Guthrie council approves contract change order, alley closure, rezoning and telecom permit; executive session yields no action

The Guthrie City Council on Feb. 4 approved several routine and land‑use items, including a contract change order for tank blasting work, an alley closure, a rezone request and a special‑use permit for a telecommunications tower. The council also convened an executive session concerning Spirit Wing Aviation Limited and took no action afterward.

Change order for tank blasting: The council approved Change Order No. 3 with G and L Tank Blasting Services to increase the contract by $9,200. Director Kasik told the council the increase covers unforeseen repairs discovered during sandblasting: a broken weld on a ladder rung and replacement of a corroded 24‑inch vent cap at the top of the water tower. The motion to approve was made by Councilman Bob Wright and seconded by Councilwoman Mills; the council voted to carry the motion.

Alley closure (Ordinance No. 3419): The council approved Ordinance No. 3419 to close a 125‑foot portion of alley right‑of‑way adjacent to Lots 1 through 18, Block 70 of Capitol Hill, in the 300 block of South Pine (Application 24‑005). Kasik said existing easements within the right‑of‑way will be maintained and utilities were notified; Cox Communications had an initial concern but later withdrew it after easements were confirmed. The Planning Commission recommended approval 5–0. The motion was made by Councilman Williams and seconded by Councilman Bothroyd; the council carried the motion.

Rezoning (Ordinance No. 3420): The council approved Ordinance No. 3420 to rezone the north half of the northeast quarter of Section 17 (generally 417 Roundhouse Road) from I‑1 (industrial) to A‑1 (general agricultural) under Planning Commission Application 24‑013. Director Kasik said the parcel contains a single‑family home and accessory dwelling unit; rezoning would allow agricultural uses (including the owner’s stated desire to keep chickens) and would make future residential use a permitted use rather than a legal nonconforming use. The Planning Commission recommended approval 5–0. Councilwoman Mills moved the ordinance; Councilman Bothroyd seconded and the motion passed.

Special‑use permit for telecommunications tower (Application 24‑008): The council approved a special‑use permit for a telecommunications tower on property at 1112 North Wentz. The application materials and an engineer’s fall‑zone letter were on file, and Kasik said the required setbacks and fall‑zone calculations were met; the Planning Commission recommended approval 5–0. The application was described inconsistently in the meeting transcript—an initial staff read identified the request as for a 150‑foot tower, while the director later described the proposed tower as 50 feet tall and referenced an engineer‑calculated fall zone of about 40 feet. The record also refers to a lease area for the tower as "800 square foot, 1,800 square foot lease area" in the director’s remarks; the transcript does not resolve which figure is correct. No written objections were reported at the public hearing. A motion to approve the permit carried on the council floor.

Pulled and deferred items: The acceptance of an "Oklahoma Department of Energy Management grama award" was pulled from the agenda at staff request and will be placed on a future agenda; the minutes recorded that the item was removed without objection.

Executive session: The council met in executive session under Title 25, Oklahoma Statutes, Section 307 to discuss confidential communications with the city attorney regarding a pending investigation, claim or action involving Spirit Wing Aviation Limited. After returning to open session, the mayor reported that no action had been taken and that the prior motion covered necessary city business; the council did not vote on additional action related to the matter.

Consent docket and other business: The consent docket was approved by majority vote. City Manager remarks during the meeting noted progress on the East Side tower sandblasting work and that crews had cleaned the inside of the tank; the manager reminded residents to report any water‑system issues, said the zoning code committee expects an adoption hearing in April, and announced city hall non‑emergency services would be closed Feb. 17 for Presidents Day.

Votes at a glance • Consent docket: approved (majority of those present). • Change Order No. 3 with G and L Tank Blasting Services (+$9,200): approved. Motion by Councilman Bob Wright; second by Councilwoman Mills. • Ordinance No. 3419 (alley closure, Application 24‑005): approved. Motion by Councilman Williams; second by Councilman Bothroyd. • Ordinance No. 3420 (rezone 417 Roundhouse Road, Application 24‑013): approved. Motion by Councilwoman Mills; second by Councilman Bothroyd. • Special‑use permit (telecommunications tower, Application 24‑008): approved. Planning Commission recommended 5–0; no written objections; transcript records inconsistent tower height (150 ft vs. 50 ft). • Executive session re: Spirit Wing Aviation Limited: convened under Title 25 O.S. §307; no subsequent action taken.

Several votes were recorded by electronic device and the council clerk displayed the board; the transcript records the motions carried by a majority of those present but does not include a rollcall list of individual yes/no votes in the minutes for each item.