[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6265687,"mediaKeyId","3089054-0832f80b4f31ae31a9f1d56e1bbd42a9","parentId",3089054,"title","Shawnee commission approves fire truck purchase, transitional housing contract and airport grant authority; affirms interim city manager","audioSeconds",3789,"startMs",5674000,"endMs",9463000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089054-0832f80b4f31ae31a9f1d56e1bbd42a9&start=5674&end=9463","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089054-0832f80b4f31ae31a9f1d56e1bbd42a9/thumbnail_5674000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6265687/Shawnee/Pottawatomie-County/Oklahoma/Shawnee-commission-approves-fire-truck-purchase-transitional-housing-contract-and-airport-grant-authority-affirms-interim-city-manager","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265687-bfb00c0438bc9213f45ae9aadc693791/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186590&Signature=dgsFMcJdtJKxYuPAHg35t7HIclcHjZNPOzLIgvjANv4UgR4e7YFkEF8v2M4ZIo1zlwjp7sd2noK~dIUP2kz~75ZYKdqEw0rgYdV34XGcSYRCcP0I2jmMEZqeWMmtcv4u5gntxqAmJ0FPZpTMKhFyWX1XUCbHXRzXMZ4W3SgIakmm-J2AAk3OyETsr1~o0KRkNaLDcXaMSXBG3ODt9Im05DPV7hsVMTHhTTTvn05KP3OnFpDyotY2-4m-b-VOkkMBcj8B9FQ4o2Zzn2nsun-nPcNBElbbrRD9J2~IVJ7Ix-kQU8I6mFx6np1cH3spiVmQhn8eafWQ9MqjILkqcNgWAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Shawnee, OK","date","2025-04-23T05:02:48.95Z","article","The City Commission of Shawnee approved several formal actions at its April meeting, including a municipal fire apparatus purchase, a one-year contract for transitional housing administration, authority to accept Federal Aviation Administration grant offers for airport rehabilitation projects, authorization to obtain appraisals of airport property, and an affirmation of the interim city manager after an executive session.

Key votes and outcomes

- Fire engine/rescue pumper purchase (Item 7): The commission approved the purchase of an E-1 rescue pumper truck under a Sourcewell cooperative contract with Baynard Fire Equipment for $733,375. Staff said advancing the purchase would retire aging apparatus, reduce out-of-service time and secure favorable pricing and a faster delivery window; staff reported this price represented nearly $300,000 in savings compared with an earlier budgeted vehicle. The motion carried 7-0.

- Project Safe transitional housing contract (Item 8): The commission approved a one-year contract (renewable) with Project Safe to administer transitional housing and case management services at a ShURA-owned dwelling at 425 S. Chapman. Staff described the arrangement as Project Safe performing tenant screening, landlord liaison and case management on the city’s behalf. The motion carried 7-0.

- FAA grants for Shawnee Regional Airport (Item 2, later in the agenda): The commission authorized the city manager to accept grant offers from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration for construction of a taxi lane for T-hangars, rehabilitation of an existing T-hangar taxi lane and rehabilitation of the main aircraft parking apron at Shawnee Regional Airport, and to execute related grant paperwork in order to meet FAA deadlines. Bonnie Wilson presented the schedule and staff asked the commission to allow the city manager to execute grant applications and accept offers as numbers are finalized. The motion carried 7-0.

- Appraisals for airport property (Item 3, later): The commission authorized the interim city manager to enter into contracts to obtain appraisals of airport property to determine fair market value and maintain FAA compliance; staff said the aggregate cost exceeded the city manager’s administrative spending authority and thus required commission authorization. The motion carried 7-0.

- Affirmation of interim city manager (executive session outcome): After an executive session, the commission moved to withdraw a prior recommendation to form a search committee, to affirm the appointment of Mark Simpson as interim city manager, and to set a formal review of the interim city manager for the August 2025 meeting. The motion carried 7-0.

Other procedural actions

- Consent agenda: The commission approved the consent agenda (minutes and routine items) by a 7-0 vote.

Staff and presenters

Presentations and items were delivered by a mix of department staff and outside partners: a fire department representative presented the engine replacement rationale and cost; Ryan Harkins and a Project Safe representative answered questions on the transitional housing contract; Bonnie Wilson outlined FAA grant timing and application constraints; and Mark Simpson spoke as interim city manager regarding airport appraisals and managerial housekeeping.

The commission’s approvals authorized staff to proceed with procurement and contract steps contingent on standard bid procedures and grant receipts; several items noted that final contract awards or construction would be contingent on receipt of grant funds or final bid analysis.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commission Meeting 4/21/2025 City of Shawnee Oklahoma","oneSentenceSummary","At its April meeting the commission approved a rescue pumper purchase, a one-year transitional housing contract with Project Safe, authorized staff to apply for FAA airport grants and to obtain appraisals, and affirmed the interim city manager; all roll-call votes were unanimous except one 6-1 vote on the kayak relocation directive.","taxTitle","Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma","taxId",55261,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6265692,"City staff outlines vacant-structure registration plan for downtown, suggests phased approach and education period",739,3664000,4403000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089054-0832f80b4f31ae31a9f1d56e1bbd42a9&start=3664&end=4403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089054-0832f80b4f31ae31a9f1d56e1bbd42a9/thumbnail_3664000.jpg","/articles/6265692/Shawnee/Pottawatomie-County/Oklahoma/City-staff-outlines-vacant-structure-registration-plan-for-downtown-suggests-phased-approach-and-education-period","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265692-dd64f9ddbfdb70610821a59171399a76/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186590&Signature=hcR7E2IcOonEWTMHnCzrEyY0qlw7X7cFTX2KF1qcoGCR5umHb48qDZhdJzgRn31wj~WXLUCJVfxE1HOgMzECbxWWXi1irXExTrR7muynEOjrAdmtxyoEd3jUmc4U3elh1ZPCe~rhlgnz7StTnrMQTHCSjkBxsGuEU2E-VluC6UaQJRbiWrWw1s~r7N5yijoWfgVoSXteKerTIVVvCDpy0KAB~21dAXjpM83PD1rIt4ean02jN~HHcfh-zUORNPt8-2nDQ2IY234Hb8LIi8yDJs7pP4DiMm~fOpWu7KY6ydXR1eJskLsoYZUWoT6LV~s3uB2rrR5Aw2O3GBS6fdXdEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented an overview of a possible vacant-structure registration ordinance designed to reduce blight, decrease criminal activity and encourage redevelopment in downtown Shawnee. Staff recommended a phased, targeted approach with a period of education and negotiation for property owners before penalties or fees apply.

Joe Bondren, a city staff member, told commissioners the problem included \"blight that can be created, unfavorable aesthetics,\" decreased property values and safety risks such as fire hazards when vacant buildings are breached. Bondren said staff had surveyed about 20 model ordinances and distilled nine points the commission should consider, grouped into registration, tracking and penalties.

The nine elements staff highlighted included: an enforced registry that multiple city agencies (police, fire, code enforcement) can add properties to; required annual inspections; a licensure-style registry with annual fees that can escalate the longer a property remains vacant; minimum aesthetic standards for commercial façades in key corridors; a period of education and negotiated improvement plans before fines; a requirement that absentee owners name a local agent for emergency response; progressive fees and penalties; proof of liability insurance for registered vacant buildings; and a phased geographic and temporal rollout so staff capacity is not overwhelmed.

Bondren said other municipalities reported success when police or fire could place properties on a registry immediately after an incident and when the city targeted small geographic areas to work out administrative kinks before broader implementation. He recommended that if the commission was interested staff could draft an ordinance for consideration at the next meeting and suggested an effective date no earlier than Sept. 1 to allow education and negotiation with owners.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether vacant land would be covered, how quickly identification of vacant structures would occur, and whether fees should differ by residential versus commercial buildings. Bondren said some model ordinances included vacant land for minimum-aesthetic requirements, but typical code enforcement for vacant lots focuses on weed and nuisance codes; identification methods ranged from systematic sweeps of a defined downtown area to an organic accumulation of properties reported by fire, police or code enforcement; and most ordinances set separate, typically lower, fees for residential structures versus commercial properties.

Staff emphasized the administrative workload of inspection and enforcement and advised a targeted geographic rollout to match current staffing levels. No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; staff asked for direction and, if the commission desires, said a draft could be ready next month for further discussion.","Staff presented nine recommended elements for a vacant-structure registration ordinance aimed at curbing blight, reducing crime and encouraging redevelopment in downtown Shawnee; commissioners asked questions and staff proposed a draft ordinance next month and a phased implementation with an education period.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6265697,"Shawnee commissioners direct staff to move adaptive kayak launch at Lake 2 to fishing dock, vote 6-1",372,2969000,3341000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089054-0832f80b4f31ae31a9f1d56e1bbd42a9&start=2969&end=3341","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089054-0832f80b4f31ae31a9f1d56e1bbd42a9/thumbnail_2969000.jpg","/articles/6265697/Shawnee/Pottawatomie-County/Oklahoma/Shawnee-commissioners-direct-staff-to-move-adaptive-kayak-launch-at-Lake-2-to-fishing-dock-vote-6-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265697-748f737309746a440eaf8e1c98a4fe0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186590&Signature=KsQtZaL5k93OtmTN8xbHZM63fG9T4eHfnPeet5JEtNwo~tK6m8d206tGHKl9lzVe7xbkT5MJHOulgiV2-wzFovXswPqLpMimN2n3F-0TDDFk-jx2uHh35c6Sdp9dalseVBxxr1dl8lXdNLXbtgqxHyX-p9hb3IlpjxSQUzSE6r8Kyo~JNiZ8iHVhziL2Hq6DGAOcoX3ouXRK~9nyTQnDe9TQ0JY56X~W-eb1zl0i1tJ83Nmi2kMBw2cR2mGmQxOpqN2OtYHeg6OheWPhz8dLcqo0gq1WOlyqiDlYJJ8aV6EMs6U4Sr7RJaK0AjEELGwC082O-KW3dbiKqKOKm5K2hQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shawnee City Commissioners voted 6-1 to direct staff to relocate the city’s adaptive kayak launch from its current canal location to the fishing dock at Lake 2 and to pursue the actions necessary to make the new site compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

City staff presented the item as a follow-up to prior reports and asked the commission for a directive. A staff member said the agenda placement was intended \"as a follow-up action to last month's administrative report regarding the kayak launch\" and asked the commission for direction on previously discussed options.

The commission debated three broad priorities: ensure the dock is in the water, honor donor intent, and make the facility accessible and ADA-compliant. Commissioners and staff described three cost options: a minimal approach previously discussed at about $60,000 that would create a striped parking stall and a compliant sidewalk attachment to the existing location; a larger full-design option that had been engineered and estimated in the low-to-mid $300,000 range; and intermediate approaches that would add parking, an ADA drop-off courtyard, restroom provisions and hard surfacing. Staff noted the project was partially funded in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at about $260,000 but the engineering estimate had been “north of $300,000.”

During public comment, Martin DeNoto, a downtown property owner and insurance professional, urged the commission not to accept the cheaper $60,000 plan if it would leave users — including people in wheelchairs and their caregivers — unable to use the site without hauling equipment long distances. DeNoto said asking people to carry or drag a kayak \"no less than 68 yards\" would make the launch effectively inaccessible and called the idea of the cheapest option \"inhumane, disrespectful, self righteous.\" She also raised concerns about lack of restroom access and vehicle drop-off access for people with disabilities.

After debate, a commissioner moved and a motion was seconded to relocate the active kayak launch to the fishing dock at Lake 2 and to direct staff to take the actions necessary to make that relocation ADA-compliant and accessible. The motion carried 6-1.

The commission did not adopt final construction documents or set a firm budget in the meeting; staff said costs and schedules depend on the design selected and available funding. Staff indicated the $60,000 option did not include restroom facilities and would require extensive concessions to accessibility, while the full design includes parking for trailers and non-trailer vehicles, ADA stalls, hard surfacing and a potential bathroom. Staff said the project has been discussed in the CIP for multiple years but was never fully funded.

Commissioners asked staff to return with design, cost and funding options and to respect donor intent for any relocated facility. No funding appropriation was approved that evening; the action directed staff to proceed with planning and procurement steps necessary to relocate and make the dock compliant.

The relocation directive follows months of public comment and prior staff reports on the kayak launch and represents a policy direction rather than a contract award or construction authorization.","After months of debate over cost and accessibility, the City Commission voted 6-1 to direct staff to relocate the adaptive kayak launch from its current canal site to the fishing dock at Lake 2 and make it ADA-compliant.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Shawnee commission approves fire truck purchase, transitional housing contract and airport grant authority; affirms interim city manager

City staff outlines vacant-structure registration plan for downtown, suggests phased approach and education period

Shawnee commissioners direct staff to move adaptive kayak launch at Lake 2 to fishing dock, vote 6-1