The Elk City Commissioners met for their regular meeting Wed., Nov. 15th, at 2 p.m. in City Hall. The agenda was light, with a public hearing concerning 602 N. Oklahoma, Jones Bradley Lots 13-18, Blk 13 held prior to opening the meeting. The owner was unable to be present.
The commissioners approved the minutes from the Nov. 6th meeting, followed by the approval of Ordinance No. 1260: An Ordinance changing the Zoning classification of a tract of land situation in the Houchen Addition, Block 5, Elk City, Oklahoma from R-3, Multi-Family Residential District to C-3, General Commercial District. This is where the new fire station will be built.
The next item on the agenda was the introduction of Ordinance No. 1261: An Ordinance of the City of Elk City, Oklahoma amending the Elk City Code of Ordinance, Chapter 20 Public Utilities, Section 20-7 Bills Due When; Delinquency. City Manager, Tom Ivester, explained that this will clarify that water bills will be deliquent by 5 p.m. on the 19th of each month. After that time water will be disconnected. He noted that this is being done for the ordinance to be specific as to the time and date of acceptable payment prior to the disconnect. No action was taken because it was an introduction to the ordinance.
The structure located at 2609 E. Hwy 66, which was discussed and tabled from the Sept. 5th meeting to be considered a dilapidated building, was tabled for another 90 days. The owner was present and told the commissioners he was in the process of selling the property.
The next structure on the agenda was structure that was considered in the public hearing, 602 N. Oklahoma. The item was continued until the 20th of Dec. because the owner was unable to be at the meeting.
Jeff Sabin, Attorney with the Center for Economic Development Law Firm was present to discuss the TIF District #1. The commissioners voted to refund an overpayment of ad valorem and sales tax to TIF District #1 in the amount of $2,158,228.
The commissioners discussed the use of the old Kids Inc. building by the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. No action was taken because it was on the agenda for discussion. The next item was the discussion of using the old motocross on the west side of the lake. There were a group of motorcycle supporters at the meeting. Bobby Southard spoke on behalf of the group. They will need to form an organization and return to the commission to consider the options, which could affect the bike track.
The commissioners approved an agreement between Owner and Construction Manager as Contractor with Joe D. Hall General Contractors for the Police Remodel/New Fire Station. They then approved the Purchase Orders FY 23-24 and recurring invoices for Nov. 15.
Supervisor reports were given by Edwin Sipes on the landfill and Kurt Kramer concerning the cemetery. Ivester’s city manager’s report was given next. He talked about replacing 250,000 water meters. They will be doing the replacement internally because of the cost of hiring an outside firm to complete the job. Ivester said that they will be replacing them because they are old and need software updates. They will be doing about 250 to 300 a month. This will slow down the water crew’s regular duties but will save the city money that was not budgeted.
The sales tax was up by 12 percent over last year, which indicates that financially the city is doing well. The meeting lasted about an hour and half, because of the discussion concerning motocross proposal. There were no public comments. The next meeting will take place Dec. 4th at 7 p.m. in City Hall.
