[{"_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",6485253,"mediaKeyId","5444195-6e3a1b907dbc3972486b234a069209ed","parentId",5444195,"title","Votes at a glance: consent items, FISTA agreement, traffic control and code amendments","audioSeconds",745,"startMs",3426000,"endMs",4171000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444195-6e3a1b907dbc3972486b234a069209ed&start=3426&end=4171","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444195-6e3a1b907dbc3972486b234a069209ed/thumbnail_3426000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6485253/Oklahoma/Votes-at-a-glance-consent-items-FISTA-agreement-traffic-control-and-code-amendments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485253-67f1568b3f6dac6a16e5963ab0e39838/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185284&Signature=YRcuSmDpaSBnlrmp2gZ3vkjX2l5h5KDuHySHpR26JLJZG6mb4dIHweehSeY0vQ5wsO0-iGWi4h6MhDYJkTIB76EM~i-sM7mr-B-zR3eQANQ1FEJS--LmziWe4W2th38hISMMEDJdv5I2bA7HL21DM3dYPLp5vwgYm~zEqW4z1aiujj-TMkollN6ppUpuWXBsfnIac4evpxIxLp02YmAOSf0-NpS6QPOBQC2oaP6A8Zo3K5GocZzn4~3zHVd7SvrpCXTXRF-KD-ohzmtdkfXQohdMs8lBwl9nFmNSJNiSkitXTNsVciJdPdKSdAG95PV92IjJFMsfLSZhgJu5X8V0ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lawton","date","2025-07-23T01:46:10.283Z","article","The Lawton City Council recorded several formal actions during the meeting, ranging from routine consent agenda approvals to contract and ordinance votes.

Key outcomes
- Consent agenda: The council approved the consent agenda (motion carried; recorded as 7–0).
- FISTA/VISTA agreement (Item 25): Council approved a funding and support agreement with the Fort Sill Innovation, Science and Technology Accelerator (FISTA) to support the VISTA innovation hub contingent upon the FISTA Trust Authority’s approval of funding for FY2026 (motion by George Gill; second by Randy Warren). Vote: 6–0 with one member absent.
- Stop signs at Northwest Elm Avenue (Item 34): Staff recommended and the council approved installation of stop signs at the intersection(s) studied. Vote recorded as passing (7–0).
- Ordinance — streets and sidewalks (Item 39): Council approved an ordinance amending city code to clarify responsibility for maintaining authorized obstructions in the public right‑of‑way. Vote: 7–0.
- Ordinance — vehicles and traffic (Item 40): Council approved a downtown commercial vehicle parking regulation restricting long‑term parking of commercial vehicles in the downtown district (creation of section 23‑6‑611). Vote: 7–0.
- Ward 2 vacancy process (Item 41): Council approved a process to advertise and accept applications for the Ward 2 vacancy; applications were to be accepted through August 25 with executive‑session vetting and subsequent interviews as needed. Motion carried 7–0.

Why it matters: The votes advance ongoing economic development partnerships (FISTA/VISTA), update city code on right‑of‑way maintenance and downtown parking, and authorize routine traffic control measures. The Family Promise CHDO item was tabled for further review and is not included in this roundup.

Ending: For details about each item — including underlying presentations, supporting documents and follow‑up deadlines — the council directed staff to return with timelines, refined budgets or contract documents where applicable.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 22, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved routine consent items, a funding agreement with FISTA/VISTA, adopted code changes on right‑of‑way obstructions and downtown commercial parking restrictions, approved stop signs at Northwest Elm Avenue, and approved a process for appointing a Ward 2 council replacement.","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},6485258,"Council hears plan for \"crosswalk to classroom\" pilot at Hubish Elementary; pilot cost estimated at $3,500",121,2433000,2554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444195-6e3a1b907dbc3972486b234a069209ed&start=2433&end=2554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444195-6e3a1b907dbc3972486b234a069209ed/thumbnail_2433000.jpg","/articles/6485258/Oklahoma/Council-hears-plan-for-crosswalk-to-classroom-pilot-at-Hubish-Elementary-pilot-cost-estimated-at-3500","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485258-ef2c3b1d8b1729e60902209ea31f8735/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185284&Signature=MlQcj9uKz7HNfwS9WzpEL5hm0E6XVBXqqj6NFEaEdUJMrVPBFUQIT1wlTx9WWncDwcoILulA1FEdDXrK2NaV1NrjJbsInMt5T7WBE5aZQxgcBsvsVbp~-1d6Bh~RRgvaqYYNxWY8oVogZ67wwTv3fhKMN8lZtikC0NFNJnolRR5ywM6BIEA~qB4AmLHTutQfizobSm-VAUPv40vCQzM6XAEAubEDfN~VWh~dKrIxDMSNvMsm-3lfGsmgyI-o3ed1tJM3i8kVYODQZiFyemxEzf2lJhTpttaQe34XyC~V5pbDV0ujc0-8~wf4JYGre1DN5HvnzuTIBfSDqySwvzOpnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff asked the council for direction on a pilot of “crosswalk to classroom,” a traffic‑calming treatment proposed for Hubish Elementary. The program is intended to improve student safety near schools while using public art and pavement treatments rather than full speed tables.

Staff presentation and funding
Street Superintendent Cliff Martin and staff described a national evidence base for the crosswalk treatment and said Hubish Elementary had been selected for the pilot because a speed‑table solution did not meet the study criteria. Staff said the pilot’s total cost is about $3,500. Arts and Humanities staff and local partners have secured about $2,000 toward the $3,500, leaving the city about $1,500 to cover. By comparison, staff said a conventional speed table would cost about $7,200.

Questions and next steps
Councilmembers asked about timing and whether the work could be completed before school starts; staff said they had not yet ordered materials and could not guarantee immediate completion but hoped to begin shortly thereafter. Several councilmembers expressed interest in the pilot and said they receive frequent requests for traffic calming in their wards.

Ending: Staff said the Hubish Elementary pilot will proceed with design work and partnership outreach and will return to council with schedule details and cost finalization.","City staff presented a traffic calming pilot called \"crosswalk to classroom\" for Hubish Elementary, describing a $3,500 pilot (city share about $1,500) as a lower‑cost alternative to a $7,200 speed table.",{"_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},6485263,"Council tables Family Promise CHDO rehabilitation plan after extensive questions on cost and accountability",666,4678000,5344000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444195-6e3a1b907dbc3972486b234a069209ed&start=4678&end=5344","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444195-6e3a1b907dbc3972486b234a069209ed/thumbnail_4678000.jpg","/articles/6485263/Oklahoma/Council-tables-Family-Promise-CHDO-rehabilitation-plan-after-extensive-questions-on-cost-and-accountability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485263-50468250bfd952810fbb5e3adf605b83/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185284&Signature=X0tuIkIuJjkvAnfa8VoaFnGfCkzGmxQA0JfPRzNyDgo~4Mi~ov0krt~zbQFS9zMbwhpLa0bRsM6ysOi5aJsX4yhuO3wlM8gcE01yC1uDgz829VLAqtXgyua6-u3UAFSXf4i5CtzXIkacZHa-RuWnQJNK38YvhdPAcLSruWfdMSjDqgm2eZkVjtuMnxqgPnaB64s1eGQKKIBesFVIfJz7EHw6veusoPfWSV4WrOG7lgrQAPMJAdcSUmaZfDDjmdrKi8ILokxLBXCrk6nGpofwMGuKftWNYOqe49Uk0J1ytDE0EySNVhzIjv~y4m91s1GmWspOebh-6xKF7AoQXmacSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Family Promise of Lawton asked the City Council to approve a HUD‑CHDO (Community Housing Development Organization) project to acquire and rehabilitate a vacant building at 1308 Southwest D Avenue into 11 residential units and an on‑site case management office. Executive Director Sarah Sebec and Board President Michael Town presented the program, called “Promise Kept,” which they said would provide transitional housing, intensive stabilization and an eventual pathway to homeownership.

Project outline and funding
Family Promise estimated the total rehabilitation cost at about $540,000 to restore 11 residential units plus office and laundry space; the group said the city has already agreed to a $300,000 contract and that using one site reduces per‑unit costs to approximately $41,000. Presenters described the project as meeting HUD’s 20‑year affordability requirement through recorded mortgage and land‑use covenants and said the Preeti Foundation has pledged funding to sustain case management through 2026.

Council concerns and action
Council members pressed for greater certainty on construction costs, contingency plans for cost overruns, organizational capacity and protections for public (federal and local) funds. Several council members recited recent examples when the city had to return HUD funds after projects failed to meet requirements. Councilmember Randy Warren and others said the city must require clear, enforceable monitoring and reporting to avoid repeat problems.

After back-and-forth with Family Promise about contingency options, grant drawdowns and the CHDO set‑aside, Councilmember Randy Warren moved to table the request to allow staff and the applicant to develop more detailed cost estimates, a clearer succession/operations plan and explicit monitoring/reporting requirements. The motion to table was seconded and carried on roll call (7–0).

Why it matters: Family Promise said the project would convert a long‑vacant property into affordable housing for families and reduce reliance on scattered‑site models. Council members said they support the goal but need stronger cost and compliance assurances before committing CHDO or other grant funds.

Ending: The council’s tabling motion gives Family Promise and city staff time to produce a refined development budget, engineering and structural assessments, and defined reporting and monitoring steps for council review.","Family Promise presented a CHDO project to acquire and rehabilitate a multi‑unit property to create 11 affordable units and on‑site services. Councilmembers expressed concern about construction cost estimates, long‑term compliance and safeguards for federal funds and voted to table the request for further review.",{"_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},6485268,"Council approves contract with FISTA-led VISTA innovation hub after presentation on jobs and grants",671,3492000,4163000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444195-6e3a1b907dbc3972486b234a069209ed&start=3492&end=4163","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444195-6e3a1b907dbc3972486b234a069209ed/thumbnail_3492000.jpg","/articles/6485268/Oklahoma/Council-approves-contract-with-FISTA-led-VISTA-innovation-hub-after-presentation-on-jobs-and-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485268-313319d6ebbee4769a36bc5b38ec6378/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147611&Signature=J4kox9q0YMUP94Odwou7lj9nYWsGjohv0YOZ5nwA~Fa2az~g8fyLKaX7mUHbItJGWIEBouLIiTPzBS6zZhIIhyVHTilrLcIZcJL~P2r-Z~KPj4iscD0utitbL~z~OzjP-yUXQ0RNqlB3LYYB9V8uco4xPFFwhq2LtJG1d7pX78kScz7K0QF~zCnqPQy~wEezCUfbaH4S3aiMKPjKFqXM1gzmpBybHaH9-jKtGPJG1ioJqNg80VuthdnqBs83BRrkGXEVVrOfBE7EyfmB6HsJ-n9YMSTGmknCUxiCODsV26IuLaxTchRn8V5inZTz-AsCUFqp66bzWoqOaUEH5zEqpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted to approve an agreement with the Fort Sill Innovation, Science and Technology Accelerator (FISTA) to support the operation and management of VISTA, a defense innovation hub located in Lawton near Fort Sill. The council vote followed a multi-slide presentation laying out VISTA's facilities, partner roster and local economic impacts.

Presentation highlights
FISTA representatives told the council VISTA has attracted roughly $98 million in physical investment since inception, including $17 million from the city; reported $45 million in grant awards to date; and said the facility supports about 165 active on‑site jobs with an estimated $19 million in annual payroll. Presenters said annual economic impact from payroll is typically estimated at 2–3 times payroll, producing an annual regional impact the presentation estimated between $38 million and $57 million.

Planned and ongoing projects at VISTA include a STEM lab (27,000 sq. ft.) that the presenter said would open October 1, anechoic chambers and secure administrative space (SCIF/secure administrative space) funded by grants, conference-center upgrades, light manufacturing space, and a partnership that could bring large‑scale advanced manufacturing on nearby acreage.

Council action
Councilmember George Gill moved to approve the agreement; Councilmember Randy Warren seconded. The council recorded the roll call vote with the motion carrying (6–0) as Councilmember Hampton had stepped out during the vote. The approved agreement was described by staff as contingent upon FISTA’s Trust Authority approval of funding the facility operations for FY2026.

Why it matters: presenters said VISTA links defense contractors, academia and government partners and is intended as a permanent economic development engine for the Lawton–Fort Sill region. VISTA leaders also described a newly formed FISTA Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) that has raised nearly $500,000 for scholarships and STEM programming.

Ending: Council approval allows the city to finalize the funding agreement with FISTA/VISTA and continue partnership work on anechoic chambers, the STEM lab and other facility expansions described in the presentation.","The council approved an agreement with the FISTA/VISTA innovation hub after a presentation that said the facility has attracted $98 million in investment, more than $45 million in grants and about 165 jobs on site.",{"_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},6485273,"Lawton airport authority outlines $22 million in recent investments, seeks apron and taxiway grants",573,1294000,1867000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444195-6e3a1b907dbc3972486b234a069209ed&start=1294&end=1867","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444195-6e3a1b907dbc3972486b234a069209ed/thumbnail_1294000.jpg","/articles/6485273/Oklahoma/Lawton-airport-authority-outlines-22-million-in-recent-investments-seeks-apron-and-taxiway-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485273-109fd358b1ff91a1cb6f9a3172416692/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185284&Signature=h4TCJ1XLoQXKTvkFsaSgHFB-xX7jKa1mQhHLcA2zgm1Dx2FUUwHajYo1IoZteZ95HqVqEEQdOS-EbZk8oOgzPOWeXAk3A5MpAB3v~YuchddxeNyNcd3XBmFKgB4CmNyySpxdxHWfVw5sMVqvHQAmPHJn1Stzt6j7Rat1Xo3qeFHr~5ukDrvV2~kzFzzFxLkC~xMrqiKQe4B7Dx~GhDGY4Ob~yQJLRaQSj9yfCGsiQrT60yUPA3635mVDJLRQsIOKHwr5OyDuA6no00bPhmGGyXw4VqGzIaFqdfLxlb8EpZkfq695QKvSJJJ7kE2HXdd7rhSBf8eJkBD7Dvh8LGTb6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawton Metropolitan Airport Authority reported to the Lawton City Council on construction progress at Lawton Regional Airport and an array of grant-funded capital projects aimed at expanding capacity and commercial service. In a presentation Thursday, Authority Chairman David Madigan and Executive Director Barbara McNally described completed terminal work, runway and taxiway projects, and outreach to airline partners to increase daily flights.

Madigan said the airport has drawn about $22 million in recent capital investment and now records roughly $3 million a year in operating revenue from leases, parking, fuel sales and hangar rentals. He told the council the authority has secured repeated state and federal grants — “three, maybe four consecutive years” totaling roughly $5 million to $6 million in a single fiscal year — earmarked for capital improvements including the terminal project.

Why it matters: authority leaders said improved facilities and higher “load factor” on existing flights are the prerequisites to persuading an airline partner to add a fourth daily commercial flight. The authority said it currently averages a 70% load factor on three daily flights to Dallas–Fort Worth and aims to reach about 80–85% occupancy before requesting additional routes.

Key projects and funding
- Terminal: Authority leaders said the terminal is in punch-list phase and noted recent interior and exterior improvements completed under a general contract with Herring Construction.
- Parallel taxiway and apron: The authority described an apron project to park three wide‑body aircraft so military transports no longer occupy the parallel taxiway. That work — intended to align with current FAA geometric standards — is planned to be funded by a grant application the authority submitted with city assistance. Madigan said an ATP grant contributed about $4.3 million to recent work and that some COVID-era infrastructure funding supplemented AIP (Airport Improvement Program) dollars.
- Air traffic control tower: McNally and Madigan said the new tower is a fully federally funded $25 million project; bids for subcontractors are under way and construction is expected next summer.

Operational data and goals
- Passenger traffic: the authority reported 95,000 enplanements and deplanements for fiscal year 2024 (year ending June 30).
- Load factor: average aircraft occupancy is roughly 70%; authority officials said marketing and local support are intended to lift that to 80–85%.
- Military support: the airport supports Fort Sill operations and reported accommodating substantial C‑17 activity; the proposed apron would park wide‑body transports off the taxiway to keep the airfield operational for commercial and general aviation.

Council questions and staff clarifications included whether terminal and tower equipment would be new and whether the parallel taxiway/apron grant decision is pending; airport staff said the tower project is federal work and the apron/taxiway project is the subject of a recent grant application the council should hear about in the coming month.

Ending: Airport leaders asked for continued community support to increase passenger loads and cited the terminal and air traffic control investments as steps to expand service and revenue for the region.","The Lawton Metropolitan Airport Authority reported on terminal upgrades, grant-funded capital projects and efforts to increase passenger service, including a federally funded $25 million air traffic control tower and a pending apron/taxiway grant to support military operations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: consent items, FISTA agreement, traffic control and code amendments

Council hears plan for "crosswalk to classroom" pilot at Hubish Elementary; pilot cost estimated at $3,500

Council tables Family Promise CHDO rehabilitation plan after extensive questions on cost and accountability

Council approves contract with FISTA-led VISTA innovation hub after presentation on jobs and grants

Lawton airport authority outlines $22 million in recent investments, seeks apron and taxiway grants