• The League of Women Voters of Stillwater advocates strict enforcement of the Open Meeting Law. Furthermore, the local League recommends publication of meeting time and agenda of all meetings. (Retained by consensus February 6, 2001 .)

• The League of Women Voters of Stillwater supports the 1983 position of the State League on conflict of interest. Further­more, commissioners and board members who have a financial interest in an issue being voted on should disclose the conflict of interest and abstain from voting. Conflict of interest should be defined in terms of gains to the elected or appointed official and immediate family. (Retained by consensus November 7, 2000 .)

• The League of Women Voters of Stillwater advocates that boards:

a) Include all socioeconomic groups in Stillwater.
b) Have individual members satisfying requirements of membership in terms of geographic residency and minimum attendance.
c) Be kept at full membership.
d) Meet regularly.
e) Be given a written charge.
f) Be given a set time for reporting recommendations.

• The League of Women Voters of Stillwater recommends the following:

a) Publicize projected periods of completing projects.
b) Stress completion of projects on schedule to eliminate cost overruns.
c) Inform citizens of current status of outstanding bonds and other long-term financial obligations at least annually.
d) Report annually on the financial expenditures from the reserve fund for capital improvements.

• The plan should reflect the interests of the entire community in a manner that addresses the following issues:

a) Economic development and diversification
b) Capital improvement plans for public facilities
c) Affordable housing
d) Preserving historic and environmental resources
e) Availability of activities and social services within the community
f) Open space/recreational area development and protection
g) Preserving neighborhoods
h) Maintaining safety
i) Coordination of services and growth
j) Consideration for the physical limitations of the environment
k) Infrastructure issues:

(1) Water
(2) Wastewater
(3) Solid waste
(4) Drainage
(5) Community space
(6) Signage
(7) Safety controls
(8) Transportation
(9) Telecommunications
(10) Streets
(11) Sidewalks

• A part of the plan should describe the way in which new growth should occur, which would define the planning area boundaries and describe smaller areas within the community that need to be specifically addressed. This part of the plan should also include current and projected economic and population statistics and land use patterns (zoning).
  
• The Comprehensive Community Development Plan should be reviewed annually and updated periodically by the planning commission, with citizen participation in addition to a public hearing. It should be utilized as a guide for daily decisions by the city’s staff, the City Commission and the Planning Commission.

(Consensus adopted December 5, 2000 )

• In order to improve justice, the League of Women Voters of Stillwater recommends that offenders undergo some personal reformation and that the community create conditions that encourage successful reentry to society.

• The LWV of Stillwater believes the law enforcement agencies serving the Stillwater area could be improved through the following recommendations:

a) The Police Department should continuously upgrade the training of police officers. Additionally, police officers should be encouraged by the Department to take college courses to improve their overall effectiveness as law enforcement officials.

b) The City should generate sufficient revenues and equitably distribute such revenues so the police department is adequately financed.

c) Stillwater should have a law enforcement advisory board to review policies to ensure conformance with state and local statutes and compliance with constitutional protection as well as affirmative action goals.

(Retained by consensus April 18, 2002 .)

• The League of Women Voters of Stillwater recommends that the Parks, Events and Recreation Department continue to maintain its facilities and programs as well as expand them to provide designated park land in newer areas and some existing neighborhoods.
• The local LWV encourages the City to implement the greenways, park linkages, and trail systems described in the Comprehensive Plan 2020. The City should acquire this green way land whenever possible as funds and more land become available.
• SLWV supports the City Code’s incentives for developers to donate park land to the City, however, these incentives may need to be increased.
• The local LWV would like the City to recognize that green space does not necessarily mean a developed park. Some land could be designated as nature areas requiring little routine maintenance. (See Note 1.)
• The Stillwater League recommends appropriate park equipment be installed to serve the diversity of needs of all Stillwater residents. (See Note 2.)
• Consideration of the present budget showed a reasonable division of funds between program and maintenance areas. New and innovative ways of getting funds should be pursued to supplement the city funds. Volunteer support and donations should be encouraged. (See Note 3.)
• The League favors the continuation of all programs presently offered by the Parks, Events and Recreation Department. An effort must be made to keep children’s recreation programs as low cost as possible. (See Note 4.)
• The SLWV believes the Stillwater Parks , Events and Recreation Department has a role in environmental protection, both as protector of natural areas and as an educator.
• The League believes that the city needs to develop a detailed future plan for all parks and facilities. (See Note 5.)
• The SLWV believes the Parks, Events and Recreation Board is essential to aid the Parks, Events and Recreation Department in effective planning with citizen participation.

(Adopted May 23, 2001.)

• A study to examine the functions of the Community Development Department, the Planning Commission, the City Staff and the City Commission and their relationship with code enforcement. (Retained by consensus March 22, 1984 .)
• The good of the community as a whole should be given first consideration in altering the comprehensive plan or zoning ordinances. (Consensus adopted 1986.)

• Student Expulsion and Suspensions : The League of Women Voters of Stillwater recommends:

- Reason for action
- Student’s and parent's responsibilities
- Rights as to counsel, speedy and fair hearing
- When student may return to school
- Other possibilities for education

4. The parent, guardian or student requesting an appeal hearing from the Board be granted

(Retained by consensus March 20, 1986 and October, 2002)

Notes:

Note 1: Park land could be classified by the degree of maintenance needs. Natural areas and open spaces require very limited maintenance. Passageways, green way and trail linkages require maintenance of only the trails and the trail linkages. Neighborhood parks need grounds and equipment maintained periodically. Major parks need maintenance of ground equipment and trash pick up on a regular basis.

Note 2: An example is the skate-boarding area at Strickland Park .

Note 3: This could be done by programs such as Adopt a Park, an organization of Friends of the Parks, cooperating with various OSU departments, student organizations, and community groups such as garden clubs, environmental groups, and residents interested in particular sports or activities for children.

Note 4: All information about children’s programs, whether in the newspaper or in flyers sent home with school children, should include the availability of scholarships along with information on whom to contact for assistance. Groups serving low income families should be used to help reach this audience.

Note 5: The SLWV believes that the Comprehensive Plan 2020 provides an excellent outline for the future of Parks, Events and Recreation and urges the City to adopt this plan. The SLWV would like to see Parks, Events and Recreation implement a plan similar to Beyond 2000 from Iowa City.