Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tahlequah council bans camping in parks, approves rezoning, staffing additions and project contracts
Summary
The Tahlequah City Council approved an ordinance prohibiting camping in city parks (with a park‑closure window and trespass provision), rezoned a downtown property to office use, authorized three new fire lieutenants, and approved several traffic and project agreements following an executive session.
The Tahlequah City Council on Nov. 3 approved a package of local measures that will change park rules, alter land use around downtown and authorize staffing and project contracts.
City Administrator Taylor Tannehill told the council the ordinance (No. 13-94-2025) removes the word “overnight” to prohibit camping in parks generally, sets a proposed parks closure time of 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., and adds a trespass provision that, as written in the ordinance, allows a judge to prohibit reentry “for up to 2,020 days.” “The ordinance as written is pretty self explanatory,” Tannehill said before the council voted to approve the ordinance and then separately approved an emergency clause so it takes effect upon required publication.
The council also approved a rezoning for 225 North College Avenue, changing the property from RS3 (single-family high density) to O1 (office low intensity). Planning and Development Director Paige Hardo said the planning commission recommended the change 4–0 and noted the owner, represented by Hayden Gilder, must meet required parking standards. The council approved the rezoning by motion.
Assistant Fire Chief Mark Whitmore asked the council to create three lieutenant positions so qualified supervision is on duty across shifts; he said funding would come from the existing fire budget and estimated the net cost would not exceed $10,000. The council approved the positions.
On traffic and public-safety items, the council approved an engineering recommendation to replace a yield sign with a stop sign on westbound Jamestown Street and authorized the mayor to enter an agreement with Kimley‑Horn to design traffic solutions at Cherokee Elementary aimed at smoothing pickup and drop‑off. Planning staff said the study will identify options, including whether school property easements would be needed to create better vehicle circulation; the city will fund the study and return to council before final design or construction.
Following an executive session, the council authorized several property actions by motion: authorizing the mayor to sell a downtown parcel and to purchase property on Basin Avenue (specific amounts were discussed in executive session and were not read into the public record), approving a resolution to pursue condemnation proceedings for the Allen Road right-of-way and hiring the law firm John Chapman Young to conduct those proceedings (one member abstained on that vote), and establishing a River Center project TIF committee and retaining Hillborn & Bridal as bond counsel.
Council votes on the items were recorded by voice and roll call during the meeting; where a formal vote tally was given in the public record, the motions carried. The council adjourned after completing the listed business.
What happens next: The camping prohibition will take effect upon publication under the emergency clause; staff will return to council as needed with design recommendations or ordinances implementing details such as signage, enforcement procedures and any required interlocal agreements regarding school property access.
