Lawton City Council is closing in on the end of the year and tomorrow’s meeting is packed full of noteworthy topics. Discussions range from establishing next years council meeting dates to FISTA agreements and ordinance amendments.

Lawton Animal Welfare service fees

One of the first items on the consent agenda deals with the stray crisis that’s affecting the entire country. 

According to city information, the Lawton Animal Welfare receives 400-500 animals each month and that a majority of them arrive without proper vaccinations and/or aren’t spayed or neutered. As of now, animals may be released to owners with a deposit and a promise that they will vaccinate and fix the animal. However, according to city officials, because of the cost of these services many people don’t go through with that promise. When pets aren’t fixed or vaccinated, officials say it contributes to public health concerns and the stray crisis.

The proposed fees are as follows:

• Rabies vaccination ($20)
• Microchip ($20)
• Spay/Neuter ($50) 

The item, if passed, would allow the shelter to offer these services for a fee. City staff say that this action would fix a lot of the issues that come with releasing animals without proper vetting.

Establishing 2027 City Council dates

The council is also looking ahead to 2027 and confirming their regularly scheduled meeting times. The first item adjusts two meetings, the first in November and the other in December. According to the information on the agenda, this is to accommodate the city’s holiday schedule and is something that’s regularly done this time of year. If passed, the city will cancel the meetings scheduled for November 23 and December 28 in 2027 and replace them with November 2 and December 7 of 2027. 

Additionally, the council will consider passing a schedule of all of the regular meeting dates for 2027.

Homeless shelter public hearings

The city is set to discuss establishing an ordinance that would require a public hearing to be held for any proposed homeless shelter. The ordinance also defines terms like transitional housing, low-barrier, and high-barrier. 

In the item information, it states that elected officials have “heard the recent public concerns” related to low-barrier and high-barrier shelters. The ordinance would allow neighbors of the proposed shelter within 300 feet to participate in a public hearing and share their concerns or show their support.

According to the agenda, the changes are not meant to stop a shelter from being built, but to allow for public input and transparency for when one is proposed.

FISTA expansion

There are multiple items on the agenda related to an expansion of FISTA. The first, being an item pertaining to the Central Plaza parking lot. It was recently found out that the City of Lawton is who owns the lot surrounding the mall instead of the Lawton Parking Authority. If passed, FISTA would lease the lot from the city for $100 per year.

Another item pertaining to FISTA’s planned expansion into the south portion of the parking lot, the city will consider granting access to two easements. According to the item, this is needed in order to relocate existing utilities. The third item deals with approving construction plans for sewer lines. Staff’s recommendation is to approve the plans if the proper Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality permits are obtained.

The Lawton City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 6 p.m.