Votes at a glance: Stilwell council approves construction payments, loan extensions, park permit, playground match and traffic change

Stilwell City Council carried a series of routine motions during its Feb. 5 meeting. Highlights of formal actions taken include:

• City-hall construction payment: Council approved a $121,408.56 payment related to the city-hall project; Speaker 3 noted the remaining retainage of about $290,000. Motion by Lane; second by Debbie Coy; motion carried.

• Construction loan extension: Council approved a three-month extension of the Carson Community Bank construction loan at the current 7% rate to allow final occupancy steps and USDA processing. Motion by Jean; second by Jim; motion carried.

• Temporary financing: Council approved a three-month extension of temporary construction financing with Liberty Bank with no change to the interest rate. Motion carried.

• Certificates of deposit/investment: Council discussed placing two $500,000 CD deposits yielding 5.5% but took no action, requesting additional research into alternatives such as overnight sweep accounts and Treasury bills to preserve liquidity for a planned $600,000 street project.

• Read Across America resolution: Council approved a resolution supporting NEA’s Read Across America on March 1, 2024.

• Adaire Park permit: Council approved a special-event permit for Adaire County Litter Free and Green Association for Apr. 6 (backup Apr. 13) with a refundable cleanup deposit (minimum $100 for ≤50 people) and proof of liability insurance required.

• Stop signs: Council approved installation of stop signs at First Street and Ash as requested by residents Tilden Martin and Larry Meadows. Motion by Lane; second by Coy; motion carried.

• Department reorganization: Council approved combining recreational facilities into the Community Development & Services department for fiscal-year bookkeeping (effective next fiscal year); no change in department-head pay or duties.

• Surplus fire truck: Council approved surplus of a 1981 Mack fire truck as requested by the fire department.

• Playground equipment match: Council approved a $22,000 match to a $22,000 TSAC playground grant for Carson Park, totaling a $44,000 budget adjustment; council discussed proposed location near soccer fields.

• Executive session: Council voted to enter executive session under the statutory citation read aloud (transcribed as "40 5 OS 307b1234") for items 16–21.

Votes on roll call were recorded on the transcript for each item noted; where a recorded name was present the roll-call response recorded an affirmative vote (motions carried as recorded).