Stilwell council approves festival permits, police gear and personnel changes; tables $500,000 CD decision

The Stilwell City Council on a special meeting date approved a swath of routine items and one ordinance amendment, while tabling a proposal to place $500,000 in short-term certificates of deposit.

Council members voted to approve a special-event permit for the Stilwell Kiwanis Club to host the Stilwell Strawberry Festival and authorized up to $800 for portable toilets for the event. The council also agreed that the city would act as fiscal agent for the Kiwanis Club’s Oklahoma Arts Council small program grant, a recurring administrative request.

The police department received authorization to buy 12 ballistic packages at a total cost of $12,112.16, with approximately $9,999 expected to be reimbursed through a JAG/LLE grant; council members noted the department’s five‑year replacement cycle for the equipment.

On personnel and operating policy, the council approved a $500‑per‑year uniform stipend for employees in sanitation, street, code enforcement, animal control and recreational facilities who opt out of the city’s uniform contractor. Council also accepted a personnel change request to move Amanda Craig from full‑time to part‑time employment at her request; the action carries the stated consequence of loss of benefits.

Councilors unanimously adopted a package of other calendar and administrative items, including utility board calendar additions, the negotiation team for FY24–25 FOP Lodge 169 contract talks, and a solicitation to hire civil engineering services for a CDBG-funded street and drainage project at East Maple and Cherokee.

The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session to discuss agenda items 15–16, which the council approved.

The council’s actions on these items were recorded during the special meeting; several votes were taken by roll call and are reflected in the meeting record.