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Community Development reports staff changes, CDBG work; commissioners request traffic study, promote tree-planting and Feb. 20 planning conference
Summary
Staff announced a new planner, ongoing CDBG and consolidated-plan work, and public-art landscaping discussions; commissioners requested a traffic study for Kickapoo and Harrison, asked for volunteers for tornado tree replanting, and promoted a Feb. 20 planning mini-conference at the Expo Center.
City staff told the Planning Commission Feb. 5 that Diana Hood will join the Community Development Department next week as a planner; staff described Hood as coming from Stillwater with a bachelor’s degree in geography and an emphasis in urban planning from BYU.
Staff also reported ongoing work on compliance and monitoring for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, upcoming state monitoring for a COVID-related grant, and efforts to update the five-year consolidated plan that guides CDBG spending. Staff said it may issue an RFP to retain a consultant to assist with the consolidated-plan update or may pursue in-house work depending on budget and scope.
The department is collaborating with members of the Arts and Culture Commission and the Park Board to explore replacing some landscaping areas with public art. Staff said it continues to answer public questions related to the city’s new zoning code.
In commissioners’ comments, one commissioner requested a traffic study covering Kickapoo and Harrison and asked staff to consider extending counts and analysis up to the highway and toward the city limits; the commissioner volunteered to assist. Another commissioner encouraged volunteers for tree-planting tied to recovery from a tornado, noting Keep America Beautiful is involved. Commissioners also noted the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Planning Association will hold a one-day mini-conference hosted at the Expo Center on Feb. 20; staff offered to register commissioners who want to attend and said the event runs roughly 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
During the meeting a commissioner repeated comments from a public speaker urging ethics around abstentions; the transcript includes a resident, Rob Morris, who urged commissioners that abstentions are acceptable for conflicts. Staff and commissioners emphasized that knowing someone is not automatically a conflict of interest and that commissioners sign an ethics clause.
No formal actions were recorded during the department update or the commissioners’ comments; these items were informational and included invitations to future events and potential studies.
