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Perry council adopts new PUD zoning, raises ambulance billing rates and approves library internet and water/wastewater contracts
Summary
At its January meeting the Perry City Council approved a planned unit development zoning ordinance, an ambulance-rate ordinance, a library internet services contract and several engineering and grant actions. Council voted unanimously on the formally noticed ordinances and contracts; staff will return with implementation documents on some items.
The Perry City Council on Jan. 14 adopted a series of ordinances, contracts and grant agreements, including a new planned unit development (PUD) zoning rule, an increase to ambulance billing rates consistent with recent state law changes, a business service order for library internet service, and a professional services agreement to design improvements at the city water treatment facility.
The new PUD zoning sections were added to Chapter 12 of the Perry Municipal Code to create a PUD district and related rules enabling mixed-use master-planned developments. The council also approved an emergency clause for that ordinance so it takes effect immediately.
Council approved a revision to ambulance billing rates that aligns the city’s published fees with state law authorizing higher charge limits for insurers (up to 325% of Medicare-published rates, per discussion). City staff said the change is primarily aimed at capturing allowable reimbursement from insurers; the city’s subscription program and Medicare/Medicaid billing rules remain unchanged.
Other votes included approval of a business service order to switch library internet service to Blue Peak (in lieu of pursuing E‑Rate funding), adoption of an ordinance reducing the insurance requirement for distributed generation (solar) customers from $1,000,000 to $500,000, approval of professional services with Cimarron Valley Engineering LLC to design sludge‑box, lift‑station, yard piping and related improvements at the water treatment plant (to remedy a DEQ finding), and acceptance of a $150,000 water/sewer extension grant from the Northern Oklahoma Development Authority.
Council took roll-call votes on each formal item; each recorded vote was affirmative and each ordinance’s emergency clause was taken up and approved where presented. Several items were the product of prior Planning Commission or staff work and were introduced with staff summaries rather than extended public hearings.
Councilmembers and staff requested implementation details for several items. For the PUD ordinance, council emphasized that projects would still require public notice, Planning Commission recommendation and a council approval process. For the water‑plant engineering work, staff noted the project responds to a DEQ compliance issue and will be funded through previously adopted rate adjustments. For the library internet contract, staff said the Blue Peak agreement provides greater bandwidth and a simpler procurement path than continuing through the E‑Rate application process.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance 2025-1 (PUD zoning sections added to Chapter 12): motion moved and seconded; roll-call approval (recorded as unanimous); emergency clause approved. - Ordinance 2025-2 (distributed generation insurance reduced to $500,000): motion moved and seconded; roll-call approval (recorded as unanimous); emergency clause approved. - Ordinance 2025-03 (ambulance/rescue service rates amended): motion moved and seconded; roll-call approval (recorded as unanimous); emergency clause approved. - Business service order with Blue Peak for the Perry Carnegie Library internet: motion moved and seconded; roll-call approval (recorded as unanimous). - Professional services agreement with Cimarron Valley Engineering LLC (water treatment residuals handling design): motion moved and seconded; roll-call approval (recorded as unanimous). - Resolution 2025-1 (agreement with Circuit Engineering District No. 8) and grant agreement with Northern Oklahoma Development Authority for a $150,000 water/sewer extension: motions moved and seconded; roll-call approval (recorded as unanimous).
What’s next Staff were directed where appropriate to prepare final contract documents, program guidelines or implementation materials for council review at an upcoming meeting; in several cases staff said they would return with details or engineer attendance to answer technical questions.
