Several Deer Crossing homeowners pressed city officials on Nov. 17 after receiving notice that the city intends to acquire utility easements for a proposed waterline that would cross private yards.

Jennifer Castleberry of 3606 West Deer Crossing told trustees she and other neighbors received a certified letter in July and have since struggled to get consistent answers about the project’s purpose and alignment. "That is my front yard," she said, adding she bought the home two years ago and maintains the yard. Castleberry said the city’s most recent notice said the project aims "to increase capacity," but that the proposed line is "56% smaller" than the current pipeline; she asked why a smaller line would be used while growth is expected in the area.

Roger Goss, who said he had been asked to review plans for the neighborhood, described technical concerns he said are visible on the city’s plan set. He said a homeowner lateral field is shown much smaller than its actual size and raised inconsistencies in how a pipe‑and‑rail fence and tree removals are depicted. "The lateral field...is about twice as big as what's on the plan," Goss said.

City staff and the presiding officer responded that the item before the Stillwater Utilities Authority that evening was an authorization of total project expenditures to advance right‑of‑way and real‑estate acquisition work, not approval of any specific permanent or temporary easement for an individual property. "This approval of expenditures is just so that they can keep moving with needed acquisitions in order for the projects to move forward," staff said. Staff confirmed the SUA has retained a right‑of‑way acquisition consultant and that staff will continue negotiations and one‑on‑one conversations with affected landowners.

Trustees approved the SUA consent docket and related expenditure authorization by a 4-0 vote. Councilors and staff emphasized that homeowners will have additional opportunities to meet with staff about individual easements; Castleberry asked that the city "table this issue until some further due diligence and some engineering studies are performed." The transcript does not show any individual easement being accepted or executed that night.

The next procedural step described by staff is continued staff negotiation and right‑of‑way work; no final easement conveyance or eminent‑domain action was recorded in the meeting minutes.