[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6789902,"mediaKeyId","5565782-bb75e6d0002ecf0d46d2c4fdc7d98003","parentId",5565782,"title","Council denies homeowner sewer‑backup claim after city cites 'act of God' defense","audioSeconds",541,"startMs",8937440,"endMs",9478920,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565782-bb75e6d0002ecf0d46d2c4fdc7d98003&start=8937&end=9478","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565782-bb75e6d0002ecf0d46d2c4fdc7d98003/thumbnail_8937440.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6789902/Oklahoma/Council-denies-homeowner-sewerbackup-claim-after-city-cites-act-of-God-defense","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6789902-6f8eb790b17539e30b337d1c977c9328/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154065&Signature=O098mIBmiPApnCW63x~BRnwElV~Y1dzUE00TghJpFRgvL4sxWuMYk46wnqZQvzJ5mZdAYPIKVHfB0AbNXPMEzulJDR-DNPtHhOghxLZ6383cLdvdJHGKixmjOVdLn9sg2OonzqrmqLqgC8n7Kc8uPFauWAjQjQxg3xo~Q-xIWN53fNQjL6Lxv~ag5T4kDsuI86nj~IELdAGXYzG5otnIVRAVIfH1d8RGzjeUOyCkvU4wN5z9m3zdc~8M5WEIpiwHD5ZlpFCX0~euoZWFj6aBA53a5JubwrkKIyyNfXjDli94JP5QWzNgJavgp9LR82NJThYBlT5xR9iM4NM81I~fYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council Meetings","date","2025-08-13T02:14:43.783Z","article","The Lawton City Council unanimously denied a homeowner’s claim tied to a sewer backup that flooded a residence on April 26, 2025, after staff told the council the city experienced an extreme rainfall event that overwhelmed the sewer system.

Jessica Richardson, owner of 2602 Northwest Cedric Circle, addressed the council during the tort‑claims hearing and said raw sewage entered living spaces on 04/26/2025, displacing her family and causing an estimated $12,336.96 in damages; she said insurance covered about $5,000 and she sought the city for the remaining $7,796.96. \"This was not just a property inconvenience. It was devastating…we have been out of the home since 04/26/2025,\" Richardson said.

City staff outlined the meteorological and system conditions for that date: \"the city received approximately 6 inches of rainfall during that time in an hour and a half and experienced what we call the 500‑year storm event,\" staff said. The city attorney advised the council that under Oklahoma law the municipality is not liable for losses caused by such an extraordinary event (an \"act of God\" defense), and recommended denial of the claim.

After a brief exchange in which council members asked whether the insurance payment affected recoverability, councilmember motions to deny the Richardson claim and two other recommended claims passed 7–0. The mayor noted claimants may seek relief in district court if they choose.

What’s next: Richardson and other claimants were informed of the denial and, if they wish, may pursue civil relief in district court; the council did not authorize any city payment for these specific claims.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 12, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council voted 7–0 to deny a $7,796.96 reimbursement claim from Jessica Richardson for sewer backup damage on April 26, 2025, after city staff and the city attorney attributed the event to an extraordinary rainfall event and said Oklahoma law bars liability for such acts.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings, Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma","taxId",69683,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6789909,"Lawton council advances dozens of dilapidated-property abatements, tables one for 60 days",930,2524930,3455680,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565782-bb75e6d0002ecf0d46d2c4fdc7d98003&start=2524&end=3455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565782-bb75e6d0002ecf0d46d2c4fdc7d98003/thumbnail_2524930.jpg","/articles/6789909/Oklahoma/Lawton-council-advances-dozens-of-dilapidated-property-abatements-tables-one-for-60-days","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6789909-6d5345f4453624b3e19cd699fb9980c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154065&Signature=hMIR8dR75MXiCzG9IfmES-sk4DPTNzmcO0tVMyvNiiQilj-4ez9LLMdc~d4ruD5HWgnlsdkLr~IFkGykANWHgC32-KoiZVGpWA3Zm0VIGTBqv9yl4N-IVsu5y5hvmeXt25MHQkgXLq7PxQBPoWl55sgx5laxlqb1ThjgHX52SMGcwR2RJINBq26rWyn6baEOlwaMdT7TSHakknRQIJRLQidkaM0FhhVwafsOng8D-8GvQUhEZyzo0aiesY0678z~n2qE8e7qEtkuwrRSnJoDhitTkToiYJJPFlYHcKrEcUdhXm9Unve7SP0G0HmHa6OWvBpb4UrRyJWfRBhNDfkm8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawton City Council on July 30 heard a lengthy slate of cases under its dilapidated‑property process and approved resolutions to declare dozens of structures city nuisances and authorize abatement. Mayor Stan Booker opened the special session and staff presented property‑by‑property findings, including inactive water accounts, fire damage, missing roofs and windows, and lack of active permits.

John, a city staff member overseeing the dilapidated‑property docket, told the council that several addresses had active permits and ongoing work and that staff recommended no action for those properties. \"Staff recommendation is for no action to be taken\" on properties where owners have pulled permits and are actively repairing structures, John said. For properties with no permits, visible structural collapse, or repeated reports of vagrancy, staff recommended moving forward with resolutions that authorize abatement and allow the city attorney to seek district‑court remedies.

At a public hearing on 1207 Southwest G Avenue, owner Linda Sousan told the council she has engaged a demolition contractor and was arranging permits. The council voted to approve a resolution declaring that structure a dilapidated public nuisance and authorizing abatement. Similar hearings and resolutions followed for addresses across the city, with staff routinely noting posting dates (07/30/2025 in many cases) and, where applicable, inactive water-account dates dating back several years.

One address drew a different outcome: 4006 Northwest Meadowbrook Drive. John said insurance had approved demolition and the owner was working with a bank to finance a rebuild, but no demolition permits had been filed. Staff recommended tabling the matter 30–60 days to allow the owner time to secure bank approval. The council moved to table for 60 days; Mayor Stan Booker announced the new date and the motion passed on a roll call vote.

The council’s votes were recorded by roll call for each resolution. Many motions carried unanimously; a small number of items included dissenting votes or votes to table. Council members repeatedly urged owners to obtain the necessary permits and complete inspections, and staff committed to returning an updated D&D master list and supplemental data — including amounts due for prior city demolitions and a breakdown by ward — at the next meeting cycle.

What’s next: council directed staff to provide the updated D&D master list and an accounting of amounts due and suggested the list be distributed monthly after the first council meeting so members can track progress and upcoming abatement work.","The Lawton City Council heard staff reports and approved multiple resolutions declaring properties dilapidated under Section 651 of the city code, authorizing abatement and summary remedies; one property (4006 NW Meadowbrook Drive) was tabled for 60 days while the owner works with an insurer and bank.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6789899,"Council approves $950,000 annual support agreement with Lawton Economic Development Corporation",691,9917930,10609444,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565782-bb75e6d0002ecf0d46d2c4fdc7d98003&start=9917&end=10609","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565782-bb75e6d0002ecf0d46d2c4fdc7d98003/thumbnail_9917930.jpg","/articles/6789899/Oklahoma/Council-approves-950000-annual-support-agreement-with-Lawton-Economic-Development-Corporation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6789899-4456ca72c1f3f10eafa7e9d7860c3a8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154065&Signature=GFEfF-dLhQJljhEufOUISDPxR8Y2hdH7cBlGDjRbaXo3KF3HjwBgeSsBU9spL3mHfdrEinDIWEiUdSX9fcmWAbrMdeqLyWUdI-qmhQQ5v6ARjCWrQa~h3tzzxgOBTDj3uO6SR2od-GRRDZNO3qZliJxljui~TEhd8YVyJ5UrckrZ1Ioe6KiD12YZYzxFiPY1Vm6SqthBlC64JF62AkX9vGDaRBbgjLeQVPMtyFNDqiYOS7-7WkDTd4~Xnb4-~H1I6vf6YwtVRgN4o7HXWEsRfJ2fm-m5ntV-MdZxf1aIRfy4n5S8t0RDZRtwa8RhZnM4CEvsik2kE5EddPMSnyoG3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawton City Council voted to approve a $950,000 annual limited‑support agreement with the Lawton Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), with $450,000 allocated from hotel‑motel tax receipts and $500,000 from the 2019 capital improvement program. The agreement also requires LEDC to follow the city’s purchasing policy when spending city funds.

Kristen, a city staff presenter, outlined the funding sources and said the hotel‑motel portion is contingent on tax collections. Brad, representing LEDC, thanked the council for continued support and reported multiple active projects in development. Council members discussed oversight and metrics; one councilmember asked for language allowing the council to review and adjust terms during the year. The council adopted the agreement and scheduled a special executive‑session briefing with LEDC for the following Friday morning so elected officials could receive a detailed confidential update on active projects.

What’s next: the agreement was approved (7–0); council members requested an executive‑session LEDC briefing to review active projects and asked staff to prepare a performance matrix for future oversight.","Council approved a $950,000 agreement with the Lawton Economic Development Corporation—$450,000 from hotel/motel tax and $500,000 from CIP—adding a purchasing‑policy provision and directing a follow‑up executive briefing on LEDC activity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council denies homeowner sewer‑backup claim after city cites 'act of God' defense

Lawton council advances dozens of dilapidated-property abatements, tables one for 60 days

Council approves $950,000 annual support agreement with Lawton Economic Development Corporation