The Elk City Commissioners met for their regular monthly meeting, Monday, Aug. 7th, at 7 p.m., in City Hall. Prior to calling the meeting to order, Mayor Cory Spieker and DeAun Ivester presented Patrick Mincher with his high school diploma. Spieker then gave the invocation and was followed by Rick Shelton leading the flag salute.
The first item on the agenda was approval of the July 19th minutes. The next item was the approval of Ordinance 1258: An ordinance vacating a Right of Way Easement previously dedicated to the City of Elk City; providing that invalidity of a part shall not invalidate the remainder repealing all Ordinances in conflict herewith. The ordinance was on the agenda at the last meeting, but it was tabled because the commissioners had questions about it. There was a representative for GAS at the meeting who told the commissioners that they got approval from the utility companies. GAS would be moving them underground at their own expense. This satisfied the commissioner’s questions, and they approved the ordinance.
A grant from Midwest Oklahoma Development Authority (MODA), in the amount of $19,9667.69, which is to help with E-sports equipment at Arrowhead Center, was approved.
The next item on the agenda was the approval of a new Case 1021 G loader from ASCO for the Elk City Rock yard in the amount of $388,970.20, a budgeted item. They also approved the purchase of a new Wastewater Lift Station pump from Master Pumps and Equipment in the amount of $27,577, a budgeted item. The city was given a 48 percent discount if they could order if within 30 days of July 18th.
Spieker reappointed Cheryl Firth, Darla Riley, Salena Dixon, and Katie Archer to the Elk City Library Board, and the commissioners approved the appointment. Their terms will expire Aug. 2026.
Pay Application #16 to Joe D. Hall General Contractor, LLC, for the CAPP project – Aquatic Center in the amount of $194,172.55, a budgeted item, was approved. Then the commissioners turned their attention to three dilapidated structures.
Previously tabled since Aug. 17, 2022, the structure at 1016 W. 8th, was on the agenda to be considered a dilapidated building, detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare and ordering removal of the structure. City Inspector Jackie Addington gave the commissioners pictures of the house. He told them that a lot of work has been done on the building. The owner was also present, and he asked them to release the building because it is now stable. The cost of siding it has increased, and he will need more time to complete the outside. The commissioners complemented him on the work he has already done on it and voted to table it until Nov. 6th meeting.
The next structure is located at 101 Hughes Access Road. It was tabled at the May 1st, June 5th, and July 3rd commission meetings. Addington said that work has been started in clearing the property. Cole McCollum was present and told the commissioners the demolition should be completed very soon. They voted to table the item until the Sept. 4th meeting.
The structure located at 523 S. Van Buren was also on the agenda. It has been tabled since May 1st. Addington told the commissioners that the owner has started the demolition on one of the buildings and will need additional time to complete it. The owner was present and said that he is trying to finish the other buildings. The commissioners tabled the item until the Oct. 2nd meeting, giving him an additional 60 days.
The commissioners approved the purchase orders FY 22-23 and recurring invoices for Aug. 7th, and they also approved the purchase orders FY 23-24. The city manager’s report was next on the agenda.
City Manager Tom Ivester gave the commissioners an overview of several projects. He said that the library programs have increased. In 2022 they had 60 programs and 1930 people involved, but in 2023 they had 346 programs and 8,379 people involved in them. He gave credit to the new children’s librarian for this accomplishment.
Ivester said that the city is in phase two of the goat project. They brought in goats from Arkansas, but those goats have returned home. They now have local goats working on bringing down the weeds along the creek. Ivester noted that these set of goats have not been as aggressive eaters as the previous ones, but he is hopeful for the project.
The wastewater treatment plan supervisor, Cliff Jackson, was recognized for his work at the plant. He said they have used the gray water at the golf course, and it has proven to be successful in watering the course.
Ivester told the commissioners that the fire department will be conducting a controlled burn at the Elk City Industrial Park, and the alumni event over the weekend brought 550 alumni out on Friday night and 700 on Sat. night.
The last item that Ivester talked about was the Aquatic Center. He said that it closed Aug. 4th because the staff had to return to school. The number of people that came to the pool were as follows – July 28th – 571, July 29th – 925, July 30th – 733, July 31st – 543, Aug. 1st – 560, Aug. 2nd – 849, Aug. 3rd – 804, and Aug. 4th – 945. He added that on Aug. 4th at 6:40 p.m., the day it closed, there were still 500 people inside the pool, and they did not want to leave. This was indication of the success of the pool project. They will be in the process of closing the pool.
Treasurer, Jennifer Rainey’s report was next. She said that she will have the numbers at the next meeting. There were no public comments, and the commissioners voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 p.m.
The next meeting will take place on Aug. 16th, at 2 p.m. in City Hall.
