Jenks City Council Meeting Recap: November 6th, 2024

The Jenks City Council held its regular scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November 6th, 2024, at 6 PM. Mayor Corey Box chaired the meeting, which included a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, an animal welfare spotlight, public comments, and discussions on various city projects and ordinances.

Key Takeaways

• New Directions International Church Anniversary: Pastor Tommy Davis announced the church's second anniversary celebration on Sunday morning at 9:00 AM, featuring guest speakers Apostle Jerome Steel and Bishop Yolanda Steel, and musical group Souls of Fire from Oral Roberts University.
• Animal Welfare Spotlight: Caroline, a Belgian Mountain Wall mix, was highlighted for adoption. The shelter is currently low on dogs after a successful adoption event.
• Parking Garage Concerns: A resident raised issues regarding the cleanliness and structural integrity of a downtown parking garage, citing issues like abandoned cars, non-functioning lights, and cracks.
• JEDA Advisory Committee: A citizen questioned the qualifications and vetting process for the JEDA advisory committee, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and fiscal responsibility.
• Stray Dog Issues: A resident reported an increase in stray dog incidents, including a dog attack and dogs roaming freely, expressing concern for public safety.
• Constitutional Republic vs. Democracy: A resident emphasized that the United States is a constitutional republic, not a democracy, and distributed copies of the Constitution.
• Elm Street Widening Project: The council approved awarding a contract for the construction of phase one of the Elm Street widening project and the 116th Street Trail to Paragon Contractors for approximately $9.1 million. They also approved a contract for construction management and laboratory services for the project.
• Veterans Day Celebration: The upcoming Veterans Day celebration at Veterans Park was mentioned, including the rededication of the "Never Forget Garden.

City Council Meeting Highlights

The meeting began with a roll call, confirming all members were present. Pastor Tommy Davis of New Directions International shared news about his church's upcoming second anniversary and led the attendees in prayer. Following the prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Animal Welfare Spotlight: Caroline

Captain provided an update on animal welfare, highlighting Caroline, a Belgian Mountain Wall mix who has been at the shelter for several months and is still seeking a home. He mentioned that six dogs were adopted from a recent event, leaving the shelter with fewer animals. Information on adoptable pets can be found on the Jenks Animal Welfare Facebook page or Pet Finder.

Public Comments

Several residents addressed the council during the public comment period.

Parking Garage Concerns

Kristen Dear, a resident of 727 Lofts, voiced concerns about the condition of a downtown parking garage. She described issues with cleanliness, including feces and abandoned cars, as well as structural concerns like growing cracks. She noted that while it's private property, it's used by residents and businesses, and expressed frustration with the lack of action from the property owner.

JEDA Advisory Committee Qualifications

Justin Little questioned the qualifications and vetting process for the JEDA advisory committee. He raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and asked about the criteria used for selecting committee members, referencing past city council decisions and development projects.

Stray Dog Incidents

Neil Ying reported an increase in stray dog activity in his neighborhood, including an incident where a woman was knocked down by stray dogs. He expressed concern about public safety and the effectiveness of current animal control measures.

Constitutional Republic

Jerry Hall reminded the council and attendees that the United States is a constitutional republic, not a democracy, and distributed copies of the Constitution.

City Projects and Ordinances

Elm Street Widening Project

The council discussed and approved the award of a contract for the construction of phase one of the Elm Street widening project, which includes the 116th Street Trail. Paragon Contractors was awarded the bid for approximately $9.1 million. The project is funded by the 2020 General Obligation Bonds and is expected to begin in January 2025, with completion anticipated in the spring of 2026. An additional contract for construction management and laboratory services was also approved for $566,000 to ensure the project meets specifications.

Zoning Amendment

Ordinance number 656, a major amendment to a planned unit development (PUD) at 126 Street at Harvard, was tabled for the next meeting. Council members expressed a need for more time to review revisions made to the proposal after it was rejected by the Planning Commission.

Other Business

Mr. Shrout provided updates on various city projects and events. He thanked the Public Works, Police, and Fire departments for their efforts during recent severe weather. A question was raised about the impact of the new outlet mall on sales tax revenue, with an indication that collections have increased significantly.

The council also briefly discussed the upcoming Veterans Day celebration at Veterans Park, including the rededication of the "Never Forget Garden."

The meeting concluded with the approval of the consent agenda and a reminder about the upcoming election.