[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6543497,"mediaKeyId","3524213-5d2d41a69a243963ad56b254f6a93368","parentId",3524213,"title","Votes at a glance: Lawton City Council and Lawton Water Authority actions","audioSeconds",2350,"startMs",6098000,"endMs",8448000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3524213-5d2d41a69a243963ad56b254f6a93368&start=6098&end=8448","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3524213-5d2d41a69a243963ad56b254f6a93368/thumbnail_6098000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6543497/Oklahoma/Votes-at-a-glance-Lawton-City-Council-and-Lawton-Water-Authority-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543497-f46b56a270b1fd55d45a1bcf84deea90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771088742&Signature=GZceI8ucwSvzr2qZw~T6FHNZIKHWJqSjXD~4S0av~e~RglO1ia5qyqUGws28K3~STBU94vffb4x3xu48s5WRCM~W4q8yyfI~Z2~JKruWNt0OvDrjOq6JOYWCMyRWZzXADkV7i7CyKW-GWpdQcznTvoeYRsHH-C1ZuqK7vIpERwM42xoo9jc5yySiYyWHShkmSvTgY1fRSS6abDCc9WQn4GeYxgI6zjoMIA~0eG0NG4c1-5onTvM~5DqQwPZSbpD4qCDWZ10jZHHUMQ4~8UEoYuBjGatR-TCsZ34csi0-Bc7OdZmrzUw5-2Jtw1FdBYfJ7o5Vz6DiwxFQ7iQO6Wh8bA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council Meetings","date","2025-05-20T20:08:00Z","article","Below are the formal actions and recorded outcomes from the Lawton Water Authority special meeting and the Lawton City Council regular meeting. Where the roll call was recorded in the transcript, vote responses are listed; where only \"motion carries\" was recorded, the outcome is noted as carried per the meeting record.

- Lawton Water Authority resolution (special meeting): \"Resolution 25-blank amending the water rate for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and adopting the amended fee schedule.\" Outcome: approved by roll call (Hankins Booker — yes; Smith — yes; Gil — yes; Hampton — yes; Williams — yes; Warren — yes).

- Consent agenda (City Council): Motion to approve consent agenda with exception of item 6 (tort claims). Outcome: motion carried (vote recorded in meeting; roll call not transcribed in full here).

- Tort claim: Keith Roberts (claim for $92,000). Motion: deny claim. Outcome: motion carried; claim denied.

- Tort claim: Leonel (Pewewardy) (claim for $9,500). Motion: deny claim. Outcome: motion carried; claim denied.

- FY26 budget (Agenda item 35). Motion: approve FY26 budget (City Manager's proposal). Outcome: approved; mayor recorded yes vote and motion carried.

- Hotel/motel tax funding recommendations (Agenda item 36). Motion: approve staff recommendations. Outcome: motion carried.

- Resolution repealing prior drainage-fund resolution and transferring fund balances (Agenda item 37). Motion: approve. Outcome: motion carried.

- Ordinance amending stormwater and floodplain management code sections, clarifying committee responsibilities and uses of stormwater maintenance fee (Agenda item 38). Motion: waive reading, read title and approve ordinance. Outcome: ordinance approved; motion carried.

- Resolution amending fee schedule to merge stormwater management and drainage maintenance fees (Agenda item 39). Motion: approve. Outcome: motion carried; staff to update billing language.

- Motion to enter executive session for CDBG and housing-related matter (pursuant to 25 O.S. §307(B)(4)) and to review city manager employment (pursuant to 25 O.S. §307(B)(1)). Motion and roll call recorded; council convened in executive session. The transcript records no subsequent formal action on those matters; minutes state \"no action is necessary.\"

- Motion to adjourn: carried.

For actions where the transcript recorded a full roll call during the vote, the individual responses are included. Where the transcript indicates only \"motion carries\" without an itemized roll call, the article records the outcome as carried per the meeting record.

If council or staff require a full roll-call transcript or certified minutes for any specific agenda item, staff minutes and the official meeting video/transcript should be consulted for exact vote sequencing and times.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 27, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of motions and formal votes recorded in the Lawton Water Authority special meeting and the Lawton City Council meeting.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings, Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma","taxId",69683,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6543502,"Council merges stormwater and drainage maintenance divisions, consolidates fees with no net increase",503,5532000,6035000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3524213-5d2d41a69a243963ad56b254f6a93368&start=5532&end=6035","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3524213-5d2d41a69a243963ad56b254f6a93368/thumbnail_5532000.jpg","/articles/6543502/Oklahoma/Council-merges-stormwater-and-drainage-maintenance-divisions-consolidates-fees-with-no-net-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543502-d4de642b0417ff698807cb62f9f9d6c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771088742&Signature=aydAYDf88ThbxNmBKUa9U03XQb~KRilyPNdsmX-vRAPaB~Sd4~K9u3G~O726xYFZ0~LPcaMh3FRpsx-T1ANEJiVTYCXtz2X9RIaoYREc4hqlyhyMTAWeUuddpkMvjVWcf8tSc6If~vHGNtZy29i7UqsiWkroirFlsKNltIa8S7fnzqJOkHQXDvVjc0XoHzPzdbeuLnaJkPumMLC1kOxZx~1WZoeXh9ii8JAOqP5CiVG5n2kJR3Wor8fXVbsug0EHz1hGjfRoA~ylAKksq~EYgUTiDZ-J1cxpH7qBHaQsr6b9VEsBh7smOuWs~vnSSMnU6KAyrAVp8g9OyjSK9cIXCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawton City Council approved a set of companion actions to merge the city's stormwater management and drainage maintenance divisions into a single stormwater maintenance division and to update the municipal code and fee schedule accordingly.

City staff explained the move will consolidate funds, remove duplicative administrative costs and allow the city to direct drainage in-lieu-of on-site detention fees into a single account for larger stormwater capital projects. Staff said the drainage in-lieu fund typically collects only $2,000 to $3,000 per year and cannot support larger capital improvements in isolation.

Michael (presenter for Public Works) said the merger will not increase the net fee charged to utility customers: two existing fee lines — a $1.25 line and a $2.30 line — will be consolidated into a single $3.55 stormwater maintenance fee shown as one line item, with no overall increase. He said operational savings will come from reduced overlap in supervisory and administrative roles and more efficient use of crews and equipment.

Council voted to: (1) repeal the older resolution that established the separate drainage fund; (2) adopt code amendments updating the accounts, clarifying the responsibilities of the Stormwater Drainage Advisory Committee and specifying uses of the stormwater maintenance fee; and (3) amend the fee schedule to merge the stormwater management and drainage maintenance fees. Council waived the ordinance reading, approved the ordinance and passed the fee resolution; staff said the changes will allow for combined capital-priority planning without increasing residential utility bills.

Council asked staff to finalize the exact utility-bill wording to reflect the consolidated line item if the ordinance passed.","The council approved an ordinance and companion resolutions to merge the stormwater management and drainage maintenance divisions, consolidate related funds and update the fee schedule; staff said the change does not increase residential fees but combines two line items into a single $3.55 charge.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6543507,"Council adopts FY26 budget; hears public complaint about fund reallocations and discusses large open-records cost",1109,4411000,5520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3524213-5d2d41a69a243963ad56b254f6a93368&start=4411&end=5520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3524213-5d2d41a69a243963ad56b254f6a93368/thumbnail_4411000.jpg","/articles/6543507/Oklahoma/Council-adopts-FY26-budget-hears-public-complaint-about-fund-reallocations-and-discusses-large-open-records-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543507-343a89caf579241d5ccc90d541233e21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771088742&Signature=BJ0RGXmqmRnzj7bhJ2aKZMkL9WWdAM5N9aoBP2PXfVn8FnUrWETdVR71lZsBKrx5RMiglTbnvg-3KkSbnFsKRB0coYFT09gvBh~yYCmba4~ecaWezEQe7aewHOJW99yPVzEB9YapYsRAlmXiWFLgDfIEMeRqDdsFlrSZLrUJ-dqgX4UXFt1Z4iJ4mz4fPpJ-wRHV3kF85b5BWAnqqNgyrg1NjzSqeHs7X8-1chUH-wYp0adUoPQrGJHrQqdIV1FtI4n8RvwGQuWpMUsSx-hr3oGbB9mIX1A1ldPu6034nt9ljcu10hWHGbAoBVkblNNxHtJyR2qxyIbf1JUUuqd67g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawton City Council opened and closed a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and, following discussion, approved the City Manager's proposed budget.

A member of the public testified during the hearing to criticize perceived \"misallocation\" of taxpayer funds and urged transparency and strict adherence to designations for restricted funds.

In council discussion, members praised staff work to balance requests and acknowledged the difficulty of constraining spending amid competing needs. Rebecca (city finance staff) confirmed the hearing was a formal follow-up to the budget presented at the previous council meeting.

Council members also questioned staff about the city's costs for fulfilling Open Records Act requests. Staff reported that one broad request for a large volume of mayoral emails from a media organization produced heavy redaction work and that staff estimated the highest-cost single request in the prior year at approximately $67,000 — driven largely by employee time required to review and redact documents. Staff explained that under state open-records law, media requesters are not required to pay fees that would otherwise be charged for such work.

Council members expressed frustration about the cost and discussed the limits of local authority to change state open-records statutes; several suggested pursuing changes through state representatives. The council voted to approve the FY26 budget; the mayor's vote was recorded as yes and the motion carried.","After a public hearing with one speaker criticizing budget reallocations, the Lawton City Council adopted the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget. Council members also discussed a high-cost open-records request that staff said cost about $67,000 to process.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6543511,"Council denies two citizen tort claims after hearings on water and sewer damage",485,3925000,4410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3524213-5d2d41a69a243963ad56b254f6a93368&start=3925&end=4410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3524213-5d2d41a69a243963ad56b254f6a93368/thumbnail_3925000.jpg","/articles/6543511/Oklahoma/Council-denies-two-citizen-tort-claims-after-hearings-on-water-and-sewer-damage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543511-cd751cb1077c42556b2d549e6dd01029/orig.mp4?Expires=1771088742&Signature=m7cpagNMs9WlqAoPvBqnjthZwLlLoVHVorhJGhjsS3LT-vGSIduB0QXXdgeIfXDt3x1YyiVjsl8OBfXBOVe3r7VyUcS8GmUdLnCS3ELH4lcD9Ss8l3B3BkPYZO~H26ew2l36HSF3iWMR5YiS0N7IF86R7VehGQORpABVUtD9wIOjyS0ORg-adyk2tn3qUIiT5NY7CcCZiCDr--MC2ac136b~5xw54cImGUGVui40ftcLhGeFbdOa1U~Fe70SPL4~0gMXr~bI-znI2zE0vScDxk1TF2WJRU-LLUy49qo2MfT68cDSpsx1HWh9INFpAs7DTG5M9GTDTVtNLXm6~tBKfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawton City Council voted to deny two tort claims after public hearings and staff presentations.

Staff presented the Roberts claim first. City records show a water shut-off request on Feb. 11, 2025, and a field-services worker recorded a final reading and reported the water was turned off on Feb. 12. The claimant, Staff Sgt. Keith Roberts, said he relied on the city's shutoff after he purchased the house and that flooding on Feb. 20 damaged the residence at 7606 Southwest Cherokee Avenue. The city's memo said the claimant's homeowner insurer had denied the claim on the basis that the house was not winterized and noted the Oklahoma Governmental Tort Claims Act presumes no negligence by the city. City code (cited by staff as City of Lawton code 22,221,206) requires service pipes and fixtures be kept in repair and protected against freezing.

Roberts told council he was not yet in town to reestablish heat or gas and that he believed the city's shutoff either failed or was turned back on. Council members questioned whether standing water and traps could freeze regardless of meter status; staff said winterization responsibility rested with the property owner or management.

After discussion, councilmember motioned to deny the claim on the grounds of failure to winterize; the motion carried.

The council then considered a second claim from Leonel (Pewewardy) regarding recurring sewer backups affecting a small outbuilding on his property at 1719 NW Canyon Avenue. Wastewater-collections crews responded to multiple calls, cleared root obstructions and documented the line work. Staff said photographs taken on site did not show clear evidence of sewage backup inside the small structure and recommended denial. Pewewardy told council the outbuilding sits at a lower grade, reported persistent seepage and said crews had been out multiple times since August. After council discussion a motion to deny the claim carried.

Both denials were supported by staff findings: that operational records showed crews responded and that the city was not shown to be the proximate cause under the cited tort-law standards. Council did not order further remediation or payment on either claim.","The City Council voted after hearings to deny two tort claims: a $92,000 water-damage claim by Keith Roberts and a $9,500 sewer/foundation claim by Leonel (Pewewardy). Council relied on staff findings, the city's code and state tort law.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6543515,"City-funded gang-prevention program reports growing caseload, employment outcomes",710,1750000,2460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3524213-5d2d41a69a243963ad56b254f6a93368&start=1750&end=2460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3524213-5d2d41a69a243963ad56b254f6a93368/thumbnail_1750000.jpg","/articles/6543515/Oklahoma/City-funded-gang-prevention-program-reports-growing-caseload-employment-outcomes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543515-62784630cebca738ba339e0d2d0301a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771088742&Signature=MPweX34NwmZ0r~4UxPaSNji3oGLatE7Vu6xFn-YwsX1wiAGebwEJao5aMDAUA3aDCTj0oYnc2wbtGS4lLPJAjMXCW5o8OuCzzAfSEsLTcYsxnc0tjxGEgbuXeB13hs0AztVxsTDfUof5ShfrVLNUlJZ9wWPYu0VezSr-EQca-csMD-mYCwrnXuGCY9~BQ88NcczifAI350-7oT41Yi28-ej8mOJGbSEWPUqdxoUoKLDFs92~lcX7Cv6DKkGOixvMcAuZnIsHkBN3-jK5N2HWw37msZJqpzYvyKEKztUM7yocbxHPKIIPGRV4kZHL75Fj99mNPw3ioykkYxddLOFXxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Presenter Carrie, a representative of the Children's Emergency Resource Center, told the Lawton City Council that the local gang-prevention program funded through the city's Youth and Family Committee is now in its fourth year and is 100% supported by city funds.

Carrie said the program focuses on outreach, school re-engagement and job-readiness for youth at risk of gang involvement. \"Our gang prevention specialist, Brian Pack, goes in there and works with the kids,\" she said, describing individualized mentoring, school advocacy and activities such as the Peace Fest that drew more than 285 attendees.

The presentation emphasized measurable outcomes: since the program restarted in 2022, staff provided job-readiness training to about 75 youth, 33 youth gained employment and eight completed graduation benchmarks. Carrie told council the program currently carries about 49 active clients and has discharged 12, yielding a recorded recidivism rate of 22.45 percent for clients tracked in the county juvenile tracking system.

Carrie asked the council to consider expanding staffing, saying one outreach worker's caseload has grown and that adding at least a part-time advocate is a priority for fiscal year 2026. She also described ancillary needs the program addresses, including food insecurity and short-term housing assistance that help stabilize families and reduce the risk of reoffending.

Council members praised the program and its staff. Councilwoman Williams and others thanked Carrie and staff and encouraged continued reporting on outcomes; one council member asked that staff release detailed juvenile-crime trend data to the public.

The presentation traced the program's funding history: the initiative was initially supported by federal grant dollars the city later replaced after grant funds ended, and the current local funding originates from the Propel 2019 allocation. Carrie said the program uses referrals from the Office of Juvenile Affairs, the juvenile bureau and schools and partners with local mentors and counselors to provide wraparound services.

Council did not take formal action on the presentation but discussed staff capacity and asked for follow-up materials. Carrie said staff could provide a press release with the juvenile-crime data and additional details about outcomes.

The council's discussion placed the program as part of the city's broader prevention and youth-service investments funded through Propel.","The Children's Emergency Resource Center's gang-prevention program, funded by the city's Propel allocation, told City Council it is serving more youth, has placed youth in jobs, and seeks funding for a second advocate to reduce a high caseload.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Lawton City Council and Lawton Water Authority actions

Council merges stormwater and drainage maintenance divisions, consolidates fees with no net increase

Council adopts FY26 budget; hears public complaint about fund reallocations and discusses large open-records cost

Council denies two citizen tort claims after hearings on water and sewer damage

City-funded gang-prevention program reports growing caseload, employment outcomes