Lawton Enhancement Trust Authority

City of Lawton Lawton City Hall 212 SW 9th Street Lawton, Oklahoma Lawton Enhancement 73501-3944 Trust Authority Amended Agenda Wednesday, May 14, 2025 3:00 PM Lawton City Hall 3rd Floor Conference Room Meeting Called to Order and Roll Call Statement of Compliance with Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, 25 O.S. 301-314 Introduction of Guests Reports 1. Receive a report from Dennis Totte with Bedrock Nursery regarding current landscaping and irrigation projects, provide direction to Mr. Totte on current projects and take action as deemed necessary. 2. Receive a report from Neighborhood Services regarding monthly updates on departmental activities and take action as deemed necessary. 3. Receive a report from Parks and Recreation regarding departmental projects and monthly updates and take action as deemed necessary. 4. Receive a report from the Deputy Director of Community Enrichment regarding ongoing LETA projects and take action as deemed necessary. 5. Receive Monthly Ward Updates from Trustees and take action as deemed necessary. 6. Receive a report from the Communications and Marketing Department regarding LETA’s social media accounts and publicity projects, provide direction to staff on said projects and take action as deemed necessary. Business Items 1. Consider approving the minutes of the April 9, 2025, meeting. 2. Consider approving the list of expenses and paid invoices for the period from April 9, 2025, to May 12, 2025. 3. Consider approving the Treasurer's Report for the months of February and March 2025. 4. Select a winner for the April 2025 Yard of the Month competition. Page 1 of 55 5. Consider approving an estimate from Bedrock Nursery in the amount of $28,819.99 for the installation of an irrigation system along Rogers Lane and authorize payment of all applicable expenses incurred up to $28,819.99. 6. Consider approving an estimate from Bedrock Nursery in the amount of $8,850.00 for the replacement of rusted tree grates along Lee Boulevard and authorize payment of all applicable expenses incurred up to $8,850.00. 7. Consider approving a request from the Cultural Preservation Committee to relocate "Ned Shepler" plaque to a new, more appropriate, location within Shepler Park. 8. Discuss the "Lawton Art Walks" project and considering approving a funding request in the amount of $1,000 for the installation of two highly visible, colorful, art-filled crosswalks at Hugh Bish Elementary School. Adjournment The City of Lawton encourages participation from all of its citizens. If participation at any public meeting is not possible due to a disability, notification to the City Clerk at (580) 581- 3305 at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting is encouraged to make the necessary accommodations. The City may waive the 48 hour rule if interpreters for the deaf (signing) is not the necessary accommodation." Page 2 of 55  City of Lawton Lawton City Hall 212 SW 9th Street Lawton, Oklahoma Lawton Enhancement 73501-3944 Trust Authority Minutes Wednesday, April 9, 2025 3:00 PM Lawton City Hall 3rd Floor Conference Room Meeting Called to Order and Roll Call Chairman Ezerski called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M. in the 3rd floor conference room of City Hall. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Ted Symuleski, Barry Ezerski, Dwight Tanner, Dwain Baxter, *Addie Smith, Johnny Owens, Charles Owens ABSENT: Mary Ann Hankins (excused), Chris Rabon (excused) OTHERS PRESENT: Caitlin Gatlin, Communications & Marketing; DaLynna Wood, Communications & Marketing; Tammy Branstetter, City Clerk’s Office; Susan Schlecht, Financial Services; Charlotte Brown, Deputy Director of Community Enrichment; Jason Poudrier, Arts & Humanities; Jenny Clement, Great Plains AMBUCS; Matina Davis, Citizen of the Community *Arrived at 3:02PM and left at 3:48PM. Statement of Compliance with Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, 25 O.S. 301-314 Chairman Ezerski confirmed with Branstetter that the notice of meeting and agenda were posted by the City Clerk’s Office as required by law. Introduction of Guests No guests were introduced. Reports 1. Receive a report from Dennis Totte with Bedrock Nursery regarding current landscaping and irrigation projects, provide direction to Mr. Totte on current projects and take action as deemed necessary. Totte said we are totally done with all of our tree pruning. We've got all the flowerbeds Page 3 of 55 remulched. As soon as the tulips quit blooming, Totte said his staff will start switching out all the tulips for petunias. Chairman Ezerski asked that business item #2 be considered next. 2. Discuss damage incurred to the irrigation system when Bedrock Nursery enlarged tree grates on 2nd Street, and consider authorizing payment of the costs associated with repairs made to drip lines and fittings in the amount of $780.50. Chairman Ezerski said we had a question about this invoice. Charlotte Brown, LETA Executive Director, noted that the drip lines were cut while the tree grates were being cut by Bedrock. Totte said his aunt did this invoice, and it was sent to the Authority by mistake. He said he will take care of this invoice. No action was taken on this item. 3. Receive a report from Neighborhood Services regarding monthly updates on departmental activities and take action as deemed necessary. Charlotte Brown, Deputy Director of Community Enrichment, said for the month of March, staff sent out 549 violation notices. From the beginning of the fiscal year until now, 6,721 cost notices have been sent out. From January until now, 2,047 cost notices have been sent out. Brown said there is currently one work order pending completion, and 76 work orders were requested in the month of March. So far as of this fiscal year, we've completed 1,462 work orders. Brown said 17 of the 19 properties that were taken to Council last night were declared dilapidated. One was tabled for another 30 days, and one was stricken from the agenda because it had the wrong directional listed on the agenda item commentary - this property will be brought back to Council to be declared dilapidated. Brown noted that Trash Off has been rescheduled for April 26th at the same time and location. Once dilapidated structures have been torn down, Chairman Ezerski asked if staff has had to issue additional notices to the property owner for things such as mowing violations. Brown said for a lot of the properties, yes. Symuleski asked what the probability is that the City of Lawton is able to recover the costs of their liens. Page 4 of 55 Brown said the odds are very slim. She noted that many of the vacant properties do not sell at the county tax sale. Owens said Comanche County and the City of Lawton have been working together to improve their communication in regard to the upcoming county tax sale. Chairman Ezerski said we will be skipping report items #3 and #4 until Susan Schlecht arrives. 4. Receive a report from Parks and Recreation regarding departmental projects and monthly updates and take action as deemed necessary. Charlotte Brown, Deputy Director of Community Enrichment, advised that she is filling in for Larry Parks, Parks and Recreation Director. Brown said the department is continuing to work on various park improvements. Brown said installation of the crepe myrtles on Rogers Lane began yesterday. Brown noted that the new aquatics center is still on track to open this summer. Chairman Ezerski asked Brown if she knows when the playground equipment for Kid Zone will be delivered. Caitlin Gatlin, Communications & Marketing, said Kid Zone should be reopening in August. Symuleski asked if there are any updates on Shepler Park. Brown said the fundraising for Shepler Park never took off, and we never got any money for this project. She said the project is sitting in limbo until more funding can be raised for the project. Symuleski asked if we should start figuring out how to get more people interested in donating towards this project. Brown said we do need to move forward with something to try to generate more interest in the project again. Symuleski noted that Arts for All is the organization that uses this park the most. He said he thinks Arts for All should come up with part of the project costs. Jason Poudrier, Arts & Humanities, said he's sure Arts for All would be able to help with this project in some capacity, whether it be donating funds or rallying people in support of the project. He noted that currently, there are some plans to add curb cutouts and accessibility ramps to the Shepler Park area. Poudrier said they're trying to make the Page 5 of 55 park more accessible. Brown said we also have to get the annex building torn down before the park can be redone. Symuleski asked what would go in place of the annex building. Brown said this area will become a continuation of Shepler Park. 5. Receive a report from the Community Enrichment Deputy Director regarding ongoing LETA projects and take action as deemed necessary. Brown said the stripe account has been set up on the website for the veterans brick project. The company has provided us with a link to view the website and suggest any changes that need to be made to the website. Once we verify that the website is good, we'll be placing the first brick order. Chairman Ezerski asked how many orders have been received. Brown said she believes eight or nine. Once the website has been finalized, Brown said she will get with Caitlin Gatlin, Communications and Marketing, to get this information pushed out to the public again. 6. Receive Monthly Ward Updates from Trustees and take action as deemed necessary. No ward updates were given. 7. Receive a report from the Communications and Marketing Department regarding LETA’s social media accounts and publicity projects, provide direction to staff on said projects and take action as deemed necessary. DaLynna Wood, Communications and Marketing, said Yard of the Month nominations are now open through April 30th on the Authority's website. Voting will take place during the first two weeks before the May LETA meeting. 8. Receive a report from staff regarding the upcoming Eye Candy Gala event and provide direction to staff as needed. Caitlin Gatlin, Communications and Marketing, and Jason Poudrier, Arts and Humanities, provided background information on this item. Poudrier said we have records going back to 2009 for the different award winners that we've had. The Eye Candy Gala is held to recognize individuals and groups that are giving back to our community, with an emphasis on those who have done things to make Lawton more beautiful. Page 6 of 55 Poudrier asked Authority members to RSVP for this event as soon as possible. He noted that additional tickets are on sale to the public for $25.00. He noted that the Eye Candy Gala will be held at 6:00 PM this Friday at the Lawton Farmer's Market. Gatlin said a few short announcements will be made around 6:15 PM, and we'll start eating closer to 6:30 PM. Awards will be presented starting at 7:00 PM. Gatlin said the event should last no longer than two hours. Gatlin noted that some of the flowers for the event were sponsored by Scott's House of Flowers, and the food will be catered by Alexsas Rhodes with Designs by Lex. She said Poudrier worked with a local artist to acquire six of her pieces to use as presents for award recipients. Poudrier said we also worked with Tipton's to order plaques for the award recipients. Business Items 1. Consider approving the minutes of the March 12, 2025, meeting. A copy of the minutes of the March 12, 2025, meeting may be obtained from the City Clerk's Office upon request. Motion by Baxter, Second by Symuleski, to approve the minutes of the March 12, 2025, meeting. AYE: Ezerski, Symuleski, Tanner, Baxter, Smith, Johnny Owens, Charles Owens. NAY: None. MOTION PASSED. 2. Consider approving a request from the Great Plains AMBUCS to participate in their annual Fly-A-Flag Program by authorizing an expenditure of up to $3,000 for the placement of 50 flags to cover Gore Boulevard for the following six holidays: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Patriot Day and Veterans Day. Jenny Clement, Great Plains AMBUCS, provided background information on this item. A copy of the request from Great Plains AMBUCS may be obtained from the City Clerk's Office upon request. Clement noted that AMBUCS typically puts the flags up no later than the day before the upcoming holiday. AMBUCS also removes the flags after the holiday is over. Chairman Ezerski noted that the Authority has made this donation in the past. Tanner asked how the Authority is doing on funding. Chairman Ezerski said the Authority does have money for this. Motion by Tanner, Second by Symuleski, to approve the request from Great Plains AMBUCS in the amount of $3,000. AYE: Ezerski, Symuleski, Tanner, Baxter, Smith, Johnny Owens, Charles Owens. NAY: None. MOTION PASSED. Page 7 of 55 3. Consider approving an Engagement Letter with Hatch, Croke & Associates, P.C., for preparation of the Authority's Form 990 for the year ended June 30, 2024. Chairman Ezerski provided background information on this item. A copy of the Engagement Letter with Hatch, Croke & Associates, P.C., may be obtained from the City Clerk's Office upon request. Chairman Ezerski noted that this is something the Authority has to do every year. Tanner inquired about the cost. Chairman Ezerski said the cost is $1,500, which is pretty reasonable. Motion by Tanner, Second by Johnny Owens, to approve the Engagement Letter with Hatch, Croke & Associates. AYE: Ezerski, Symuleski, Tanner, Baxter, Smith, Johnny Owens, Charles Owens. NAY: None. MOTION PASSED. 4. Consider approving a Service Agreement with CW Strategies LLC for professional website hosting services and consider authorizing payment of the annual web hosting services fee in the amount of $300. Gatlin provided background information on this item. A copy of the Service Agreement with CW Strategies LLC for professional website hosting services may be obtained from the City Clerk's Office upon request. Gatlin said this is the website provider for www.beautifullawton.com. We started this a few years ago when we brought the community in to help engage in voting for the Yard of Month competition. Tanner said $300 is a great price for this. Motion by Tanner, Second by Baxter to approve the Service Agreement with CW Strategies LLC. AYE: Ezerski, Symuleski, Tanner, Baxter, Smith, Johnny Owens, Charles Owens. NAY: None. MOTION PASSED. 5. Consider approving the list of expenses from February 19, 2025, to April 9, 2025. Schlecht presented a summary of the paid invoices for the period of February 19, 2025– April 9, 2025. The list of paid invoices is as follows: • $16,500.00 to Teen Court, Inc. for landscaping, lighting and irrigation • $120.00 to Kathryn Tipton for engraving award plates for Eye Candy Gala • $603.60 to Scott's House of Flowers for floral table arrangements Page 8 of 55 • $1,200.00 to Katherine Lionatas-Warren for paintings for Eye Candy Gala award recipients • $4,327.20 to Stanton's Apparel for Trash Off t-shirts • $62,500.00 to Limelight Productions for 2025 Lawton Ft SIll Freedom Festival deposit Motion by Johnny Owens, Second by Charles Owens to approve the summary of the paid invoices for the period of February 19, 2025–April 9, 2025. AYE: Ezerski, Symuleski, Tanner, Baxter, Smith, Johnny Owens, Charles Owens. NAY: None. MOTION PASSED. 6. Consider approving the monthly Treasurer Report. Schlecht presented the monthly Treasurer Report for the months of November 2024 – January 2025, which includes the following documents: the Balance Sheet for the months of November 2024 – January 2025, the Profit & Loss Statement for the months of November 2024 – January 2025, and the Income and Expense Tracker for the months of November 2024 – January 2025. Schlecht also presented the Hotel Motel Tax Revenue Report as of April 9, 2025. A copy of the Treasurer's Report for the months of November 2024 – January 2025 may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office upon request. Chairman Ezerski said the Authority will be voting on each month separately. In regard to the income and expense tracker, Chairman Ezerski said it's showing zero for hotel motel tax income to date in December 2024, but in January 2025 it's showing we're at $58,130. He asked if the Authority received hotel motel tax in January. Schlecht said we have the income, we just don't have the cash yet. Chairman Ezerski asked for clarification on the hotel motel tax process. Brown said hotel motel funding is provided to entities through a reimbursement process with the City of Lawton Finance Department. Chairman Ezerski asked if the City of Lawton has figured out a way to collect this tax from Air Bnbs. Brown said yes. Chairman Ezerski asked Brown if the tax is being collected from directly from Airbnb or from the property owners. Brown said it's being collected from the owners - not Airbnb. Motion by Symuleski, Second by Johnny Owens to approve the Treasurer's Report for the month of November 2024. AYE: Ezerski, Symuleski, Tanner, Baxter, Smith, Johnny Owens, Charles Owens. NAY: None. MOTION PASSED. Page 9 of 55 Motion by Tanner, Second by Charles Owens to approve the Treasurer's Report for the month of December 2024. AYE: Ezerski, Symuleski, Tanner, Baxter, Smith, Johnny Owens, Charles Owens. NAY: None. MOTION PASSED. Motion by Symuleski, Second by Charles Owens to approve the Treasurer's Report for the month of January 2025. AYE: Ezerski, Symuleski, Tanner, Baxter, Johnny Owens, Charles Owens. NAY: None. MOTION PASSED. Adjournment Motion by Johnny Owens, Second by Tanner to adjourn the April 9, 2025 meeting. AYE: Ezerski, Symuleski, Tanner, Baxter, Johnny Owens, Charles Owens. NAY: None. MOTION PASSED. The meeting adjourned at 3:55 PM. Page 10 of 55  PERIOD COVERING 04/09/2025 TO 05/12/2025 VENDOR NAME ACCOUNT DESC YEAR PER STATAMOUNT CHK# INVOICE FULL DESC INVOICE DATE OLIVIA FULTON Prof & Technical Service 2025 11 P $ 300.00 3104 1043 ANNUAL WEB HOSTING SERVICES 3/5/2025 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Dues Memberships Subscription2025 11 P $ 340.00 3105 129383 CHAMBER ANNUAL DUES 5/1/2025 GREAT PLAINS AMER LETA Grants 2025 10 P $ 3,000.00 3101 AMBUCS041025 FLAGS, FLAG POLES, BANNERS, AN 4/10/2025 ALEXSAS RHODES LETA EYECANDY AWARDS 2025 10 P $ 4,350.00 3099 294 FY25 AWARD BANQUET 4/8/2025 THE WRIGHT LIGHTS LETA EYECANDY AWARDS 2025 10 P $ 250.00 3102 1377 SIGNS, SIGN MATERIALS, SIGN MA 4/8/2025 JOURNEY PRODUCTIONS LETA EYECANDY AWARDS 2025 11 P $ 1,880.00 3103 25-18 MULTIMEDIA ENTERTAINMENT SERV 4/12/2025 Page 11 of 55 Page 12 of 55 Page 13 of 55 Page 14 of 55 Page 15 of 55 Page 16 of 55 Page 17 of 55 Page 18 of 55 Page 19 of 55 Page 20 of 55 Page 21 of 55 Page 22 of 55 Page 23 of 55 Page 24 of 55 Page 25 of 55 Page 26 of 55 Page 27 of 55 Page 28 of 55 Page 29 of 55 Page 30 of 55 Page 31 of 55 Page 32 of 55 Page 33 of 55 Page 34 of 55  ESTIM ATE Bedrock Irrigation dennis@bedrocknursery.com 1802 NW 67th St +1 (580) 248-6337 Lawton, OK 73505 www.bedrocknursery.com Bill to Ship to City of Lawton - LETA City of Lawton - LETA 212 SW 9th Street 212 SW 9th Street Lawton, OK 73501 Lawton, OK 73501 Estimate details Estimate no.: 2159 Estimate date: 04/26/2025 # Date Product or service Description Qty Rate Amount 1. ROGERS LANE - 46th St to 52nd St (To Water 60 Newly Planted Crape Myrtles & Existing Photenia) 2. Misc. Ride on Trencher- 2 $500.00 $1,000.00 3. Double Check - 1" Double Check - 1" 1 $599.99 $599.99 4. Box - Standard 12 x 18 Box - Standard 12 x 18 1 $55.00 $55.00 5. Node Battery Timer Node Battery Timer - 2 Station 1 $275.00 $275.00 6. Node Battery Timer Node Battery Timer - 4 Station 1 $350.00 $350.00 7. 6" Pop Up 6" Pop Up (Tree Wells of Crape 60 $12.50 $750.00 Myrtles) 8. 4" Pop Up 4" Pop Up (Red Tip) 15 $6.00 $90.00 9. MP Nozzle MSB Nozzles (Crape Myrtles) 60 $5.00 $300.00 10. Nozzle Nozzle 15 $3.00 $45.00 11. Flex Line Flex Line 1 $250.00 $250.00 12. 18/8 Strand Wire 18/8 Strand Wire 1800 $1.25 $2,250.00 13. 1" Class 200 Pipe 1" Class 200 Pipe 2000 $0.80 $1,600.00 14. 3/4" Class 200 Pipe 3/4" Class 200 Pipe 2600 $0.65 $1,690.00 Page 35 of 55 15. Valve 1" Valve 1" 6 $29.00 $174.00 16. valve box 6" valve box 6" 6 $12.00 $72.00 17. Box - 10" Round Box - 10" Round (Battery Timers) 2 $29.00 $58.00 18. Blue Wire Nut Blue Wire Nut 20 $2.50 $50.00 19. King Drain King Drain 6 $6.00 $36.00 20. 1" Fitting 1" & 3/4" Fitting 225 $3.00 $675.00 21. labor Install Labor Installation of 2,600 ft Irrigation 1 $18,500.00 $18,500.00 Along Roger's Lane / Hand Dig Across All Private Gas Lines From Each Residence Total $28,819.99 Accepted date Accepted by Page 36 of 55 Bedrock Nursery Inc. 1802 NW 67th St. Lawton, OK 73505 US 5802486337 www.bedrocknursery.com Estimate ESTIMATE # 3162 DATE 04/28/2025 ADDRESS City of Lawton (LETA) Attn: Susan Schlecht 212 SW 9th St. Lawton, OK 73501 PLEASE DETACH TOP PORTION AND RETURN WITH YOUR PAYMENT. ACTIVITY QTY RATE AMOUNT LEE BLVD TREE RINGS - 59 (NEW BED BORDERS) Labor 118 10.00 1,180.00 Remove Rusted Tree Rings (59) / Haul Off & Dispose Edging:ME 118 40.00 4,720.00 Metal Edging Border (2 Sticks Per Ring) Edging:IME 118 25.00 2,950.00 Installation of Metal Edging Border - Labor *ALL PAYMENTS MADE WITH A CREDIT CARD OR SUBTOTAL 8,850.00 DEBIT CARD WILL BE SUBJECT TO A SERVICE FEE OF TAX (9%) 0.00 3.5% ADDED TO THE TOTAL DUE. ALL ESTIMATED TOTAL PRICING ABOVE REFLECTS CASH OR CHECK $8,850.00 PAYMENT. Accepted By Accepted Date We appreciate your business! Page 37 of 55 Reason for Relocation The City of Lawton Engineering, Cultural Preservation Committee, and City of Lawton Arts and Humanities recommend the moving of the Ned Shepler Plaque in order to clear a path for the installation of a new ADA ramp, improving the accessibility of Shepler Park. Cultural Preservation Committee During the Cultural Preservation Committee’s meeting on April 14th, 2025, the committee recommend for approval the relocation of the Ned Shepler Park Plaque/Marker. Living Relatives of Ned Shepler Contacted On April 8th, 2025, the Arts and Humanities office connected, through Ronda Norrell, Donald “Don” Bently, the Grandson of Ned Shepler. He stated he and his family are all that is left of the decedents of the Shepler family for which Shepler Park is named. Don Bently stated that he was gracious about being contacted about improvements at Shepler Park, the installation of an ADA ramp, and he would be honored to have the plaque moved to a more appropriate location. He also stated he would be open to attending a rededication of the plaque during this year’s Arts for All. Ned Shepler, 1896–1967 Upon his father’s death in 1919, Ned Shepler along with his brother become the co-owner and editor of the Lawton Newspaper. He become the sole owner in 1942, and his wife May Shepler was president of the Lawton Public Company. The Sheplers boosted civic projects ranging from the building of the McMahon Auditorium and the Museum of the Great Plains to the building of the turnpike system in Oklahoma. He served as president of the Oklahoma Press Association and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, class of 1960. Ned Shepler Park According to an August 9th 1970 Lawton Constitution-Morning Press Article, Ned Shepler park was created during a $2,558,500 Civic Center Project that included the clearing of 63.9 acre-are and the construction of a new police station and three new parking lots. As of the publication, the cleared area also hosted the YMCA, a Ford showroom, Florist Shop, Gas Company Offices, the Lawton Public Company, Southwestern Bell, and the First Baptist Church all-purpose building. A later grant was approved to finance the clearance of land for the new Central Library. References of the “The Civic Center Project” date back to a 1964, and there is mention of designs plans for the city’s “Civic Center project” being presented by the parks director to City Council. 1 of 1 Page 38 of 55 The Lawton Constitution In March of 2012 the Don and Steve Bently, sold “The Constitution” at the time the state’s third largest daily newspaper, to brothers Bill and Brad Burgess. In March 2018 it was announced the newspaper would be sold to Southern Newspapers out of Houston, Texas. Current Location: Proposed new location: The proposed new location for the plaque is at the top of the stairs within the round planter, with the plaque facing south. 1 of 2 Page 39 of 55 Page 40 of 55 Page 41 of 55 Page 42 of 55 Page 43 of 55 Page 44 of 55 Page 45 of 55 Page 46 of 55 Page 47 of 55 Page 48 of 55 Page 49 of 55 Page 50 of 55 Page 51 of 55 Page 52 of 55 Page 53 of 55 Page 54 of 55 Page 55 of 55