New and returning City Councilors, five in all, were sworn in on Monday, May 2nd, as looming storms threatened to shut the meeting down almost before it could get started.
Read everything that happened this week in the Digital Edition.
Mayor Craig Henderson, Ward 4, Alexander Hamilton, Ward 3, and Carla Gunn, Ward 2, were sworn in as part of the organizational Sine Die meeting. Other City Councilors David Mortazavi, Ward 5, and John Suggs, Ward 1, were later sworn in as part of the regular City Council Meeting.
In addition to the introductions, proclamations were prepared for the outgoing city councilors as well—Bruce Bledsoe, Ward 5, who was not in attendance; and Lou Martin, Ward 3.
See more about how the city honored Lou Martin on Monday evening.
Prior to the start of the regular City Council meeting at 7:00 pm, the City Council gathered in the adjacent conference room with members of the Sapulpa Ministerial Alliance, where Father Kieth Fallis, of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, read a prayer over the councilors. Mayor Henderson remarked afterward, “I don’t remember us doing this before. It’s a good start and a good end.”
The City Council meeting got off to a hurried start in anticipation that it would need to be cut short due to the oncoming storms. Motions were made and carried for Craig Henderson and Carla Gunn to retain their respective positions as Mayor and Vice-Mayor, and Steve Collins, Ward 1, was appointed by the Mayor to replace Jeff Molina on the Sapulpa Planning Commission.
Proclamations were read and presentations made for recognition of “Teacher Appreciation Week” for May 1st – 7th, followed by “Firefighter Appreciation Day,” for May 4th. The council then got into approving a couple of minor administrative details, and began discussing a Specific Use Permit to allow a Short Term Rental at 628 S. Main Street.
danger regardless of the situation or circumstance.”
While the council was hearing statements regarding that property, Sapulpa Police Chief Mike Reed came and informed them that the worst of the storms was about five minutes away, and that it was likely that they’d have to take shelter soon.
After resolving that particular situation on the Special Use Permit on South Main, the council carried a motion to adjourn the meeting and pick up the remainder of the business that the next available City Council meeting. The next item on the agenda was set to be an SUP for allowing a “wine-tasting room” at 609-B S. Main Street. So far, the city staff and the Sapulpa Planning Commissioner have agreed to recommend approval for the permit.
