MINUTES

SPECIAL CALLED MEETING

LAWTON CITY COUNCIL

SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 - 6:00 P.M.

WAYNE GILLEY CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER

Mayor Cecil E. Powell,        Also Present:

Presiding        Bill Baker, City Manager

            John Vincent, City Attorney

            Brenda Smith, City Clerk

            LTC Anthony Puckett, Fort Sill Liaison

            

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 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

        James H. Hanna, Ward Two

        Glenn Devine, Ward Three

        John Purcell, Ward Four

        Robert Shanklin, Ward Five

        Barbara Moeller, Ward Six

        Stanley Haywood, Ward Seven

        Michael Baxter, Ward Eight

ABSENT:    None.

BUSINESS ITEMS:

1.    Consider authorizing staff to prepare an agreement with Lawton Public School for enhancing the planned usage of the East Side Park and adjoining area. Exhibits: Map.

Gary Salva, Parks & Recreation Director, said staff met with the Superintendent of Schools last week to provide an update on the planning and design of the East Side Park. He presented viewgraphs showing boundaries of the park. Ideas discussed with the Superintendent were that LPS has tennis courts in this area, which are available to the public, so LPS tennis courts by MacArthur High School could be used by the public and the City could provide access to the property. The City would construct a baseball complex and 250 car parking lot, and the school's parking lot could be used for overflow parking on a two or three times a year basis when needed. Another area owned by LPS could be designed by the City to be used as a passive recreation area with a walking trail but no structures or ballfields, and the City and Schools could work together to provide access to a pond and wetland and use it as an educational feature. Salva said the ideas were ways to enhance what is being planned for the park and requested permission to ask the architect to prepare conceptual plans and prepare an agreement with LPS for future consideration to allow for this type of cooperation.

2.    Consider adopting an ordinance amending Chapter 7, Lawton City Code, 1995, Section 7-2304 relating to the use of sound-amplifying equipment in residential areas; and declaring an emergency. Exhibits: Ordinance 00-29.

Baker said he was approached by citizens planning a wedding, and when they applied for a permit for sound amplification, it was discovered that the City Code does not allow a permit to be issued for a residential area; permits can be issued in parks, commercial and industrial areas. He said the Code amendment would allow him to permit these activities and he will develop criteria to be fair and equitable.

Purcell asked if this is done in a neighborhood at 11 p.m., can the neighbors still call the police and report a problem. Baker said yes, the remaining portions of the Code would apply.

(Title read by Clerk)    Ordinance 00-29

An ordinance related to the use of sound-amplifying equipment, amending Section 7-2304, Chapter 7, Lawton City Code, 1995, by authorizing the City Manager to grant exceptions to the prohibition against the use of sound-amplifying equipment in residential areas; and declaring an emergency.

VOTE ON MOTION: AYE: Smith, Hanna, Devine, Purcell, Shanklin, Moeller, Haywood, Baxter. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

Baker said individuals will still have to apply for permits and the permit will have to be issued; this does not waive the requirement for the permit but only makes it possible to have this in residential areas.

3.    Pursuant to Section 307B(3), Title 25, Oklahoma Statutes, consider convening in executive session to discuss the acquisition of property in the vicinity of Greer Park on 38th Street, and if necessary, take appropriate action in open session. Exhibits: None.

The Mayor and Council convened in executive session at 6:35 p.m. and reconvened in special, open session at 6:50 p.m. with roll call reflecting all members present.

Vincent reported executive session was held pursuant to Section 307B(3), Title 25, Oklahoma Statutes, to consider the acquisition of property in the vicinity of Greer Park on 38th Street. He said Council would take proposals under advisement.

COMMENTS.

Baker said the Neighborhood Services Supervisor started work today, her name is Angie Alltizer and she will be at the next Council meeting to be introduced.

Mayor Powell said exit reports from the National Softball Tournament were excellent, along with comments about the facilities, organization and administration. He said it was very positive. Smith said lighting and irrigation are needed for the south field because it takes staff one week to prepare that field.

Hanna said the International Festival will be held September 22, 23 and 24 and they will be charging $1 admission. He said he was totally against charging admission because he felt it would drive people away. Mayor Powell said it would seem they would have a hard time collecting it also. Hanna said festivals held in other cities do not charge admission.

Purcell said Parks and Recreation, as well as some staff from other departments, did an excellent job at the tournament last weekend.

Purcell said he and Moeller attended a meeting today with the Cemetery Board. He said the Board has the authority under State law and City Charter to make whatever changes they feel are appropriate but they wanted the Council to be part of it because they knew Council members would receive the phone calls. Purcell suggested a joint meeting of the Council and the Cemetery Board, and a quick tour, then a meeting. He said when you see the condition at the cemetery, the suggestions were reasonable. Purcell said some of their rules go back to 1940 and are not being enforced in an attempt to be nice to people, but some people have put rocks around the edges of graves and other things that make it impossible to maintain the area.  He said the staff wanted to give people six months' notice of any changes and to have that out prior to the next growing season.

Moeller said she supported Hanna's comments about the International Festival and that a charge did not need to be imposed.

Moeller said the end of year report for the hotel/motel tax was due July 30, has been requested, and it is now 30 days late, and they have not complied with requests by Mr. Baker or Mr. Livingston.

Baxter said he supported Hanna's comments about the International Festival charge. Mayor Powell said Baker advised him that was set up by a committee and he asked Baker to speak to the committee. Baker said he and Salva would forward Council's comments. Baxter said he usually attends the event but would not do so if there was $1 charge, and it was not the amount but the principal of the matter.

Mayor Powell said September 17 is the City employee picnic at LETRA. Moeller said she would volunteer to help if needed.

Baxter asked how we were progressing with City offices staying open at lunch time to accommodate the general public with their business. Baker said that started today, one was not open and it will not happen again.

There being no further business to consider, the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. upon motion, second and roll call vote.