OkStateExpansion.com

The URL below summarizes the meeting. I will also add that, being the 5th anniversary of the OSU Basketball “family” plane crash, Dr. Schmidly presented a memorial to our “10 Not Fogotten”. It was very nice and appreciated. (There was also a dedication of the memorial at University, as well as at the crash site in Colorado.

I did ask which dairy building was being razed. It is the dairy building on Monroe across from the Ag building (for us “oldies”, where they used to sell ice cream, cheese, etc.). When I asked the location, the regents turned to Dr. Bosserman to answer the question, but I requested the answer from the Regents. Mr. Helm asked why I did that and I told him I wanted to know if they knew exactly what they were voting to approve. He stated that I did answer his question & I replied that I understood, as we all like to get “straight answers”. I give the regents credit. They DID know what they were approving.

I also give credit to Dr. Schmidly in keeping his word to wait until the Mar. meeting to present the master plan and surrounding issues. He withdrew the 2 items regarding the approval to accept gift for West end of stadium and approval to raze aquired real property and accept the gift of related facilities.

I read a part of the Foundations’ policy regarding acceptance of gifts, as a reminder to the regents.

To read the Stillwater NewsPress summary you can go to:
http://www.stwnewspress.com/story.php?id=6618&type=osunews

I went to the County Commission meeting @ 9:00am. Nothing was discussed regarding the OSU proposed Master Plan.

Nothing regarding the OSU proposed Master Plan was discussed at the 6:30 pm regular meeting of the City Commission.

The Use Tax Oversight Committee meeting @ 6:00pm: The fact that the use tax is taken from out of state sales tax, such as catalog sales was discussed. It was stated that, therefore, the tax is truly not taken from our city’s taxes (unless one might say that it is a tax the city could have for our budget if we did not give $600,000.00 annually to OSU). The “Memorandum of Understanding” stating the intent for Stillwater (City) and OSU to engage in cooperative efforts is very vague and, as I see it, is rather meaninless.

OSU agreed to resurface Monroe & for the public to have access to same through the campus as long as Monroe Street remains open by the university.

OSU agreed to use it “best efforts” to obtain federal funds for improvements to the dam at Lake Carl Blackwell & in the event federal funds don’t become available, OSU will endeavor to identify other revenues available to it for this use. (Obviously no federal funds, or other funds have “become available” for this project.)

Paragraph concerning water treatment and distribution facilities study and parties would work together to determine mutually acceptable agreement that will provide stable, reliable water service for both parties.

OSU will use its “best efforts” to oprovide an overlay or other improvements to Hall of Fame from Western to Duck within a reasonable period of time.

OSU and City will continue to explore options in the provision of electrical service to each party that will create savings which may be shared between them.

The above is a “synopsis” by me, not total word for word. Discussion of the memorandum was held. No action taken.

Meeting with OSU and City Commission @ 6:00pm:
Mr. Bosserman and Mr. Weaver represented OSU.
Hall of Fame: want to keep it open. Want to have engineering consultant to study the situation regarding safety in keeping it open.

When contract with OG&E terminates, OSU will allow the City of Stillwater to bid for the opporunity to be their supplier of electricity.
Hank Moore stated he didn’t feel it was appropriate for OSU to pick and choose, ala carte regarding, sewage, water, electricity, fire protection, etc. OSU give no offset for fire protection.

Discussion regarding Lake Carl Blackwell dam and its vulnerability. OSU said they keep putting it on their priority list for federal funding, but have not received any. Hank Moore said that just putting it on someone’s priority list was not enough. There is a concern for safety of citizens and concern for flooding. Bud Lacy stated that OSU is trying. It was agreed that both the City and OSU would try to work together to pursue state funding. The dam is not up to today’s standards.

Regarding City convention center: A Mn. firm has been hired to do feasibility study to see if there is sufficient need to persue, do we have enough market to support it? Bud Lacy asked if OSU was included in the discussion regarding a convention center and that if built, it probably needs to be near the campus.

Transportation meeting is scheduled for Jan. 19th @ 7p in the public library to look toward a 20 yr. horizon determining needs and how to fund them. This meeting will discuss city roads, routes, buses, etc. There will be 2 OSU representatives on the committee. Bud Lacy said we needed to be sure to cooridnate with OSU. He also talked about making 6 lanes of traffic on 6th street from Western to County Club Rd.

Infrastructure. Dan Galloway, City Manager, asked for a plan showing infrastructure for the proposed OSU master plan. Mr. Bosserman said that there is an infrastructure plan.

Mr. Bosserman requested that the City try to set up a code enforcement policy for all rental properties for safety purposes.

Fire protection needs were discussed, as well as the remodel, or removal of the fire station located at University and Knoblock.

The “few” are the mighty from which they will grow. We had about 50 people at the meeting, ALL wanting to work. Hank Moore, City Commissioner, did come and speak with us. His information is invaluable and focused on the entire city. The questions and answers flowed freely.

Most everyone signed up to help with the various committees of research, etc. All agreed that we have past the “emotional” approach, which involves only a portion of the city. Action needs to be taken to involve the real facts and issues and work with the Stillwater citizenry toward the best interest of the entire City of Stillwater, the University and the State. We will aim to have a true PARTNERSHIP with the city and the university.

There will not be another meeting until after Christmas. Then we will probably meet in committees and periodically the heads of committees will meet to keep our efforts coordinated. You will be contacted by your choice of either e-mail or by phone.

Anyone not attending the meeting, property owner and/or CONCERNED CITIZEN who desires to work toward this goal, can email us by adding a comment under the topic “ How Can You Help” ( write your comment at the very bottom of that page).

We were so involved in our “mission” that we did not have time to report on the meeting held with Dr. Schmidly. I don’t know that we learned anything new, but it was good to meet with him. He graciously listened to and answered as best he could, all our questions and comments.

Summary of 12-19-05 meeting with Dr. Schmidly

1. Real property acquisition through negotiation is presently funded and the OSUF will continue to acquire property on a willing seller/willing buyer basis.

2. At this time money is not available for eminent domain action in all the area N of Hall Fame. There is limited funding to purchase proerties from willing sellers. There is not, currently, funding available to complete the planned facilities. Mr. Schmidly cannot/will not predict when money will be available. Possibly a few years.

3. Eminent Domain will be used to acquire property when:
a. Funding is in place for a specific building project.
b. The property required for the specific building project cannot be purchased on willing buyer/willing seller basis.

4. OSU is willing to provide studies, reports, maps etc. (or information on where such can be viewed or obtained).

5. OSU will respond to written requests and/or suggestions from residents.

6. President Schmidly is available for further meetings.

7. Ann asked for a map of Stillwater showing all property currently owned by OSU and Dr. Schmidley stated that he would get that for us.

Ann’s view:

I went to the buses before I drove to Langston. An OSU “official” told me at the transportation center, that OSU had a bus in the Christmas parade last night and it was “booed”. The individual felt it was an indication of the hostility currently present in Stillwater against OSU.

We did not have a full bus load to go to the meeting. Several did, however, take their own cars. They had planned for a much larger crowd than actually came. The meeting was moved from Scholar’s Inn Clubhouse to the gym to handle the discussion of the Master Plan segment of the meeting. One hour was allowed for comments. Actually, they let us go over that time by 15 minutes or so.

Many good comments were presented. Bud Lacy, city mayor, did give a good list of concerns, as he was the first to comment. Each individual who spoke was given 3 minutes to voice their concerns.

The faculty and students made an excellent presentation, as well as several others. Most all the comments were directed at requesting stopping the acquistion; or to holding off on the expansion plan in order to allow further input from the city, concerned citizens, faculty, students, homeowners, etc.

Most of the presentations were directed toward concerns presented at our many meetings, postings on this website, letters to editors and other articles. Therefore, I feel no need to reiterate them here.

A woman from Tulsa stated her support for the Village, as presented in the Master Plan. The president (or Veep…not sure about this) of Stillwater National Bank in Stillwater, spoke in favor of the Plan as it has been presented.

I felt the regents listened to the discussion quite attentively and many seemed to note points made. Did we accomplish our “goal”? I have no idea. There is still work to be done……IF you want to accomplish stopping or holding off on the Plan until it can be further discussed.

Ray Wall will help with organization of a plan to continue, if that is the desire of concerned citizens of Stillwater and of property owners in the area. We should be able to judge the intensity of desire by attendance at another meeting. If the turn out today was an indication, it may have appeared that the number concerned is minimal.

We are all very tired of meetings! We are especially tired of meetings in which we feel we do not get answers, only more questions. I know that several have lost much sleep working toward the goal and/or worrying about the affects of the Plan on our City and on our lives. Are we beaten? Are we willing to keep up the fight? Only you have the answer to that. What is the consenses? It’s up to YOU!

Before I went to the City sponsored meeting, I attended the transportation meeting at City Hall @ 5p. The City is getting started on plans for new arteries, etc. in the City of Stillwater. C. H. Guernsey & Co. (OKC) have been hired as consultants. They have brought Wilbur Smith Associates into the planning. The planning is in the beginning stages. At this point, I will not give a run down regarding this entire meeting as it mainly was a presentation of CH Guernsey Co. on their considerations, meeting schedule, etc. (Then I had to leave to go to the City meeting.) My only comment would be that I hardly see how the City of Stillwater can do much planning until they KNOW what OSU is going to do. I’m in hopes that the taxpayers of Stillwater do not end up, once again, paying for streets and infrastructure of which OSU will later “acquire”. The City must also plan around the effects of OSU expansion. Remember, this is just in the stage of “begin to plan”.

City Meeting:
Wow, I hardly know where to start. There were so many good questions and the panel tried to answer them. The panel included: Attorneys, Lowell Barto and Mozelle Smith
Accountants, John Nelson and Mike Harden, Appraisers, Doug Emdee & Ted Smith and OSU president, Dr. Schmidly. Bud Lacy led the panel and discussion.

Bud stated that there is nothing the city commission has to offer in help to the citizens involved in the acquisition area. Property owners in that area are totally at the mercy of OSU athletic department. He stated he also had lots of questions OSU, only, can work with the owners and he hopes on a voluntary basis.

Question: Define Voluntary
Answer: none

Vice Mayor in attendance at the meeting said the only thing commissioners have ability to control is streets and infrastructure.

Bud said all streets belong to the public, closing the streets is up to the City.

Q: Can City do anything about replacement value?
A: Bud encouraged OSU to advocate proceedings on owner’s behalf

Q: Should we have an independent appraisal. Is it worthwhile
A: (Doug) As appraiser, they are bound by rules and laws. Cinnabar should have to follow these like anyone else. See what Cinnabar guidelines have been when get appraisal. Ask for a complete copy of appraisal. Although OSU is Cinnabar’s client and the appraisals are being done for them. Therefore, they are not obligated to give the owner a complete appraisal. If owner has appraisal done & pays for it, complete copy of appraisal would go to the owner.

Q:What is the cost of an appraisal?
A: (Doug) too many varibles to say. Probably $400-500 for appraisal on regular family dwelling.
(Ted) Commercial and more complicated appraisals probably would run between $2500-3000.

Q: If we wait and go through the eminent domain process will we get lower price?
A:(Lowell, I think) If go through eminent domain process, court will appoint a commissioner (appraisal commissioner) to appraise property and the court goes with that. If owner does not agree with that, owner can request a jury trial.

Q: Do people usually get more or less if they go to jury trial?
(Mozelle) Last trial on eminent domain she did, owner got more. However, that decision can be overturned. One could go to public records and see what OSU had awarded in previous purchases, BUT, since OSU is a public entity they don’t have to disclose that. One can usually tell price by documentary stamps on a deed. However, since OSU doesn’t have to pay taxes and is a public entity, there will be no documentary stamps, most likely. So, no way to find out.
(John) Look at comparable. Is comparable property sold under threat of eminent domain.

Q: Since Board of Regents mtg. has been moved to the Muskogee meeting, is some City commissioner going to be there to support us?
A: None really

Q: Only place to go so can discuss the Master Plan is to Lanston. Since discussion is allowed at Board of Regents meetings at END of meeting, voting would take place before discussion. Stated that Langston had been called and “unlike OSU” parking is available and FREE. We were told that if anyone did get a ticket, to take it to the police station and they would void it. Stressed that anyone who wanted to present concerns to Board of Regents MUST be at the Langston meeting, as well as the meeting in Muskogee.
A: (Schmidly) agreed best to go to Langston to present concerns
Q: Then will OSU provide buses to take us to Langston?
A: (Schmidly) Hmmmm, yes, right David? (? not sure name was David, think this was the transportation director)David: Sure. Schmidly: We’ll have 3 buses. It was decided we could meet at the OSU library annex (Old IGA) Main/Duck & Eskridge corner. We’ll leave @ 9:00 am Fri. Dec. 2.

Q: Can one public entity say “NO” to closing a street while another public entity says “YES”? One public entity against the other.
A: Bud. Absolutely we can stop the closing of a street. If the City says “No” to street closing, OSU could take it to court. That is what happened when Washington was closed due to the College library building. The case was taken all the way to the Supreme Court. Side comment from someone in the “audience”: However, they had already started the library building when the case went to court.

Q: I have had my 4 properties appraised today by Cinnabar. When will I get my appraisals?
A. (Think Doug) Oh, the appraisal would not go to you. It will go to the client, OSU. In turn, OSU can give you the appraisal if they so choose.
(Gary Clark) OSU will give the owner the complete appraisal when they make their offer.
He said the appraisal and offer should be given them within a few days of appraisal.
Q: May not have time to negotiate.
A: (Bud) You’ll have time to negotiate.

Q: Is eminent domain black & white? Can OSU comdem anything they want? There are many things OSU is planning to build, why is it important they not build somewhere else?
A: (Bud) Yes, OSU has lots of power to acquire land by condemnation, but one can take it to court to contest it. You would have to demonstate to the court that the land was not needed, that there were other alternatives. Is it really based on necessity. One has 30 days to file with the court to contest.

Q: Why is OSU doing this before it has been voted on by the Board of Regents?
A: (Schmidly) It has been approved. (indignation by audience). Well the plan has not been approved, but board of regents has approved the buying of property through voluntary negotiations.

Q: In eminent domain, entity has to own 80% before claiming eminet domain. When we get appraisal, will we have access to what property was used as comparable and the address of that property?
A: (I don’t recall any)….refer to above Q. regarding appraisals.

Q: Some elderly owners cannot be here. Studies show elderly die earlier when they are foced to leave their homes. Would OSU be facing federal prosecution it they do this?

Q: Bill Ridley (sp?) “almost a Dr.” dissertation on eminent domain. Studying how negotiators try to “work their deals”. Compared to World Trade Center negotions for property saying it was somewhat the same situation as ours. They were hesitant to exercise eminent domain. In the long run owners just want an equal deal. OSU needs to work a deal, put people in a better situation (living quarters) than they are now.

Q: Proposed a special vote by the citizens of the City on the acquisition of Hall of Fame.

Q: It is OSU’s right to exercise eminent domain, Board of Regents. Foundation cannot exercise eminent domain. It is NOT the Foundation’s money, but donors. Foundation can’t buy the land.
A: Once the donor gives money to the Foundation, it belongs to the foundation.

Q: (speaking for an out of state friend who owns property in the area) Is there a correlation between the appraisal and the assessed value?
A: (?) No

Q: Do we know what we are looking at in way of loss of revenue, streets, expense of new streets, to the schools?
A: (Bud) 85% of revnue comes from utility sales and taxes. OSU has said they will still get utilities from the City. It’s not a great loss.
(Mike Woods, Stw. school board) The school board doesn’t really know what the impact of this plan will be. They still have questions. However, he believes that OSU will cover any deficit to the schools. There are alternatives to the plan. Many things are planned and don’t come to be. As an example, architects design a lot of buildings that never get built.

Q: (dauther of homeowner N. of McElroy) Should we continue improvements to properties?
A: (one of the appraisers) Continue improvements to keep property maintained, anything to do with health and safety. Keep up the property in order to get a better price when OSU DOES purchase it. Don’t “over improve” for the neigborhood.

Q: (suggestion really): Encouraged everyone NOT to settle, if possible. Announced Homeowner’s mtg. Wed. Nov. 29, Hillcrest Baptist Church @ 8:45 pm.
A: N/A

Q: (owner of home West of Washington) What about our homes? We can’t sell, we can’t get loans.
A: none that I remember

Comment by Schmidly: We are trying to answer questions forthright. If we don’t know we will try to find out. Hall of Fame is closed due to construction zone. It will be closed 3-5 years while finishing North side of stadium and West end and underground parking. We don’t want to disrupt traffic more than we have to and are concerned with the safety of students.
(aside from someone in audience). When you started, you said it would be closed 1 season.
Schmidly. Completing the West end zone requires much longer & will take longer than the South & North sides of the stadium. We’ll work with the City on closing Hall of Fame.

Q: regarding land acquisition. What has happened? The plan is not what we heard before we got the letter from Benham (actually Cinnabar) offering to buy our property.
A: (Schmidly) We have scheduled 146 appraisals. 274 remain. More come in each day.

Q: OSU should at least wait until January so we could discuss issues.
A: (Schmidly) encouraged everyone to go to Langston meting to discuss if you want maximum imput. We will send a copy of tonight’s meeting to the Board of Regents in order that they can see the concerns. 40% south of McElroy and 20% overall to close by Jan. 4. These are the only things under contract right now. Let’s deal with some misperceptions: 1. That the plan only includes athletics. That is not the case. It includes a great deal for academics, students AND athletics. $420 million too be spent on the general university ($177 million on Athletics). This is all in the 20 year plan. Immediate construction is South of McElroy. We expect, believe we have funding to complete that area in the next 5 yrs. We have NO interest in properties West of Washington. Only in area south of McElroy in the near term. North of McElroy will not be needed in the next 3-5 yrs. OSU has had permission since 1977 to acquisition property North of Hall of Fame. In 2000, the decision to keep the stadium where it is, rather than build a new one West of town was made. To continue with planning, it couldn’t be done without land acquisition. 2. That OSU doesn’t care about the City. 3. That tax revenue loss would be $300,000.00. That is based on all property. It is really only $150,000.00. 4. That OSU has other properties and we don’t need this area. Yes, but not where we need it. 5. Intend to use eminent domain to acquire property. Our strongest desire is that this be done between a willing buyer and a willing seller. Some of the plan may not be constructed for 20 years. Have at least 3 yrs. to move. There is a tax advantage in being declared a part of eminent domain concerning capital gains. This plan will increase jobs, sales tax revenue. Our job is to keep up the reputation of OSU.

Q: (suggestion) Give property owners land and rebuild our neighborhood, put in streets, sewers and other infrastructure.
A: N/A

Q: (Board of Realtors president) stated that it is hard to find homes to fit into replacement value. What can be done about affordable housing?
A: (Schmidly) We are trying to see what’s available and what can be done about affordable housing. We are trying to get more information about that.

Q: (Mother of 4 children w/ 5 bedroom home) We didn’t know about the plan until
Nov. 5. It has been implied that scheduling an apprasial amounts to approval of the process. We schedule an appraisal because we were threatened. Cinnabar said that if we didn’t sell by Jun. 1, OSU would exercise eminent domain.
A: (Schmidly) We’d like to acquire property in 7-9 months. We have no money for construction North of McElroy, but are willing to buy from willing sellers. It will be up to 20 years before construction begins north of McElroy and west of Washington.

Q: (OSU student) Since the Athletic Village only services a small portion of the student body, many students need affordable housing. Most students will never use the Athletic Village. Finding affordable housing close to campus will be an impossibility. I now have been told that my lease runs out Jan. 1. I had to pay $800.00 per month to live in Bennet with 2 other people. I can’t afford that and still go to college. I can’t afford to live on campus. Three buildings, housing over 1000 students are being torn down.
A: (Schmidly) We are working on affordable housing.

Q: (comment) A 70 year old man in a wheelchair with a heart condition was led to believe that he had 6 months to pack up and find a place to go.
A: N/A

Comment: Gary Shutt contradicted himself twice in the Q&A notice that was in the Stillwater Newspress.

Comment: (think maybe Gary Clark) Donated money to acquire property could be used to purchase property in 20 year area to swap.

Comment: the Bonds were the representatives for property owners as stakeholders. They sold their 20% of the entire area to OSU.

Q: When were the 50 public forums held and how were they published to notify the public. How were stakeholders selected. Who were all the reps for the community, city, etc.
A: (Bud) will get information regarding when meetings were held, how published for the public and the minutes from those meetings from OSU. He will post them on the Stillwater website: Stillwater.org
(Benham rep) They weren’t really public meetings. Not required to be public. Not intended to have a citizen representation.

Comment: (statement) There are 45 homeowners in the affected area North of McElroy. I talked with Stillwater real estate people and there are only 30 homes on the market under $100,000.00 currently.

From Ann Williams. There were more comments, especially at the end of the meeting. I have summarized to the best of my ability in reading my notes & typing:-) Sorry if I left anyone out. I think I just “gave out” toward the end of the meeting.

Bud Lacy, Mayor & member of OSU faculty, said: City comm. has no authority to either approve or dissapprove OSU master plan. They can only express the city’s concerns. He said that fiscally the plan has little impact on the city because they will still pay for water, electricity and sewage disposal. He stated that loss of property taxes was minimal.

Bud said he is trying to get a panel together consisting of a couple lawyers familiar with eminent domain and appraisals and someone knowlegeable in effect of tax loss, etc. This panel would be available to homeowners to come to City Hall and ask questions of this panel. They are talking about scheduling that meeting on Tues., Nov. 29 (same as homeowners meeting scheduled…what a coincidence).

On closing of Hall of Fame Bud says he is unable to find any information stating that that street is dedicated to the public. (Who paid for it?) OSU wouldn’t have to ask City permission to close it. Bud says they have been cooperative with the city and that the comm. has not offically approached the city about Hall of Fame. The Univ. has right to acquire property and it is in the voluntary stage of acquistion and certainly it is their business, we can’t tell them not to do that.

Mr. Lacy said eminent domain dealt with a lot of legal issues & referred to the Tulsa World articles regarding the subject published Nov. 21, 2005. “We’re trying to do all we can and really don’t know anymore than you do”. (Perhaps, the comm. needs to spend the time to find out about issues involving its citizenry)

Citizen Vice Mayor Ruth Anne Kennedy: commented that she did not approve the letter being sent to the Univ., it was wimpy. She suggested strengthening the response to include the city comm. official opposition of closing Hall of Fame. Stating that the public has used that street for multiple years, she wondered if we go to legal trial, would we lose? If closed, the City would be looking at major costs associated with improvements and expanding McElroy. If the univ. wants to acquire property, we can’t stop that, but it is a great concern when they start the process using the threat of eminent domain. Rather than start the process with a “voluntary” acquirement, property owners, including City of Stillwater(a park paid for by taxpayers) received letters. We have the responsibility to insure that property owners are treated fairly. Fair compensation to property owners, and to the city for streets and infrastructure. OSU could have come to the city and let us help answer these questions before they started the process. She stated she was saddened by the actions of OSU. Up to now, there has been a pretty good relationship between the City and OSU. Eminent domain should be a last resort. When you start a conversation with “eminent domain,” it means you’re really going to poke it down my throat and stops people right there from even wanting to start the process.

Bud Lacy: There’s no question that this has not been handled well at all by the Univ.

Commissioner, Hank Moore that the master plan was to be all the stakeholders expressing viewpoints. North of McElroy was not part of that plan and was thrown in at the very, very end AFTER months and months of input. Many stakeholders were not even aware of this until they read the article concerning expansion that Stillwater Newspress published on Nov. 5. On top of that the master plan puts a lot of others at risk as to where their property investment belongs ALL AROUND campus. When threatened with eventual takeover, property owners do not take care of their property and will allow it to become a blighted area, knowing it will be taken over. This has a ripple effect. Now acquisitions affect 1-2% of our population & we have been blindsided by this univ. This is supposed to be a partnership. Businesspeople of this community, at the very beginning, went out & raised the funds to bring this Okla. college here. Master Plan misrepresented sincere proposals offered. They weren’t offered and taken genially. The Univ. is in the middle of this community. It is a vital part of it, but like every other economical development entity that we have. When Walmart came in we made them improve their properties, improve the infrastructure to their propety and the ajoining streets. Now we have this “partner” who is going to close a main E/W corridor without any compensation or consideration to the community. Long term consequences there will be a lot of dissappointed support for the univ. as a whole & the Foundation. They now lack credibility. Have said over & over that Hall of Fame would remain open. Then they tell us it is to be closed. They have harmed the City as far as capital plans for the future, looking at funds for the county, impacts the grade schools and for athletics. This is a land grant school. Athletics is not a primary priority. It’s also a disservice to the past. Ten years ago at the Old Central dedication President Halligan said that the state will have the top competitors in security, corporation appointments, correct with school admissions as well as National Scholarships. We were going to be a research univ. The City stepped up to the plate w/ the Univ. and did Tech Park and it has gone very little since that point. I feel betrayed. And I’m angry. I’m angry that we were dismissed as a business community south of campus on Washington Street. They want to move 4 blocks of businesses back to the west so they can have a view of their library. I find it offensive that the salestax payers are being stepped on for an unfunded, visionary “whatever”, and the community not be taken seriously. I for one, am opposed to closing Hall of Fame. I oppose the annexation plan as it stands. And I would propose and support the comm. to stand up and not close one street in the north annex area to allow them to build their athletic village. Those streets are ours, we’ll keep them open and you can build around them. Until we stand up to the univ. they will just continue to walk on us, as they have done for 15 or 20 yrs. I think it is time for the citizens to understand the power of this 900 lb. gorilla and how destructive it is when they cannot be held accountable for their decisions.

Next comment: With acquisition to be done by Jul 1st, does that mean that the construction is to begin Jul. 1?

Bud Lacy ended the meeting with comments I could not get on the tape of the meeting given to me.

From the Stillwater NewsPress, not on the tape given me, Jim Burtschi, former City commissioner gave history of Hall of Fame. In early 70’s commissioners were preparing a bond issue for a planned road system for the interloop of Stillwater. The univ. requsted a change in the priority list to include Hall of Fame. City citizens granted the request. He advised commisssions t work with the Board of Regents, help them understand the problems between OSU & the City.

Ray Wall, former Board of regents attny & dist. judge agreed with Burschi in working with Board & to take a clear & strong position with them

Bob Barnes, Sr. compared OSU’ annexation plans to a hostile corporate takeover. He said there is pressure from Boone, the President and the Athletic Director. “We are dealing with a man with unlimited funds who made money attempting to take over corporations. Mr. Barnes strongly encouraged property owners and concerned citizens to attend the 10:00 am Board of Regents meeting on Dec. 2, to be held at Langston Univ. in the Scholar’s Inn Clubhouse.

Ruth Ann Kennedy added that OSU’s funding mechanisms are in OKC and suggested taking complaints to a state legislative level.

Many citizens voiced their frustrations and concerns with the entire process.

Gary Shutt, director of OSU communication services said he would relay the opinions to the univ. When asked if the location of the proposed village could be changed, Shutt explained the location is a key element to the master plan, important for the vitality of the university and its energy. As far as eminent domain, that is further down the line. Shutt said closing of Hall of Fame is still in the air. Master plan does not show it closed.

Lacy challenged this statement, saying it depends on what plan you are looking at, noting he had reviewed on plan showing Hall of Fame closed.

Kennedy suggested OSU be involved on next Tues. evening’s informational meeting. She wanted OSU to be present to answer citizen’s questions. Commissioners suggested that Shutt send a decision making figure to the meeting in order to open dialogue with citizens and the City.

Topics of Concern (at 11/14/05 Mtg.) Held at Hillcrest Baptist Church
(MANY attended)

DEC 2 REGENTS MEETING

1. Attend regents meeting en masse on Dec. 2
2. Contact Board of Regents, Chancellor of Higher Ed, and local, state & federal legislators en masse
3. Draft a petition of concern before Dec. 2 Regents meeting
4. Have Robert Maurizzi give & expand his experiences in this area tonight
5. Regents, Legislators who forward names - soft belly
6. Solicit spokesperson or lawyer to speak on our behalf

EMINENT DOMAIN/ LAND ACQUISITION

1. Can we lobby regents? If not, who appoints the regents?
2. Can we lobby who appoints the regents?
3. Find out time-table to confiscate property
4. Get an attorney now
5. Get in writing what OSU plans to do
6. Identify who is the leader
7. Lean on City
8. Stop OSU from going north of McElroy
9. What about intramural field?
10. What can we do to help our neighbors among the 410 properties Duck -Eskridge Ave. - Washington-McElroy?
11. Write to all local, state and federal legislators too rescind the power of eminent domain.

PARKING / TRAFFIC FLOW

1. City ordinances not enforced - parking on the streets

RENTALS

1. Faculty on sabbatical or on leave (more than one year) need to be able to rent

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION / COVENANTS

1. Contact city & city commissioners
2. Contact Stillwater Neighborhood Alliance and become association.
3. Establish covenants for the entire neighborhood
4. Get copies of covenants previously established
5. Get media attention - TV, radio, O’Collegian, Stillwater Journal, Stillwater Newspress
6. Hire an appraiser as a neighborhood - one we can trust
7. Hire and attorney for the Association - before Dec. 2 Regents meeting
8. Organize a simple association - short name, clear purpose, flexible
9. Organize - collect money - do it now
10. Use web site for communication

OSU MASTER PLAN

1. Build the athletic village on the old golf course
2. Contact Benham with our comments
3. Contact Institute for Issues Management - Weldon Schieffer to see if they will handle the next meeting.
4. Contact (cards, letters, phone calls, e-mail) members of the University Board of Regents and local and state legislators
5. Contact Oklahoma Representative, Frank Lucas, for he is against eminent domain
6. Find out the facts and draft a response
7. Get statement from OSU to all homeowners stating that OSU will never seek to acquire our homes.
8. Is Washington Heights addition in the OSU Master Plan - 10, 20, 25 years?
9. Repeal sales tax to pay off Gallagher-Iba Arena
10. Write letter to O’Collegain, Stillwater Journal, Stillwater Newspress, Tulsa World and Daily Oklahoman

WILL ROGERS SCHOOL

1. Need liaison with school district

*Note from administrator (Ann Williams): This summary of the 11/14/05 was typewritten and given to me by an individual who helped plan this meeting so that I would enter the information to this website. I did not attend this meeting as I was attending the City Commission meeting.

Basically, the meeting tonight was a repeat of last night. After a brief introductionby Gary Clark, the Pres./presenter from Cinnabar explained the process of appraisal/acquisition. And, yes, the Pres./presenter IS Bob Parmele (not Kirk Roberts.)

Last night seventy people set a date and signed to have their homes appraised by Cinnabar.

There were a few things that I heard tonight that may have been said last night and I did not note them:

1. The Foundation will pay for moving expenses, according to the guidelines of Okla. Department of Transportation (I think that is who they said compiled the guidelines).
2. The homeowner may remove anything they want from the house.
3. The homeowner may accept payment of offer and then, if they care to, take the house and have it moved to another location. (Moving the house would, of course be at the homeowner’s expense).

Mr. Clark said there are 330 parcels of land included in the area of acquisition. Forty parcels have contracts, with 274 remaining. According to my calculations, there must be 16 parcels in ? category. (Due to the fact that I think 40 + 274 = 314 rather than 330.)

Mr. Clark said he had visited this site and found some misinformation. I told him that I would truly appreciate his letting me know about the inaccuracies, as I want this site to be a factual as possible.

For those who did not attend this meeting, I will try to summarize it as I saw it. We were told at the November 10 meeting that the meetings on the 16th & 17th were the time to have our questions answered. Gary Clark, head of the OSU Foundation, talked for a few minutes and told us we could not ask questions during his general presentation and that we were not there to talk about the Master Plan, as that was done in the Nov. 10 meeting.

Gary said that the OSU Foundation had “limited” funds with which to “acquire” properties with “voluntary” acquisitions. He said we would break into 14 groups and meet with Cinnabar reps to ask questions. He then introduced *Kirk Roberts, pres. of Cinnabar, who explained just how the “appraisal”, and “voluntary” acquisitions would work. He told us to sign up to have an appraisal done on our property. Appraisal would be what the property would sell for on the open market, NOT replacement value.

Acquisitions will be completed by June 1, 2006, but can possibly be extended, if the property is not needed right now. Properties South and East from Washington and McElroy will be needed first.

After appraisal is done, they will give the property owner an offer in person, or it can be mailed. Property owner can counter in writing. Property Owner can also have their own appraiser and present that appraisal to Cinnabar, if the appraisal is “reasonable”. Appraisals are to be completed by March 1, 2006.

He also stated that each owner could okay a part sale/part “gift” to the university. He said that moving expenses could be paid by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

* I thought Mr. Clark introduced the Cinnabar representative as Kirk Roberts, but the Stillwater Newpress said Bob Parmele, Jr. was president of Cinnabar & the presenter. I am sure the Newpress talked to the presenter and reported it accurately. (Sorry about that)

I attended the City Commission Meeting Monday, November 14, 2005 and asked the date OSU would present or had presented the Athletic Village Master Plan. It was stated that OSU did bring the plan to the attention of the Commission and did tell them about the possibility of closing Hall of Fame. However, apparently, OSU is under no obligation to bring plans to the City Commission. Very little of the plan was discussed with the City Commissioner. Several members of the Commission attended the Master Plan presentation give by OSU, November 10, 2005 with the desire to determine how it will affect the City of Stillwater.

My comment is that I found the Commission, as a whole, to be quite concerned for the citizens of Stillwater in general and property owners in the acquisition area in particular. It seems they are very open to, and willing to listen to citizens’ concerns regarding the traffic situation and/or other matters surrounding the development of the Athletic Village Master Plan.

Hank Moore said that they all shared concerns regarding the OSU expansion, and that there are many unanswered questions on how the OSU expansion plan will mesh with the City of Stillwater to accommodate our citizens.

There was some discussion on the manner in which OSU has handled the situation with the property owners involved.

We will try to keep abreast of any further discussions between OSU and the Commission regarding the Master Plan and post the information, as it is available.