At a special Checotah City Council meeting held May 28, the council voted to uphold the Planning & Zoning decision and deny the rezoning of Lots 1 and 2, Block 115, and Lot 3, less S 40’, Block 114, OT, in Checotah. Motion was carried by Councilman Earnest Myers, Councilman Jay Hayes, Councilman Ronnie Brinsfield, Councilman William Wiles, Councilman Tony Fields, and Councilman Mike Key voting yes. Councilman Joey Marion voted no, and Councilwoman Jodi Greenleaf abstained.

Owner of the properties, Leonard Hill, had been trying to work with the Planning & Zoning Committee for months and spent hundreds of dollars to obtain information to send out letters to surrounding residents to explain his plans for growing a garden through a grant he had already obtained to sell local produce and also give back to the community like he has already done with his other garden high tunnel at his home in Rentiesville.

Several citizens spoke on behalf of Hill and hoped to see the rezoning of the property. They included Blake Lynch, Larry Pouncil, Mark McCoullough and Mrs. Thompson. However Mr. Lyons, Jewell Benson, and Curtis Greenleaf spoke against the rezoning of property. Councilwoman Jodi Greenleaf also challenged the rezoning stating it would make her property value decrease though Lynch had stated there were two other commercial properties right behind their neighborhood already.

However, the city chose not to rezone and will be looking to set new commercial rezoning variances due to their current commercial zoning being too vague.

Hill stated he was disappointed with the outcome but he can still plant a garden, he just can’t sell the produce from the location.

In other business:

• A discussion was held on allowing AFLAC to be a payroll deduction but no action taken

• A motion passed to allow the City to order benches with the American Legion paying the expenses

• A discussion was held regarding the FY 24-25 budget but no action was taken

• No action was taken on the update of investments • Mayor discussed projects on the wish list for FY 24-25 but no action was taken

• A motion passed to authorize Mayor to sign deed conveying the City’s ½ ownership of 136 S. Broadway to the Checotah Industrial Development Authority to finalize sale of property

• A motion passed to change the purchase card from JPMorgan Chase to Armstrong Bank

• No action was taken on city fuel cards In Executive Session: • A motion was made by Councilman Ronnie Brinsfield and seconded by Councilwoman Jodi Greenleaf to enter into executive session at 7:26 p.m. pursuant to 25 § 307(b)(1) to discuss the employment, hiring, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining or resignation of any individual salaried public officer or employee: Marcus Cunningham, Adam Arden, Andy Burnett, Bryon Smith, Justin Needham, Richard Beaty and EMS Director.

Motion was carried by Councilman Earnest Myers, Councilman Jay Hayes, Councilman Joey Marion, Councilman Ronnie Brinsfield, Councilman William Wiles, Councilman Tony Fields, Councilwoman Jodi Greenleaf, and Councilman Mike Key voting yes.

Mayordeclaredoutofexecutive session at 8:06 p.m.

No action taken and the meeting was adjourned.