Prior to the regular Elk City Commission meeting Monday, June 5th, Representative Nick Archer announced that the legislature passed two emergency programs that will secure $2.5 million for the City of Elk City. On June 2nd HB 1017x the Emergency Relief and Impacts Grant Program was passed by a vote of 94 to three, along with HB 1020x Appropriated Funds to Emergency Funds to Emergency Management and Homeland Security that passed by 91 to four. Both bills go into effect immediately because they were declared an emergency.
“I took the opportunity to advocate for Elk City in western Oklahoma, which is what you sent me to do. I was able to work with Representative Trey Caldwell of the 63rd District to allocate $25 million through Emergency Management and that $25 million was part of HB 10 17x. It sets up the Emergency Management Fund, and that had an emergency clause which became law on June 2. So that is law. Now associated with that was HB 10 20x just appropriated the funds into that Impact Grant program. That became law on June 2., and so through that $25 million we have secured for our city two and a half million dollars to help bridge that gap,” Archer explained.
After he complemented the commissioners on the progress of the CAPPs projects, Archer gave the invocation. Mayor Cory Spieker and Rod Carver were absent from the meeting, therefore, Rick Shelton stepped in as acting mayor. Rocky Andresen led the flag salute. Before they proceeded through the agenda, they held a public hearing.
The hearing was for rezoning, as notifi ed, for petitioner MM Estates, LLC, at 3503 S. Hwy 6. The request is to rezone 1-1, Light Industrial District to C-2, Highway Commercial and Commercial Recreation District. The petitioner was not present but had a representative present to answer questions.
The commissioners then approved the minutes from the May 17th meeting, and they introduced the Ordinance No. 1253: An Ordinance changing the zoning classifi cation of a tract of land situated in Garrett Addition, Beckham County. This is the same property addressed in the public hearing. Planning and Zoning chair, Tom Johnson spoke on the issue, saying the committee approved the rezoning.
The next item on the agenda was the approval of Ordinance No. 1251: An Ordinance of the City of Elk City, amending the Elk City Code Ordinances, Chapter 3. Animal, Article 1, General Provisions, Section 3-9. Dogs/Cats/Ferrets/Etc.: Rabies Vaccination. License, Fee Paragraph 10 adding Paragraph 11. City Manager Tom Ivester said this ordinance would raise the fee for animals that were in quarantine for not having been vaccinated and injuring someone, it addressed the problem of people paying the $100 fine and not getting their animal vaccinated.
The commissioners approved Resolution No. 2023-9: A Resolution applying for a grant and accepting a grant offer from the US Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the Construct Taxiway (Design) Project FAA Project No. 3-40-0027-024-2023 for the Elk City Regional Business Airport. This is a grant presented by Lisa Church, SWODA for approval. It is for the design only.
Church also presented the State of Oklahoma Department of Transportation Project Maintenance, Financing, and Right-of-Way Agreement – Elk City: Streetscape on S. Main Street from 5th Street to 7th Street Intersection Project, which was approved. This is a 80/20 percentage grant, with the city paying 20 percent.
The Final Replat of “The Greens” was approved after Johnson explained that the project has been revised several times, but he believes this is the final replat. The next item on the agenda was the approval to direct City Clerk to give statutory notice of proposed annexation of 7.05 acres located in the SW ¼ of Section 13, T11N, R21 WIM to the City of Elk City pursuant to petition by property owners for consent annexation thereof. Ivester recommended the annexation as did Johnson, the commissioners approved the item.
The commissioners also approved payment to Overland Materials and Manufacturing, Inc. (Circle S. Paving, Clinton, OK) for Type C asphalt for R & R alleys and street repairs in the amount of $30,442.30, a budgeted item. They approved payment to Daktronics, Inc., for a New Digital Scoreboard for the Boys Five Plex baseball field in the amount of $26,765 (half will be reimbursed by Elk City Baseball Board). Ivester said that the baseball board came to him to upgrade three of their scoreboards and were willing to split the cost.
The services for designing the proposed Elk City Police and Fire Department with REES company were approved. The actual designs will be presented at the next meeting.
Pay application #4 for Orr Construction for the Main Street Waterline and Storm Sewer Plan project in the amount of $443,195.71 was approved, and Pay Application #14 to Joe D. Hall General Contractors, LLC, for the CAPP project – Aquatic Center in the amount of $431,378.90 was also approved.
An Intrafund Borrowing Agreement for a line of credit between the Elk City Industrial Authority and the City of Elk City sufficient to fulfill the remainder of the expenses associated with the opening of the Aquatic Center was approved. Ivester explained the agreement as a way to “pay as you go” rather than borrowing funds from a bank.
The commissioners tabled the structure at 101 Hughes Access Road, declaring it dilapidated until July 3rd, and they also tabled the structure located at 609 N. Jackson until the July 3rd commission meeting. Neither property’s representatives were present.
The Purchase Orders FY 22-23 and recurring invoices for June 5th were approved, followed by the City Manager’s report. Ivester said that he held two invoices from Martin Marietta because they are in dispute about the charges. He then talked about the Aquatic Center. They would be inspecting the pools that are completed Tuesday evening by the health department. If they are approved the city can open the toddler pool and the pool with the slides. Ivester expects to open them as soon as they can. The cost of admittance will be $5.
He also told the commissioners that the designs on the police and fire departments are 98 percent completed and they will be presented at the next meeting. There was no Treasurer’s Report. City treasurer, Jennifer Rainey was not present.
When asked for public comments, Archer congratulated commissioner Andresen for pushing his voting button every time throughout the meeting. Elk City Police Chief Eddie Holland thanked Archer for working for Elk City at the capital that resulted in the $2.5 million in additional funds for the renovations for the fire and police stations.
The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m. and the next meeting will take place June 21st at 2 p.m. in city hall.
