Friday, May 9, 2025
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
The Chronicle News
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Chronicle News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Lawton

Lawton City Council to consider new seating policy, approving changes to redevelopment guidelines

The Chronicle News by The Chronicle News
December 10, 2024
in Lawton
0
Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband
1
SHARES
8
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
build stronger customer relationships

You might also like

Quilt Guild to meet April 14

Wait times may be long at City Hall’s payment drive-thru

Classes designed to improve strength, balance in older adults

Proposals to reserve seating during council meetings while also restricting where cameras and recording devices can be placed will top the agenda when the City Council meets today.

The council also is expected to put the finishing touches on the project plan that specifies how revenue created in Tax Increment Financing Districts can be spent, and give its approval to a plan to build an animal shelter facility at a new location.

Council members will be considering a plan to amend their Rules of Procedures, adding a section to establish reserved seating and designate areas within the auditorium for recording devices and associated equipment. The rules are included in the council’s directives on how their meetings are to be conducted, and the body has amended those regulations several times in recent months.

Here, the amendment is being done “for the safety, efficiency, and minimal distraction during City Council meetings,” according to the agenda commentary.

For seating, the amended provision specifies the front row of chairs in the auditorium are reserved for the optional use of city staff, credentialed members of the media, and guests invited by the city staff for council presentations. While those individuals may sit somewhere else, the reserved row is designated for the convenient access of those who may need to participate in council proceedings, according to the policy.

Cameras, cell phones and associated recording equipment are being designated to specific areas for safety and compliance with fire codes, under the policy. The policy specifies citizens and members of the media are not allowed to set up equipment-supported recording devices in any aisle of the auditorium or immediate proximity of the dais “to maintain a clear, safe pathway for all attendees.” The devices and equipment also are prohibited on the stairs in the back of the auditorium and the balcony. They are allowed at the back of the auditorium, and the east and west sides at the back, locations calculated to allow recordings to be made without obstructing views or walkways for others, the policy states.

In other business, the council will hold its second public hearing on a plan to amend the city’s STEDI (Skills Training, Education, Development and Investment) Project Plan, which guides Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts. TIFs are development districts where investments in underused or deteriorating areas create revenue that can be used to pay for the infrastructure that allowed development to occur.

Amending the document means two public hearings for residential input, and today is the second of those public hearings. City officials said the process will include a presentation and answers to questions the public may have, before the council puts the amended plan in place.

Major changes include two new project categories where TIF funding may be used: workforce training, and homebuyer assistance for those who are brought to Lawton or hired locally to work for entities that open in TIF districts. The plan also will increase new funding allocated to schools to 50 percent of the net financial benefit (it now is 35 percent) and will expand the budget for public infrastructure up to $248 million, to help create shovel-ready sites for non-retail business development.

The plan also identifies specific TIF districts that may be activated, including one in the airport industrial park for the Fisher59 warehouse complex and a 40-acre tract in southwest Lawton where Westwin Elements will operate cobalt-nickel refinery pilot plant.

Council members also will receive an update on the animal shelter project, a plan to create a new facility at the south Lawton shelter so animals ready for adoption are held separately from new intakes. While the idea had been to expand the existing facility on Southwest 6th Street, administrators now suggest the city use the old fire station at 1701 W. Lee Blvd.

City officials said they are concerned about the cost of bringing the current animal shelter up to standards and increasing the work area to its required size while remaining within the $5 million cap set by council. City staff said the former fire station is structurally sound and still owned by the City of Lawton. “Our engineering and design teams have already researched the site and feel that it will better accommodate the needs of the facility as well as provide space for future growth,” officials said in their agenda commentary

Council members also will look at the issue of homelessness in the community via presentations by two entities already working with that population.

The C. Carter Crane shelter, located at 1203 SW Texas, now is operated by Embrace Hope, created by Brenda Spencer-Ragland when she assumed control in July. That remodeled facility will house up to 28 people, and today’s discussion is expected to center on the status of the shelter, bed availability and criteria to receive services.

MIGHT Community Development and Resource Center is expected to discuss its day center and beds provided to youth at its south Lawton facility. MIGHT’s programs include programs to help clients work toward stability and self-sufficiency, city officials said.


Want to reach a local audience and grow your business?

Our website is the perfect platform to connect with engaged readers in your local area.

Whether you're looking for banner ads, sponsored content, or custom promotions, we can tailor a package to meet your needs.

Contact us today to learn more about advertising opportunities!

CONTACT US NOW
Previous Post

Former employee accused of $120,000 embezzlement

Next Post

Chiefs win on bank-shot field goal

The Chronicle News

The Chronicle News

Related Posts

Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband
Lawton

Quilt Guild to meet April 14

by The Chronicle News
April 8, 2025
Wait times may be long at City Hall's payment drive-thru
Lawton

Wait times may be long at City Hall’s payment drive-thru

by The Chronicle News
April 6, 2025
Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband
Lawton

Classes designed to improve strength, balance in older adults

by The Chronicle News
April 6, 2025
Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband
Lawton

CCIDA accepts land as payment toward Cosmetic Specialty Labs debt

by The Chronicle News
April 6, 2025
Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband
Lawton

Comanche Nation egg hunt Saturday

by The Chronicle News
April 6, 2025
Next Post
Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband

Chiefs win on bank-shot field goal

Popular News This Week

  • Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband

    A new Pope has been chosen, first American pope in history

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Corn fueled rampage gets Geronimo man $500,000 bond

    24 shares
    Share 10 Tweet 6
  • VFW to meet Thursday

    2 shares
    Share 1 Tweet 1
  • OSBI assists in arrest of Jackson County man for child sex abuse

    18 shares
    Share 7 Tweet 5
  • Elgin Title VI meeting

    4 shares
    Share 2 Tweet 1

About

Welcome to The Chronicle. The Chronicle gives you the absolute best news sources that are happening in and around Comanche County! Our news are carefully curated and constantly updated to give you the best and most recent news as soon as they happen.

Categories

  • Local News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment

Site Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Latest News

  • A new Pope has been chosen, first American pope in history May 8, 2025
  • VFW to meet Thursday April 27, 2025
  • Elgin Title VI meeting April 15, 2025

© 2023 The Chronicle News

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

© 2023 The Chronicle News

What Are Cookies
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?