolution regarding whistleblower complaint and forensic audit (Item 16).
• Acknowledged: Monthly sales tax report (Item 17).
• New Business: None.