Council approves parks camping ban, zoning change, staffing and several traffic and property actions

The Tahlequah City Council took multiple formal actions after presentations and executive session. Key outcomes reported during open session:

• Consent agenda: Council approved routine consent items by unanimous vote (councilors Allen, Hyres, Baker, Perry voted 'Yes').

• Ordinance 13-94-2025 (parks camping, closures, trespass): City Administrator Taylor Tannehill presented an ordinance that removes the word 'overnight' from the camping prohibition (prohibiting camping in parks generally), establishes park closure hours (proposed 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.), and adds a trespass clause allowing a judge to prohibit reentry for up to 2,020 days for code or rules violations; the council voted to approve the ordinance and later approved an emergency clause so it takes effect upon publication.

• Zoning change — 225 North College Avenue (RS3 to O1): Planning Director Paige Harjo said 6308 Harbor Avenue LLC (Hayden Gilder) intends to use the property for a home-hospice service; staff and the planning commission recommended approval (4–0) and the council approved the rezoning. Council discussed parking requirements (site will need to meet office parking standards; staff noted 6–7 spaces by square footage rules and existing on-site parking will count if present).

• Fire department staffing: Assistant Fire Chief Mark Whitmore requested creation of three lieutenant positions to provide supervision across shifts; Whitmore said funding will come from the current fire budget and the cost impact was estimated not to exceed $10,000. The council approved the staffing additions.

• Traffic control — Jamestown Street: Based on engineering firm Holloway, Updike & Bellen, Inc., staff recommended replacing an existing yield sign with a stop sign on westbound Jamestown Street; a council member who initiated the request described neighborhood concerns and the council approved the change.

• Cherokee Elementary traffic study: The council authorized the mayor to enter an agreement with Kimley‑Horn to study and develop design options to improve student pickup and drop-off at Cherokee Elementary; the city will fund the study and staff said coordination with the school district may require an easement or property access.

• Executive-session authorizations and land actions: Following an executive session, the council made several public motions. The council authorized the mayor to sell downtown property for the amount discussed in executive session and separately authorized the mayor to purchase property on Basin Avenue; the council approved Resolution 11-03-2025A authorizing acquisition of property through condemnation and to hire the law firm of John Chapman Young to conduct the proceedings (a councilor recorded an abstention on that vote); the council also authorized establishment of a river-center project TIF committee and retained Hillborn and Bridal as bond counsel.

Votes recorded in open session matched the motions as announced; where roll-call names were read, councilors Allen, Hyres, Baker, and Perry cast 'Yes' votes on the listed items when called. Several motions were made and seconded on the record; the transcript records 'so moved' and 'second' without consistently naming movers and seconders in the audio.

Next steps: Ordinance 13-94-2025 will take effect per the emergency clause upon publication. The Kimley‑Horn study will proceed as scoped and any resulting design work or construction will return to council for required approvals.