Month 1998-9 September


Meeting of 1998-9-17 Special Meeting



MINUTES
LAWTON CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 17, 1998 - 6:00 P.M.
SNOW HALL, BUILDING 730, CONFERENCE ROOM
FORT SILL, OKLAHOMA

Cecil E. Powell, Mayor,    Also Present:
Presiding    Bill Baker, Acting City Manager         John Vincent, City Attorney        Brenda Smith, City Clerk

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Powell. Notice of meeting and agenda were posted on the City Hall notice board as required by State law.

ROLL CALL
PRESENT:    G. Wayne Smith, Ward One
        Richard Williams, Ward Two
        Jeff Sadler, Ward Three
        John Purcell, Ward Four
        Robert Shanklin, Ward Five
        Charles Beller, Ward Six
        Stanley Haywood, Ward Seven
        Randy Warren, Ward Eight
ABSENT:    None.

BUSINESS ITEMS:

1.    Receive a briefing from Commanding General Baxter on the status of Fort Sill, its funding on a national level, and impact on Lawton-Fort Sill and Southwest Oklahoma.

Mayor Powell thanked General Baxter and Fort Sill for hosting the City Council meeting, stating it could be a record setting event for a local city council to convene a meeting on a military installation.

General Baxter said he appreciated the opportunity to spend time with the Council and that the City Attorney had discovered that this may be the first time the Lawton City Council, or any other city council, had convened on a military installation. He said he would talk about what Fort Sill brings to the area and ideas on how we can cooperate to the benefit of all citizens of Lawton-Fort Sill. Slide presentation was given by General Baxter. Copies of slides are on file in the City Clerk's Office and summarized as an attachment to these minutes.

Mayor Powell asked if there were questions. Beller asked what the $217 million Fort Sill budget  in 1987 would be equal to in today's dollars. General Baxter pointed out that it would be significantly more and that the current year's budget was about one-half of that number.

Beller asked about the composting and recycling programs. General Baxter said Fort Sill has those capabilities and it is having a difficult time with the implementation. Fort Sill is participating in the committee appointed by Mayor Powell to share the experiences they have had in trying to implement the programs. Mayor Powell said Dr. Musslewhite from Cameron is chairing the committee and it is very helpful to have a Fort Sill member.

Williams said he appreciated the briefing and would like to work toward cost reductions and improved services for both communities. He said legal issues may be involved and should be examined. General Baxter said there are legal issues, and legal interpretations to be made; legal interpretation should examine what the law does allow and then proceed to take advantage of those opportunities.

Haywood said Fort Sill previously had the Youth Opportunity Corps for employment of youth during the summer months, and that ASCOG currently has a summer youth employment program. He asked if Fort Sill planned to reactivate their program. General Baxter said it was an expensive but worthwhile program and the funding levels required that it be discontinued. Joint efforts in this regard may be looked at more closely.

Mayor Powell thanked General Baxter for his presentation and said it should help everyone understand more clearly what Fort Sill brings to this region of the state. General Baxter said Fort Sill medallions were being presented to the Mayor and Council to commemorate the meeting. Mayor Powell said we owe a great deal to Fort Sill and expressed appreciation for allowing the City Employee Picnic to be held at LETRA this Saturday.

2.    Consider authorizing staff to submit a grant application to the Oklahoma Conservation Commission / Environmental Protection Agency for McMahon Park Improvements. Exhibits: Location Map.

Baker said this is an initiative from the Public Works/Engineering Department. The Wolf Creek channel is adjacent to McMahon Park at 38th and Lee Boulevard. There have been concerns about flooding in the park as well as adjacent areas. Lawton can apply for a grant through the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and Environmental Protection Agency regarding the flooding to create a diversion channel and wetland area. Total project cost is estimated at $200,000; Lawton's share of 25%, or $50,600, would be through in-kind services of labor and equipment. Staff recommendation was for approval of the item and authorization to apply for the grant.

MOVED by Beller, SECOND by Smith, to authorize submission of the grant application. AYE: Williams, Sadler, Purcell, Shanklin, Beller, Haywood, Warren, Smith. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

3.    Consider authorizing the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute a Release of Liability allowing City crews to demolish a structure belonging to Union Pacific Railroad located at Railroad and "A" Avenue. Exhibits: Release of Liability from Union Pacific Railroad.
Baker said this item is the result of an effort by former Councilmember Carol Green to have an unsightly and dilapidated tool shed building removed from railroad right of way. The railroad cannot be required to remove it but has agreed to hold the City harmless if it desires to remove the structure. Public Works crews estimate removal would take four hours and staff requested authorization to execute the hold harmless documents and proceed with the project.

MOVED by Haywood, SECOND by Williams, to approve the staff  recommendation. AYE: Sadler, Purcell, Shanklin, Beller, Haywood, Warren, Smith, Williams. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

COMMENTS/REPORTS.

Warren said the Council recently met with the Comanche County Commissioners and may do so in the future, perhaps quarterly. He suggested General Baxter and appropriate Fort Sill personnel attend and participate in those meetings. Mayor Powell said that was an excellent suggestion and that he would seek input from Fort Sill in that regard.

Smith said a blood drive will be held October 20, from 1:00 to 4:00  p.m. for the City Hall, City Hall Annex, and the Library. Participation was encouraged.

Baker said he provided a memorandum to the Mayor and Council advising that he would be out of town from 3:00 p.m. Friday until Sunday evening.

Mayor Powell encouraged Council Members to submit needed information to the City Clerk in regard to the City Manager selection process.

Mayor Powell thanked Fort Sill for hosting this meeting and for the excellent cooperation and hospitality that it has shown to him and the Lawton community.

There was no further business to consider and the meeting adjourned at approximately 6:40 p.m.

ATTACHMENT TO SEPT, 1998, SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

SLIDE PRESENTATION SUMMARY

TITLE    CONTENT

Who We Are (populations)
U.S. Army Field Artillery School     8,700
IIId Armored Corps Artillery       7,500
    Civilian Employees       5,700
    Family Members     37,400
    Retirees     10,200

Some Economic Realities    
    Smaller Army
    Smaller Army Budget
    Lawton & Fort Sill inextricably linked
    Speak with one voice on issues of mutual concern

Fort Sill Operating Budget "Over the Years"
Bar graph showing 1978 to 1999 budget amounts ranging from $151 million in 1978 to $217 million in 1987 to $109 million in 1999

How Money is Spent Locally
Contracts 32%; Utilities 6%; Supplies 12%; Travel 3%; Civilian Pay 47%; FY98 $115 million

Economic Value of Fort Sill to SW Oklahoma
Graph showing FY 92 to FY 97 ranging from $1.148 billion in FY92 to $0.942 billion in FY97

Economic Value of Fort Sill to SW Oklahoma
    Military Pay     $331 M
    Civilian Pay         80 M
    Contracts         75 M
    Supplies, Equipment, Travel         92 M
    Retail Expenditures (AAFES & Commissary)  62 M
    Retired Pay       277 M
    Military Construction, Army         11 M
    Impact Aid    3.1 M
    Legal Claims Paid           1 M
    TRICARE & Supplemental Medical Care         10 M
    TOTAL:     $942 Million

People Supported by Ft Sill
Bar graph showing FY91 to FY98 for Family Members, Military, Retired, Civilian; totals ranged from $69,815 in FY91 to 70,474 in FY98

Where Fort Sill Soldiers Live
    Total On-Post Housing Units     8,160
       Barracks/BOQ/Visitor        6,670
       Guest Quarters       75
        Family Housing    1,415
    Total Off-Post Housing Units     4,844
        Rented    3,338
        Owner-Occupied    1,506
    TOTAL HOUSING UNITS:     13,000

Where Our Employees Live
Location    Number Employed    Average Salary
    Cache      54    $31,709
    Chattanooga      4    36,994
    Elgin    51    35,530
    Faxon       8    31,746
    Fletcher    51    32,218
    Ft Sill    74    28,352
    Geronimo    11    37,413
    Indiahoma      9    27,058
    Lawton    1,280    33,203
    Medicine Park       5    31,956
    Sterling    15    34,867
    1,562 Employees - $32,974 Average Salary
    Comanche County Per Capita Income $17,090

Child Education Enrollment
    Lawton City Schools    5,625
    Special Needs       449
    Total Fort Sill Children Enrolled:    6,074
    Federal School Impact Aid: $3.1 Million

Adult Education Enrollment
    Cameron University    4,340
       Active Duty    3,015
       Family Members    1,325
    Great Plains Vo Tech       342
    On-Post Adult Enrollment    6,815
        Pikes Peak Comm. Coll.    1,373
        Basic Skills Course       317
        Graduate Programs        865
          (OU, OCU, Webster, Cameron)
    Computer-Based Instruction     4,260
    TOTAL FORT SILL ADULTS ENROLLED:         11,497

Community Support
    Civilian Aviation - Radar Support
    Army Career & Alumni Program
Technology Partnerships: Advancia, TELOS, AST, FSMSI, TMI, Eagle Systems, Stellar Environmental
Police & Fire Department Interfaces: E-911, Cooperative Training, Counter Drug/Counter Gang Programs, Mutual Aid Agreements
Emergency & Disaster Support: Explosive Ordnance Disposal, MEDEVAC/MAST, Red Cross
Medical Programs: TRICARE/Concordia/Medicare Subvention, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Coverage, Human Services Work Training Program, Blood and Organ Exchange, Ambulance Services Agreements, New Directions Shelter for Battered Women, Cameron & VoTech Training Programs
Social Programs & Events: Armed Services YMCA, Co-Op, Cameron-Fort Sill Mutual Interest Group, Wings of Eagles, Army Partnership with Lawton Area Schools, Holidays, Parades, International Festival, etc.
Recently Completed Projects 1995-1999
Tincher Child Development Center    $5.9 M
      & Frontier Chapel
    Fire Station    1.6 M
    Center for Environmental Initiatives and       4.2 M
      Hands-On Training (CEIHOT)
    2 Wash Racks     12.1 M
    Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area (LETRA)       4.9 M
    Post Exchange      10.1 M
    Repair/Replace Barracks & Admin Bldgs      58.6 M
    Total Neighborhood Revitalization       7.6 M
    Youth Center       2.6 M
    Finance & Accounting Services Bldg      12.8 M
    Motor Pool Roof Repair    100 K
    Sheridan Theater Roof & HVAC Repair            112 K
    Parking Lot           150 K
    Reinhart Gym Floor & Roof Repair            500 K

Funded Near Term Projects   1999-2000
    Single Soldiers Barracks                       $25.0 M
    1 + 1 Barracks (Phase I)      8.0 M
    Sheridan Road Fire Station      1.5 M
    1 + 1 Barracks (Phase II)    21.0 M
    MLRS Motor Pools (Phase I of X)    14.2 M
    Vehicle Fuels Facility      3.5 M
    Total Neighborhood Revitalization    13.8 M
    Red Cross Case Mgmt Center/ACS      1.0 M
    3 Battalion Admin Bldgs      1.1 M
    Snow Hall Renovation      3.6 M

Future Facilities Projects
    FY 99 Single Soldiers Quarters    $17.0 M
    FY 00 ASMP Railhead    13.2 M
    Geronimo Lodge Expansion      3.3 M
    Gunner's Inn Renovation      1.2 M
    FY01 Golf Course Renovation    11.4 M
    Motor Pools    19.5 M
    FY 02 New Bowling Center      3.1 M
    Unit Movement Facility      3.5 M
    FY 03 Roller Skating Rink        .650 K
    Motor Pools      3.5 M
    ASMP Contingency Warehouse      1.0 M
    ASMP Stock Warehouse      7.6 M
    Field Maintenance Complex    25.0 M
    FA Instructional Building    15.0 M
    FY 04 North Post Youth Center      2.8 M

Opportunities for  Economic Development
Southwest Oklahoma Concert Center
Golf Course Renovation; Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area; "Project Millennium" Museum Project; Artillery Bowl Revitalization; Cooperative use of facilities

Some Possibilities???
Shared public transportation systems; Joint hosting of major sports events - bicycle races, golf tournaments, boxing, wrestling; Joint hosting of corporate/educational conferences; Schedules coordination committee; Joint major construction projects; Single supplies purchasing point; Shared commercial vehicle fleet and maintenance facility; City representative in McNair Hall; Combined Post Exchange-Shopping Mall; Merged youth centers; "Six Flags over Lawton-Fort Sill"; The Lawton-Fort Sill Sports Dome; Community sponsored Olympic Games; Joint tourism and advisory board; Combined refuse, recycling, mulching and compost programs

Fort Sill Soldiers...
Are not represented in the City Council
    Usually don't vote locally
    Don't sit on school boards
    Don't pay Oklahoma income taxes
    Do pay sales, gasoline, utilities and every other kind of tax

The Bottom Line...
    Lawton & Fort Sill are one community
    Cooperative efforts benefit everyone
    Vast potential in Southwest Oklahoma

END SLIDE PRESENTATION