Residents press council on animal scanning, neighborhood watches and utility billing

Multiple residents used the public‑comment period on March 16 to raise community concerns and local initiatives.

Ellen Cotillo (4817 Southeast 19th Street) asked the city to enable animal microchip scanning so lost animals can be reunited with owners instead of being dumped or taken to an overcrowded shelter. Cotillo offered to host free scanning at her home and to organize donation drives for the shelter, saying she had discussed possibilities with Chief Williams. Cotillo said the referenced shelter is the Oklahoma City facility at 29th and Bryant and expressed concern that animals are being euthanized when shelters reach capacity.

Ron McCallall urged residents to help revive the Old Town Neighborhood Watch and said an organizational meeting is planned (second Thursday in April at 7:00 p.m. at the community center). He also promoted a Neighborhood Night Out scheduled for April 25 from 4:00–8:00 p.m. and a 'blinky blitz' on March 28. McCallall reported about 25 vendors already signed for the neighborhood event and encouraged resident participation.

Resident Jim Hightower described a billing discrepancy on his water and irrigation meters (street fees applied to an irrigation meter and misapplied capital fees). He said he worked with utility coordinator Summer and city staff, who reviewed his accounts, corrected the errors and credited other similarly affected accounts. City representatives thanked Hightower for raising the issue and for resolving it by bringing his concern to staff.

Council and staff responded to each speaker with thanks and brief clarifications; Chief Williams and utility staff indicated they would follow up on the scanner/shelter discussions and billing corrections, respectively.